SWNOVELS Chapter HOW LONG BEFORE THEY FIND OUT?
BELLA:
The vampires had declared war, and the chaos spread quickly. They attacked the next day as planned, giving them an edge over the unsuspecting werewolves. To my greatest relief, I was stationed at the Dusk Pack. Enzo actually considered me. He knew the Rune Pack was my home. I was acquainted with the Frost Pack, and as for the Thorne Pack, my face was hung in practically every public place.
His orders were clear as he put me in charge. We were to infiltrate the Dusk Pack and work from within in a quiet and swift manner to ensure the vampires' victory. But I wasn't here to play by anyone's rules. I had my own plans, though I knew I couldn't just put them out there.
According to Enzo's orders, we attacked at night when the unsuspecting wolves had their guards down. My team of vampires swung into action at once, carrying out the task at hand without waiting for me to push them around. I felt confident in this mission because they were instructed to capture first, not kill. So I didn't have to cut people down and regret it.
Throughout the night, we captured werewolves one by one, dragging them into the shadows. This took place around the border, and the victims were the wolves living nearby. I kept my movements calculated and efficient, ensuring everything appeared as though I was following orders. That way, no one would suspect me when I began carrying out my own plans secretly.
In no time, we had taken about twenty werewolves. That's how many we managed to secure in the first sweep, though it wasn't as impressive as I'd hoped. I knew it was foolish to take half of the wolves for my plan, so I realized I needed to up my game.
In the woods where we had them bound, I stood over the captured wolves, their angry snarls filling the air. My allies- I could even call them that-watched me closely, expecting me to give the signal to carry them away. But I didn't. I needed to be smart, but my hands were tied.
"Keep watch," I told Mabel, the only one I trusted on the team. "No one gets close until I say so." Mabel nodded at my words and circled the bound wolves, who were tied together.
Being the leader felt nice, but I tried not to let it get to my head. We waited for the rest of the team to return so we could go through the portal, and I prayed silently that they would capture more people so I could whisk away about five. In no time, they returned with seven more. I felt a bit relieved because I knew I could get at least five.
"All of you, on your feet!" I commanded, and the wolves rose at once. Then Mabel opened the portal. I directed them, and one by one, in a straight chain, they walked into the portal, and Mabel struck the ones who refused until they walked through. Once everyone had gone through, Mabel followed suit. Then I turned to the remaining vampires.
"No coming home for you now. Search harder and see if you can find more. We have to make it up to forty, or Enzo might snap." The mention of Enzo got them moving immediately, and I walked into the portal, watching it shut behind me.
As soon as we arrived at the den, I led the captives to the prison where they were supposed to stay. Then I locked the metal door, walking away with Mabel. My heart hammered against my chest at what I was about to do. The house was nearly empty, as no one else had returned with their captives.
"Are you coming?" Mabel asked as I stood by the door. "I mean, we have to help the others. Let's see if we can wrap it up to fifty tonight, and Enzo might reward us nicely," Mabel added. I remained by the door.
"I don't think it's wise to leave them here all by themselves. Anything can happen. I know wolfsbane surrounds the room, but they're not dumb. Imagine losing everything we've captured for what we don't have yet," I said, glaring at her.
"You're right. Stay safe," she said, disappearing into the portal.
I took slow, controlled breaths, then walked back to my room, grabbing my phone. I immediately called Hazel.
"I have about five werewolves, but I don't know how to convince them to come with me," I whispered, glancing over my shoulder. At this point, my heart felt like it might be ripped from my chest. If Enzo or anyone walked through the door, I would be toast.
"That's easy. Get the five of them and put them on this call. I'll do what is needed," Hazel said. I ended the call, slid my phone into my pocket, and took a deep breath.
Slowly, I walked through the hallway, reaching the prison room. I entered, keeping a straight face. I walked to one cell and slid the door open.
"Five of you. Come with me!" I ordered the five ladies bound in chains.
They got up at once, and I stood to the side, allowing them to walk out slowly as their legs were also bound. The rest of the prison was filled with wolves clawing and roaring. It made me feel guilty, capturing my people, but I needed them to be patient. Hopefully, I could create enough hybrids before Enzo gathered his four hundred werewolves.
Once we were outside, I called Hazel again, putting her on speaker. She spoke to the wolves, and they stood at attention.
"Done," she said, and I sighed in relief.
"Thanks. So how do I get them to you?"
"Give me a minute," she replied. Before I could end the call, a portal opened in the house, and she walked out of it. "How?"
"A good witch..."
"Never reveal her secrets," I completed. She patted my shoulder, then snapped her fingers, and the werewolves followed her.
"Please, I need a portal to the Dusk Pack. We still have forty-five, and I don't think my plan to divide the captives is foolproof. I just took five out of twenty-seven. We might need to hypnotize the wolves, and you guys need to help, too," I said.
She nodded and helped with the portal. I arrived at the Dusk Pack quickly, avoiding the vampires who were still raiding and attacking wolves across town. Sneaking further into town, I found wolves walking the empty streets, trying to get home.
"Hey!" a voice called out just as I snapped the neck of a woman on a lonely street. I froze instantly. I recognized the voice. Today would either be my last day alive or the day my problems were solved.
I turned around slowly, throwing my hands in the air as Halle's face became visible under the dim streetlight. Before I could speak, she appeared right in front of me, causing me to yelp in fear.
"Still not tough enough for a hybrid, are you?" she taunted. I clutched my chest, trying to steady my breathing. She clicked her tongue. "You know the war is going to escalate in a few days. If you don't use your skills and brains, we'll all be doomed."
Her tone surprised me. I expected her to be furious about what she had just witnessed, but she sounded calm, as though she hadn't seen me snap the neck of a fellow wolf.
"You're not here to capture me because of the decree?" I asked, skeptical.
"The decree is stupid. In war, people die. Even I have only a few days left to fulfill my destiny here. Trent died because his time was up. You are slowly fulfilling your destiny," she said, her words leaving my eyes wide with shock.
"I don't know the outcome yet. It all depends on the choices you make, and I'm here to ensure you make the right ones."
"So you don't think I'm crazy?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, feeling a relieved.
"Says who?" she frowned. "Of course, I think you're crazy. Foolish, even." Her words stung, but I listened anyway. "You're going about this the wrong way, and every second you waste is precious. The vampires have already advanced in other towns. This is the slowest pack because you're leading the operation. How long before they find out?"