Brent is nowhere to be seen. He may be out on patrol duty as usual, guarding the territory from any possible human attack.
Now would be a perfect time for them to attack, with some of the strongest wolves in the world all gathered in one place.
There are actually fifty million wolves around the world, which doesn’t seem to be a lot compared to the eight billion humans who lived before us, but we far outnumber the humans today.
Well, so we think.
We don’t actually have a consensus for human numbers. From intelligence and data gathered from packs around the globe, the humans appear to be scattered. So communication is near impossible for them now. It was how the sapiens came into their previous prestige by communicating with tribes across the world, their brains forever evolving and adapting, and in the end, they caused the extinction of a fellow hominid—Homo erectus.
The humans are now living in isolation. They’re cut off, having no means of keeping in contact anymore. So it would have to be a larger settlement that would attack our fortress, killing the most esteemed members of our society.
All our world leaders are gathered here.
Therefore, we have to be prepared for an attack. These games may pose a distraction, but at least we’re ready this time.
I just hope it doesn’t have to come to bloodshed, both on the human and wolf sides.
“So, care to share where you are taking us, Hunter?” I ask, following him around the great fortress as we climb the hill.
Seriously, where’s he taking us?
He laughs. “Why so suspicious? You know I would never lead you astray, petal.”
I snap. “Stop calling me that.”
“Why? It’s a term of endearment.”
I mutter under my breath, glancing at Patrick on my right. He shrugs, following Hunter with as much curiosity, but less suspicion.
He doesn’t have a pet name for me. He calls me by my real name, and I’m grateful. I supposepetalis better than dud, since dud is what Brent used to call me.
We stop at a bolted door in a lonely courtyard, and it’s a perfect place for some sexy time, if I don’t say so. But I know that’s not the reason Hunter has brought us here. That bolted door leads down to the dungeons after all where Raven is being kept prisoner.
I stare at Hunter aghast.
He indicates a hand toward the door. “It’s unlocked, petal. After you...”
I look at Patrick. He’s as shocked as I am. “Hunter? Are you sure about this?” he asks.
My heart sinks. So I guess he wasn’t able to grant me an audience with his grandfather after all. The man must be busy, so it’s no surprise.
Still. I’d prefer to receive the blessing of an elder. I would only be betraying my alpha by sneaking around.
Raven is his prisoner after all, and only a select few are allowed to be near her.
Who’s to say we won’t bump into any guards when we get down there?
I fold my arms, giving Hunter a pointed look. He arches a playful brow. “Yes?”
“We can’t sneak down there. The alpha will have our heads.”
Hunter chuckles, and swigs his flask. “Well, not exactly. He wouldn’t havemyhead since I’m related to an elder, but yes, he would have yours...”
Paddy and I throw him irritated looks. Such a smug ass, he is.
“But it’s fine. You are here onmyorders. I’m not scared of the alpha, any more than I am of his asshole beta...”
I suppose he has a point. No matter how much he may piss off the alpha, Hunter is pretty much untouchable.