Chapter Sixteen

LUCY

The news of Chris' escape had gotten to the ears of everyone and a search party was sent to look for him knowing that he wouldn't have gone far due to the pain inflicted on him by Maverick and the rest. I was asked to remain in the pack while they went out searching for him.

I noticed how everyone glared at me with contempt, some avoided me like the plague, I knew the reason for their behavior so I ignored them. I waited until the rest returned with the hope that they wouldn't find him.

There was no way I could warn him since I had been restricted from leaving the pack.

I was relieved when I realized that they hadn’t found him where he was hidden, I could tell from the devastation written on their faces and I knew there would be consequences for letting him escape but I didn’t care as long as he was safe.

“I told you she wasn’t up to the task but no one listened to me. I’ve always known that you were incompetent,” Maverick yelled.

“Let’s hear what she has to say about what happened last night,” Cade suggested.

“He escaped, that’s what happened. I -”

“Liar!” Maverick interrupted.

“Let her speak, Maverick,” Cade snapped. “Go ahead, I’m all ears.”

“I was with the alpha all night and then two men broke in and took him away. I barely escaped from them,” I said hoping to convince them.

“Why do I find that hard to believe? You must have been so overwhelmed with your quest for revenge that you let him slip through your fingers. Besides, his men wouldn’t have left like that without causing a scene,” Maverick glared

“How do you expect two men to face the number of warriors we have, be smart for once, you ninnyhammer,” I snapped.

“That’s enough both of you. As for you Lucy, we’ll talk about your punishment later,” he grumbled and left. Maverick scowled at me and went also.

Damn the punishment, his safety was my priority right now. I stayed away from the woods to prevent any form of suspicion while he was there.

Very early the next day, I set out to meet him with new clothes I had gotten from Nathan and food as well, that was if he was still at the hut. He probably must have left since I didn't return to see him the previous day.

As I thought, he was nowhere to be found. I searched for him but couldn't find him so I packed up to return to the pack when he walked in.

"I thought you had abandoned me for good," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Where have you been? You shouldn't be philandering around, you could get caught. They have people out there in search of you," I said.

"If you had stayed by my side and not run away as you did, I wouldn't have wandered away," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "I think you've stayed enough, you need to leave before I get into trouble because of you."

"We are just getting to know each other and you are kicking me out already,"

"I don't care; because I helped you doesn't mean I want to have anything to do with you," I barked.

I wasn't sure why I was angry anymore. Was it because of my hatred for him and his family or because of the way I was beginning to feel about him? but whatever it was, I hated this feeling.

"I came here so that we can talk, but obviously nothing I say will ever change your mind. I'll leave here if that's what you want," he said. He grabbed the clothes I brought for him and left without touching the food. I didn't stop him from leaving, rather I stood there and watched as he left.

"You pathetic human, this is your chance to find out all you need to know and you let your chance slip right through you because of your anger. Until you reconcile with him, I have nothing to do with you," Maia bellowed and cut off the connection between us.

I was left with mixed feelings, happiness, and sadness. I was happy because I had gotten rid of Chris once and for all but I was sad that the only companion I had, had chosen my enemy over me. All I could feel at this point was an emptiness inside and it was exhausting, I fought the urge to go after him.

I wasn’t sure I was ready to reconcile with him like my wolf wanted, he was still an enemy I wanted to get rid of.

Lost in my oblivion, I didn't know when I wandered off till I found myself at the outskirt of the pack.

"Lucy!" I heard someone call me but it was faint so I couldn't detect whose voice it was. I turned and saw Cade come closer.

What does he want this time? I thought.

"You can't be wandering around, it's not safe out here," he said.

"I'm fine, I just need to clear my head. Maybe Maverick was right, I let him escape due to my carelessness," I said in a sad tone.

"I don't blame you for anything. I know what it's like to see the one that caused you pain right in front of you and you can’t do anything,” he said. His words came as a surprise to me, I wasn't expecting him to be kind to me after letting our captive flee. He was a stern man with zero tolerance and never delayed in punishing any offenders.

"I thought you were here to lash out like the rest of them," I said with a suspicious look.

"No, the truth is I know what you did. I know you let him out of the dungeon and I know something is going on between you two and I want to know what that is," he said.

"What are you talking about, I didn't do anything and nothing is going on between me and the Alpha. How can you possibly think that I'll let him go? He's my enemy and an enemy to the pack too," I said.

"Don't play smart with me child, I'm not a dunce like Maverick. I saw you sneak out with the Alpha at midnight, I know everything. Now tell me what is going on between you and the Alpha," he grimaced.

I was aghast and felt the pit of my core tighten. If the news got out to everyone, I would be killed and my mother would be kicked out of the only place she could call home. I tried to swallow, but couldn't. My mouth was too dry, and my esophagus had closed up. "I can explain," I croaked.

"I don't need an explanation. I'll keep it a secret but you have to do something for me in return," he said with a wicked grin.

"What would you have me do?"

"Kill the Alpha."