Chapter 12

As we made our way into the woods, I couldn't stop looking at the unfamiliar face of the lady who just saved me from failing the test.

Although I was in chains, I was still thankful to have been brought out earlier, even though I wasn't sure they wouldn't take me back there after all this was over.

This young lady had come just early enough before the vampire side of me could surge out, and I could swear I had never seen her before, but she claimed to be my friend.

I thought of her being a vampire colleague to Leo, but she doesn't appear like that at all and even had the wolf scent of our pack. I guess that was why nobody suspected her message.

I was just playing along with her stunt.

"In this wood, we will capture him. Nobody knows more here than you hunters, so I am very confident in you all! If we can get this one, we will be able to capture every other one that could be lurking in this pack!" Kane's voice roared on the air, projecting towards the number of hunters who were so much more ready for the battle.

Their eyes were fierce, and I could tell they wouldn't mind laying down their lives to get the vampire.

"Luckily for us, he even sent his coordinates so we know the axis he is at. All we have to do is surround, sharpen our senses, and ambush!" Alpha Kane continued with a dark smile on his face.

"Yes, please, my king, he has to be captured. My friend and I will be in danger if he slips off and escapes." The strange girl who claimed to be my friend spoke with a frightening tone as she came closer to me and held my hand.

"We will be safe..." She muttered to me and hugged me, the rattle of my chains ringing in my ears like a harsh reminder that my life wasn't going to get any better.

"Hey, she isn't innocent either way, so don't be too close. I am sure she has a lot she is hiding from us. Get off her!" I heard the alpha bark at her, but she was hesitant, and just then I heard her whisper to me.

"You have to be sharp and swift. Leo planned this to rescue you, and I am just doing all this for him, so don't mess it all up!"

My heartbeat accelerated, a wave of joy filling me to the brim, and I almost screamed.

Hearing that Leo came back to save me felt like I was on cloud nine.

I was wrong to think he doesn't care.

"Are you deaf, girl!" The leader of the hunters shouted and pulled her away from me harshly.

"If not that you are helping us get this bastard vampire, I would have punished you severely! You dare not disobey me!" Kane warned with his eyes red, and she bowed, apologizing.

"When we get this vampire, you will see your so-called friend, Diane, isn't innocent either. She is having a forbidden affair!" He added with a loud hiss, his loathing eyes eating at me.

I kept silent, focusing my eyes on the ground to avoid their gazes because I wasn't sure my glistening eyes wouldn't give away my emotions because I was literally floating in happiness.

Leo's POV

"The plan worked!" I couldn't hold back my emotions as I jumped and punched in the air. "Yes!"

I laughed and exhaled really heavily, dropping the binoculars.

Zena actually did it. And Diane was also smart enough to play along.

My mind was finally at rest. From the moment Zena left here, I had been scared it would be the end of both her and Diane. I wasn't sure she would act properly enough for them not to notice anything odd about her.

"The Alpha must really be so blinded by his hunger for revenge that he didn't even think twice about the whole situation. We really overestimated him." Cole, one of the vampires with me, scoffed as we all stood in readiness for the bloody battle.

We were just seven in number, while they were at least fifteen, from what I saw. The advantage we could have is that they were totally unaware of our number and thought it was only me.

What excited me more was that Alpha Kane came with them, offering himself to me without much struggle. I was really using one stone to kill two birds.

Rescue Diane and kill the man who murdered my mother.

He won't know what hit him.

"Take position, everyone, and make sure your scent is entirely covered. They must not sense anyone with me." I commanded through mind link because the werewolves had sharp senses; I would likely hear any sound I made.

They all nodded and swiftly climbed the trees, their speed like a flash. I am glad my father gave me the strongest feral vampires for this mission.

I hid the binoculars under the shrubs, then sat just under the tree I told Diane to meet me at.

"Leo, where are you?" The voice of Diane echoed in, and I could feel my heart flutter at the sound of her voice again.

Earlier today I thought I would never see her again after she was taken away for the test. I heard everything they discussed, how Diane was defending me fervently, making sure they never suspected me.

Immediately they took her away for the test. I had to crawl out and think of a way quickly because I knew the test would prove her to be a vampire.

Not only because of the unborn baby in her but also because she was a hybrid, a mixed breed of vampire and werewolf, something she isn't aware of.

I found out the moment I sensed her as my mate. I was able to sense the scent of a vampire beast emerging from inside her, perfect enough to match with mine.

What I don't know is why she can't shift yet and is still weak and powerless. Her vampire beast doesn't seem to be functioning yet.

"Leo..." She called again, and I knew from her voice that she was just following orders.

"Here, my love." I shouted back, standing up and waving my hand. I sighted her from a distance as she turned towards me and began running forward, her brown curly hair bouncing.

"Leo!!" She squeaked, her eyes brimming with tears as she ran into my embrace, the hug sending a warming sensation through me as I felt like I was in heaven for a minute.

"They are here. How will you...? Diane didn't even finish her sentence before loud howls and thudding feet filled the air.

"Your hands up in the air, your knees to the ground in surrender. You are outnumbered and have no chance of escape. Don't try to act smart, or you will regret it, Mr. Vampire!" A voice snarled, deep, raw, and filled with venom.

Just then, they all jumped out, circling us, and I had to act scared and terrified.

For the first time I met Alpha Kane face-to-face after only being able to see him in pictures and on television. He stood tall, his face pulled into a smirk and eyes glinting with nothing different from rage and loathing as they stared sharply at me.

He had a predator's stance, licking his lips as he scrutinized me like a prey he couldn't wait to devour.

"What have I done that even the Alpha has come down here to hunt me?" I murmured, raising my hand and falling to my knees.

"Vampires are forbidden! I wonder what gave you the courage, but it's sad that your end had caught up with you. Capture him...."

Kane had his words hitch in his throat as bloodcurdling screams and shrills of agony from the hunters broke into the atmosphere.

My men had snuck up on the hunters when they least expected it and my men were all in the peak of their vampire state making them stronger.

My vampire beast also broke out of its cage, consumed by fury on seeing the evil man who killed my mother and ruined our kingdom.

I will take you myself!" I thundered and charged at him.