Page 43 of Their Mate
I crouched low, studying faint scuff marks and drag patterns in the soft mud. My pulse quickened, dread mixing with cautious hope. Declan had been through here, and recently.
“The trail leads to the old culvert,” I announced, my voice carefully controlled. “He might have gone underground into the tunnels, or gone along the river. His scent isn’t easy to follow here. There’s too much going on.”
Magnus stepped up beside me, eyes examining the cavernous opening of the sewer tunnel. “Lovely,” he drawled, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Exactly how I wanted to spend my night… In the filthy bowels of Dublin.”
Killian chuckled softly, his reddish hair catching the dim moonlight. “You afraid of the dark now, cousin?”
Magnus shot him a dry glare, though his lips twitched faintly. “More afraid of your ugly mug in the shadows, honestly.”
Thorne shifted closer, silently assessing the sewer, expression unreadable. “It’ll be easy to get lost down there,” he observed coldly. “Too many scents. Too many variables.”
Tobias grunted, the set of his jaw making his face look fierce. “Then we split up. Cover more ground, increase our odds.”
Sera shifted slightly, her wary eyes flicking quickly between each of us. She hadn’t said much since leaving the pub, and even now, she seemed tightly wound, and a little bit distant, the distrust clear on her features.
Still, she spoke up cautiously, her voice strangely calm. “Splitting up might be wise. These tunnels and culverts connect with the sewer system and from there, Dublin’s subway network. Declan could be anywhere beneath the city at this point.”
Zara nodded thoughtfully, gaze flicking swiftly toward the opening of the tunnels. “Then we take different paths. Magnus, Killian, Tobias, Callum, Thorne, and I will follow the river downstream. Check the outflow points, maintenance exits, anything suspicious along the banks.”
Magnus inclined his head, eyes glinting with grim resolve. “If Declan’s anywhere near the river, we’ll find him.”
Edward stepped forward. “Logan, Jamie, Aidan, Sera, and I will head into the tunnels and underground networks. With luck, we can track him deeper beneath the city, toward the metro.”
Jamie exhaled softly, exchanging a cautious glance with Aidan, whose expression remained resolutely determined. “Better pray our luck holds, lads.”
“Luck’s got nothing to do with it,” I muttered, heart pounding faster beneath the calm exterior I maintained for the pack’s benefit. “We’ve got skill, experience, and numbers. That’ll be enough.”
Magnus hummed quietly under his breath, the melody briefly breaking the tense silence. He exchanged a quick glance with Killian before stepping closer, his eyes serious despite his casual demeanor. “Good hunting, lads. We’ll stay in contact via radio—keep each other informed.”
Zara stepped to my side, her presence quietly reassuring even now. “Be careful, Logan. Don’t do anything stupid.” Her gaze flicked briefly toward Sera, curiosity and concern warring on her beautiful face, then back to me. “And watch each other’s backs.”
I nodded once, the silent promise passing clearly between us. “Always do.”
Magnus moved away smoothly, leading his group downstream along the riverbank, their footsteps fading gradually into silence. Zara moved quickly to join them, sending a wary glance my way before disappearing from view.
Turning on my heel, I strode toward the shadowed entrance of the culvert, Edward and Jamie immediately falling into step beside me. Aidan hesitated briefly, shifting his weight carefully from his injured leg, stubborn resolve etched across his face. “I’m good,” he rasped sharply, sensing my scrutiny. “Let’s just find Declan.”
Sera lingered briefly at the tunnel entrance, cautious and tense. Her face remained mysteriously unreadable, but I sensed the unease radiating from her in subtle waves.
“What?” I prompted gently, moving slightly closer, careful to keep my voice calm. “You got something to say, little assassin?”
Her gaze snapped toward me, irritation flaring instantly beneath the wary exterior. “Just wondering if you wolves always jump headfirst into danger without a second thought, or if tonight’s special.”
Jamie chuckled beside me, amusement briefly lighting his features. “Oh, tonight’s extra special, lass.”
Edward sighed, exasperation evident beneath his military calm. “Enough banter. Let’s move.”
I stepped first into the darkness, senses immediately assaulted by the damp, musty scent of decay and wet and old stone. My heartbeat quickened slightly as we descended into the tunnel, footsteps echoing softly against concrete walls slick with moisture and grime.
We moved quickly but cautiously, Edward’s tactical knowhow leading the way, Jamie and Aidan flanking closely behind. Sera moved at my side, tense and watchful, her every movement tightly measured. Her discomfort was evident in her stiff posture, wary gaze, clenched fists, yet despite herself, she kept close to us, moving instinctively as part of our pack formation.
Ahead, the sewer tunnel connected abruptly with a maintenance corridor, faded signage indicating access to Dublin’s metro lines. The Luas tram lines ran mainly above ground, but this tunnel led down into the older sections of the underground DARTrailway tunnels beneath the city center. Edward stopped briefly, consulting a faded map mounted on the grimy wall.
“If Declan’s down here, he’s probably closer to Connolly Station or Tara Street,” Edward muttered thoughtfully. “Lots of maintenance corridors and plenty of hiding spots there.”
Jamie nodded, his expression darkening slightly. “Then let’s hope we’re moving fast enough. If the Elder Lycan’s got him cornered…”
“Then we move faster,” I interrupted, pushing forward again. “Declan doesn’t have long. We have to reach him before it’s too late.”
