Sarah’s POV
The door to the dungeon creaks open, and the heavy footsteps echo down the stone corridor. I know it’s him before I even see his face-Sally. The sound alone makes my stomach churn, but I keep my posture strong, even though my body aches from days of being locked up.
Sally walks in, his grin as sickening as ever, his eyes glinting with malice. He stops right in front of me, towering over me like he owns the world. “You know,” he begins, his voice dripping with mockery, “I’ve already got the location of Stephanie. It’s only a matter of time before we bring her back here. Right where she belongs.”
I don’t give him the reaction he’s looking for, but inside, fear grips me. If they find Steph, all I’ve done, all I’ve sacrificed, will be for nothing. I won’t let that happen.
Sally’s smirk widens as he continues, “Your little hero act? All for nothing. She’ll be back, and both of you can rot together in this hellhole.”
I meet his gaze, refusing to let him see any sign of weakness. “Even if I die here, Sally, I’ll come back and haunt you. I’ll make sure you never have a moment of peace.” My voice is steady, stronger than I feel inside.
He narrows his eyes at me, the smile faltering for just a second before returning full force. “You think you’re so brave, don’t you?” He leans down, his face inches from mine. “But the truth is, you’re nothing. You’re stuck here, and there’s nothing you can do.”
I stare at him, my jaw clenched. “If anyone’s going to die, it’ll be you. And when that happens, I’ll be there to watch.”
He laughs, the sound cold and filled with contempt. Without warning, his hand lashes out, slapping me hard across the face. Pain explodes in my cheek, but I bite back any reaction, refusing to give him the satisfaction. Blood pools in my mouth, the metallic taste making me want to spit, but I hold it in, glaring up at him defiantly.
Sally’s grin only grows. “That’s more like it,” he taunts, wiping the blood from his hand. “But don’t worry, Sarah. This is just the beginning. By the time I’m done, you’ll be begging for death.”
I cough, spitting the blood to the side, then lock eyes with him. “I won’t beg for anything from you.”
For a moment, there’s a flicker of something in his eyes-anger, maybe frustration-but then he motions to the guards. “Get me out of here. I’m done with this waste of time.”
As the door slams shut behind him, I lean back against the cold wall, breathing heavily. The pain in my cheek throbs, but I push it aside. Sally might think he’s won, but this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.
—
John’s POV
The hall is tense when I step inside. Lord Filipe, Lord Urich, and Lord Bernard are already gathered at the head of the long table, their expressions hard, their voices low as they murmur among themselves. As I approach, they stop speaking, turning to face me.
“We need to deal with this spy,” Filipe says, his voice sharp. “Whoever they are, they’re a threat to the entire pack.”
I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. “We’re doing everything we can to find them,” I say, my tone firm. “But they’ve been clever. We need to tread carefully.”
Lord Bernard crosses his arms, frowning deeply. “This is more than just a spy issue, John. You still haven’t chosen a mate, and that leaves the pack vulnerable.”
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Now is not the time to discuss that.”
Bernard’s frown deepens. “It’s exactly the time! You’re the Alpha. Without a mate, your leadership isn’t secure. The pack needs stability, now more than ever.”
I clench my fists, the tension in the room palpable. “The pack’s safety is more important right now than finding a mate,” I say, my voice low and controlled. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes.”
But Bernard isn’t backing down. “If you don’t secure your position, John, the pack could fall apart. A mate will provide the unity we need. You’re the leader-act like it.”
Before I can respond, Jake steps forward from where he’s been standing quietly by the door. His voice cuts through the tension like a blade. “If anyone thinks finding a mate is more important than dealing with a spy in our midst, then they should leave. And don’t come back.”
The room falls silent at Jake’s words. His eyes sweep over the lords, daring anyone to speak up. No one does.
I glance at Jake, grateful for his intervention. His loyalty has always been unwavering, and in moments like this, I’m reminded why he’s my second-in-command. Together, we can keep the pack safe.
I turn back to the lords. “Jake’s right. The traitor is the priority. Once we deal with this threat, we can talk about mates and securing the future of the pack. But for now, our focus is on finding the spy.”
Lord Filipe nods slowly, his expression grim. “Very well. But don’t take too long, John. The pack is watching.”
I give him a short nod, then turn to leave, Jake following close behind me. The weight of leadership presses heavily on my shoulders, but I know what needs to be done. We’ll find the traitor, and when we do, they’ll regret ever crossing our pack.