Chapter 61
Third Person
James stood before one of the captured rogues, his heart heavy with anxiety and anger. The room felt tense, and his eyes were blazing with a mix of emotions, mostly frustration and concern. He couldn’t bear to think about what horrors Camilla might have endured at the hands of these rogues. The image of her in danger haunted his thoughts, and he knew that now, more than ever, he needed answers.
“Who was behind the kidnapping?” James demanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. Every fiber of his being yearned to unleash his fury upon these rogues, for they had not only harmed their pack but, more critically, endangered Camilla.
However, the rogue remained defiant, a cruel smirk tugging at the corners of its lips. This infuriated James even further. He turned to the guard, his irritation evident in his voice.
“Get the other two rogues in here,” he ordered, his patience wearing thin. He could no longer tolerate their insolence and arrogance.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the rogue broke its silence, its voice dripping with disdain. “You won’t get anything from us,” it sneered.
Before James could unleash his mounting frustration, Rapha entered the room, bringing with him an air of authority and determination. He had been overseeing the interrogation, and his expression mirrored James’ frustration.
“You still haven’t obtained any information?” Rapha inquired, his concern etched on his face.
“Yeah, why are we even bothering to interrogate them? Can’t we just dispose of them and launch an assault on the cabin?” James retorted, his anger unabated. His protective instincts were on high alert, and he couldn’t fathom the need for leniency toward these rogues who had caused so much trouble for the palace and the entire kingdom.
Rapha’s response was measured, guided by the pack’s values of compassion and mercy. “You know that the king and prince have a different approach,” he reminded James. “They want to give everyone a chance to live,” he explained. “And the princess is worried about us venturing into the unknown.”
James struggled to comprehend the mercy being shown to these rogues who had brought nothing but chaos and danger to their lives.
“I don’t understand why we have to be merciful to these scoundrels, especially when they’ve caused nothing but trouble for the palace and the kingdom,” James protested, casting a contemptuous look at the rogue he had been interrogating. He firmly believed that if their fearless leader, Calvin, were present, these rogues would have already met their demise. Calvin would never tolerate trespassers on their territory.
Rapha, always the voice of reason, offered an alternative. “Let me handle them,” he suggested, stepping forward with a calm demeanor that contrasted James’ fiery disposition.
James, however, remained skeptical. “Are you sure about this? Remember, the prince wanted to interrogate them, not bury them alive.”
Rapha responded with a faint smile, trying to reassure James. “I have lived for many years. Patience is one of my strengths.”
A slight chuckle escaped James, although he still had reservations. He stepped aside, yielding to Rapha’s decision.
“Have you already questioned this one?” Rapha inquired, gesturing toward the rogue who had remained silent.
“Yes, and I got nothing from him. He’s as tight-lipped as they come,” James replied, his frustration evident in his voice.
“Very well,” Rapha said before swiftly ending the rogue’s life. This unexpected action shocked the other two captives. They had not anticipated Rapha’s readiness to resort to such drastic measures. “How about the other two?” Rapha inquired, shifting his attention to James.
James couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph as he watched the remaining rogues tremble in fear. “I haven’t started questioning them yet. I just summoned them.”
Rapha, however, approached the interrogation with a different strategy. He spoke to the rogues calmly and methodically, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and communication.
“If you wish to learn something, it’s best to ask politely,” Rapha advised, smiling faintly as he maintained eye contact with the rogues. “Can you confirm whether Camilla is still inside the cabin?” he inquired, his voice measured.
The two rogues nodded vigorously in response. “What do you plan to do with her?” Rapha continued his questioning.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“We don’t know,” one of the rogues replied, gesturing toward the now-deceased rogue. “He ordered us to guard her here.”
Rapha delved further, probing for answers. “Why did you follow his orders? Is he your leader?”
The rogue explained, fear creeping into his voice, “He threatened my human mate. He said he’d harm her if I didn’t obey his every command. But he also spoke to someone else, who I suspect is his boss.”
Rapha leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued by this revelation. “Why do you believe that?”
“He frequently alluded to it,” the other rogue added. “He claimed that if we successfully executed his orders, his boss would reward us greatly.”
Rapha couldn’t help but feel troubled by the implication that a mastermind was orchestrating these events from behind the scenes.
“Where do you think this boss is located?” Rapha inquired, his curiosity unwavering. He couldn’t dismiss the possibility that this boss held crucial information.
The other rogue responded, “Possibly in the palace.”
James, his frustration still smoldering, questioned, “Why would this boss be in the palace?” “Because he’s a Lycan,” both rogues answered in unison.
The rogues were taken aback by James and Rapha’s apparent lack of knowledge. They exchanged incredulous glances.
The revelation left James and Rapha exchanging significant glances. It seemed that they needed to have a conversation with Princess Freya and Matteo about a potential threat they hadn’t anticipated.
“Have you ever seen him?” Rapha inquired, his thoughts racing.
“No, but he frequently assured us that once we succeeded, we would reside in the palace. He claimed that his boss was well-informed about the king’s actions,” one of the rogues explained. “The Lycan recruited numerous rogues, promising them everything, including high-ranking positions upon his ascension to royalty.”
Rapha called for a guard, issuing orders to ensure the safety and secrecy of the rogues’ confinement.
“Escort them to the secret cell, and make certain that no one in the palace becomes aware of their presence,” Rapha directed.
“Yes, my Lord,” the guard responded dutifully, prepared to carry out the orders.
Rapha concluded, “Dispose of this body discreetly, ensuring that no one learns of it.” With that, he exited the interrogation room, James following closely behind.
Rapha couldn’t shake the feeling that the rogues’ references bore a striking resemblance to the encounter Princess Freya and Matteo had with the enigmatic Lycan. Armed with this vital information, Rapha grew increasingly convinced that the rogues were indeed telling the truth.
James, however, couldn’t help but wonder if the Lycan mentioned was the same one that the Howlers Pack Alpha and Luna had encountered before.
“I’m starting to believe that the Lycan they mentioned is the same one that the Howlers Pack Alpha and Luna encountered,” James speculated as they left the room.
Rapha nodded in agreement. “It appears likely. We must speak with Princess Freya and Matteo immediately.”
James shared Rapha’s urgency. “Yes, and we need to act swiftly. While we plan Camilla’s rescue, I can’t help but fear for her safety. We’ve already captured three of the rogues who were supposed to be guarding her, and I’m concerned that their boss might realize we’ve located her. He could either relocate her to another hiding spot or, worse, inflict harm upon her.”
As James and Rapha contemplated their next steps, the urgency of the situation weighed heavily on their minds.
Meanwhile, within the cabin where Camilla remained captive, she lay still and anxious, her thoughts racing. The hours of captivity had taken a toll on her, and she was acutely aware of the danger she faced. Freya’s words echoed in her mind: “Survive.”
Unable to use her abilities to mount a physical defense, Camilla had resorted to a different strategy. During her brief moments of consciousness, she had intentionally inflicted minor wounds upon herself, leaving behind traces of her blood. It was a desperate attempt to leave a trail, a breadcrumb of hope, for anyone who might come searching for her. As she heard footsteps
approaching the cabin, she feigned unconsciousness, her senses sharpened to glean any information she could.
Camilla’s thoughts, however, were not solely occupied by her own predicament. She couldn’t help but worry about Alec, knowing that he must be overwhelmed with concern and anger. Yet, Camilla understood the grave consequences of provoking the rogues, who reveled in violence and outnumbered her. Her best chance at survival was to remain calm, stay alert, and endure.
In the recesses of her mind, she reached out to Alec, a silent plea reverberating within her thoughts. “Until when is she going to sleep?” one of the rogues muttered, their conversation catching Camilla’s attention.
“The bastard Milano gave her powerful sleeping pills,” another rogue responded. “What do you think the boss intends to do with her? She’s deemed worthless since she lacks a beast.”
“We aren’t in a position to question or challenge him,” the first rogue retorted. “If you want to stay alive and reap the rewards he promised, you’ll do as he commands.”
Camilla listened intently, piecing together fragments of their conversation. She couldn’t help but wonder why she, who possessed no supernatural abilities, was targeted. She believed she held no value in aiding someone’s quest for royalty.
Then, it struck her. She realized that her uncle Rapha, the royal attack and defense advisor, was the key. The rogues intended to exploit her to secure Rapha’s support for their cause.
Camilla felt a surge of worry for her family and friends. Their adversary lurked within the palace, privy to their plans and intentions. She knew she had to escape and alert them before it was too late. Her mind raced with plans and scenarios as she patiently awaited the opportune moment to act.
“Please, Alec, hear me,” she whispered in her thoughts, her plea echoing in the oppressive darkness of her captivity.
Third Person