Chapter 75: A Few More Scars
Shift.
I had never even dared to dream of such a thing. However, the way Zeke said it made him sound as though he was so sure of himself. I found myself actually believing that I might be able to do so one day.
Nevertheless, I tried not to get my hopes too high. Being able to possibly shift would be great, but I also didn’t want to get myself too disappointed in the event that it didn’t work out.
I kept trying to tell myself that things were good like this, too― being able to use extraordinary strength even in the form of a human was a good step forward. At the very least, I wasn’t the same weak and powerless omega who couldn’t do anything for herself.
"Do you think―" I started to say, but was cut off when my belly rumbled loudly.
I flushed, holding my stomach in embarrassment. Through the excitement of the confrontation with Sienna and the others, I hadn’t felt my hunger. But now that I was finally relaxed again, the feeling came back with vengeance.
"Sorry," I muttered sheepishly under my breath, turning away. I was unable to meet Zeke’s eyes.
Thankfully, Zeke didn’t comment on anything regarding my stomach’s protest. He merely hummed under his breath thoughtfully, his eyes scanning me up and down with a slight furrow to his brow.
"What’s taking him so long?" Zeke grumbled under his breath, checking the watch on his wrist. He then sighed. "I’ll go check on Lucien to see what’s the holdup. It shouldn’t take so long to grab some food."
I nodded, still feeling a little in the clouds from Zeke’s examination.
"Here," he said, producing a small packet of saltine crackers from the pocket of his coat. "You can have this for now. It should tide you over a couple more minutes. There’s water there if you need it."
He placed the packet of crackers in my hand before turning to leave. My throat felt dry, and I barely even registered him leaving the tent until I was well and alone.
I sat in silence, slowly nibbling on the saltine crackers as I waited for Zeke and Lucien to return. However, after the minutes ticked by, and yet there was still no sound of their footsteps, I grew worried.
We had made quite the scene with Sienna, and she no doubt would have some supporters in camp. In a pack where power reigned supreme and the leaders changed often, I wasn’t too confident about their sense of loyalty.
Outside the tent, I could hear faint murmurs. I straightened up immediately, my shoulders sagging with relief. Finally, they had returned.
"Lucien?" I called out, making my way to the tent’s entrance. "Oh, thank goodness. I was getting a little worried―"
My eyes widened with horror when they landed on the unfamiliar figure. On second thought, perhaps familiar might be the better term.
"Hello, love," he said, grinning brightly. He had two other men with him, smiling equally as dangerously. Their bodies were littered with scars, adding to their menacing look.
I slowly backed away, and they entered the tent as I did.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. I tried not to let my voice shake too much, but it still leaked out beyond my control.
The first man chortled. "I’m touched. You remember me."
"It’s hard to forget the face of the man who tried to have me killed," I said pointedly.
I should’ve guessed it. In a pack made up of rogues, of course the rogue that Violet had hired to kill me out of Shadowclaw’s grounds could be here as well. It was just that in the haze of my joy regarding finding Lucien, I hadn’t even thought of this possibility.
He looked just the way I remembered, albeit with a few more scars despite the short time apart. He looked a lot more banged up, and the look in his eyes held a lot more fire and hatred than the lazy, sleazy amusement it bore the last time.
My eyes scanned the tent as subtly as I could, trying to find a weapon. With my arm still injured, I couldn’t pull the same trick on him as I did with Sienna. It would be problematic if my bones broke.
"Don’t bother," the man said. "This is a temporary camp. There’s nothing here that can help you." His lips curled into a sneer. "And definitely no silver weapons for you to wave around like a fairy wand again."
I pinched my lips together at his comment. I guess that silver blade did more damage to him than he wished to let on. That was nice to hear.
"Lucien will be back soon," I said. "If you don’t want to get into trouble, then you should leave."
"Right, the great Alpha Lucien," he said, scoffing. "He should’ve learned what’s good for him and stopped meddling in affairs beyond him."
"He’s your Alpha," I said. It was a weak argument, and even I knew it. However, I needed to stall for some time. As long as I kept them engaged until Zeke or Lucien came back.
"You’re new here, love, and I shall excuse you for your ignorance," he said, waving his index finger. "But rogue packs do not run the same way normal packs do. Whether or not he is the Alpha means jack shit to me. I only care about what brings in the dough, and in this case, your precious Lucien prevented me from getting the commission."
I gulped, taking a further step back. The man’s face lightened up as he took in a deep breath. He schooled the annoyance away, and what was left was a pleasant, customer service smile.
"But I shall forgive you for trying to escape the last time," he said. "Someone else has placed a bounty for you."
My face paled. There could only be so many people who would want me, and no matter which option it was, I didn’t like it.
The man took a step closer, and his friends spread out to block all possible routes of escape.
"And this time," he continued, "I am making sure I can collect the money that was promised for my efforts."
