Page 23 of Villainous Fate

I’m here to save face. I’m here because if I’m not here, people will start asking questions. I’m here because deep down, in places I never allowed myself to venture, I realize Iwantto lead. And so, I’m going to kick this training’s ass. Just as soon as I set off this trap.

Reaching under a nearby bush, I pull out an undersized boulder about the size of my palm that is peaking out of the snow and launch it at the center of the mound. Branches snap, causing all the covering snow to plummet and a gaping hole to appear. In total, it's about six feet across, and as I tiptoe to its edge, I see it's almost twice that deep.

Damn, well, they’ve used this before because there’s no way they dug this out recently with as hard and frozen the ground is right now.

The bottom of the pit and the walls are smooth, with no handholds anywhere in sight.

I guess that's one way to stop us from getting to the location.

I’m relieved to see there aren’t any bodies left inside, though I imagine they would come around to pick them up after they fail.

Turning my attention to the bag hanging directly over the hole’s center, I try to devise a plan. The tree itself has bark peeling away from the stump, which would make it difficult to climb. The strap of the duffle bag sits in the middle of the limb, making a jump-and-grab option less than ideal, and the limb itself seems to be barely holding under the weight of my possessions.

Time to try something more innovative.

I take a moment to strategize and walk off deeper into the forest. When I return, I have a six-foot tree branch with me, and I use it to slowly unhook my bag from the limb, careful not to drop it as I pull it back to me.

I’m reassured when I find everything inside, including a half-page map with roughly drawn icons to help acclimate me to the area. I don’t see the clearing pictured on it, but I do see a few peaks indicated, which at least gives me a direction.

The star on the left of the page doesn’t appear to be a city, and after closer examination, I realize my map leads me to my partner, not the end location. Putting one foot in front of the other, I venture off the path I’m on in the general direction of the star, hoping they didn’t saddle me with someone who will be dead weight.

I will make it to this location. No one is going to have a say in me being here. I’ll drag their dead body across the finish line if I have to.

Chapter 14

Deacon

Faintvoicesfilterpastmy foggy brain as I try to identify them. They’re muffled, but both sound irritated, and, based on the chill resting on my skin, we’re deeper in the forest where the sun isn’t infiltrating enough to bring up the temperature.

Quickly, I attempt to reach my wolf to find him as dazed as I am.

Well, shit, this wasn’t what I was expecting.

The slow movement I feel rocking my body makes breathing difficult, and I realize someone’s carrying me over their shoulder. Adjusting my arms slightly, I feel a light tension as if I’m tied up, but not very well. Repeating the process with my ankles, I find they remain unrestricted.

“Rod said his spot is just behind this outcropping.” The voice underneath me says, his words more clear now as the meds wear off.

“There’s no way he’s going to make it all the way back to the site in time. Fuck finding his partner. There’s just too much land to cover without his wolf. Why’d Rod move his so far?” a voice a little further away asks, exertion evident in his panting.

“This one’s a Marlo,” he responds, his voice vibrating through my ribcage as he continues slowly to our destination.

“I thought Rod told that pack they couldn’t send anyone else from that bloodline after the poor excuse for an Alpha they sent a few years ago.”

My wolf stirs beneath my skin, poised to take over, and I fight back a growl as my automatic defense of my brother rises within me.

“Well, they didn’t listen, so he’s going to make it so the kid can’t stay. Now, help me get the area set up. He shouldn’t be awake for another hour, but I want to be long gone when he does.”

Guess you all miscalculated on that dosage.

My body is jostled off the man’s shoulder and set on the frozen ground with little regard. Footsteps sound walking away from my position, and I peek out to see the retreating backside of a pair of faded jeans and work boots.

It’s still daylight; based on the cold, it’s still early morning. The ground has a thin layer of icy snow that crunches loudly with each step he takes. His partner, a smaller, younger man, follows idly, not looking back in my direction.

Not sure if they are arrogant or stupid, but I’m leaning toward stupid.

They obviously aren't very highly ranked, or they wouldn’t be on shit duty dropping cadets off in the middle of the forest. I wait until no sound reaches me before I jump up, landing on unsteady legs, and quickly scan the area, looking for any sign of my belongings, already missing the picture of Grace I have in my bag.

Nothing.

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