Chapter 75

Selene

It feels like we've been on the road for days, though I know it's only been maybe half a day. My sense of time is completely fucked, the endless blur of trees and empty highways stretching on like a never-ending nightmare. The cold metal cuffs dig into my wrists, and the tight silver collar burns against my skin. They're a constant reminder of how helpless I am right now, and how I have a limited window of time to save myself.

But I can't afford to fall into a dark abyss of despair right now, not when I can sense we're about to reach our destination.

The ambulance finally jerks to a halt, its engine spurting to a stop. The air is thick with tension, like something ominous is waiting outside the doors. It's late. Probably past midnight. I can feel the weight of darkness pressing against the small, confined space of the ambulance.

I've slept in restless bursts, conversing every ounce of strength I have left, waiting for the moment when I can strike. I've been patient, just like my father taught me. The time will come—it has to.

The doors swing open and the cool night air rushes in as Kate and Zack step inside. They work quickly, removing the restraints that have kept me pinned to the gurney for hours. There are dark circles beneath Zack's eyes from not sleeping so long, but the crazed look in his eyes turns the blood in my veins to ice. His unhinged energy feels dangerous, more so than before.

I wonder what is really going on with him. There has to be something more than just his jealousy of me and Phoenix. What else happened? Maybe I can get the truth out of him before I end this.

Zack rips the tape from my mouth with a hard yank, the sting causing me to wince. "Come on," he mutters gruffly, hauling me off the bed with a force that makes me stumble.

My throat is dry, cracked from not having eaten or drunk anything all day. My voice comes out raspy and weak, but I force the words out anyway. "Where are we?"

Kate doesn't bother speaking, but Zack answers as we exit the vehicle and step into the dark, shadowy forest. The night is eerily quiet, besides the distant rustling of animals in the brush. "Roguesburg." His tone is casual, almost bored, like he doesn't really care if I know or not.

My heart stutters in my chest. Roguesburg. The place even packs fear to visit. It's a lawless city where rogue wolves and criminals go to disappear. The kind of place where survival isn't guaranteed and where no one cares who you used to be. It's a haven for the exile and the damned.

Zack has dragged me to hell itself.

Just days ago, I was working at LycCorp, my life beginning to feel normal again for just that single day. Now, I'm in the most dangerous place in the Kingdom, with someone who's clearly lost his grip on reality. Does Zack seriously believe we can survive here? Phoenix could—he's strong enough to take on anyone, but Zack? He'll get us all killed.

I trip over my own feet, my legs still numb and stiff from hours of immobility. "Why are we here?" I manage to whisper, struggling to keep up with them as we trudge through the forest.

"This is our new home, Selly," Zack replies, his voice sickeningly sweet.

I glance around the darkness surrounding us, pinching my brows together. "What is?"

"There's a cabin just a few yards from here. I found it for us months ago."

My stomach churns. Months ago? He's been planning to do this for fucking months? The realization hits hard, the weight of his delusion twisting inside me. Zack actually believes this—believes that dragging me into the wilderness to some dark, creepy cabin will magically fix everything, that I'll magically fall back into his arms.

I'm too afraid and in shock to say anything as we approach the cabin. it's run down, like it's been sitting vacant for years. It's a place that reeks of despair, a perfect reflection of what the hell is going on in Zack's head right now.

He leads me inside and wastes no time hooking me to a metal bolt he's installed in the floor. I collapse onto the cold, dirty floor, a groan escaping me as my body cries for food and water. I've never been so damn hungry and thirsty in my life. Not that it matters now, but I should've eaten that food that Phoenix offered me back at the office before I was abducted.

Fuck. I miss my Chipotle bowls.

"Kate, grab her a bottle of water," Zack orders, already heading upstairs. "I need a bath."

Like a bottle of water is going to do anything for me right now.

Kate scoffs, rolling her eyes. "She's your bitch. You take care of her," she mutters, slumping into a chair and cracking open a beer.

I sit up slowly, my body protesting every movement. At least being on the floor is better than being strapped to a bed. I lean back against the wall, watching Kate as she drinks. There's no way in hell I'm going to beg her for shit, no matter how parched I am.

"Kate, why are you doing this? Why help him?" I ask quietly, still confused about why she has stuck around.

She shrugs, taking a long swig of her beer. "Phoenix and I had a thing. Messed around for a while. But he told me he'd never commit to a relationship. Then I find out he's fucking his stepsister," she sneers, glaring down at me. "I just want to know what's so special about you. You're weak. We could've killed you a long time ago if we wanted to. So, why would Phoenix want you as his Luna?"

"He's not even an Alpha," I point out, trying to talk some sense into her.

She looks at me like I'm stupid. "But he will be. And I want to be the one to stand by his side, I deserve it."

"Then, do it. I told you that you could have him. Just...let me go. I can convince him."

I know I've tried to talk to her before, but she always hits me and storms out. It seems now she's actually willing to conversate, to reveal her plan.

Kate shakes her head. "It would never happen. Phoenix knows about my criminal history now, so my only option was to come here. Live with the fucking rejects of the werewolf world, and rot away along with the two of you. The Devils are after Zack and me anyway."

The Devils? It's the same dangerous gang that's threatening to kill Philip. They're after Kate and Zack too? My mind spins, piercing it together. That's why Zack didn't think twice about kidnapping me—he was already planning to escape here.

He didn't take me just because he wanted to be with me. There's a bigger purpose for why I'm here. I just need to find out what it is, and if Kate is willing to talk, I'll get it out of her.