Chapter 92

Arthur

Arthur slammed the journal down onto Noah’s desk. Despite all the information in there, there hadn’t been mention of where he was keeping Almara. Arthur hadn’t really expected that to be in the journal since he was pretty sure it was a type of torture, but the hope had been there all the same.

Perhaps it had been foolish, but Arthur just couldn’t help it. He missed Almara so much and he was desperate to find her. He needed her and the baby home and safe. Foolish hope was all that he had left.

A sound by the window had his head snapping toward it. It had sounded suspiciously like a laugh and Arthur didn’t think it had been the wind. There wasn’t anything on in the house either.

He rushed to the window and pushed it open, sticking his head out. There wasn’t anybody there. His eyes strained in the dark, but he couldn’t see any sign of anyone. He was about to pull back when something stopped him.

Arthur's senses sharpened as he caught the unmistakable scent of Noah in the crisp night air. It was strong and fresh. It hung heavy, an intoxicating mixture of earth and wildflowers. It wasn’t his usual scent, but the base was there underneath.

Arthur vaulted out the window, stopping every few seconds to make sure that he was still following the scent. With every step, his heart pounded, a mixture of anticipation and dread coursing through him.

The path guided him to the greenhouse nestled among the shadows of ancient oaks. Moonlight spilled through the leaves, painting a silver mosaic on the ground. He had been to this greenhouse so many times, but had never found anything of note.

Arthur approached cautiously, his movements fluid yet controlled. He knew better than to underestimate Noah, especially now that he knew he was a vampire. And not just any vampire, but a hybrid.

Honestly, he was still having trouble processing that piece of information. None of the previous alphas had ever come across such a being. There was no documentation that such a being could even exist.

Arthur wasn’t sure how Noah had been able to keep his true identity a secret for so long. Perhaps that was why he had chosen to isolate himself. Had the situation been different, Arthur might have felt sorry for him.

He slipped into the greenhouse, the scent intensifying, swirling around him like an enchanting dance. But the plant smells were starting to intermingle with Noah’s until his human nose was having trouble separating them.

Arthur shifted, the transformation from human to wolf seamless. As a wolf, his sense of smell would be heightened. He’d be able to sift through all the different scents much better this way. His breath misted in the cool air as he prowled, every sense alive with anticipation.

The scent led him deeper, a tantalizing maze of lush foliage and exotic blooms. The air was thick with humidity, the aroma a heady blend of life and decay. He knew Noah was close, but the greenhouse seemed to conceal him like a phantom.

Frustration gnawed at Arthur. He needed to find Noah before the bastard slipped through his fingers yet again. He closed his eyes and focused, putting his nose to the ground. The world transformed, colors melding into a wash of blues and greens.

The scent became a tangible trail, leading him with a clarity that sent a shiver down his spine. It was like he could touch it, a rope leading him to where he needed to go. He trotted along, confident that he wasn’t going to lose it.

Arthur's nose twitched as he approached a corner of the greenhouse, the scent reaching its crescendo. He circled, his paws padding lightly on the mossy floor. There, concealed beneath a bed of ferns, he detected a subtle shift in the air.

With a surge of triumph, he realized that he had found a hidden hatch. Despite the dozen or so times he had come to the greenhouse, he had never found the hatch before. He was quite certain he may never have found it at all if Noah hadn’t led him straight to it.

Arthur returned to his human form, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was so close; victory seemed within reach. But he couldn't afford to be careless. He stepped through the hatch, senses alert, muscles coiled for action.

In the dimly lit chamber below, Arthur's heart pounded in time with the seconds ticking away. He scanned the shadows, his eyes adjusting to the murkiness. The scent surrounded him, weaving an intricate web of tension and uncertainty.

Suddenly, a movement caught his eye, a blur of motion that seemed to materialize from the very air itself. Noah emerged, swift and silent, like a ghostly apparition. Before Arthur could react, Noah struck, a powerful blow connecting with precision.

The force of the impact sent Arthur sprawling to the ground, his vision exploding into a riot of stars. Pain radiated through his skull, a merciless reminder of Noah's formidable strength. He fought to stay conscious, his breath ragged as he struggled to regain his footing.

Noah loomed over him, his face a mask of determination and triumph. "You always were too predictable, Arthur," he sneered, his voice edged with a cold satisfaction. But underneath it, Arthur could hear the madness.

Arthur's world swayed, the edges blurring as he fought to focus. He couldn't let this be the end. With a surge of desperation, he summoned the last reserves of his strength, launching himself at Noah. They grappled, a whirlwind of limbs and intent.

The battle raged, the greenhouse bearing witness to their relentless struggle. Each blow exchanged echoed with a fierce intensity that seemed to reverberate through the very walls. They were two predators, locked in a primal dance, neither willing to yield.

It was a mixture of skill and sheer determination that tipped the scales. With a final, desperate surge, Arthur managed to gain the upper hand, pinning Noah to the ground. Breathless and battered, he stared down at his adversary, a mixture of exhaustion and vindication in his eyes.

“Where is she?” Arthur growled, his fangs descending as he brought them within reach of Noah’s neck. He could hear Noah’s heart thumping his chest. It would be so easy to just end it now. But he couldn’t. Not on the off chance Almara wasn’t actually underneath the greenhouse.

Despite his position on the ground, Noah smiled. “You were so close, Alpha. So close. Fear not. I’ll take you to her.”

Before he could stop it, Noah’s fist collided with his temple. Arthur reared back, head in his hands. Through the pounding in his skull, he could hear Noah moving around, but he couldn’t track where he was exactly.

“I’ll take you to her, but I can’t promise you’ll be in one piece,” Noah whispered in his ear as he drove a syringe into Arthur’s neck. His veins ignited like they were on fire. Arthur roared, collapsing to the ground.

Darkness slowly creeped across his vision. He struggled against whatever Noah had injected into him, but he was losing the fight. The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was Noah stalking toward him, a cruel smile on his face.