The Huntress' Name (sequel to The Huntress)

Chapter 19

The door creaked shut behind Isaac as he left on Klarke's orders, leaving me alone in the barn with Thomas. There was a crackle in my ear, followed by Klarke's voice again.

"We've got the place surrounded. If you need backup, we're here. For your sake, I hope you don't need it."

For some reason, I didn't think he meant for my well being, but for my standing within The Torch. It was like Klarke was trying to train me to be The Torch's personal attack dog. No, that's exactly what he was doing. Making me do the dirty work for him; keeping his own hands clean. 

I looked back to Thomas who was standing perfectly still. This was a situation I'd never been in. I had never faced down a werewolf alone. I'd never been placed in a closed space where we both knew what was supposed to happen next. I didn't have the upper hand here.

This was a werewolf who was backed into a corner. One who had just had the rug pulled from under him. He was unpredictable. I knew he'd had every intention of taking us straight to the pack. He hoped we'd take them out so he could live free. He knew the pack's absence meant they knew we'd been coming, and they most likely knew he was the person who'd led us there. Chances were, he was a goner. It was just a matter of who put him down. 

I didn't want it to be me, but then again he most likely preferred it. I'd do it quickly. Bullet to the head, dagger straight into the heart. Whatever I'd do would be worlds better than anything that pack would do to him, and we both knew it. 

Self preservation was a strong thing though. 

"Are we sure this is what needs to be done? What if he knows where they may have gone?" I asked. 

"Loose ends, and too many ifs, now get it done."

My hands clenched into fists as I wracked my brain to think of something. There had to be a way to get him out of here. I wouldn't be able to go back to Jared and look him in the eyes if I didn't at least try. 

"Just get it over with," Thomas growled. 

I couldn't move. It was like I didn't know how. All the energy I had, I was using to go over every possible option. They were listening in on the earpiece I had. I could take it out and disable it, but it would most likely make a sound. Even if it didn't, it would only take a few seconds of silence before they rushed the place. We were completely surrounded, and I didn't doubt for one second it was The Torch's best men and women that were waiting. 

We could try to make a run for it. If Thomas shifted, there was a chance he could make it past the operatives waiting. It all depended on how many were in here. We wouldn't both make it though. I could pretend he got the best of me, that he was able to jump me, but there would need to be proof, and there wouldn't be enough time. 

Another growl ripped through the space, and Thomas' body slammed into mine. My breath left my lungs in one quick exhale from the impact of slamming into the ground. My hand went immediately to the dagger.

Amber eyes looked down at me, and every curse word went through my mind. He wasn't just a werewolf, he was an Alpha. Amber eyes weren't common, not just any wolf had them. Unpledged werewolves didn't have amber eyes unless they had the power within them to be Alphas. At least that's what I'd learned from my training with The Organization. 

Fangs flashed and Thomas did everything he could to sink them into me. The heel of my hand slammed up into his nose and a growl gurgled in his throat as blood trickled down. 

"Not yet," I heard Klarke say through the earpiece. 

Not yet, what? 

Thomas went for my arm and I took the blade across his cheek. His hand grabbed my arm tighter and I could feel the claws through my jacket. I tried to think where we were in the lunar cycle, but the only thing my mind could focus on were my vulnerabilities, especially when he had me practically pinned down. It would be best to not let him break any skin.