Chapter 10
1402 Words
AUSTIN
"You're a disgrace! I gave you one simple mission!" I yelled at the incompetent fool beside me.
He pulled back, his eyes filled with fear. "I had followed his scent. It led me straight to— to her room. I had thought it was his."
"Shut up! Enough with your excuses!" I glowered at him, my fist barely missing his face. "Did anyone make you out? Did she see your face?"
He shook his head and it infuriated me more. "Speak up you fool!"
"No,” he whimpered, his voice low. “The moonless night… it gave me full coverage. I went in as a wolf. She was asleep. "
I paced across the room, my chest tightening with fury. The animal. How could he be so reckless?
“Who else knows about this?” I stood in front of him, my breath fanning his face. The mere thought of anyone else being involved, of this somehow reaching the wrong ears, twisted my insides. If this gets out... if it gets traced back to me...
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. My father would throw me out without a second thought if he found out I’d gone against his plans. He’d crush me.
"No one. I swear." He fell to his knees, his eyes pleading. "Please… I didn't tell anyone. I swear, not a soul knows."
I didn't move. I stood there, studying his expression. His fear was evident through his eyes set on the door, as though he could bolt at any moment. Good. He should be terrified.
"You had better pray it doesn't come back to me,” I said, my voice low as I lowered myself to his eye level. “If it does… you'll wish you're better off dead.” I leaned in, so close I could smell the sweat on his skin. “Leave. Now. And don’t you ever come near me again."
He flinched, nodded rapidly as he stood on wobbly legs before taking off.
Incompetent fools. The words echoed in my head as I watched him. This was supposed to be clean. Perfect. Now, it's all a damn mess.
I ran my hand through my hair, frustration eating at me. What a waste of time. But I couldn't afford to get caught up in this setback. Not now, at least. Not with everything at stake.
I glanced at the clock. Five minutes. Just five minutes to gather myself before the meeting with Mannord.
I drained the glass of whiskey that had been sitting on the counter, feeling the burn as it slid down my throat.
"I'll have to do this myself," I muttered, letting the warmth of the drink ease my tense muscles.
****
"What the hell did you think you were doing?” Mannord's voice caught through the air as we settled into our corner of the nearly empty cafe. His voice was filled with anger. “You sent Trask over to Blackmoon’s mansion? Are you out of your mind? You are being impulsive. Again."
I stared at him, my expression neutral, though my jaw clenched tightly. "I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, feigning ignorance.
But he didn't budge. He leaned forward, his eyes staring straight into mine. "Did you think I wasn't going to keep an eye on you? I'm your second in command for f**k’s sake! I know everything about you."
His tone grated my already raw nerves, making my wolf growl low. "Have you been spying on me?"
Mannond swore softly, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "That's not the point Austin. My point is you happened to involve a dimwit like Trask. Not only did he fail to get the job done, he also blew his cover. If your father gets wind of this—"
My restraint broke, letting the words snap out of my mouth before I could stop it. "He wouldn't. because you won't tell him." I glared at him, the purpose of our meeting long forgotten.
We stared at each other, waiting for who would break contact first. My pulse quickened with every second that passed and so did my resolve.
Finally, he looked away. "And you trust Trask to stay quiet?"
I leaned back into my chair, trying to maintain control. "I have already promised him death if he should ever say a word. He is scared, Mannord. I made sure of it."
"That won't cut it,” he muttered under his breath, clearly still frustrated. “I'll handle him. But you have gotten yourself in a mess. Word is, Blake’s got men on the street, sniffing around for any information on the intruder. He is willing to pay—well— for the information."
I stilled for a moment. "There's nothing to be found and nothing links me to it."
Except Trask. The realization made me clench my fist under the table. Damn that i***t. He was the only loose end. But Mannond had promised to take care of him. I had no doubt he'd make it happen. The question, however, was whether Mannord was doing this for me…or my father.
Mannord’s voice snapped me back into focus. "You don't do anything again without consulting with me. Are we clear on that?"
I stared at him for a long moment, trying to read his expression. But he gave nothing away. I nodded slowly, my jaw tight.
I need to be extremely careful when I step out tonight. Nothing and no one was going to ruin my plans for me tonight. Not even you, Mannond.
****
LUCY
I stared down at the empty duffel bag lying on my bed. I was indecisive. Part of me wanted to leave everything behind and disappear— it would take them days to realize the fact. But another part hesitated, scared and frightened of being alone.
Raelle had decided to stay the night, which worked to my advantage. She was also going with Ma to the Lunas' meeting scheduled for tomorrow. That meant I had a window—an opening to disappear without anyone asking questions, or at least fewer of them.
The palace around me felt peacefully quiet after the day I had had. After the scene at dinner, I’d locked myself in my room, refusing to face anyone, to acknowledge what had happened. I needed space to breathe, to think.
But even then, my thoughts kept drifting to him, sometimes overshadowed by another—the man who had saved me at the club.
It was the first time in two days that his face had crossed my mind. I hadn’t wanted to think about him. But here I was, wondering—what if things were different? What if he and I had been friends? He would have been just what I needed right now—someone I could trust to get me out of here.
Shaking the thought away, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.
I threw a few clothes into the bag, a few essentials—enough to get me through until I figured out where I would go. My heart pounded as my mind raced. I had no idea where I would end up, but I knew one thing for certain: I wasn’t staying here.
I grabbed the duffel bag and opened my door silently, careful not to make a sound.
As I crept down the hallway, the dim lights offered some cover. I couldn't shake the feeling that any noise I made might alert someone.
Then, I heard it. A door creaking.
My heart stopped.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat as I listened. But no further sound came. I resumed my journey, quickening my pace to the front door.
I wrapped my hand around the doorknob and pulled the door open, just as someone gripped my wrist from behind.
I froze. My mind racing with fear. I twisted in the grip, about to scream, but before I could, a hand covered my mouth, pinning me against the door.
My eyes widened, trying to make out my assailant in the dim light. Pair of smoky gray eyes stared at me. Eyes I never wanted to see again— Blake.
My lips moved on their own accord. “What do you want?”
“I need to talk to you about something important,” he whispered, his voice devoid of emotions.
- Writer
