3. Death Before Defeat

"Did you know what guild they are from?" Gideon asked after the invited guests were completely washed out.

"No traces in their swords and daggers, nor in their bodies. And no one dared to speak."

"What guild must be behind of this?" it was from Henry.

There many assassin guilds but the biggest and most prominent is ours, the reason why we have a lot of enemies. This did not happen only once that was why we were not surprised of the attack.

"That is hard to know since we have a lot of enemies," I said before walking out from the group.

"Where are you going, Elena? We are still in a meeting." Henry is such a nuisance. He really gets into my nerves most of the time.

"I need to prepare for my mission tomorrow."

Before he could talk more, I was already out of the room.

The following night, I left the manor before sunset as what I have planned. It was already dark when I arrived at the Dark Valley where the base of Raven pack was situated. Wolf shifters have very sharp sense of smell so I had put a different scent on myself that could cover my human scent. That way, even I watch them in a proximity while their celebration is going on, they will not notice my presence and I could take advantage of an opportunity without getting caught.

I climbed up in a tall tree close to the pack so I could have a clear view of their every action. The celebration was just starting and the man whom I think is their Alpha is sitting at a special chair, staring at his pack who were laughing and drinking together while enjoying the feast. 

I could not help but ask. Why is he not joining them? And he looked really serious. What if he had known that he will be attacked by an assassin tonight? But that not is possible. Informations in the House of Spades were never leaked before. So he must have no idea of what I am planning unless he is a clairvoyant—which I am sure is impossible. I have never heard before that wolf shifters have other special abilities aside from their strength and sharp senses.

As time passed, the more the pack became busier. I was getting more impatient by the minute. I could not wait for an opportunity so that I could leave as soon as possible. It was worthless to watch these hybrids laughing as if the world had never been cruel to them. It was making my eyes sore and the urge to kill them all was real.

I was close to dying in impatience when finally, I saw the Alpha leaving the group.

Now this is the opportunity you have been waiting for, Elena.

I watched where the Alpha was going. He went to a certain path which led him to the huge wooden manor. He might be going to his chamber, so this is the perfect chance for me with his pack busy with the feast, drunk and distracted. There was also music from the drums and zithers, so if ever we would make a noise inside, it will not be heard by the others and no one could go there to help him.

I followed him silently in the shadows. As an assassin, I was trained to be very cautious with my actions. Through the hard training and all those experiences in the past, one could not hear even a small noise from my footsteps, nor from my breathing.

I was right. He was going to his chamber. I do not know why but for whatever reason, I am pleased of this opportunity. It has made this mission easier. I want nothing but to finish this as soon as possible and leave this place.

When he was already inside, I waited for a few moments before I entered silently.

The first thing I noticed upon entering was the smell of freesias and lavender. I ignored it and continued walking, this time, I was more blunt with my action. Without further ado, I went beyond the silk curtains, expecting the Alpha to be shocked with my presence.

However, it was me who was taken aback of what I saw.

The Alpha was calmly sitting on his bed, expression was hard, and eyes were blazing gold as his gaze was directed to me with fiery bloodlust. 

"Hello, my guest."

He knew.

He knew I was going to attack him. He was expecting me.

"So you knew," I stated as calm as he was, showing no fear.

He remained sitting as if he was not bothered at all if I would just suddenly jump and attack him in every angle I could. What is it? Confidence? Arrogance? I know Alphas are the strongest in their packs, but I have killed different kinds of man, reason why I am not the least bit frightened of him even he looks very lethal and ruthless.

"Yes, I knew you would come to kill me. So I came here to make your job easier."

I did not say anything. Words are useless in a fight. So instead of replying, I just went to him straight with my sword very ready to shed blood. I do not need the words of my victim. It is time consuming and worthless.

Though before I could lash my sword to him, I was caught off guard when the next moment, he was already at my back, and pushed my elbow upward which caused my sword to be thrown away. I kicked his knee backwards, then turned to his way and tried to get away from his grip. But he was incredibly strong as I expected. I tried to get my sword on the floor but the Alpha was quick enough to kick it away.

Anger swept through me. I have no problem in fighting without a sword. I was also trained in hand to hand combat, and I believe I know enough to defeat him.

"Why are you living this way?" he asked breathily, eyes were much more intense than earlier. Is it his bloodlust? Anger? But what's with his question? It made no sense.

I kept on attacking him but he was always one step ahead. It was like he knew where I was going to attack, or maybe he is just really faster than me.

"Why are you not fighting back, mongrel?!" I asked beneath my gritting teeth when I realized he was just blocking my every attack and not doing anything to fight back.

"I am a gentleman. I do not hurt ladies."

Now he just added more fuel on my desire to kill him. Being discriminated because of my gender is the thing that could provoke me the most. Every time I hear such things, the faces of my angry parents always comes back like a haunting nightmare from the past. It makes me feel more urge to be strong, to be cruel, so that I could prove to everyone that I am not weak because I am a female.

"Too bad for you, this lady will end your life tonight."

"Indeed?" He smirked and dodged my attack again. "Kill me if you can, then."

I can see that he is really a skilled fighter like what Henry said. But his arrogance did not go unnoticed. I do not care if he is stronger than me but I will definitely kill him with my own hands. 

"Shit," he winced when I managed to left a scratch on his left cheek. I showered him consecutive attacks but his unresponsiveness was sending me to edge. Why the hell is he not fighting back?!

"Is that all you've got? To block your enemy's attacks? I was expecting more since your an Alpha, and yet you are just defending yourself like an idiot?" I could not hold myself anymore. He provoked me too much to the point that I was thinking of torturing him till death.

"Very eager to kill me, are you not?"

I shut my lips tight and pushed his chest with both hands and leaped to kick him on his abdomen but he blocked my knee with one hand. I crushed my teeth altogether as I stepped back for a moment.

"How brave of you to go alone in the base of a pack of wolves. Have you even thought of the possibility that you might die in this mission?"

I did not answer and went to attack him again. This time, he caught my arm and the next second, he was already pinning me on the bed, his both hands were on my wrists while his legs were at the sides of mine, forcing it to stay steady.

"Were you like this in your past missions? You execute your plans very carelessly?" he asked in a low baritone, jaw was tight.

"My life is none of your business. Why do you seem to care, huh? You need not to think of that. You only need to die here tonight, in my hands."

"How would I die, then? How could you kill me when you are there... under me, helpless and..." The corners of his lips rose.

"Why don't you fight me fairly? Why do you need to ask me useless questions, Alpha?"

"I have a name, Elena."

"And who cares if you have a name or not? I do not care about your name. I would rather not know the names of my victims—" I stopped when I suddenly realized something. "How did you know my name?"

"I just know," he simply answered.

I tried to get away from his grip but his hands and legs were like steel. Maybe I really underestimated his capabilities as an Alpha of a huge pack of wolves. If he is this strong, then how could I defeat him? If I really cannot complete this mission, then I would rather be killed. Mistress Hera would surely be disappointed of me and I would rather not see it.

"If you know me, that means you know things about my guild. What do you know?"

He tilted his head and scrutinized my face as if he was memorizing the face of a criminal.

"I know nothing."

I hissed. "I swear, I will kill you."

"Sure."

He is such a crazy mongrel. 

"If you want to kill me, kill me now while I am helpless. I will never accept defeat no matter what you do and I would rather die than face my guild with a failed mission."

Death before defeat. That is my principle in fighting.

The faint humor in his face vanished. His expression is now hard and dark.

"But before you do, tell me how you knew that I was coming for you."

His eyes blazed more.

Then he answered that made my jaw drop.

"Because I was the patron. I paid your guild with the instruction to kill Raven Pack's Alpha and requested a specific assassin for the job, which was you, Elena Ross."