Chapter 35: Welcome To The Outlands

As Killian's ship glided into the port of Outlands, Vanya's eyes widened in amazement. She had never seen a place like this before. The port looked modern at first glance, but upon closer inspection, Vanya could see that it had seen better days. The half-torn buildings and the scars of war etched into the walls were a stark reminder of the Third War that had ravaged the land.
Killian stepped onto the dock first, his boots thudding against the gangway. He scanned the bustling crowd, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the people around them. Vanya followed close behind, the hem of her satin dress brushing against the ground.
Vanya had been hesitant to wear the white satin dress that Lemon had brought her on the first day they met. She had always been more comfortable in her black leather pants and form-fitting tops. But Killian had insisted, and she had been left with no choice but to don the dress.
As she stepped onto the dock with Killian, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious. The dress hugged her curves in all the wrong places, and the satin fabric felt uncomfortably thin against her skin. She had always preferred to blend in with the background to avoid drawing attention to herself. But in this dress, she couldn't help but stand out.
Killian looked at her with admiration in his eyes, though he tried to hide it. "You look beautiful," he said, his voice low.
She blushed, feeling a warmth spread through her cheeks. She had never been one for compliments, not even from Ares before.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Welcome to the Outlands," Killian said, turning to scan their surroundings. "This place may look modern, but it's seen its fair share of battles. The Third War hit this town hard."
Despite the destruction, the port was buzzing with activity. Travelers, merchants, and all kinds of people were milling about, trading goods and stories. Vanya could hear the murmur of diverse languages and the blaring of horns and engines as cars navigated through the crowded streets.
"It's... it's terrible," she said, her eyes darting around, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling port.
Killian nodded grimly. "But it's also a place of opportunity. This port is a hub for travelers, merchants, and all kinds of people. We'll find what we need here. Let me show you around quickly."
They walked past rows of warehouses and shops, the smell of spices and salted meat mingling in the air. Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the vibrant energy of the port. Despite the destruction and chaos, people here seemed to be making the best of their situation. As they walked further into the heart of the port, she noticed that some of the half-torn buildings had been repurposed into market stalls or meeting places.
A group of children ran past, their laughter ringing out in the air. They stopped in front of them, staring up at them with wide eyes.
"Alpha Killian! You're back!" one of the children said.
Killian crouched down, a grin spreading across his face. "I am, indeed. Vanya and I have just arrived."
The children exchanged whispers, eyeing the two of them and giggling. But then one of them stepped forward with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"If you've just arrived, then you and Vanya must be thirsty," he said, holding up a small flask. "Take a swig of this. It's my uncle's special brew."
Vanya hesitated, but Killian took the flask and took a swig. He coughed and sputtered, his face turning red. But then he grinned. "Strong stuff," he said, handing the flask back to the child. "Thank you."
The children giggled and ran off, their laughter echoing through the market. Vanya smiled. As they made their way through the crowds, she noticed how people seemed to give Killian a wide berth, nodding their heads respectfully as they passed. She glanced up at him, curious.
"Why do they treat you with such respect?" she asked. "Oh, wait, cause you're their Alpha."
Killian chuckled.  "Didn't you just hear what one of the kids called me?"
She shrugged. "Well, their kids. You can practically tell them to call you something, and they will without question."
"Oh, Red. You'll see soon."
They continued walking until they reached a bustling market square, filled with vendors hawking their wares and travelers haggling for the best deals. Vanya's eyes darted around, taking in the sights and sounds of the market.
"You'll find everything you need here," Killian said, gesturing to the vendors. "Supplies, weapons, and information. Just be careful who you ask and trust."
With a quick nod, Vanya felt her heart race with a mixture of excitement and fear. If she couldn't shift into her wolf form, then she would have to find another way to escape Killian—the human way. Fortunately, she had now discovered where she could acquire weapons. Nevertheless, the realization dawned upon her that she still had to strategize her escape. But at least  there was a glimmer of hope for her.
Aurelius and Lemon greeted them as Killian led her back to the dock. 
"Welcome to Portside, Vanya," Lemon beamed with pride. "How are you finding this small yet bustling part of Outlands?"
"It's quite impressive," Vanya replied with a small smile. Suddenly, she noticed Helga joining them.
Killian then turned his attention to Aurelius and instructed him to accompany Desmond to the Shadowmoon Pack to speak with their Alpha. Aurelius let out a long sigh, the kind that only someone who had spent a long day and night on the sea could understand. He had been hoping for some rest after their journey, but it seemed like that wasn't in the cards.
"Aurelius," Killian said sternly, noticing his reluctance. "You know how important this is. We need the Shadowmoon Pack. And you are more well-mannered than Desmond. You'll make a better impression on the Alpha than him."
Aurelius looked down and smiled slightly at the compliment. He also knew that Killian was right. He had to put aside his own fatigue for the greater good. "Alright. I'll go with Desmond," he finally replied, his voice betraying his exhaustion.
Killian nodded, satisfied with Aurelius' response. "Good." With that settled, he turned to Helga. "And I need you and Bron to unload the ship, restock on fuel, and sail to Freebay before tonight. We can't afford any delays."
Helga nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm unwavering. "Don't worry. We'll have everything ready in no time."
Vanya watched as the group dispersed to their assigned tasks, her mind racing with thoughts about her own plan of escape. She knew she had to act quickly. Then her heart raced when, suddenly, sleek black cars pulled up to the dock. She watched as Killian led her towards the Mercedes, positioned between the four SUVs. She couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
"What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Killian turned to her, his expression serious. "Our ride has arrived," he casually said.
Her nerves were on edge as she settled into the back of the Mercedes, Killian taking the seat next to her. As they waited, the sound of approaching footsteps made her heart race. The car door opened and closed with a thud.
"Good afternoon, Alpha Killian," a deep voice said. "I trust your journey was pleasant."
"It was," Killian replied. "May I introduce Vanya."
Vanya looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sharp suit and dark glasses. He nodded in her direction, his expression unreadable.
As the convoy pulled out of the port, her senses were on high alert. Killian was no rogue, as she had initially believed. Despite her reluctance to accept it, the evidence before her was undeniable. The respect that people had shown him upon their arrival, coupled with the display of power she had witnessed, all pointed to the fact that he was, in fact, an alpha—and a powerful one at that.
She could feel the weight of this realization settling heavily on her shoulders. If she was going to escape, she would need to be more cautious and strategic in her approach. She couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Her life depended on it.
Feeling a pang of curiosity, she turned to Killian, her eyes narrowing. "Do you know all those people back there?" she asked, motioning towards the port they had just left. "And if you are truly an Alpha, are they all members of your pack?"
Killian smiled, shaking his head. "You still refuse to believe that I am an Alpha. Unbelievable. You just heard Johnson call me," he paused. "You know what? Never mind."
Vanya sat in silence, mulling over his words.
After a moment, Killian glanced over at her, his eyes unreadable. "Most of them are. They believe in the same cause that my pack and I are fighting for."
Vanya furrowed her brows. "What cause?
Killian's lips curved into a small smile. "Freedom, Red," he said simply.
"Freedom from what?" she asked, her interest piqued.
"Freedom from the Royal Council. Freedom from those bloodsuckers’ control and power." He sighed and looked out the window. "Freedom from those whom you are serving, my dear mate."
Mated To The Four Hybrids
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