22| To Owe An Enemy

CEDAR BLAKE

I get it. Sammy Porter probably sees me as the enemy because Dominus chose me, or rather, owns me, instead of her. But I don’t have time to argue or prove anything. If she wanted to kill me, I’d be dead already. I haven’t trained enough in my human form to properly defend myself, especially not with my wolf lying dormant and my powers only kicking in when I least expect them.

I glanced toward Icarus. He noticed I hadn't taken advantage of the opening he created for me. Sammy's scent was thick in the air, but the guards had spotted him and were closing in. Icarus shifted his focus, drawing the guards away and leading them down a different path.

“I’m going to uncover your mouth now,” she said, pushing me back against the hood of a broken car beside a tree trunk. Her body pinned me down as her eyes scanned for guards. “If you scream, we’ll both die.”

The moment her hand moved, I whispered, “Let’s say I know what this is about. What do you want from me?”

I didn’t ask Dominus to reject her. I don’t even know how deep their bond ran or what they shared. I can’t understand why she clings to someone who clearly has his sights set on something else. I hate how some women think. But there's no time to dwell on that. Deklan is dying.

“I know,” she said quietly, almost like she’d read my mind. “And yes, I hate how women think too. But you won’t save Deklan if you get yourself killed.”

“Oh, shit,” I muttered, the realization hitting me. “You can hear my thoughts too? What, does every Oakwood Pack member read minds?”

She shook her head and crouched quickly, yanking me down just as a flashlight beam cut across the path.

“Dominus and I are the same kind,” she whispered, her breath catching. “Our minds and souls are linked. We were together even before we felt the mate bond. We sense everything—pain, fear, joy. Everything.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I frowned. My heart beat unevenly in my chest. “I thought you came here to kill me.” I clutched the antidote bottle tighter.

“The guards moved toward the front gates,” she said instead, standing and pulling me with her. “We need to go now.”

“He's in my room,” I told her as we ran. “The back gate is less guarded, but it’s too far from the main building. We might not make it in time.”

We rushed into the shadows of a gate and nearly slammed into a guard. The yellow beam of his flashlight caught us. His eyes widened. He reached for his pistol.

Too slow.

Sammy appeared behind him like a shadow, swift as a snake. She wrapped one arm around his neck and clamped the other over his mouth and nose. Before he could even touch the trigger, his body went limp. The gun clattered to the ground. His eyes rolled back.

I would've screamed if I was alone, panicked enough to draw attention before he could shoot. I was shaking like a leaf. Whether I liked it or not, Sammy just saved me.

“I moved Deklan to the dungeon,” she explained as she dragged the guard’s body behind a wall where he wouldn’t be easily spotted. “He’s with the servant and Kayla.”

We ran again, ducking into the darker corners of the estate.

“Dominus doesn’t go down there much,” she added. “Even if he finds out, it’ll take him time to guess the location. You need to prioritize your safety, and the maid’s.”

Someone flashed a tail light in our direction. I darted toward it. The servant sighed in relief and touched my arm gently, then led us into a large, open space. She opened a hidden door that revealed a narrow stairway.

“He’s down there? It’s so hot in here,” I said, already sweating.

“It gets cold down there,” the servant replied as we descended the steps.

The temperature shifted gradually, cooling the farther we went. At the bottom, Deklan lay unconscious on a stone slab. Kayla knelt beside him, cleaning his wound.

“You must’ve had a rough time,” she said, extending her hand. “You’re nearly late.”

“The good news is I have it,” I said, handing her the bottle. “And there’s still time, right?”

She nodded and got to work.

I held Deklan’s hand as she murmured strange words, then opened the bottle and poured a small amount onto a leaf. I gently held his mouth open while she let the antidote drip onto his tongue.

“He’ll come around soon,” Kayla said as she stood. “His wounds will start healing quickly after he's fully recovered and able to transform.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, then turned to Sammy. “I don’t feel safe. Dominus can read your mind. He might already know you betrayed him.”

“I don’t think,” she said firmly. “I speak. I’ve trained myself not to entertain thoughts he could hear. Just like you learned to block him out. He will find out eventually. But for now, let’s just hope Deklan wakes up, and we all leave together. You and Kayla can go back to your room like nothing happened.”

“I can’t go back,” I shook my head. “Not with him possibly returning any moment.”

“I erased the security footage," Sammy said. “All except the part where you left your room in a hurry. You go back with Kayla, and he finds her treating you. Make up a story. You should know what to say.”

“How do you even know his codes and passwords?” I asked, then caught myself. Right. She can read his mind.

“Deklan can’t be left alone,” I added.

“I’ll stay with him if he doesn’t wake up soon,” she replied.

Just as she spoke, Deklan stirred. His body tensed, and his veins bulged beneath his skin.

“I think he’s—”

“I didn’t do it!” Deklan shouted, jolting upright and grabbing my wrist. “No! I didn’t!”

In a blink, he shoved me to the ground and wrapped his hands around my throat.

“Deklan! Wake up!” I gasped, trying to pry his fingers away.

“You did it, you fucking bastard!” he screamed, his face twisted in pain. “Admit it! Confess and—NO!”

He wasn’t himself. Something inside him was breaking free, something dark and tortured.

“Deklan, it’s me,” I choked, my voice barely a whisper. “Please.”

He didn’t stop. His grip tightened. I was dying, and I couldn’t even fight back. I had no strength. No wolf. Nothing.

“Let. Her. Go,” Sammy growled.

A flash of silver streaked past my fading vision. Her stiletto sank deep into Deklan’s arm.

His eyes snapped open. Recognition dawned.

He let go and rolled off me, unaware of the blade in his arm or the blood spilling onto the floor.

“What have I done?” he muttered, eyes fixed on me like I was the only thing that mattered.

I lay there coughing, gasping for breath. 

“Are you okay?” Damira, my servant, asked worriedly and rushed to my side, helping me sit up.

“Search everywhere! If you see anyone suspicious, take them out!”

We all froze as the echo of heavy boots rang out above us before the wooden door creaked.

I stopped breathing.