CHAPTER 132: THREE HOURS

Cain had barely closed the door behind him when a sudden wave of dizziness overtook him. His grip on the door handle tightened as he fought to steady himself, but the spinning sensation made his legs feel like they were on the verge of giving out. Pain rippled through his body in sharp, relentless waves, each one worse than the last. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain standing, though his knees trembled under the strain.

The fight had taken more out of him than he’d anticipated. Killing four werewolves in their wolf forms would have been a grueling feat for anyone, but to do it with the precision and swiftness he had displayed came at a cost. Slowly, Cain pushed himself away from the door, his movements stiff and deliberate, and staggered toward the bed. When he finally collapsed onto the mattress, his entire body screamed in protest.

He clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms as he fought the urge to groan aloud. A sharp, searing pain shot through his skull, leaving him momentarily breathless.

’I would’ve searched for her myself if I even knew where to start,’ he thought bitterly, his frustration mounting as his vision blurred. The strain of the past few days was catching up to him, but the true source of his torment wasn’t physical. It was the gnawing anxiety that came with not knowing Violet’s fate.

His exhaustion was compounded by the red potion—a substance he hated with every fiber of his being but couldn’t seem to function without. He hated its metallic taste, thick and cloying as it slid down his throat, but without it, his body was wracked with unbearable weakness. The craving for it burned inside him, a fire that refused to be extinguished. He wanted it but he knew better than to use it.

Yet, even as his mind screamed for relief, his thoughts remained fixed on Violet. What was she enduring? Who had taken her? These questions plagued him, each answer his mind conjured worse than the last.

’If it’s Eldric... he’d use her as leverage. That’s predictable, manageable. But Javi...’ Cain’s jaw tightened. ’Javi wouldn’t bother with threats. He’d send me her remains, piece by piece, just to watch me break.’

The thought made his chest tighten with rage, but the lack of any news gave him a flicker of hope. No news meant she might still be alive.

He had considered Fiona. The thought of torturing her for answers had crossed his mind more than once, but she was Eldric’s daughter. Acting without evidence would only complicate matters. Eldric’s connections within the council were far-reaching, and an accusation without proof could turn Cain’s life into a political minefield.

"Still..." he muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse. His eyes fluttered shut as his body demanded rest, though his mind resisted the pull of sleep.

’If Fiona is involved, things will only get worse once it becomes public knowledge that Violet is a witch,’ he thought grimly. He could already hear the outcry. The council would demand her death, branding her as a threat to their way of life.

The idea of making the council his enemy wasn’t appealing. Cain knew the risks, but a darker truth loomed in the recesses of his mind—Violet’s existence kept him balanced. Without her, his beast lost all reason and threatened go claw to the surface and go crazy , its primal instincts harder to contain. Annoyingly, she was like an anchor that kept him from falling into chaos.

’So, this is what it means to have a Mate,’ he thought fleetingly, a bitter smile ghosting across his lips.

And what did he do for her in return? The answer came easily, though it stung.

’I keep her wretched family alive,’ he thought with a grim sense of irony. ’More than they deserve.’

The weight of exhaustion finally overtook him, and his tense muscles began to relax as sleep pulled him under.

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Reddrick tore into his meal with the enthusiasm of a man who hadn’t eaten in weeks. His movements were loud and unapologetic, each bite exaggerated as he devoured everything on his plate. Pieces of chicken disappeared into his mouth at an astonishing rate, his jaw working like a machine as he crammed food in without pause.

Across from him, Howie ate with the calculated precision of someone who valued dignity. Each forkful was deliberate, his posture straight, his gaze unwavering as he did his best to ignore the chaos happening on the other side of the table.

Howie finished first, setting his utensils down neatly before leaning back in his chair. He allowed himself a brief glance at Reddrick, who continued to shovel food into his mouth with reckless abandon. The stack of empty plates in front of him was a testament to his appetite.

’Five more hours, and I’ll never have to deal with this idiot again,’ Howie thought, his lips twitching into the faintest hint of a sneer. He had already begun planning his departure, ensuring that Reddrick would be left to fend for himself when the time came.

Finally, Reddrick leaned back with a satisfied sigh, patting his stomach with pride. His grin stretched wide as he glanced at Howie, who stared back with a neutral expression that barely masked his disgust.

"Okay, now I’m ready," Reddrick announced, his voice brimming with confidence. "I guess it’s time to finalize the—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes flicking to the side as movement caught his attention.

Howie followed his gaze, and both men stiffened as an elite guard approached their table. The insignia on his chest gleamed under the hall’s lights, a clear reminder of his rank and authority.

The guard’s expression was stern, his movements deliberate as he strode toward them, ignoring everyone else in the room as though they were mere background noise.

Reddrick’s palms grew clammy, his heart pounding against his ribcage. Howie’s composed demeanor faltered slightly, a flicker of unease crossing his face as the guard stopped beside their table.

"...As per Lord Cain’s orders, you are to assemble on the third floor in three hours," the guard announced, his voice firm and devoid of emotion.

Reddrick swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry, while Howie fought to maintain his composure.

"Failure to do so will lead to disastrous consequences," the guard added, his tone dark and foreboding.

"But I heard Lord Cain say that—" Howie began, his voice tight, but the guard cut him off with a sharp retort.

"New orders," the guard snapped before turning on his heel and walking away without another word.

The moment he was out of earshot, Reddrick let out a shaky breath. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"Th-three hours? What the heck is that?" he hissed, his panic barely concealed.

Howie stood abruptly, his expression cold and calculating as he motioned for Reddrick to follow. The two exited the hall in tense silence, their footsteps echoing in the corridor.

Once they were out of sight, Howie leaned in close, his voice a low whisper meant only for Reddrick’s ears.

"It means we have two hours to do what we need to do and clean up all evidence," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Reddrick nodded stiffly, his mind racing as Howie led the way toward his quarters. There, amidst his belongings, lay everything they would need to execute their plan.