Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 25 - Keep fighting

"We're getting soaked," I heard the complaining and groaning echoing around me. I grunted, feeling the weight of my eyelids as I struggled to open them. My body ached, each movement sharp with pain.

Where the hell was I? The cold water soaked through my clothes, and the smell of rain hit me like a heavy slap. My scent... it was everywhere.

Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to understand what was happening. I looked around and saw eight rogues standing in a circle, their eyes fixed on me. My gaze immediately landed on Geoff and Bella—both of them were familiar faces. The others were a mix of pack members I had seen before and some I didn't recognize. But one face stood out more than the rest—Abdon.

They saw that I was waking up, and Geoff took a step forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "We tied you up tight, so don't even think about escaping," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "Had to take your handcuffs off. You weren't healing, and you were losing too much blood."

Bella, standing just behind Geoff, nodded in agreement, her tone mocking. "We didn't want a certain wolf following her now, did we?"

That's when it hit me—my position. I was sitting against a tree, my body bound in chains. Thick ropes wrapped around my arms and torso, securing me in place. My hands were tied behind my back with layers of rope, too tight to move.

I inhaled deeply, my anger rising in waves. "I'm warning you once," I said calmly, my voice low but full of authority. "Let me the fuck go."

The strength coursing through me was undeniable. The rage, the adrenaline—it was all building. These rogues had made a massive mistake. I was going to tear them apart.

One of the unknown females in the circle whistled, clearly unfazed. "Scary," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I narrowed my eyes at her, a low growl building deep in my chest. My claws began to extend as I tried to cut through the ropes, the primal urge to break free burning in my veins. The mistake was theirs for taking off the cuffs—they had underestimated me.

But before I could make any real progress, I felt a sharp sting across my cheek. Geoff's hand had connected with my face, the slap resounding through the air. He leaned down close, his voice a harsh whisper. "Try to escape again, and we'll break your hands and ankles."

I rolled my eyes in disdain, the anger simmering inside me. "You sound like Leo," I snorted, letting out a mocking laugh.

They'd made their move, and now they'd pay for it.

"Who do you think gave us the order?" The female sneered, her voice dripping with superiority.

I shifted my gaze to Belle, but she quickly looked away, her discomfort palpable. There was something in her eyes—guilt, hesitation—but I didn't have time to analyze it further. My focus snapped back to Geoff. "So, where is that asshole?" I demanded.

"He had other matters to attend to," Geoff answered, his tone matter-of-fact. "He thought we could handle this... and we did."

I hummed in thought, my mind churning with questions. "And who's his Beta now? Are you taking that spot?"

Geoff shook his head, a hint of frustration flashing in his eyes. "I was. I made a mistake, and to redeem myself, I was supposed to bring you back. Never thought we'd get caught at that damned bonfire, we were so fucking close."

My gaze flicked back to Belle, my disappointment clear. "And you just had to gain my trust, huh?"

She met my eyes briefly before shrugging nonchalantly, her voice lacking any real conviction. "Orders are orders, Lucy."