DOMINIC
I arrive at the meeting spot under the cover of night, the air thick with tension.
The shadows of the forest stretch long and thin across the ground, as if the darkness itself is waiting for something to happen and as I approach the clearing I had told him about… I see him, Martin, the cowardly werewolf waiting as he looks around in fear.
He is standing near a tree, his eyes darting around nervously with his shoulders hunched while he wrings his hands like a child afraid of being caught doing something wrong.
It takes all of me to resist the urge to sneer at him.
Of all the wolves I could have manipulated, I am stuck with him.
But then again, at least his fear of me ensures that he will do as he is told.
I guess it is a good thing that he is out of my pack.
He is her problem now.
“Alpha,” he says, his voice shaking slightly as I come closer. He nods his head in a half-bow. “You… you told me to come at this time.”
“Yes,” I say coldly, stopping just short of him.
I let the silence hang between us for a moment, watching as his nervousness grows with each passing second.
Savoring it.
“You remember what I told you,” I finally say, crossing my arms over my chest. “About the girl.”
Martin’s eyes widen, and he nods quickly, almost too quickly. “Y-yes, of course. Louisa’s daughter. I remember.”
“Good,” I say, stepping closer, lowering my voice. “Because now it is time for you to start earning your new lease on life.”
He swallows hard, glancing around the clearing as if expecting someone to jump out at him.
I don’t bother reassuring him.
His paranoia makes him easier to control.
“What do you need me to do?” he asks in a hushed tone, his voice barely above a whisper.
I allow myself a thin smile. “I need information, Martin. Specifics. I want you to find out the patrol routes around Rowan’s territory, their shifts, the times they change, everything. I need to know the weak spots in their defenses, where they are vulnerable.”
Martin’s face pales, and he shifts uneasily on his feet. “That… that could be dangerous. If they catch me-”
“They won’t catch you,” I cut him off, my tone sharp and unforgiving. “If you do this right, they won’t even know you were there.”
He flinches at the harshness in my voice but nods nonetheless. “I understand.”
“Good,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him. “I want to know every detail. Which paths they take on patrol, how long it takes for them to cover their territory, who is on duty at what time, and when the guards switch shifts.”
Martin nods again, his hands still fidgeting at his sides. “I can do that. I will… I will watch them, observe their movements.”
“And I want to know about their habits,” I continue, my voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. “How vigilant are they? Do they slack off when they think no one is watching? Are there any regular patrols that are more careless than others?”
Martin licks his lips nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the task I am laying out for him, but he doesn’t protest.
He knows better than to cross me.
“I also need you to figure out the best routes for entering and exiting their territory undetected,” I say, my mind already running through the logistics of the plan. “There is no point in just storming in. We need to be able to get to the girl and get her out without raising alarms.”
His breath comes a little faster, his anxiety palpable, but he nods again. “I can… I can do that. I will… I will map out the paths and look for gaps in their patrols.”
“Good,” I say, my eyes narrowing as I stare him down. “And I want a list of potential hiding spots within this territory- places where we can hold the girl if necessary, somewhere they won’t think to look right away.”
His eyes dart up to meet mine, then quickly back down to the ground. “I will find them,” he says quietly. “I will make sure we have options.”
I step even closer, until I am towering over him, and he instinctively shrinks back. I don’t have time for half-hearted efforts. This plan needs to be flawless. One mistake could ruin everything.
“And don’t forget the schedules of anyone close to the girl,” I add, my voice a low growl. “I want to know when she is alone, who is supposed to be with her, and how long it will take for someone to realize she is missing.”
Martin shudders but nods, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. “I will… I will get it all. I’ll find out everything.”
Promises, promises.
“See that you do,” I say coldly, my patience wearing thin. ” You better not fail me, Martin. You won’t like what will happen to you of you do.”
“Yes Alpha.”
“And don’t come back to me with half-baked information. I need specifics, Martin. Dates, times, locations- everything. This plan has to be perfect.”
He nods furiously, wiping the sweat from his brow. “I-I understand. I won’t fail you, Alpha.”
“You better not,” I say, my eyes locking onto his with an intensity that makes him flinch. “Because if you do… I’ll make sure you regret it.”
He visibly gulps, and I can almost hear his heart racing in his chest.
Good. I need him to be afraid.
Fear will keep him loyal.
“Now go,” I order, stepping back. “And don’t come back to me until you have all the information I need.”
He nods one last time before practically scurrying away, his footsteps fading into the night. I watch him disappear into the shadows, a small smirk playing at the corner of my lips.
The pieces are falling into place.
Before the month ends, my daughter will be where she is supposed to be.
By my side.