Chapter#24

Selene’s POV

The Ironfang City was a hell I couldn’t have imagined, a cavern of chaos that made my skin crawl. This place was raw, and cruel, and I hated it; hated how it stripped wolves of their dignity. My Silverthorn blood burned beneath my disguise, urging me to act, to stop this, but Varian’s warning held me back.

I gripped my mug as I brought it to my lips. It was my first time drinking anything like this. The taste hit me hard. It was bitter, and sharp, with a burn that seared down my throat. I coughed.

“This is… strong,” I muttered.

Rowan glanced over, “You okay, Kaelen? You don’t have to drink it.”

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a small smile, though my gaze kept darting to the ring, “Just… adjusting.”

Itook another sip. Then I saw Varian stand, placing his mug on the stone counter as he slipped out of the room. Curiosity sparked in me, urging me to follow. Where was he going?

“I’ll be right back,” I said to Rowan, setting my mug down.

“Where are you going?” Rowan’s tone was laced with suspicion.

“Just need some air,” I lied, standing before he could press further. “I won’t be long.”

“Don’t wander far,” he warned, “And don’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t,” I promised, slipping through the crowd. My boots were silent on the stone as I followed Varian’s path.

He’d gone down a narrow hallway. I trailed him, keeping myself quiet and hidden. He stopped at a rusted iron door, pushing it open, and I crept closer, peering through the crack.

A woman stood there. Her dark hair was tangled, her clothes were tattered, and her amber eyes were filled with desperation. Varian handed her a small pouch.

“Take this,” Varian slowly growled, “Make sure it’s done tonight. No trace left. Understood? If anyone finds out, it’s on you. Take my name and you’ll know what I’ll do to your daughters.”

The woman nodded, “I understand. No one will know.”

“Good,” Varian muttered, “And if you breathe a word of this, I’ll find you. You know what I’m capable of.”

My heart stopped as I pressed myself against the wall. Was Varian… ordering a murder? The woman he spoke of…who was she? My mind raced with questions. I’d thought he was cold, pragmatic, but this? This was something else. Something sinister. I needed to know more, but fear rooted me to the spot.

My breath caught in my throat as Varian turned toward the door. I shifted to retreat, my boot scraping against the stone floor, but my movement dislodged a small rock, sending it clattering against the wall with a sharp crack that echoed in the narrow hallway.

Varian’s head snapped toward the sound, “Who’s there?”

My heart slammed against my ribs as I turned and ran. I didn’t dare look back. I burst into the main chamber of the underground arena. I didn’t stop. My eyes darted for a place to hide, when I collided hard with someone, “Oof…” I gasped, stumbling back as my hands caught myself against the wall. I looked up to see Caden. His brown eyes were red and swollen, as if he’d been crying.

“Selene?” his hands grabbed my shoulders to steady me. “Shouldn’t you be with Rowan?”

“I…I was just…” I stammered, but the anguish in Caden’s eyes stopped me cold. “Caden, have you been crying?”

He swallowed hard, “Mara… she’s alive. I found her, Selene.”

“Mara?” I echoed, “Where is she? What happened?”

“Not here,” his eyes darted toward the crowd. “We need Rowan. Come on.”

I nodded, following him as we wove through the shouting wolve. Rowan and Liam were still at the corner table, their mugs in hand, their faces tense as they watched the fight.

“Rowan,” I muttered slowly, “We need to talk. Alone. Now.”

He frowned, setting his mug down, “What’s going on, Kaelen?”

“Just come.”

Rowan followed us to a shadowed alcove near the hallway. Caden’s hands shook and, his voice was raw as he spoke, “I found Mara. She’s in a building, chained up…naked, bruised, lying on the ground like an animal. A huge iron chain on her ankle is keeping her there. She’s been sold as a slave, Rowan. They’ll trade her to another lord tonight. They’re moving her at dawn…if we don’t save her now, we’ll never know where she’s going.”

Rowan’s jaw tightened, “Sold? To who? What lord?”

“I don’t know,” Caden’s voice broke as tears welled up in his eyes, “Mara told me…some bastard lord from the eastern territories. They were laughing about it. She’s been through hell, Rowan. We can’t let them take her.”

I clenched my fists, “We have to get her out, Rowan. She’s our pack member. We can’t let them do this to her.”

Rowan nodded, “I wonder how many more wolves from our pack were traed as slaves.”

Caden’s voice was desperate, “We need to do something quick. They’re moving her at dawn. I can’t lose her again.”

“You won’t,” my resolve hardened, “We’ll get her out, Caden. I promise.”

I turned to see Varian. His eyes swept over us as he approached.

“Having a good time?” he asked as a smirk tugged at his lips, though his gaze lingered on me, probing.

I forced a nod, plastering a smile onto my face despite the knot in my stomach. “Yeah,” I managed to say, “Just needed a break from the noise.”

Caden nodded too, “Same here.”

Rowan managed a tight smile, “It’s… something, all right.”

Varian grunted, “Good. Don’t get too comfortable.”

As he turned to rejoin the crowd, Rowan lowered his voice, “I’ll to get Mara. I don’t want any trouble to happen to you, Selene, or you, Caden. This is my call.”

“No,” I said sharply, as I stepped closer. “I disagree, Rowan. Mara’s my responsibility. As the alpha’s oldest daughter, the pack members are mine to protect, disguised or not. I won’t let you face this alone.”

Caden’s eyes widened, “Selene, you’re right. But if we all go, it’s riskier. We need a plan…”

“We’ll plan together,” I insisted, “Mara’s family. I’m not abandoning her.”

Rowan sighed with a reluctant nod following. “Fine. But we move smart. No mistakes.”

I nodded, “Then we need to get out of here without raising suspicion. Let’s go to Varian and Liam.”

We returned to the corner where Liam sat, and Varian stood, watching the fight. “We’re heading back to the academy,” I forcing a yawn. “This place is wearing me out.”

Liam frowned, “We should probably get some rest. We’re already worn out.”

“Yeah,” Caden added, rubbing his eyes. “Too much noise.”

Varian’s gaze lingered on me, “Fine. Let’s go.”

We made our way out. As soon as we reached the academy grounds, Varian and Liam headed to their barracks. The moment they were out of sight, I turned to Rowan and Caden, whispering, “Now. We sneak back in.”

Rowan nodded, “Let’s move fast. Before dawn.”