BORDER ESCAPE

THERON'S POV. 

Vuk stirred cursing at me for the umpteenth time that morning. A surge of adrenaline, pumped through my blood vessels. My eyes remained fixed on the nape of her neck, boring deep holes into the delicate skin.

Riona had just given off the indication that she was my mate. I cleared my throat, to suppress the strange emotion that fluttered in my chest. “The wounds should heal in two days max.” A streak of disgust flared in my chest at my casual tone.

She slowly nodded, avoiding my gaze. Vuk scratched and gritted his fangs inside of me. After a beat of hesitation, I caved in and covered the small distance between us.

I crouched down a little, so our heads were at the same level. I scoffed, mad at the tension that tightened my chest. My brows came together in a deep frown. “The next time you try to escape, I will put you in my private cell.” My tone was curt.

Riona flinched. Batting her eyes. She nodded frantically silent most of the time. I snorted. Damnit! Damnit! Why does it have to be her? Why did the moon goddess mate me with a wolf-less weak female?

I bet even my weakest omega would take her out. A knock sounded on the door, and I snapped my head in the direction of the metallic door that guarded her. I wouldn't put it past her to try to escape again.

“Yes!” I replied, my gaze fixed on her.

“Sir, we have a bit of a situation you need to attend to,” Vincent's urgent voice pierced into my ears.

A few beats passed, and I walked towards the door. My jaw clenched, at the sound of the door scraping against the floor. I arched a questioning brow at him.

“You have a meeting with the prisoners from Bloodmoon pack.”

Meeting equals torture. A sly smirk tipped the corner of my lips. I stepped out of the room and clicked the door shut. Vincent led the way to the ‘black room’, a nasty-looking room drowned in the stench of blood, and body fluids from my prisoners.

I wasn't the moon goddess, who forgave easily. Anyone who faltered my rules would pay for it, every dime. Vincent led the way from the infirmary, to the black room.

He gave me a small bow, then pushed the door open, and gestured for me to go in. I stepped in, and gasps of fear filled the room.

I groaned. I'd kept them in my prison far too long, which I considered a luxury. It was time to punish them severely. “Because I am in a good mood, I would spare your lives,” I paused, to relish in the sighs of relief that rented the air.

I raised a finger, “But, you would serve in the borders of the pack. I can't have you living off me, without working for it.” Another round of gasp, this time laced with fear, rented the air. I stomped my feet against the floor, and silence descended the air around me. “Silence! Vincent, take them to the garage, and prepare them for their journey.”

“Yes Sir,” Vincent bowed.

A growl rattled my chest when loud frantic bangs landed on the door. Suddenly, the door flung open. A warrior walked in, grabbing one of my prisoners by his torn shirt.

I seized the victim's features, from his black eyes to his bloodied nose, he must've gotten on the bad side of my men. I folded my hands behind me, waiting for an explanation.

“He tried to escape.” The gamma guard confirmed my suspicion. 

That was all I needed to hear. Anger simmered in my veins, pushing me to the extreme. It was not just his action that pricked the nerves in my soul. It was a fucking stab to my ego. “How dare you!” I snarled.

The man shrieked, falling at my feet. “Please, pl—” he didn't have the chance to finish his statement when my claws sliced out and dug into his chest.

He groaned, and fell to my feet, choking and gasping for air, till he caved in. I grounded my teeth, as my gaze shifted to the guard, who immediately looked down.

“I'm sorry Alpha, it won't repeat itself.”

I shrugged casually. “I agree, it won't repeat itself. That's why I would curtail it, before it gets a chance to,” I paused, breathing heavily. “All the guards on shift, yourself inclusive, should report to Williams at the borders, first thing in the morning.”

It was winter, which meant the attacks around Silverfang were more lethal and more precise. Serving there was like putting your life as bait to the merciless rogues.

Shock flickered through his eyes. Still, he bowed. “Yes Sir.”

“Clean this mess up.” I spat. I had other things to attend to. Clearly, I couldn't trust these lousy Gamma's enough with Silverfang.

I walked back to my pack and was about to step into my study, when Vincent cried out, walking towards me in hurried steps. “Alpha Theron!”

I grunted and turned to face him. Vincent's face was drawn in skepticism.

“Did a cat suddenly get your tongue?” I spat.

He clenched and unclenched his hands. “She escaped!”

A knowing smile blossomed on my lips and fizzled out almost immediately. I'd seen it coming.

Vincent sighed. “She's headed South, towards the rogue area.” I could taste the tension in his voice.

Freaking bullshit! 

The minute the words fell off Vincent's lips, Vuk perked its head up. Fighting, and scratching to come to the surface.

I gritted my teeth. “How did this happen?”

“The lousy guards got caught up slacking, and she seized the opportunity.”

‘You’re not gonna leave her to walk into danger are you?’ Vuk cursed.

My hands curled into a fist. My eyes narrowed with indignation, “Gather the men,” I paused, “We have a stray to catch.”

I swear by the moon goddess, Riona would pay dearly for this. I seethed. 

“Yes Sir. Let me get the car read—” he barely finished his statement, when I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

“If she gets to the South before me, I would use your head as a peace offering to the rogues,” I said, and shoved him aside.

Vincent nodded. “We will hit her before she gets there.” His voice was steady, with an irritating amount of apprehension.

Fucking hell! She was way more trouble than I'd envisioned.