Irene's revenge

Chapter three

My strength slowly returned, and relentlessly, I walked farther and farther away from the Platinum Pack. Farther away from my sister. From the home I had.

Not anymore, I reminded myself as I wove through the forest, the smell of death with me. I didn't know where I was heading, but one thing I knew… I would be back.

I was now miles away from my pack, the clouds now a blanket of stars when a sound caught my attention. I halted, straining my ears to listen.

My heart thudded as I slowly let out deep breaths, my chest rising and falling. My wolf was on alert.

Someone was here.

I wasn't stupid. Being in the forest alone, especially as a female, wasn't the wisest decision, but anything was better than being even a mile closer to Ethan. Anything.

My head turned as I let my eyes take in every single inch of the bushes. Nothing. The crickets rhymed with the whispers of the wind as it blew through my caramel hair.

I resumed my pace, this time faster. But not quietly. Whatever made that sound definitely knew I was here.

In seconds, my fast-paced walk turned into a sprint, and I could hear it. Or better still, hear them.

Shifters.

My nose twitched as I kicked my legs faster. Males. Two of them.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I moved, fear clinging to my skin just like the smell of copper, which I would bet was the reason why they had located me in the first place.

Before I could blink, something hard rammed into me from behind, sending me flying and landing on the hard ground.

A scream escaped my lips.

Cold, icy fear gripped my bones as I turned around on the ground, and there they were.

They were in their human forms, their fangs and claws out.

“Please, please don't hurt me. I haven't done anything wrong,” I said, whimpering with my elbows on the ground as I tried to scoot away from them.

“Don't you know what territory you're in? Do you realize you have trespassed?” One of them, a blonde-haired man, growled.

“I'm sorry. Please, I didn't realize.” It was my first time being away from the Platinum Pack.

They edged closer before bending to lift me from the ground, both at my sides with firm grips on my arms.

“It's too late for that now, don't you think?” the other one bared his teeth.

My heart dropped. Even as I kicked, screamed, and begged, they dragged me along with them until my strength gave way.

In minutes, we were out of the forest, and buildings came into view. Bungalows and duplexes were scattered around. In silence, both men dragged me onto the tarred road through turns and corners until we got to a two storey house.

I took a heavy gulp before being pushed through its wooden doors. Everything was pitch black until someone moved to turn on the lights.

My head throbbed at the instant sharpness in my eyes.

“Stay with her. Let me get Alpha Rex,” the blonde one said as he moved up the stairs and disappeared into the hallway.

My gaze fell on the other male, panic in my wide eyes. “You really don't have to do this. I didn't do anything wrong. You can just let me go and pretend like nothing happened, like you didn't see me, and I promise I'll repay you.”

He snorted; his dark hair glinted under the light the chandeliers gave. “And how could you possibly do that? You look like a chicken drenched in blood.” He gave my body a once-over, disgust evident on his face.

“Why does it smell like death?” A voice came from the top of the stairs. I guessed the muscular male with shoulder-length hair that appeared was the Alpha. He raised a brow as he registered my presence. “Why do you smell like death?”

I fidgeted under his stare as he walked down the stairs. Intrigue wasn't missed as he studied me.

“Is she deaf or something?” he asked when I didn't respond to his question.

“No, sir,” the dark-haired guy said. “Her hearing is working perfectly.”

Alpha Rex stormed toward me, his eyes holding irritation. “Do you want to die?”

Squirming, I shook my head vigorously.

“Then you'd do well to answer my questions. Use your brain, of course, because anything you say could determine if I would spare your life or not. So, for the last time, why do you smell like death?”

I gulped. “The pup I was pregnant with died.”

A pin could drop, and it would be heard due to the amount of silence in the room.

“Was the death accidental?”

“No.” I shook my head, my throat suddenly going dry at the image of Ethan kicking my stomach. “My mate killed his pup. My pup.”

Alpha Rex tilted his head to the side; a few seconds passed before he moved to take a seat on one of the black couches. “What pack are you from, and who's your mate?”

“I'm from the Platinum Pack.” At the name of my pack, the alpha and the dark-haired boy gave each other a look. “My mate is the heir apparent, Ethan Kensley.”

“Interesting,” Alpha Rex spoke. “Interesting.” He repeated, his hand to his jaw. “I don't know if you're aware, but you're in the Jupiter Pack. Trespassing into another Pack's territory isn't taken lightly, and your punishment could be death depending on the Pack.”

My heart dropped. The Jupiter Pack and the Platinum Pack were long-time rivals that would stop at any opportunity to cause havoc against each other. In conclusion, I just walked into the lion's den.

“But don't worry, I will spare your life in exchange for something I want,” Rex rasped as he leaned on the chair.

I swallowed. Whatever he wanted couldn't be good. “What do you want?”

“I want chaos in the Platinum Pack. I want it to be in ruins. So, after you're taken care of and given what you need, I want you to go back and do just that: create chaos.” He grinned. “See it as taking revenge for your dead pup.”

My eyes widened. “H-how—?”

“You had a fire in your eyes when you spoke about the death of your child and when you mentioned his name. I know you won't be satisfied until you get revenge. I see that and I recognize it. It's the same fire burning in me. The fire to ruin Platinum.” His palms fisted on the arm of the chair, his eyes thunderous. Then he blinked, and his expression went back to normal. “Do we have a deal?”

A small smile caressed my face, and I took a step forward, my chest elated with hope. “Yes, Alpha Rex. We have a deal.”