"Okay, calm down," Violet muttered to herself, taking deep, forceful breaths. "This isn’t permanent. You’ll go back to normal as soon as this is over. Easy as breathing."
She tried to sound hopeful, but inside, she was freaking out. Badly.
She turned to Griffin, her voice mixed with nerves and determination. "This is a good thing, right? At least everyone knows Oscar is your beta, so I won’t be refused entrance."
Griffin gave a short nod, his expression serious. "You’re right about that part. While I keep Zara occupied, you’ll sneak off to Alaric’s room and release him. We’ll figure out the rest from there." His intense gaze locked on hers. "You still remember the layout of the house from the map I showed you, right?"
"Yes, I do," Violet said obediently.
"As long as Zara hasn’t made any major changes, this should be straightforward. Once Alaric is free, we’ll regroup and hopefully settle things with his mother peacefully."
"Alright, captain. Let’s go get our boy back." Violet gave Griffin a playful salute, her nerves hidden behind bravado.
Griffin nodded once, and started toward the village where they’d find a ride straight to the packhouse. Violet followed close behind, her boots crunching softly in the snow. Neither of them said a word, both focused on the mission ahead, blissfully unaware of just how dangerous the mission they had taken truly was.
Meanwhile, back at the Packhouse :
"What is it this time? Where are you taking me?" Alaric’s voice rose in panic as he shot up from the bed the moment the guards entered the containment room.
Two of them came inside while the other two stayed posted at the door, their expressions hard and watchful.
One guard stepped forward, saying in a calm, nearly coaxing tone. "Alpha Alaric, we just need you to come peacefully with us. It’s your mother’s orders. There’s no need for violence."
But damn it if Alaric was going to let them lay a single hand on him. His muscles tense as his mind raced. What the hell was his mother up to now?
From the wild, rugged look in his eyes, it was clear he was nearing his breaking point. It had been more than two days since they’d locked the suppressor cuffs on him, and he was starting to lose it.
This was the longest he had ever been separated from his wolf, and it was beginning to take its toll on him.
Suppressor cuffs were designed for criminal werewolves locked up in prison. Even then, the prisoners were given brief, scheduled releases to breathe and reconnect with their wolves.
But prolonged continuous use of the suppressor cuff was practically a death sentence. Weeks of this would lead to madness, and finally, death.
However, Alaric was no criminal. He had been raised like royalty, treated like a prince all his life. And now, here he was, chained, humiliated, and stripped of his freedom by the very people who should have protected him.
He knew why his mother wouldn’t release him. Unlike ordinary wolves, he had powers — and he wasn’t afraid to use it. Once these cuffs came off, he would roast every single traitorous fool who had stood by and let Zara do this to him.
"Come on, let’s go, Alpha Alaric," the guard said.
The corridor felt endless, and by the time they reached his mother’s laboratory, his strength had completely waned. His head hung low, sweat dampening his hair, but his eyes still burned with defiance.
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