3

Red eyes met mine...

I stopped frozen in my steps.

His amused gaze moved from me to the gun pointed at him, and his eyes darkened considerably, like a flame being lit in the dark.

What the hell?

His features twisted into something out of a horror story, he took a menacing step towards me.

Fear and confusion washed over me, I pulled the trigger. Taking off and not waiting to see whether I had hit him or not. I ran down the stairs, morphing halfway and breaking out through the front door.

A loud enraged growl erupted from the house making the entire building shake. I almost lost balance as I leapt off the porch and took off down the streets.

I could feel my heart pounding, the blood rushing through my ears. Alarm bells rang around, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he sent his wolves after me. I broke into the forest just as the howls filled the air.

Shit!!!

I veered off the path, leaping over roots and fallen trees. The thunderous sounds of paws hitting the earth cut through the calm of the forest.

Get to town… hide…

I could easily outrun them, but the effects of the pills were still in me, giving me a disadvantage.

Pain seared through my left hind leg, and I let out a howl. The fangs of the red wolf sunk deeper into my leg. Turning around, I swiped at it with my claws, sending the wolf flying and hitting a tree.

I took off once again, ignoring the pain, letting out a cry of relief when the town came into view. With it being late at night, the streets were devoid of people.

Glancing back, I could see the wolves gaining on me. I leapt over a fence and climbed up to the roof of a building before taking off, leaping from roof to roof.

Seeing an alleyway, I jumped down and morphed back to my human form. I pressed myself to the wall, gasping, trying to catch my breath.

"She went this way." A voice said. I slapped a hand over my mouth and nose, holding my breath until they passed.

I spied a door, and I limped to it and crushed the lock, I slipped in, gently closing the door behind me before leaning against it.

The tears flowed down my cheeks as the adrenaline left my body. Soft sobs racking my body. I slid down the door to the floor, my leg not being able to support me anymore. The wolf bite pulsed with pain, I carefully felt around it, hissing as sharp bolts of pain shot through me

The wolf had taken a pretty big chunk out of my leg, but that was the least of my worries.

I had failed. All the hard work and meticulous planning had gone down the drain because of a moment's hesitation. I ran my fingers through my hair, wiping the tears furiously with my other hand.

I didn't even understand what had happened. One moment, I was ready to rid the world of a monster. The next moment, I was bombarded with so many emotions I couldn't even function.

It made no sense, I was confused, and everything hurt. I looked down at my leg, the wound wasn't healing. I struggled back to my feet using the wall as support, I made my way further into the shop.

It was a clothing shop.

Spying a chair, I hobbled over and sat, wincing slightly. My gaze drifted to my wound, I had to stem the bleeding before the scent wafted out of the store.

Grabbing a piece of clothing, I tore it into two, gritting my teeth as I wrapped the cloth around the wound, a searing jolt tore down my leg, making me feel woozy. I closed my eyes, breathing through my mouth until it had subsided before continuing.

Once I was done, I lay on the floor, elevating my injured leg to stop the blood flow. My limbs became heavy, eyes fluttered close, and I drifted off.

*****

"I told you revenge wasn't going to solve anything."

I whirled around to see Eda. Ignoring her, I looked around for what I could use to jolt me awake so I could escape her hold. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything.

"Adelaide."

I let out a sigh, turning to her.

"What do you want me to say? That you were right? That I wasn't able to succeed. Is that what you want to hear?!" I snapped. She was quiet.

"I know you are hurt, and you have every right to be, but…"

"But what?! What could you possibly say to justify what Jacob Mont Blanc did to me?! He murdered my entire family, my pack!!!!"

The hurt and raw pain came back, and I fell to my knees.

"And I couldn't even avenge them, I couldn’t even kill him."

I felt her warmth surrounding me.

"Everything will be fine, Adelaide... maybe not anytime soon, but it will eventually be fine, just go back home."

****

I jolted awake, the sunlight filtering through the windows.

Shit... it was morning already. I sat up, wincing slightly as my leg cramped up. Last night, memories came back to me, and I felt even more shitty than usual.

Nine years of meticulous planning had all gone down the drain because of my hesitation. The only bright side was that he still had no idea who I was, which meant I could still try again... but for now, I had to get my ass out of his lands.

I knew his men would still be out looking for me, and I couldn't ditch my fake looks. My silvery black hair would be a dead giveaway. I looked around the store, a small smile creeping up my lips.

Bingo.

*****

A few minutes later, I had shed my clothing and was now swabbed in a totally different outfit, complete with a hoodie so I could hide my face. I gave myself a once over before making my way out of the shop through the back door, I slipped into the crowd and made my way down the road, limping slightly due to my still healing wound.

I kept a look out for any werewolves that would be on the prowl before stopping at a stand that sold maps.

"One map, please." I whispered, paying with the money I had stolen from the safe at the back of the store. I moved to the side, spreading the map open and locating the consulate. Fortunately, it was a bus ride away, and the bus station was close by.

I folded the map, tucking it into the pocket of my hoodie before making my way to the bus station. I got to the station and bought a ticket to the next bus stop, keeping my attention on the crowd, eyes darting from side to side.

My hands shook, and I almost dropped my ticket.

Be calm Adelaide, stop drawing any attention to yourself.

Fortunately, the bus came a few minutes later, I boarded, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. Just a few minutes, and I would be safe in the consulate. I kept my head down in case any men recognized me.

The bus ride was short and before I knew it, we were at the next bus stop. Once I got off the bus, my heart sank at the number of werewolves out on the streets. It was clear they were out looking for me. I kept my head down, making my way through the crowd.

Almost there...

I looked up and noticed some men were stopping people and asking them questions.

Shit.

I spotted Gary and immediately whirled around just as he looked up.

This can not be happening.

I hurried down the road. Footsteps behind me alerted me that I was being followed. I took a quick glance back, which sent me into further panic.

I was being followed by Gary and some men. With my cover close to being blown, I took off, running through the streets. My wig was coming off, I reached up to fix it, glancing back once more to see them covering the distance between us.

I pushed myself harder, ignoring the pain radiating from my lower leg.

I had to get to the gates of the consulate.

I couldn't stop until I reached the gates.

I would be safe there.

"Stop her!!!" A voice yelled, I could almost feel someone's breath on my neck. I looked back, Gary was still following me but the two other men were nowhere to be found.

Please, Eda, please let me escape. Just this once, answer my prayer. I beg of you.

The black gates of the Consulate loomed over a few feet from me. I was almost there, I just needed to run faster.

I pushed myself harder, weaving through the people. I heard a snarl behind me, but I didn't stop or dare turn to see who it was. I stretched my hand, itching to grab the iron bars of the gates.

I had to make it.

I couldn't afford to be captured.

From my peripheral vision, I could see the two men with Gary closing in on me from either side. My eyes watered at the thought of not making it. I was the last of my pack, I couldn't let my pack end with me.

Almost as if a foreign power possessed me, my body pushed past my exhaustion and I launched myself onto the gate just as Gary slammed into the gates. He snarled, looking up at me as I hauled myself onto the other side of the gate. We were literally a hair breath apart with only the gate separating us.

His blue stormy eyes glaring at me, my chest heaving from the chase.

"Adelaide!!!" I could faintly hear a door opening and my name being called. I spun around, Liam was racing down the stairs and running towards me. I parted my lips, taking a step towards him when a force pulled me back to the gates, slamming me against the gate, a grunt escaping my lips. I scrambled away, turning around.

Oh no

My blonde wig was in Gary's hand, he stared at the hair before looking back at me. I stared back at him, my heart sinking in my chest as his eyes widened slightly in surprise and interest. His eyes flickered over to the Consulate and back to me before he backed off. The smirk on his face told me he knew he knew who I really was.

"Adelaide!" Liam's voice brought me back, and I sagged against him, sapped of all my energy. He hooked his arm underneath my knees and swept me into his arms. I buried my face in his neck as the hot tears escaped. He walked into the consulate, heading for the grand staircase when a voice called out.

"Just what in Eda’s name is going on here?!!!" The voice demanded. "It's one thing for you to come in here, but your little friend here is clearly in trouble with th..."

"You will show some respect for your Alpha Prime!!!" Liam snarled at the voice.

"Alpha Prime?!!! That's impossi..." The voice trailed off as Liam turned around with me in his arms.

"I will not repeat myself." Liam threatened before making his way up the stairs to one of the rooms. I let out a cry as he laid me on the bed.

"Eda... What the hell happened out there?" He asked, running his fingers through his head as he glanced over me.

"I... I don't know, but we need to leave." I replied, struggling to get onto my feet when a sharp pain stopped me from moving

"Fuck!!!" I cried out reaching down to feel around my leg, I was bleeding through the cloth. Liam frowned, sitting on the edge of the bed and gently unwrapping the makeshift bandage.

"Bloody hell Adelaide!! What happened to your leg?"

"It doesn't matter, we have to get..."

The door opened, cutting our conversation short. It was the man from before, he walked in, bowing his head when our eyes met.

"My apologies Prime." He uttered. I sat up, wincing a bit.

"Adelaide, call me Adelaide." I replied.

"I am Magnus, my family has watched over the consulate for years. It is an honour to be in the presence of our Alpha Prime, I had thought the entire family had been wiped off."

"No, I survived." I muttered, taking my glasses off. There was no need for it anymore. If Jacob didn't know I was here yet, then he would in a matter of minutes.

"Can we have some medical supplies? She has been injured." Liam asked.

"We don't have time." I insisted despite the pain."I'll heal completely once the pills wear off. For now, we have to get going."

I turned to Magnus.

"How possible is it to leave the consulate?"

He fiddled with his blazer.

"A-actually, Jacob Mont Blanc has us surrounded. His men are situated at our gates."

Fuck!!!

Ignoring Liam's attempt at keeping me from moving, I limped to the nearest window, pulling the curtains aside. He was right. We were completely surrounded, several men and cars stood outside the consulate.

This was not good. From all I knew and heard about Mont Blanc, it would only be a matter of time before he ordered his men to breach the consulate. Why he had not had them done that already puzzled me, Liam joined me.

"It looks like it's about to rain, maybe we can use that as an advantage."

"Rain?!" Magnus squeaked, rushing over to the curtains, almost shoving Liam aside. His face paled at the sight of the dark rolling clouds. "Oh Eda… that's not rain. He is coming."

I turned to him, brows furrowed in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"The Mont Blanc Alpha Prime, the clouds… it heralds his arrival. You two have to leave before it's too late."

The urgency in his voice sent warning bells through my mind. How could dark clouds be a sign of him coming? It made no sense to me but I was not about to stay and find out.

"Isn't there another way out of the Consulate?" I inquired.

"Can't the other Consulates help?" Liam added, making him let out a nervous chuckle.

"No one will be willing to help us for fear of it getting back to him."

Liam let out a curse.

"So we are literally just sitting ducks."

I bit my lip, this was all my fault, I had been unable to carry out a simple assassination, and now not only was I going to suffer the consequences, I had dragged Liam into it.

"Actually..." Magnus began. "There might be another way..."

Liam and I turned to him.

"When the Consulate was first constructed, the Alpha Prime had them fit a series of interconnected tunnels that led to various places in the event of an attack." He explained. "I'm sure if we were to check the layout of the Consulate. We will find one close to the airport, I will send a word to my contacts at the airport to have a plane ready for you."

Hope blossomed in my chest, and I smiled.

"Then let's get to work."