Helen POV
The sound of faraway voices and the scent of moist dirt greeted me as I woke up. I opened my eyes slowly, peering against the darkness, my body aching and my head pounding. As soon as I recognized where I was, panic struck. The rogue group. The rough, cold stone floor beneath my feet felt like it was pressing in on me as I was confined to a small cell.
My wrists and ankles were shackled with chains when I attempted to move. My heart pounded. How did I get to be here? Memories of the ambush, Marcus, and Serena from last night came flooding back.
Someone said, "So, you're finally awake," as they emerged from the shadows.
When I looked up, I saw him. Marcus had a sly look on his face as he stood just outside the jail, casually resting on the bars. His black eyes sparkled with contentment.
"Let me out of here!" Trying to sound braver than I felt, I snapped. I was scared on the inside, but I kept it to myself. Not with him.
Marcus laughed. Helen, why would I do that? Here is just where you belong. Furthermore, whether you like it or not, you must assist me."
"I will never assist you!" Even though I knew it was useless, I spat and pulled at the chains.
He moved in closer, lowering himself till his face met mine, his smile turning into something darker. Yes, you certainly will. thus you are without options. You see, Scott hasn't been himself recently. He is feeble, and it is entirely your fault."
"That's not true!" With my heart thumping even more, I objected.
Marcus grinned, but it was hidden from view. Yes, but it is. He's been too preoccupied with you to be a good leader. And it will ruin him when he discovers you've been taken prisoner. His little Luna, how precious—gone. He'll be unable to compete with me. You'll get to witness him fall from the front rows as I take control of the pack."
I forced myself to swallow, keeping my dread from showing him. That's not something I could satisfy for him. "You won't get away with this, Marcus."
With a laugh that reverberated throughout the little jail, he got up. "Ah, Helen. I have done so already."
Scott was out in the interim, policing the boundaries of the pack's domain. Days had passed since he first noticed unusual motions close to the boundaries, odd smells that didn't belong, and a persistent uneasy sensation in the pit of his stomach that something wasn't right.
Marcus, his beta, had also been acting strangely, but Scott was unable to identify why. He trusted Marcus, or until recently, he had. Too many secrets existed, too many murmurs in the background.
His wolf twitched uneasily inside him as he smelt the air. Something seemed to be beckoning to him, but he was unable to identify what it was.
One of the warriors approached him and inquired, "Anything yet?"
Scott scowled and shook his head. "No, but remain vigilant. I have the unshakeable impression that something is lacking."
The warrior questioned, "Do you think the rogues are planning an attack?"
Scott murmured, "I don't know," as thoughts turned to Helen. She had also been behaving differently, more aloof. He made an effort to ignore it and not let Serena's remarks affect him. However, there was a problem, and he had to identify it.
Once more, I found myself by myself in the shadows at the rogue camp. Though Marcus was gone, his comments continued to haunt me. He intended to weaken and break Scott with my help. I could not allow that to occur. I needed to leave this place. I had to caution him.
I focused on the training I had completed with Aldric as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I had changed from being the frail girl I had been. I was faster and stronger now. This is something I could handle. I was forced to.
Glancing around, I noticed a rogue guard standing outside the cell with his back to me. Distracted, he was conversing with another guard. This was my opportunity. I had to move quickly.
I started to cautiously pull at the shackles around my wrists, testing them out. I was stronger now from the workout, and even though the chains were still tight, I could feel them starting to soften.
I wrenched with all my might, and the chains broke just enough to let me release my wrists. As I worked frantically to release the chains around my ankles, my heart pounded with adrenaline.
The guard had not noticed yet. I crept toward him while remaining motionless. I'd learned how to move silently from my training. All I had to do was get near enough.
Finally getting close enough, I jumped forward and grabbed the guard by the back. I twisted his arm, sending him flying to the ground with a grunt of astonishment. I moved fast and took his life before he could sound the alarm.
I unlocked the jail door by grabbing the keys off his belt. My heart was beating quickly when I entered the camp. I had no restrictions. At last, I was free.
But as I was about to take off, I was abruptly stopped by a well-known voice.
"Okay, okay, okay. What's in this place?
I looked up and saw Serena standing in front of me, her arms crossed and a menacing smile on her face. I froze, my blood turning to ice.
She said, her voice brimming with fake warmth, "Going somewhere, Helen?"
I slowly retreated and whispered, "Serena." "You... you're part of this?"
Her grin expanded. "I am, of course. Marcus wasn't supposed to be working alone, did you? Poor Scott, he's so enamored of you. However, now is our moment. And you're going to blow it all, my love."
My heart sank. Serena was not only participating but also taking the lead. She had been lying to Scott and controlling him, and now she was here to prevent me from leaving.
I attempted to stand straight and said, "You won't get away with this," but my voice was trembling.
Serena had bright eyes. "Oh, but we already have."
Serena's hand suddenly sprang out before I could respond, giving me just enough time to sidestep her blow. She moved more quickly than I had ever seen her move. As I retreated and looked around for a way out, my heart was racing.
"Helen, do you think you can get away?" With every phrase, Serena took a step closer while sneering. "You've been a source of irritation for far too long. It's time to call this quits now.
Fear was starting to rise in my chest, but I shoved it down. This wasn't finished. Not quite yet.
I changed positions and prepared to battle, but I knew in my heart that Serena was more powerful. I would have to outwit her if I wanted to get away.
I ducked, rolling out of the way barely in time to avoid Serena's next lunge at me. My thoughts raced, attempting to think of a strategy, but more rogues came, obstructing my route before I could act.
There were people all around me.
With a hollow, frigid laugh, Serena gave me the chills. Helen, it's over. Nobody is coming to come to your rescue.
My pulse raced as I turned to face my surroundings and realized how confined I was. This time, there was no turning back. No escape route.
And I knew that this was just the start of the horror as Serena moved in closer, her eyes shining with triumph.
I was caught, surrounded, and powerless. Serena had me right where she wanted, and there was no way to warn Scott. I had to escape—but how?