The Year 3000

Chapter 16: Wolves

Scarlett's POV

Previously:

"You need to get back to the party before someone notices you're gone," Ashton stated reluctantly, flashing me a sympathetic smile. I nodded, wiping underneath my eyes at any stray tears. By someone, he meant Harry, and God only knew what he would do if he found out I'd left the party or seen Ashton. I gave Ashton a small smile and began to turn away from him, only to freeze dead in my tracks when I saw a lone figure leaning up against the side of the building. His eyes were glowing silver, the only visible part of him standing in the shadows.

"Someone's already noticed."

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I felt my stomach drop as the figure spoke, his sliver eyes glowing as if they produced a light of their own. His voice held a surprising similarity to Ashton's, with that same Australian accent. I took a shaky step backwards, bumping up against Ashton, who immediately pushed me behind him. I saw his shoulders tense, and I peaked out from behind him. My heart skipped a beat as seven wolves, all with the same silver eyes, came prowling out of the woods to stand behind the man. The man just smiled, his teeth glinting white in the moonlight as he glanced behind him.

"What do you want, Sebastian? Where's Reece? We never discussed this!" Ashton hissed, making me whip my head up at him.

"You know him?" I asked in astonishment. Ashton didn't spare me a glance, but his tense figure led me to believe him and Sebastian weren't on the best of terms. The silver-eyed man ignored me as well.

"Things change. Reece is dead, making me Alpha. Now, Ashton, we both know she's Harry's claim. The Rebellion needs a bargaining chip like that," he spoke calmly, but there was an undeniable steel behind his voice.

Ashton's lip curled back. "She is not a bargaining chip."

I was sick of them talking about me like I wasn't there. Roughly pushing myself out from behind Ashton, I spoke up.

"You're with the Rebellion?" I asked, raising my chin as I eyed the man down. He looked only slightly older than Ashton, maybe late twenties, with darkly tanned skin and even darker hair. He narrowed his glowing eyes, giving me a quick once over. After a beat, he bent over into a low bow, a sneer painting his features as he rose.

"Rebellion werewolf Alpha, Sebastian Thames, at your service."

My eyes widened. I'd never met a werewolf before, but it explained his Australian accent. Most werewolves were stationed in Australia, the free lands. The pieces were gradually coming together in my head. I turned to Ashton.

"You," I started trying to make sense of the situation, "You said you were recruiting soldiers and wolves from Australia."

Ashton's eyes were on fire as he glared daggers at Sebastian's figure.

"Yes, to fight. Not to bargain with your life. Reece knew that, Sebastian. He had honor," Ashton hissed venomously, making Sebastian growl lowly. The wolves surrounding him made similar noises, the fur the backs of their necks rising.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, Ashton. Anything to get away from dear King Harry." Sebastian jerked his head in my direction, giving me pause.

Anything to get away from King Harry.

"This wasn't the plan, Sebastian. We need her here until the attack. Harry won't stop looking for her if she disappears, and that means slaughtering all of us, remember?" Ashton hissed, his hands curled into fists by his side. Sebastian merely shrugged, his eyes still glowing that unnatural silver.