CHAPTER 7

Selene's Point of view

I was close to him, like really, really close to him, and I would have swiftly stuck the poisoned dagger into his heart, but as much as I wanted to, I stopped myself before I could do so. I needed to, first of all, get the cure for my dying brother before anything else.

I paced through the room where I was unceremoniously shoved with the door locked behind me. There was a bed and a table and some essentials too, but I wasn't stupid. I recognized it for the prison it was; that was exactly what I was, at this place, a prisoner and nothing more.

I moved from corner to corner, exploring the room and searching for possible escape points, but just as I said, this was a prison, and even the windows were barred with thick iron made of what I suspected to be silver. There was just no way I would break through something like that.

I was still inspecting my surroundings when I heard the lock click from the outside. I turned sharply to see the door open, and the old man walked in, Beta Gareth or whatever they called him.

“Hope you're having a good time settling in,” he asked.

“What do you think, old man?!” I snapped.

“No offense meant, Lady Selene.” He held up his hands, indicating he meant no harm.

His calm demeanor, however, took me off guard. He didn't sound angry or annoying, like the way I thought everyone at the Ashen Claw Pack would definitely be. I watched the old man move to a chair and carefully sat down.

“I wanted to ask you some questions,” he said.

“I hope you'll answer them honestly."

"Please sit, Lady Selene.”

“What? Is this an interview to find a compatible spouse for your Alpha?” I scoffed.

 “And it's just Selene. Drop the lady.”

“Of course.” His eyes twinkled in amusement.

“Please sit, Selene.”

I hesitated for a while and then carefully sat on the bed facing the old man.

“What do you want to ask?” I asked, straight to the point.

“What is your real purpose for coming to this pack?”

That was a simple question, but it really was a serious one. I noticed the way the old man's eyes bored directly into mine, waiting to read even my slightest emotions. I had to tread carefully now.

“I came as a peace offering, I guess.” I shrugged.

“A peace offering, huh?”

The old man wasn't smiling now, and his eyes were seriously set on mine. I had a feeling that he didn't believe a word of what I had just said. I mean... Yes, I didn't answer honestly, but there was no way that I was going to tell him that I had come to find a cure for my brother's lupine sickness and, most importantly, to drive a dagger through the Ash king's heart.

“What do you think?!” I snapped at the old man, trying to use my anger and throw him off balance.

“You think I came to join your army or something?”

“No.” He replied flatly.

“I don't think that you have come to join our army, but at the same time, I don't believe that you came here because you are sweet on the Alpha. You came here for a reason, Selene. We'll find out eventually; we always do.”

“Is that a threat?!” I snapped.

 “Because that's what it sounds like to me!”

“No, Selene.” He leaned back and steepled his hands.

“That wasn't a threat. You'll soon find out that we don't make threats around here. We only make guarantees.”

Those words resonated in my head as I stared at the old man, and for the first time since I stepped into the ash king's territories, I felt scared of what was coming. Maybe I was stupid to have come here. Maybe this was just one big mistake.

My eyes flickered to the door, which was still ajar after the Beta's entry. I bet I could reach that door before him. He was old and definitely slower, whereas I was young and agile. I could do it.

His eyes were still on mine, and I knew he saw me look at the door, but he said nothing and didn't move. Instead, I saw a small smile spread across his face as if daring me to try it. Well, to hell with it, I was out of there!

Without warning, I shot up and made a run for the door. I knew that was a half-baked plan really. I hadn't really thought out what exactly it was that I would do the moment I got out. I guess I just saw the door and figured I'd make a run for it.

I was almost out of the door and into the hallway when the old man was suddenly in my path, blocking the exit.

HOW THE HECK WAS THIS POSSIBLE?!

“We really shouldn't be doing this, Selene.”

The Beta smiled like nothing had happened. Like we were just sharing old stories over morning tea or something.

“Get out of my way, old man!” I hissed angrily.

“I'm afraid I can't do that, Selene.” He said calmly.

 “You should know that there's no escaping from the Ashen Claw Pack; no one's ever done so.”

“Then I'm afraid I'll have to go through you!” I warned and aimed a punch at the already annoying old man.

I really didn't want to hurt him, but at the moment, I assumed it was the only option I had, and he was standing between me and the cure I would get for my brother.

Instead of my hand connecting with his face, the old man effortlessly grabbed my hand, freezing my blow midair. He was remarkably strong for someone his age.

Out of frustration and annoyance, I swung at him with the other hand, and he intercepted it too.

Okay, this is getting really frustrating now. I wasn't the best fighter at Silverwood Pack, but at the same time, no one had ever bested me so easily in a fight, not even Beta Ronan.

I was about to take another swing at him with my legs when I felt the temperature suddenly rise and a shadow fell on us. My eyes snapped to the side, and he was there with his arms clasped behind his back, staring at me blankly.