Ravens of the Mist Book 3: Behind Enemy Lines

Stella

Renard once mentioned he had an older brother, Rodney. I never got the chance to meet him. Rodney worked for a vampire who went by the name Gitano.

While under Gitano’s employment, Rodney was killed by an Alpha.

The Alpha responsible was saving a human at the time. His name is James Hunt, the Alpha of the Raven of the Mist pack.

Word has it that he’s one of the most feared Alphas on this continent. Renard wants me to sneak into his territory and try to seduce him.

Once he lets his guard down, that’s my signal to let the others into his territory. So Renard can kill James.

Renard assures me that it’ll be easy to seduce him because he’s not mated to his true mate. When he sees Onyx, he’s in for a surprise.

I can’t help but wonder what’s so special about Onyx, other than her white fur.

I don’t want to do it. I only want one man, and that’s Renard. But I don’t have a choice. I have to do what he asks.

He saved my life. I owe him everything. I could never say no to him.

In time, I know that Onyx will feel the same way about Caesar as I do about Renard.

Onyx shakes her head. “I’m telling you, it’s not a good idea.” She insists.

I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. ~“We’ve been over this. We’re doing this for Renard. Once the mission is over, I can finally be with him.”

~She sighs deeply.

~“I know we owe him a lot because he saved our lives. But I’m telling you, something about his plan doesn’t sit right with me. Ever since we met him, he’s been asking you to hide me. Now all of a sudden he wants you to expose me to this Alpha. He doesn’t care about us. All he wants is his revenge, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can’t you see the red flags?”

~ I don’t want to hear this. She’s wrong. Renard would never put me in danger. I trust him with my life.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. ~“Please, Onyx. We can’t back out now. I need you by my side.”

“I’m always by your side. I just want you to be careful.”

I smile at her. “I know.”

~ As I walk through the forest, I keep a close eye on my surroundings. I know they could ambush me at any moment since I’m in the Ravens of the Mist pack’s territory.

Renard instructed me to only reveal Onyx once I'm face to face with James.

“I can feel them getting closer. Be careful.” Onyx warns me.

My heart is pounding like a drum. This is the first time I’ve found myself alone in a situation like this. I’m on high alert, feeling eyes on me.

I don’t want them to hurt me. I have to show them I’m not a threat.

I lower my head to the ground, keeping my eyes fixed on the soil.

I hear a terrifying growl echoing around me.

“Onyx!” I call out her name.

~“Don’t move. Stay where you are. Everything will be okay.”

~ I see two large black paws enter my line of sight.

~“Is this the Alpha?”

“I think so.”

~ I sense someone behind me. “Hands on your back.” He orders.

Judging by his voice, he’s an older man. I do as he says, placing my hands behind my back. He ties them with what feels like a rope.

He grabs my hair, pulling hard to make me stand. He lets go of my hair and roughly grabs my arm.

I look around and the wolf is nowhere to be seen. Then I see someone approaching us. It must be the Alpha, James.

I widen my eyes as I look at him. He’s massive. He’s shirtless, revealing a tattoo on his torso.

~“Shit! He’s terrifying. I don’t want to seduce that beast.”

“I told you it was a bad idea,”~ Onyx adds.

~“Not now, Onyx.”

~ “Who the fuck are you.” He growls in my face. “How many of you are there? Why are you here, Rogue?”

I choose to remain silent.

“So, you’re playing mute.” He hisses, grabbing my chin to force me to look him in the eyes.

“Fine by me. I’ll let you rot in a cell for a few days, then we’ll see how quiet you are.”

He lets go of me while the man behind me pushes me forward to start walking.

If I’m locked up, how will I seduce him? How am I going to do what Renard expects of me? It sounded so much easier when he explained it.

The mission isn’t going as planned.

I’ll have to find a way to talk to him. Renard is counting on me.

I can tell that Onyx is still unhappy with my decision, but what other choice do I have? It’s too late to back out now.

I don’t want to die. If I make a wrong move, the Alpha won’t hesitate to kill me. I have to find a way to get back to Renard.

I’m sure that if he knew I was in danger, he’d come to rescue me. Just like he did when I was fifteen.

Onyx lets out a frustrated sigh.

~“Open your eyes, Stella. He’s the one who sent you here, knowing the mission could fail. If he truly cared about you, he wouldn’t have sent you in the first place. I think Renard is using you.”

“You’re wrong!” ~I snap at her.

Onyx turns her back to me, not saying another word.

~“Fine! If that’s how you want to play it. Two can play at that game.”

~ Still nothing.

“Onyx, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. Please, don’t be mad.”

Onyx doesn’t respond. She just keeps walking, her silence a heavy weight between us. This is the first time she’s ever been this cold towards me.

Suddenly, I hear James’ voice. “Shortcake, what brings you here?”

“I just wanted to check on you,” a woman with long, brown hair replies, her eyes fixed on me.

She must be his mate.

I take a closer look at her and my eyes widen in surprise. She’s pregnant. And it’s not just a little bump, she’s far along. But I don’t understand.

Renard told me they weren’t true mates. But if that’s the case, how can she be pregnant? Only true mates can have pups.

The man behind me nudges me forward.

“Who is she?” I hear her ask.

James reaches out and gently strokes her cheek. “No one you need to worry about. Let’s get you home, you need to rest.” He leaves with her, leaving me standing there, confused and hurt.

“Onyx, what’s happening?”

“I tried to warn you.”

No, this can’t be right. Renard wouldn’t do this to me.

He told me I was special to him. I know that if he knew I was in danger, he’d come to save me in a heartbeat.

We reach a building. A guard is standing by the door, typing in a code to open it. We descend a flight of stairs and find ourselves in front of another locked door.

The man behind me presses a button and the door swings open. He grabs my arms and roughly pushes me inside.

He opens a cell and shoves me in. I stumble and fall to the ground, a hiss of pain escaping my lips. He slams the door shut, leaving me alone in the cold, dark room.

I curl up on the floor, my knees drawn up to my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around them, my chin resting on my knees.

How long are they going to keep me here?

“Onyx, I know you’re mad at me, but I also know you’ll help me get out of this. Once we’re in front of Renard, I’ll make him explain everything.”

She shakes her head. ~“You’re too trusting, Stella. You need to open your eyes to the truth.”

Is it so wrong to still believe in Renard?