<b>Chapter </b>177
Skye’s POV
1 felt a rush of triumph surge through me.
This is what they call giving someone a taste of their own medicine, If he hadn’t used rats to sabotage the oven switch, I never would have thought of this method!
I knew the man would return soon. With my right hand slightly loosened, I frantically worked to untie my left wrist, fingers trembling <b>as </b><b>I </b>picked at the knots. My heart pounded in my chest as I heard footsteps approaching outside. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I quickly freed my ankles, carefully arranging the ropes to make it appear as though I was still bound and helpless.
The door swung open with a metallic screech. I instantly went limp, letting my head hang as if exhausted. Through half–closed eyes<b>, </b>I watched him scan the room, his gaze stopping on the food scraps scattered across the floor.
“Looks like someone was hungry after all,” he smirked<b>, </b>pulling out his phone.
The camera sh blinded me, harsh light burning my retinas. I instinctively turned away, squeezing my eyes shut. Before I could recover, his rough hand grabbed my chin, fingers digging into my skin as he yanked my face upward.
“Why so shy?” His breath reeked of cigarettes as he leaned in closer. “How is your Adrian supposed to see you clearly if you keep hanging your head like that?”
I red at him, muscles tensing beneath the loosened ropes. “Adrian will find you, and when he does, you’ll wish you neverid eyes on
me.”
His face inched closer until I could count the pores on his skin.
“I’ve never liked hurting beautiful women,” he whispered, thumb brushing my cheek in a gesture that made my skin crawl. “But what can I do when you’re the one Adrian loves?”
After snapping several more photos, he pulled a roll of duct tape from his pocket. The sound of it tearing off the roll sent a chill down my spine as he pressed it firmly over my mouth, sealing away my protests.
My pulse quickened as he turned to leave. This was my only chance.
I waited until he took three steps toward the door, then exploded into action. In one fluid motion, I tore my hands free, gripping the loosened rope that had bound me. My legs, stiff from being bound, nearly betrayed me as I stumbled the first step, but adrenaline propelled me forward.
Iunched myself at his back, swiftly looping the rope around his neck and pulling it tight. My momentum mmed us both against the wall. He grunted in surprise, hands wing at the rope as I tightened my grip.
His body thrashed beneath me, trying to shake me off, but I locked my ankles around his waist<b>, </b>clinging to him like a vise as I pulled the rope even tighter.
***
Adrian’s POV
10:31 Fri<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>M <fnb05e> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find{n}ovel</fnb05e>
Elder Selene received us in her private chambers, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across her face. Her eyes, sharp and calcting, moved from me to Leon, then Xavier, before she spoke.
“What brings three of our most promising Alpha candidates to my door in the middle of the night?” she asked, gesturing for us to sit
I remained standing, too agitated to sit still. “My Beta, Skye, has gone missing from the hot springs,” I said, my voice fight with controlled
rage.
“When did this happen?” Elder Selene straightened in her chair.
“About two hours ago,” I replied, pacing the small room. “We’ve searched every inch of the grounds.”
“Are you certain she’s missing? I know everyone has been under a lot of pressuretely. Perhaps she just wanted some time alone.’Elder Selene suggested, her tone measured.
I spun toward her, jaw clenched. “The kidnapper already called me. He told me to follow his instructions from now on–or else…”
“The call came through while we were all in themon area,” Leon added, stepping forward. “Skye is my mate. <b>I </b>can’t sense her presence nearby. She might not even be in town anymore.”
A muscle twitched in my jaw hearing Leon im Skye as his mate, but I swallowed my irritation. Now was not the time to argue about who was Skye’s mate.
Elder Selene’s expression hardened. She pulled out her phone and made a call, her voice sharp with authority.
“Check the whereabouts of all council members. See who left town tonight,” she instructed. “And verify the locations of all advancing Alphas and their team members.”
After ending the call, she turned to us. “Return to your quarters. I’ll contact you when I have information.”
“I’m staying here,” I said firmly. “I don’t want to miss any updates.”
Elder Selene frowned. “This is against the rules, Alpha Adrian.”
“Please,” I said, desperation creeping into my voice. “I can’t just sit in my room while Skye is in danger.”
After a tense moment, she nodded. “Very well. You may wait in the council lounge.”
My phone vibrated against my hip. I answered immediately, putting it on speaker.
“Adrian, I traced the call,” Garrett said, his voice tense. “It came from a public phone booth in Port Artemis.”
My blood ran cold. Port Artemis was barely thirty miles from Stormhowl Pack territory. Rage flooded through me,
hot and overwhelming.
“Maxwell,” I growled, already striding toward the door. “I’m going to find him.”
Elder Selene moved with surprising speed, blocking my path. “Adrian, control yourself. We need evidence before making usations.”
The door burst open, and her assistant rushed in, clutching a file to her chest. Her face was flushed from running.
10:31 Fri, <b>Oct </b><b>3 </b>M…
“We’ve identified only one staff member who left town tonight,” she announced breathlessly, handing the file to Elder Selene. “His name is Victor Reeves<b>.</b>”
Elder Selene passed the file to me. With trembling hands, I opened it and found myself staring at a personnel photo.
Recognition hit me like a physical blow–I knew him. He was the staff member from my second trial.
“Is it him?” Leon said from behind me.
I stared at the photo, memories flooding back.
“It’s him,” I said.