Page 27 of Villainous Fate

Are they moving in the wrong direction?

“Let me ask you a question, ‘mystery partner with no name,’” I start, sarcasm dripping from my tone. “Everyone I’ve run into was heading in exactly the opposite direction as we are going. What makes you so sure you aren’t wrong?” I stop, squaring my shoulders and crossing my arms across my chest to keep my hands from shifting.

He turns back, his face evaluating mine. I can almost see the moment he decides his answer.

“I spent years preparing for this. Months memorizing terrain. Weeks training for every unknown. I know everything I can about where we are, where we’re going, and what will happen there. You’ve known you were coming to this for what, three weeks? Tops. I don’t know you, or your end game, but based on your desire to stay alive and get where we’re going, I’m going to go out on a limb and say we are on the same page here. This camp is my only shot at having the future I want. One away from all of this stupid Alpha power-hungry bullshit. If you want to take over Vegas and rule that pack, have fun. I don’t want any part of it, but if I have a chance of another Alpha allowing me into their territory when I’m stronger than they are, I need this retreat to make alliances.”

By the end of his speech, he’s breathing heavily, and I see his anger rolling off him, his wolf just beneath the surface. His eyes reveal more than I’m sure he wants, but I can see he isn’t done, so I stand there, letting him get his wolf in check before he continues.

“You don’t have to trust me, but trust this: No one is going to get between me and finishing this. I will survive this retreat. I will find an Alpha willing to allow me into their territory. I will live out the rest of my life with the woman I love in the middle of fucking nowhere, far from all of this. Trust that.”

He’s inches from my face by the time he ends his speech, but I don’t shrink away. I stand my ground, refusing to let him intimidate me. There’s something in his gaze that makes me believe him. I’m not sure if it’s the intention behind his words or the raw emotion he tried to hide behind his determination, but I believe every word.

Sighing, he turns and continues his way on the path we’re taking. For the first time since I met this guy, I realize we aren’t that different. So I place one foot in front of the other and place my faith in a guy I just met, who still hasn’t fucking told me his name.

Mother fucker.

I smile. It almost feels like a challenge.

Challenge accepted.

Chapter 17

Deacon

Afterafewhoursof moving toward our destination, the forest begins to become too dense to travel outside the paths. If I hadn’t spent months getting ready to dominate this training, this subtle change in the landscape wouldn’t even register to me. But I know better. Nothing is a coincidence.

This path is intentional. Any other option would take hours to get around. The leadership set this bottleneck up on purpose. This was a way to ensure any cadet who was on the correct path would have to travel through here. The question is, why?

I slow my pace, tapping into my wolf. No sounds of movement. No out-of-the-ordinary noise. Not even my partner makes a sound.

Turning to face Marcus, I see him crouched in a similar position to me, using a tree trunk for cover and concealment. His eyes shift as he takes in our surroundings. The longer I observe him, the more competent he proves to be.

Logical. Doesn’t complain. Pushes back when needed. Able to handle himself in a fight. I bet if they knew any of this, he wouldn’t be my partner.

I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t know enough about this recruit.

When his eyes find mine, he shuffles silently forward before speaking.

“They herded us here. This path is intentional,” he whispers, surprising me that he was able to come to the same conclusion. “Any idea what we might be walking into here?” he asks.

“Could be anything. A challenge. A trap. An obstacle. Everything is planned out, so we have to play their game. What are your strengths unshifted?” I ask so I can come up with a divide-and-conquer solution if needed.

“Endurance, speed, close quarters combat, engineering. I’m shit at land nav, which I will rectify if I make it through this, and have zero alliances to lean on here,” he rattles off quickly, again surprising me. This time with his honesty.

Something about him reminds me of Luca. His belief in people.

I take a page from Grace, and I shove my defenses down to return his honesty with my own.

“I’m solid in land nav, logic and understanding, politics, and standing alliances. I’m fast and strong. I struggle with processes, interpersonal relationships, and ego,” I finish shrugging because I’m sure that last one has been obvious in our interactions so far.

“Ok, so I’ll leave the talking to you since you know everyone unless you sound like an asshole, then I’ll be the good cop.” He smiles, grabbing a drink from his pack before offering me some. I look at the offering for a long moment before grabbing it and taking a drink, knowing he drank first to show it was given in good faith.

Ok, Grace. I hope your optimism works in my favor here.

“Keep to the treeline on our right as we move. Watch where you step. It wouldn’t surprise me if they set something that requires one of us to save the other, or hell, even choose if we want to save the other or continue alone. For the record, I’ll save you. They made the rules abundantly clear at the beginning. Cross together, or you’re out. Anything that pops up here could be bullshit.”

“Well, let’s hope I’m not out for Alvarez. Pretty sure rule four said I can’t attack another cadet during the challenge. Killing one seems like it would fall under that,” he says, attempting for nonchalance while a flash of fear shows behind his eyes at the notion he won’t be allowed in.

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