Chapter 9

• It seemed like time was going very slowly in that dank, gloomy jail. The sound of running water along with footsteps outside was all I could hear. Curling up in the corner, I eagerly awaited the next action.
• Where was Bustane? I began to worry. Did the wolves defeat him and the other members of the pack, or was he even still alive? I felt a chill go down my spine at the thought, so I closed my eyes and willed the horrible visions to go away.
• My head snapped up as the heavy door at the end of the corridor opened and I heard footsteps approaching. A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, and I had to resist the urge to shrink back against the wall.
• He was a hunter, therefore this wasn't like any other. His icy, penetrating stare swept over me with a calculating intensity that made my skin crawl. He exuded a regal, authoritative bearing.
• "So you're the precious mate of the Lycan King?" he said, his deep voice brimming with contempt. "The one who has caused us so much trouble."
• With my heart thumping in my chest, I forcefully gulped. "W-who are you?" I choked out, hating the trembling in my voice.
• A sardonic smile curved around the man's lips. "My name is Damien, and I am the leader of the Hunters." With his hands clasped behind his back, he started to pace in front of my cell. "And you, my dear, are the key to our victory over your kind."
• I felt a chill of fear run down my spine. "What do you want from me?" I asked, silently cursing the quiver in my voice.
• Damien paused, his piercing gaze boring into mine. "What I want, my dear, is to see the Lycan King brought to his knees."
• His smile widened, revealing a set of unnervingly sharp teeth. "And you are going to help me achieve that."
• I shook my head strongly, despite the terror coursing through me.
• "I'll never help you," I spat, my fingers curling into fists. "Bustane will come for me, and when he does, you'll regret ever crossing him."
• Damien let out a soft chuckle, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Oh, I'm counting on it." He leaned forward, his face just inches from the bars. "You see, my dear, the Lycan King's weakness is you. And I intend to exploit that to the fullest."
• I felt my blood run cold at his words, the implication clear. They were going to use me as bait, to lure Bustane into a trap. And there was nothing I could do to stop them.
• Panic started to set in, my breathing becoming torn as I realized the gravity of my situation. Bustane was strong, and powerful, but even he couldn't withstand the full force of the Hunters. And if he came for me if he fell...
• "No," I whispered, shaking my head in denial. "You can't do this. I won't let you!"
• Damien's expression darkened, and he reached through the bars, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking my head back. I cried out in pain, my hands scrabbling at his unyielding grip.
• "You don't have a choice, little wolf," he growled, his face mere inches from mine. "You belong to us now."
• With that, he released me, and I crumpled to the floor, gasping for breath. Damien straightened, brushing off his hands as if I were nothing more than an inconvenience.
• "Take her to the holding cell," he barked to the guards standing outside the door. "And make sure she's secured. We can't have our bait escaping, now can we?"
• The guards moved swiftly, unlocking the cell and dragging me to my feet. I struggled, kicking and clawing, but their grip was unyielding. As they dragged me from the cell, I caught one last glimpse of Damien, his cold, calculating gaze fixed on me.
• "Sleep well, my dear," he purred. "Tomorrow, the Lycan King will come for you. And when he does, we'll be waiting."
• The door slammed shut, cutting off my desperate pleas, and I was left at the mercy of the Hunters, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I had doomed my mate to a fate worse than death.
• My thoughts raced, trying to find a way out of this nightmare as the guards took me along the dim hallway. However, despite my best efforts, I was unable to overcome the crushing weight of hopelessness that was threatening to overwhelm me.
• I was the reason why Bustane was in such danger. Had I been more powerful and capable, perhaps I could have alerted him and given him a better chance to thwart the Hunters' plan. But now I was their prisoner, a player in a devious plot to overthrow the powerful Lycan King.
• My chest tightened with pain at the idea of Bustane falling into Damien's trap, of him being apprehended or, god forbid, slain. The idea of losing him and being separated from my intended partner was unbearable to me.
• As we got closer to the big, strong door, I realized this was where they'd keep me
• I was shoved forcefully through the doorway by the soldiers, and I staggered, just catching myself before I fell to the ground. I turned around in a desperate attempt to reason with them, but the door slammed shut, the sound resonating like a death knell.
• I collapsed to my knees and sobbed loudly, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of my failure. How had I been so stupid, so helpless? I was meant to be Bustane's mate but instead, I found myself imprisoned and powerless to alert him to the peril that lay ahead.
• Suddenly, I heard a faint rustling sound. I paused and surveyed the dark chamber. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first, but then I saw something moving.
• I held my breath as a person began to slowly emerge from the shadows. There was something familiar about the woman, even if part of her face was obscured.
• "W-who's there?" I stammered my voice barely above a whisper.
• The woman stepped forward, and I gasped as recognition dawned. "Bianca?"
• The other woman's lips curled into a small, weary smile. "Hello, Olivia," she murmured, her voice slightly raspy. "It's been a long time."
• I stared at her, dumbfounded. Bianca Bustane’s former mate, the one who had supposedly died was alive and imprisoned alongside me. How was this possible?
• Before I could even begin to formulate a response, Bianca crossed the small space separating us and grasped my hands in hers, her grip surprisingly strong.
• "You must listen to me," she said urgently, her eyes boring into mine. "There is not much time. You are in grave danger, and so is Bustane ."
• I felt a chill run down my spine at her words, and I squeezed her hands, desperation etched on my face. "Please, Bianca, tell me what's going on. How are you alive? What do the Hunters want with us?"
• Bianca's expression darkened, a flicker of fear crossing her features. "The Hunters have been planning this for a long time," she whispered, her gaze darting nervously towards the door. "They want to destroy the Lycan King, and they're going to use you to do it."
• I felt my blood run cold, the implications of her words sinking in. "But why?" I breathed, shaking my head in disbelief. "What do they have against Bustane?"
• Bianca's grip on my hands tightened, her eyes pleading. "There's no time to explain," she murmured urgently. "You have to get out of here. You have to warn Bustane before it's too late."
• I felt a surge of hope at her words, but it was quickly doused by the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. "How?" I whispered, my voice laced with despair. "I'm trapped, and the Hunters are watching our every move. There's no way I can escape."
• Bianca's gaze hardened with grim determination. "There is a way," she said, her voice low and intense. "But you'll have to trust me."
• I stared at her, torn between hope and fear. Could I trust this woman, the one who had once been Bustane’s mate? What if this was all part of the Hunters' scheme?
• But as I looked into Bianca's eyes, I saw a glimmer of something that I hadn't expected She had a strong, unbreakable loyalty. Somehow, I knew she was being honest and would risk everything to help me.
• Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "I trust you."
• Bianca's lips curved into a small, determined smile. "Then let's get to work. Time is of the essence."
• As she began to outline her plan, I felt a spark of hope within me. Perhaps, against all odds, I could still find a way to get out of this place and warn Bustane. About his twin brother.
• I felt worried. What if this plan was a trap? What if the Hunters knew we might try to escape?
• Steeling my nerves, I pushed those doubts aside. I had no choice but to trust Bianca, our very lives depended on it.
• With a deep breath, I focused all my attention on the task at hand, determined to do whatever it took to reach Bustane.