Chapter 5: chapter 5: Shadows of Sacrifice
Alpha Kael pov
I grabbed my revolver pumper from the bedside table. The sleek, black weapon was modified for precision, and its silver bullets were deadly against both humans and wolves. By the time I got to the garage, Stephen had already assembled my top five elite soldiers, and then one unexpected face stood out.
Hey, what are you doing here? I didn't give her room to respond, and then I quickly shifted my gaze to Stephen as I asked him.
"What is she doing here?" I asked Stephen the moment I saw her, my tone laced with anger.
Stephen hesitated. "Alpha Kael, I'm sorry. She overheard me talking to Isabella about the mission and insisted on coming."
Before I could respond, Elyse stepped forward. " Kael, you told me to prove my worth, didn't you? How can I do that if you never give me a chance?"
I gave her a cold glare. "Kael, huh?" I snapped.
She quickly corrected herself. "I'm sorry—Alpha Kael."
I took a deep breath and gave her a stern warning. "You can come, but don't do anything stupid, and don't slow us down. Follow orders. I can't stand stubbornness."
She nodded, determined. We loaded into the vehicles and headed for the city.
When we arrived at Frederick's apartment, the place was a mess. Furniture was overturned, and signs of a fight were everywhere. Frederick sat on the floor, his face buried in his hands. His leg was clearly dislocated, and he winced as he shifted his weight.
I knelt in front of him. "Tell me what happened."
Through gritted teeth, he explained. "It started on the subway. A man approached me and asked if Jane was a seer. I denied it and walked away, but he followed me. I cornered him in the alley near our block, wanting to know how he knew about Jane. He just laughed and said I couldn't beat him."
Frederick paused, his frustration clear. "I didn't back down. I attacked him, but he was too fast—dodging my punches like they were nothing. Then he caught one of my strikes and threw me across the alley. By the time I got back on my feet, he was gone. I rushed home, but there were three of them already there. They were stronger than anything I've faced. I tried to fight, but... they took Jane."
As he spoke, Elyse moved to the corner of the room and picked up a dagger from under a chair. "This must belong to her captors," she said, holding it out.
I took the dagger and immediately recognised the symbol engraved on the handle. My heart sank.
"The Blood Fang Clan," I muttered under my breath. It was Alpha Peter's men.
Stephen's eyes widened. "How did they know about Jane?"
I didn't respond, my mind racing. Even Stephen didn't know Jane was a seer.
"We need to move," I said firmly, standing up. "I think I know where they might be keeping her."
We parked near the riverbank warehouse, keeping a safe distance to avoid detection. I suspected Peter would bring Jane here—this was where most of his shady deals went down. My men swiftly took out the guards, silent and precise.
Inside, it was eerily quiet, though I could hear the faint heartbeat of those within. I could feel Jane's presence, confirming she was here. As we prepared to enter, Elyse grabbed my hand. "It's too quiet. This has to be a trap," she whispered.
"I know," I replied. "But Jane is inside. We can't back out now."
I signalled my men to move cautiously, but as soon as we stepped in, the warehouse lights blazed on, blinding us momentarily. Bright beams pinned us, but our werewolf vision allowed us to see through it. Peter's men surrounded us—some positioned on the ground, others on the upper level with guns aimed at us.
Peter stepped forward, clapping mockingly. "Alpha Kael. So predictable. You thought you could sneak into my territory unnoticed?"
"Cut the crap," I snapped. "Where's the girl? Why did you take her? What does a human have to do with your schemes?"
Peter smirked. "Ah, but she's no ordinary human. She's a seer. Your secret weapon, isn't she? The reason you've managed so many victories. She's also why you came for that cursed girl, Elyse, at the auction."
My fists clenched as he continued. "Here's the deal: I want Elyse. Trade her for your human friend, or everyone here dies."
My men wore masks, as did Elyse, so Peter hadn't recognised her yet. I decided to play along. "Elyse? Why would you want her? Didn't you call her cursed?"
Peter's grin widened. "Yes, she's cursed, but I know why you're keeping her. Your human friend spilt everything. So, bring her here, or your men and Jane are dead."
Before I could respond, Elyse stepped forward and removed her mask.
"What are you doing?" I barked at her.
She smiled at me, then turned to Peter. "If I'm what you want, let the others go. I'll come willingly."
I was furious. "Don't be stupid! Proving yourself doesn't mean throwing your life away! I gave you an order—get back here!"
Peter laughed. "You really think you can control her, Kael? She's a beast. She'll destroy you eventually. Let her make her choice."
Ignoring him, I pleaded with Elyse. "Don't trust him! Do you really think he'll let us leave alive?"
Peter smirked. "Oh, of course. I'm a man of my word. I'll let you and your men crawl out of here alive—maybe with a few broken legs."
Elyse glanced at me, winked, and whispered, "Trust me."
Grinding my teeth, I turned to Peter. "Fine. Bring Jane out, and we'll start the trade."
Peter snapped his fingers, and his men brought Jane out, bound and gagged. She struggled, trying to speak, but the gag muffled her words.
Peter grinned. "Here's how it'll go. My man will chain Elyse and bring her to me, and your human friend will walk to you. Any funny moves, and it's over for all of you."
As Peter's men handcuffed Elyse, two of them grabbed her by each arm and started leading her toward him. Jane, meanwhile, was walking toward me. The moment their paths crossed, Elyse acted. She flipped backward, freeing herself from their grip in one fluid motion.
I shot the guard on her right, and Elyse headbutted the other with so much force that he collapsed instantly. She then pushed Jane toward safety as Stephen threw a smoke grenade, blanketing the room in confusion. Peter's men opened fire, but my team was already taking them out one by one.
The fight was fierce. My men moved like shadows, taking down Peter's men with precision and strength. Peter roared in anger, his voice echoing above the chaos. "Kael! You and your men will die here!"
We were gaining ground, but then I heard the pounding of footsteps. More of Peter's men poured into the warehouse, some jumping from the upper levels, others charging through the entrances. His men began shifting; their wolves were faster and stronger, and we were starting to get overwhelmed.
I moved toward the box where Elyse and Jane were taking cover. Untying them, I barely had time to react as two wolves charged at me. One lunged for my head, but I dodged, driving my fist into its throat and killing it instantly. I kicked the other so hard that it slammed into the wall.
Around me, my men were running low on ammunition. For every enemy we killed, more seemed to take their place. Stephen shifted into his wolf, his black fur bristling. "There are too many!" he growled. "We need to get out of here now!"
I nodded. "Stephen, carry Jane and get her to the car. Elyse, go with him. I'll hold them off!" I commanded.
As they moved, a wolf burst through the smoke and tackled me. I threw it off, yelling, "Go! Now!" But then I heard the shot.
Elyse had been hit. She had shielded Jane from being shot. It happened just as Jane climbed onto Stephen's wolf .
"No!" I roared, rage flooding me. One of my men caught Elyse just in time.
"Get her out of here!" I ordered.
Stephen hesitated. "What about you?"
"I'll be right behind you!" I growled.
The room was in chaos. One of my men had fallen, and the survivors were retreating with Stephen. As they escaped, I shifted into my wolf form, unleashing the beast within. My massive black wolf stood taller than any of Peter's men, my golden eyes glowing with fury.
I tore through the enemy wolves, my claws slicing and my jaws crushing them. Every swing of my paw was lethal, every strike precise. I stopped any wolves trying to pursue my team, killing them instantly.
When Stephen and the others were out, I broke the chain of the warehouse's sliding gate and slammed it shut, locking myself inside with Peter and his men. This was my fight now.