Chapter 72

Lucy kept her steps slow, her heels barely lifting off the ground as she wandered through the pack grounds. The familiar pathways glistened under the faint moonlight. The path was dark at first but became clearer as she got closer. The night air carried a cool, quiet stillness as they brushed against her skin.

It would have been better if she had felt the cool stillness of the breeze while she cuddled with Aiden. Not when she was left alone by herself to wander around. She could have taken the shorter route back to her room, but the thought of facing Marie's inevitable questions which would arise because of her attitude made that decision for her.

She sighed, her mind flickering back to Aiden—his touch, his voice, the way his eyes seemed to burn right through her. What else does he really think of me? Could he have made the excuse because of me? Does he see me as weak… or something more? The questions circled her mind, each one weighing her down more than the last

In no time, the sound of footsteps snapped her out of thoughts. Not her steps—it was someone else. And it wasn't just a person. There were several pairs of steps.

She turned her head to notice what was going on, her pulse quickening. Five figures emerged from nowhere, like they had jumped down from the sky as they landed on the ground with their feets and crouched down before they straightened up. They wore masks—rough ones but it didn't take much time for Lucy to recognize them. The way they carried themselves—the way they jerked around her, hunched slightly — they were omegas, the lowest rank of the pack hierarchy.

“What do you want?” She demanded, her voice sharper than she had expected.

They didn't answer her as no one responded. Instead one of them took a step forward, the others following suit like a silent wave. Their lips curled into smirks, mocking her without needing words as she could see their lips move since their masks pressed against their mouth and face.

Judging by their look and their stance, they didn't look like one who had come to take her away. They had come to get rid of her and she knew that well too much. It was either to fight or to be killed.

“Get away from me… don't come any closer.” she barked, planting her feet firmly into the ground like she was about to take them down one after the other.

A laugh—low and guttural, came from the one in the front. He seemed like he was the one who had led the rest of the omega. “Feisty, aren't you?” he said, his voice muffled slightly by the mask on his face. “Don't see that often from someone like you… someone who doesn't have a wolf to fight us.”

At that moment, they surrounded her and were left in their middle. Lucy spun on her heels and on a spot, her breath hitched as she tried to keep all five wolves in her line of sight. It was a difficult thing to do. She had to turn and turn and turn— there was no stop to that.

Her heart raced, probably from her restless state. Her mind screamed for an escape but every move she made seemed to close the circle tighter. She edged back a step but at that moment, one of them lunged forward, an attempt to pierce her with his claws—or maybe finish her off instantly without a waste of time.

She dropped instinctively, crouching low bust as his claws swiped through the air where her neck had been a moment ago. He stumbled slightly from the force of his missed attack but growled in frustration.

Lucy straightened up but before she could catch her breath, another omega grabbed her from behind. His grip was like iron around her arms. And you probably know how that was going to be… difficult to loosen the grip

“Let go!” she screamed, thrashing wildly, her legs kicking the air and dangling above the ground but at the same time, touching the ground. Her nails clawed at his hands, but he didn't relent. 

A sharp, sudden pain radiated through her back as one of the others struck her, sending her staggering in the grip of the omega holding her. She cried out, her vision blurring for a moment. Panic set in—and it was uncontrollable.

The one who had held her, sneered and tightened his grip around her waist. “You think you can fight us oog?” he mocked, his voice dripping with smirk. “Save your energy. We know what you're capable of… we have been told.”

We have been told… the words replayed in her mind. With that, she realized they hadn't just attacked her on their own. Rather—they had been sent. But by who? She thought about it and the only name that crossed her mind—Isabella

Isabella was the only option. Leo still wanted her judging by his attitude toward her. The problem with Leo was that he could not make decisions on his own and had to depend on his Father. Aiden wouldn't hurt her but protect her and Marie and Ethan. None of them. 

“It must be Isabella, it must be.” She muttered, her voice low, coming out with rasped breath. She struggled harder, her breathing ragged. Her mind raced while her thoughts jumbled. This can't be how it ends. This can't be how I disappear without a trace. Aiden, where are you? Marie, please, show up. I can't let them—

The one holding her yanked her back toward him, his breath hot on her neck. “Struggle all you want,” he sneered.

Another omega stepped forward, jerking her off from her thoughts. His claws glinted under the faint light of the moon. His eyes gleamed with cruel intent as a devilish smile curled around his lips like he was going to drive joy in finishing her off. He raised his hand, ready to strike—ready to finish the job and get it done with no trace.

Time seemed to slow. Lucy's body tensed as the claws descended toward her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for what was about to happen.

But then, it happened.