Chapter 3

“It's extra clothes.” I murmured, wondering if he would buy the idea.

He shifted from the door and allowed me to pass. I sighed in relief.

“That was close.” I muttered to my wolf.

“Wait!” Another guard called out, causing my heart to pound. “I've never seen you among the night hunters. Where's your identity card?”

My palm became sweaty and I turned towards them like I was caught in a trap.

“I forgot it.” I stuttered.

He came closer to me. “Let me see the contents of that big bag.”

I lowered my bag, knowing that there wasn't an escape route.

“Maybe it's women's stuff. Just leave her to go. We're wasting time with her.” Another of the guards said.

I sighed in relief and hurried my steps, eager to find the spot where Sasha said the man would be waiting for me. She had given me a code to use in finding him.

After searching outside the packhouse. I saw a carriage with a brown horse that fitted Sasha's description . I moved closer to it and whispered. “Mister Red.”

A man raised his head, his mouth was stuffed with a cigar. There was a scar from his left eye down to his lips. He puffed and threw the smoke in my face leaving me coughing. “Madam Violet.” He responded in a husky voice, confirming the code.

I continued staring at him as he smoked. “Are you going to keep looking or what?”

“Sorry.” I murmured and jumped into the wooden carriage. There was just something about him that felt unsettling, maybe it was the smoke or his demeanor. I really didn't know.

The night was chilly and quiet. The only noise was the sound of the horse's hoof galloping as it pulled the carriage. My eyes were growing tired and begged for sleep.

“When we get there, can you inform me?” I said half sleeping.

“Whatever.” He responded. My dizzy self finally drifted into sleep. My moment of slumber was short lived as the carriage kept galloping into potholes. I woke up, rubbing my sleepy eyes and opened my mouth to ask the driver one more time—are we there yet?

Before he could respond, the carriage came to a stop. The abrupt stop caused me to move forward, almost colliding with the wood in front of me. The horse which pulled us started neighing loudly, confirming danger.

Three men emerged from the shadows and walked towards us. Each of them held a club in their hand, while one of the men held a fire torch.

They walked closer to us, pointing the torch in my face until I could feel the heating impact of the fire.

“Master would be so happy to see what we've brought.” One of the men sneered and pulled me roughly by the shoulders. I was yanked out of the carriage and fell towards the ground.

“Leave me alone. Who are you?” I cried as I struggled to get to my feet. The man whom Sasha had arranged to give me a ride remained silent. He hadn't even attempted to fight with the men.

“You.” One of the invaders spoke, looking at the man who had driven me. “Leave now if you don't want to die.”

“What?” I screamed as I managed to get to my feet. “You can't leave without me.” I rushed towards the carriage. The rider took off with great speed and I lost my balance, causing me to fall to the ground. I watch him disappear into the darkness.

A hand grabbed me, hurling me over his shoulders.

“Who are you?” I screamed, still trying to fight with them. He ignored me and continued walking. I looked at the two men behind him, none of their faces were recognizable.

I didn't want to die this way. I still had a life to live. Without thinking, I thought of a way to save myself. I extended my claws and dug into the flesh of the man who held me.

He screamed and threw me off his body. I crashed to the ground and tried standing up to run. The next thing I felt was a fatal blow which almost blinded me. I was still trying to register the pain before another blow landed on my face, sending me into absolute darkness.

“Such a terrible dream.” I muttered to myself as I woke up. It was quite chilly and my hands reached for my covers to pull them over me.

“Oh goddess,” I exclaimed as I felt restricted. The dizziness cleared from my eyes and I looked at my right hand which was chained to the wall. I was seated on the floor of an unfamiliar environment. The smell of mildew and stagnant water stung my nostrils. The environment looked like a prison.

The last thing I remembered was being hit. The impact may have made me unconscious.

“Where am I?” I screamed and I got a response of an echo.

As I opened my mouth, my tongue tasted copper. Blood trickled down my forehead from the spot where I was hit. I was a werewolf, but I had always been a slow healer.

I could feel my wolf, Aria, whimpering. She also had no idea where we were. Regret stung me as I blamed myself for trying to run away.

The iron door creaked and a man walked inside, accompanied by others.