Chapter 256
Chapter 256
“Well, at least now we know what their game is,” I say, attempting a lighthearted remark to break the tension. He doesn’t respond, his gaze fixed far beyond the horizon. This night is shaping up to be a long one. I settle down near the edge of the clearing, positioning myself so I can watch anyone coming or going from the shack. The frustration with Janelle is obvious—she doesn’t strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed. Honestly, I can’t fathom how she could be leading this whole operation. Maybe she’s just a front, a puppet controlled by someone else, like Claude was with Finn. Claude always worked through a couple of intermediaries, making sure no one saw him pulling the strings directly. It was a clever tactic-until Finn met Kennedy, who somehow worked her own kind of magic to win his loyalty. Maybe Janelle’s playing a part too, pretending to be the clueless, helpless woman so these burly idiots do all the hard work for her.
Once it seems like only the guards remain awake, I step back to my pack and grab two bottles of water. Sitting down beside Finn, I hand him one. “Want to talk about it p>
“At least now I know everyone thinks I died in the fight,” he replies flatly. “Not that I expect anyone to come looking for me if they think I survived and got captured. I’m just rogue trash-not worth saving p>
I shake my head gently, trying to lift his spirits. “That means you can start fresh at Dark Moon without constantly looking over your shoulder. And you’re not rogue trash. You came from a pack, just like most of them p>
He stands abruptly, moving toward the ledge, his voice heavy with past wounds. “I was raised as a rogue. I barely remember being part of a pack. Rogues aren’t as good as pack-born wolves. I’m still jumping through hoops to prove myself to you, aren’t I p>
“Finn I start, but he raises a hand to silence me.
“Get some sleep,” he says quietly. “They’re planning something, but it won’t happen tonight p>
Over the next three days of scouting, I grow tired of Finn’s brooding silence. On the second day, I send him back to the cabin to grab more food and take a shower. He calls me “princess,” which I still don’t understand—why he resists basic comforts we have access to. We’re not exactly busy, so why not make use of them? The most important observation is that Janelle and her mate, Justin, never leave the shack. There has to be another exit. Finn doubts Justin would tolerate being trapped inside for long.
“There’s been a lot of movement in the last twenty minutes,” I call over my shoulder as Finn returns.
He thrusts a bag toward me. “Here p>
I’ve been on plenty of long missions surviving on what our wolves catch and protein bars, but sometimes a girl just needs a little treat. I open the paper sack to find an apple, some jerky, and a package of Pop-Tarts-my guilty pleasure. I tear into the sugary goodness and let out a small moan as the sweetness bursts on my tongue.
“Well, if that’s all it takes I tease.
“Shut up,” he growls through clenched teeth. “Looks like your mood’s improved. I was right, wasn’t I? A good shower fixes a lot p>
“That, and my hand,” he mumbles, barely audible.
“What was that?” I ask.
He ignores me and points toward Janelle’s camp. “What’s going on over there p>
I take a deep breath, deciding he’s just messing with me and won’t explain his comment even if I press him. “They all started moving like ants about twenty minutes ago. Something’s up, and I have a feeling they’re going after Rory p>
“Did you check in with Alpha Ryker p>
“Yes. He hasn’t heard anything from Rory, but everyone’s on high alert. You know you only have to use his title when you’re speaking to him directly, right p>
“Uh, no way. He probably has some secret Alpha radar for disrespect. He likes you, so you get to call him by his name. He’s still deciding if he likes me enough to keep me around. The fact that Kennedy doesn’t mind me is just keeping me alive, not earning me points—I still had her kidnapped p>
“So you’ll call her by her name but not him p>
“Yep.” He rises and gestures for me to follow. “He gives off major ‘use my title or die’ vibes. She’s more like ‘we’re friends’ vibes. But I’m not stupid-she’s got Bennet, Danny, and Josh wrapped around her finger. One scowl from her, and they’d kill me slowly just for making her unhappy p>
“Nope. I’m pretty sure you’re the one who’s stupid. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” I laugh.
“And yet, I’m not wrong,” he says as he climbs over the hill.
“Where are we going? The rogues are that way,” I point back toward our previous position.
“I think you were right. They’re the decoy,” he says, continuing forward.
Thank you so much for reading. All constructive comments and kind words are truly appreciated. I can’t interact here directly, but if you want to join the conversation, you can find me on social media at Miss. L. Writes.