Chapter 5. Sniffing me out

Willa’s POV

I hated that he just watched. And I didn't care if these were his men, I was going to kill any who dared touch me.

A white-hot flame went through me. Even if I had a curse, I wasn't going to wait for them to molest me before ripping off their throat.

I gritted my teeth when he pounded my arm so hard on the concrete floor. He breathed into my face, the reek of alcohol shoving down my throat. I gagged.

I didn’t think. Not once about the wolfsbane in my veins. I grabbed the hilt of the knife peeping from his boot and slammed it into his thick throat.

My mouth and face were soon covered with his blood. I choked.

The guard slumped back.

“You bitch!” The other snarled.

I scrambled up before the remaining one could pin me, but something rock hard hit my face. I tasted blood and dirt before I hit the wall.

Stars danced in my vision, and I stumbled to my feet again out of instinct, grabbing the hunting knife.

Not this time, not here, I won’t allow it!

“You’ll bleed!” The one guard lunged for me, and I dodged aside. His talons grazed my forearm before I slammed the dagger into his thigh.

“Not if you're the first!” I gritted out.

His roar vibrated through the blade and shook my hand and I yanked the dagger out. He screeched and staggered backward.

“You—”

“You forget I was accused of nearly assassinating your Alpha, which means I can take you out if I wanted,” I challenged, holding myself up while clutching the knife. “So, you're no match for me. I can kill as many of you as I want even while running on low, think what would happen if I wasn't fed that gross drink that reeked of wolfsbane.”

He clenched his yellowish teeth, and I tried to keep myself from falling. My insides were all falling even as I acted tough.

He wiggled his claws—perfect for deep, brutal cutting. He opened his mouth again, and a bone-shattering sound followed and claws shredded through his neck. Flesh and blood ripped away.

My eyes drifted up to meet the beast of an Alpha. Those dark eyes are more onyx now.

I didn’t try to make a sound. I was shaking so badly that I thought I would fall apart at the seams. It was all I could do to keep holding the knife.

The guard’s last screech faded and he slumped to the ground in a thud, blood and gore marring the Alpha’s long brutal talons, dripping from them, staining the deep brown leather the guard wore.

My chest rose and fell.

I could only look … I didn't even sense him leave the shadow, didn't sense him move. That was the difference between us—no, not even my uncle could do that. A true Alpha. Alpha of the Starfall Pack, this was the beast he was.

Something raw smoldered in his gaze, and I flinched as he took a step forward. He reached for me again, but I jerked back, away from the bloody claws that were still out.

I clenched the knife more even as my vision started to blur. I knew I couldn’t defend myself. If the wolfsbane hadn't held me back before, it was doing so now.

“Little assassin,” he said. That wrath, or whatever it had been, faded from his eyes, and every claw slipped back under his skin, but I could not let my guard down. Not when… not when…

I crumbled.

The last thing I saw before darkness covered my vision was those dark eyes like midnight, beautiful yet so sinful, staring right at me.

———

The metallic tang of blood hit my senses before my eyes shut open and I immediately scrambled off the floor, hitting the cold wall in the process.

My eyes darted around the cell, heart racing as I took in the blood and gore still marring the cell floor. The bodies were gone, but dark stains on the floor remained. A figure shifted in the shadows, and I tensed.

I clenched my fingers and the knife was gone. Oh, whatever. Of course, it’d be taken.

The Alpha stepped into view, his expression more mysterious now. Even in the dim light, his lips were sharp enough to draw my eyes to them. I swallowed. "Finally awake, I see."

I steadied myself against the wall, refusing to show weakness. "How long was I out?"

"Long enough," he replied cryptically. He leaned against the wall, leg crossed, same with his arms like he was observing—had been observing me. “A pity you collapsed before I could ask you what happened in this cell.”

My brows crinkled.

What is he trying to make?

"You've caused quite a stir, little assassin."

"I'm not—" I began, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.

"Save your protests. Your fate hangs by a thread, dependent on whether my Beta lives or dies.” A glint in his eyes. “More importantly… it is my rule.” He shifted. “Perhaps death would be a merciful end, given the alternatives."

To my own surprise, I let out a dry chuckle. "Death? After all this?" I gestured at the bloodstains. "How disappointingly mundane."

His eyebrow arched slightly. "You find your situation amusing?"

"Pitiful, actually," I sighed, slumping back against the wall. Defeated or tired. “But go on, threaten me some more if it makes you feel powerful."

A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Interesting. Most in your position would be begging for their lives by now."

"Surprise… Tch! I'm not most people," I retorted.

Nox's eyes narrowed as he studied me, and when I thought no other word was coming from him, he said. “How did you manage to hold off my guards while poisoned with wolfsbane? Most would be incapacitated." His gaze honed, yet curious. "Unless... you've never shifted? Those who haven't awakened their wolf are less affected. Or maybe…” He crooned.

I stiffened at his words, my breath catching in my throat. His scrutiny felt like a physical weight, pressing me back against the wall. He smiled. "Interesting," he murmured, stepping back. "I believe I've found what I was searching for."

I wanted to speak, to deny or explain, but the words wouldn't come. I never did know what could be running in his mind, what he thought exactly. Shit. I watched him walk away, unable to tear my eyes from his broad, muscled back visible even through his shirt.

He paused at the cell door, glancing over his shoulder. "You know, little assassin, patience isn't typically one of my virtues. But for you... I found myself curious enough to wait." A smirk played on his lips. "Don't disappoint me."

With those words, he strode away.

Some time passed before I slumped back against the stone wall. I gazed at my bloody hands, then squeezed them tight. I was only this strong because I had trained to protect myself when all my uncle did was find a way to get rid of me, but this would be rougher without my wolf.

I need her back! I need my wolf back.

I heard footsteps approaching again. Two maids appeared, their presence catching me off guard. I’d expected guards, but—

"Oh, heavens!" the first exclaimed, eyeing the bloodstains. "What a mess! This'll take ages to clean properly."

The second wrinkled her nose, giving me a once-over. "Never mind the floor. This one needs a thorough washing. Look at the state of her!"

I furrowed my brow, utterly baffled by their arrival and casual behavior. "What...?" I managed to croak out, my voice rough from being strained.

The maids exchanged a look before the second one sighed. "Come along, miss. We've got our work cut out for us."

They led me through winding corridors, and we soon arrived at a spacious bathroom. Pristine tiles gleamed under soft lighting, and a large tub dominated the center.

"Right then, let's get you out of these rags," the older maid said, her tone matter-of-fact as she began removing my tattered clothes. I remained silent, too confused and tired to protest as they worked.

"Poor thing looks like she's been through the wars," the younger one murmured.

"Hush now," her companion replied. "We'll set her right."

They applied a thick, gel-like substance to my wounds before lowering me into the warm bath. The water stung at first, but soon soothed my aching muscles.

But I soon felt like a chicken being plucked when they began to scrub and comb. Their ministrations were thorough but not unkind, and I found myself relaxing despite the strangeness of the situation.

Once I was clean, a young nurse arrived to tend to my injuries properly.

When it came time to dress, I slipped on the provided clothes – simple but clean. And as the nurse packed up her supplies, I palmed a small blade from her kit, tucking it discreetly into my waistband.

Sunlight streamed through high windows as we exited the bathroom. The maids guided me through grand hallways, a world away from the prison cells below.

Finally, we halted before an imposing door. The older maid knocked softly. "The prisoner has been cleaned and prepared, as requested," she announced.

I steeled myself, unsure of what – or who – awaited me on the other side.