George and Neil barely stopped to catch their breath.
They tore through the gates of Canavar and headed straight for Oswald’s study in his den.
“Alpha!”
Oswald immediately rose from his seat and knocked over the ink bottle, spilling ink across his papers.
The sight of the two Betas alone was enough to make his stomach drop.
“Where is Vivianne?”
Neither man answered immediately.
George was breathing hard.
Neil’s face was pale.
Oswald’s voice turned gravelly cold.
“Where is she?”
“We were ambushed,” George finally said.
“On the road to Balto.”
“By whom?”
“Rogues wolves. At least twenty of them.”
“They were organized and used poisoned arrows. The kind that numbs the nerves in your body and paralyzes it.” Neil stepped forward.
His expression darkened.
“Where?”
“The middle of the forest. We don’t know exactly where they took her.”
“We fought as long as we could. They were targeting Lady Vivianne. They shot her shoulder and leg with those poisoned arrows.”
Oswald’s heart slammed against his ribs.
“Why did you leave her?”
“She ordered us to.” George’s face tightened.
Oswald went silent.
“She told us to return and bring you. We couldn’t protect her against that many. They outnumbered us, Alpha.”
For several seconds, Oswald didn’t move.
“Take me there.”
“We will.”
A frantic voice suddenly came from behind them.
“Alpha!”
They turned.
Samantha came running toward them.
Her hair was disheveled, and she was struggling to catch her breath.
“Alpha Oswals, wait!”
“What do you want?” Oswald’s expression hardened.
Samantha stopped several steps away.
“You need to go to the old tannery. The old shed that was abandoned several years ago.”
“What?”
“The old tannery outside the western edge of the village.”
George and Neil exchanged a confused glance.
“How do you know that?”
Samantha swallowed.
“Because my father went there this morning.”
Silence.
“Your father?”
“I think he took Vivianne there.” Samantha nodded.
Oswald’s entire body went rigid.
“I heard him talking about it.”
“You knew?”
“No.” Samantha shook her head quickly.
“I only realized what he was doing after Beta George and Neil came back without her.”
“Why are you telling me this? You hate Vivianne. I know you do.” Oswald paused and circled her as he was pondering whether she was telling the truth.
“And I know you hate me as well for what happened to House Segrave. I stripped your family of your title. Confiscate your family’s estate and wealth. And your father lost his position as Elder.”
Samantha’s lips pressed together as she took a shaky breath.
“Yes. I hate you and Vivianne.” Her voice cracked.
“I hate Vivianne. I really, really hate her.”
Oswald said nothing.
“But that doesn’t mean I want her to die.” Samantha clenched her fists.
Oswald’s eyes narrowed at her words.
She looked directly at him.
“My father is no longer an Elder. He has no authority over Canavar anymore. But I am still a Segrave.” Her voice steadied as she placed a hand over her chest.
And Segraves are Betas.
We are supposed to protect the people of Canavar.” A bitter smile touched her lips.
“Even when we don’t like them.”
Oswald studied her for a long moment.
Then he turned toward George and Neil.
“Take us there.”
“I’ll lead you.” Samantha immediately stepped forward.
●●●
The old tannery stood beyond the western edge of Canavar, hidden among thick trees.
The old building had been abandoned years ago.
Or so Oswald had thought.
The closer they came, the stronger the pungent smell of blood became.
It was mixed with an acid wet hide scent.
Oswald’s wolf stirred violently inside him.
Vivianne.
He could feel her scent was mixed with the stench of blood.
Oswald bolted straight into the shed with his sword.
“Alpha!”
He ignored his men and charged straight through the doorway recklessly.
Slamming the door so hard against the wall that it nearly tore off its hinges.
The scene inside froze him where he stood.
Rogue wolves were scattered throughout the building.
Some held weapons.
Others stood around a large wooden table, their bodies tense as they watched the doorway.
And in the center was Miles.
The former Elder stood behind the table, drenched in blood.
Blood covered his hands, soaked through his clothes, and stained his face.
Even his mouth was smeared red.
Several rogues stood around him, forming a protective circle as if guarding something precious.
Miles slowly turned toward the doorway.
His bloodshot eyes locked onto Oswald.
A horrible, unhinged smile.
Like he had finally lost his sanity.
“Miles.” Oswald’s blood ran cold.
The old man laughed.
A drop of blood slipped from the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, Alpha Oswald.”
He raised the golden goblet slightly as if greeting him.
“You came late to the party.”
Oswald’s stomach twisted as his gaze dropped to the blood.
“Where is Vivianne?”
Miles’s eyes gleamed with madness as his smile widened.
Then he slowly pointed toward something behind him.
“The lady bird was almost empty.”
He stepped aside slightly, finally revealing what was behind him.
Vivianne was strapped against a large wooden board, her wrists secured above her head.
Her legs were free, but she barely moved them anymore.
Her head hung forward, but her red hair covered most of her face.
“Vivianne!”
Oswald charged toward her, but several rogues immediately threw themselves between them.
His eyes scanned over her body, taking in the cuts covering her arms, stomach, and legs
Shallow cuts ran from various parts of her body.
Blood covered most of her skin.
Some of it was fresh while the rest had already dried.
“What did you do to her?”
Miles glanced back at Vivianne as though admiring his work.
“I collected what she was kind enough to give me. Well, although harvest might be the more fitting word for it.” Miles laughed.
Oswald’s grip tightened around his sword until his knuckles turned white.
“You sick bastard.”
Miles lifted the goblet and drank again.
“She heals quickly. That’s the interesting part.” He swirled the blood inside it.
“Every time I take some, her body replaces it. It’s almost miraculous.”
Oswald’s wolf snarled violently inside him.
“You’re a fucking monster.”
Miles’s smile didn’t fade.
“Monster?”
He looked genuinely amused.
“That was harsh. I prefer the word visionary.”
Miles took a large gulp of the blood inside his golden goblet.
“You should have asked what Phoenix blood can do. Do you have any idea how much this is worth?”
Oswald’s heart stopped.
Miles laughed again.
“But don’t worry. Like the best Beta, House Segrave always saved the best part for you”
There are some disturbing gore and bloody scenes here.
Reader discretion is advised!