Page 61 of Spike

Paralyzed with fear, I was rendered immobile, unable to comprehend the danger that loomed before me.

With a deafening roar, the dragon swooped down with incredible speed, its massive claws gripping the roof of my car with a vice-like grip.

In an instant, the vehicle, along with me trapped inside, was lifted off the ground, dangling helplessly in the air. Julian shrieked nearby but he couldn’t do anything but watch.

My mind raced as panic threatened to overwhelm me. What was I supposed to do against such a foe?

Should I try starting the engine again? What if the dragon dropped me by accident?

As the dragon soared higher into the darkening sky, I could only watch in horror as the familiar sights of town grew smaller below me. Any hope of escape was crushed.

We traveled farther and farther away from Moon Burrow, and panic threatened to consume me entirely.

I had to find a way out of this dire situation.

But before I could formulate a plan, the dragon began its descent, landing in a familiar wooded area—the Blue Vale Wolf Valley compound.

As soon as the dragon touched down, I seized the opportunity to escape, bolting out of my car with only one thought in mind: to flee.

But the dragon shifter, sensing my desperate attempt, moved swiftly to block my path.

Its massive body loomed over me, intimidating and imposing, as it flashed its razor-sharp teeth and flicked its tail in warning.

Trapped between the dragon and the compound, I felt a surge of frustration and fear wash over me.

Two werewolves appeared and I recognized one of them—Clive. I shoved down the fear threatening to overwhelm me. The last thing I wanted to show these werewolves was weakness.

"We got it from here, Draven,” Clive ordered.

Draven, presumably, the dragon shifter, didn’t budge from his spot.

The second werewolf nervously jumped when Draven emitted smoke from his nostrils.

"Are you going to come with us quietly?" Clive asked me. "Or will you make it difficult?"

The glint in Clive's eyes told me he would enjoy it if I chose the latter option.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I replied, resigned.

"Let's go,” he said.

But I couldn't leave without at least attempting to reach Draven. Honestly, it was a last-ditch attempt to try to convince Draven to somehow see reason, although I had a feeling it was useless.

Not completely futile, I realized, recalling Spike telling me Draven had hesitated attacking them when he saw Colin.

"I might not know you, Draven," I addressed the dragon shifter, "but I do know you're being controlled. Don't stop fighting."

Clive and the other werewolf marched me into the main building of the compound.

Last time, I was a guest here; this time, I was clearly a prisoner. We passed by frightened faces. Some of the werewolves avoided looking me in the eyes.

They were afraid of Clive, I realized, afraid of Jack's group. Fear was probably the only reason they were following Jack.

Clive led me downstairs to a basement which held cells. It was half full, I noticed, some containing werewolves.

Unruly pack members who didn't agree with the new change in leadership, perhaps?

I swallowed, hesitated when Clive stopped in front of an empty cell, and without warning, unceremoniously shoved me inside.

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