Chapter 160

Caleb stays hidden while we go to the meeting location. He trails me, hiding somewhere I can’t see, but I know he’s there. It’s a feeling deep within me, a certainty, perhaps cultivated by my trust in Caleb. Or maybe I simply sense the weight of his familiar gaze on me, as I’ve grown so accustomed to it.

Whatever the cause, I walk toward the location with confidence knowing that Caleb will protect me – even if he’s still furious that I tried to sneak out on my own.

The meeting location is in the outskirts of the underground, at a park bench under a broken streetlight. The shadows are dark in this area, seemingly stretching on indefinitely. I step into them, swallowed by them, and shiver.

“Hello?” I call. There’s no answer. “Is anyone here?” More silence.

I turn around, searching for Caleb in the dark. Though I can’t see him, I can feel him, which gives him comfort. That he hasn’t revealed himself yet means he still expects something to happen. I don’t know what though. What do his Alpha eyes see than I can’t?

Suddenly, a cell phone begins to ring, the chime so loud that I nearly jump out of my skin.

I search for the source of the sound, and find the cell phone hidden behind one of the legs of the park bench. Turning the screen toward me, I see that this isn’t just a phone call. It’s requesting video.

My first impulse is to reject the call, but I steel myself. After all, this is why I’m here – if not to meet the leader in person, then to see him through video.

With a brief, steadying breath, I accept the call.

Immediately, a familiar face fills the screen.

“Samuel?” I ask, confused. I blink a few times, but no, my eyes are not deceiving me. That truly is Samuel on the screen.

“Hello, Harper,” he says. “It’s been a while.”

“It has…” This has to be some kind of coincidence. There’s no way that Samuel has some kind of ties to the rebels…

Yes, he disappeared from the palace after Leah was taken prisoner, but that was only to lick his wounds. He is still Alpha of the Riverwood pack. He still has responsibilities to the pack lands and to the Alpha King.

“Where are you, Samuel?” I ask. “What are you doing? The Alpha Council is still ongoing. Your place is here.”

“I don’t belong there anymore,” Samuel says. “I never did, but especially not under the rule of that monster King.”

My blood chills. I’ve known, I think, since this conversation began where it would end up, even as I’ve been hoping otherwise with all of my heart. It didn’t seem real, that Samuel could be in the rebellion. Or worse, that he could be leading it.

Yet, as he continues to speak, that chill starts to overtake my entire body, cooling me down to my bones. I want to believe other explanations, rather than the obvious, but what other explanation could there be?

The meeting location is here. Samuel is on the phone. And now, this…

“You don’t belong there either, Harper. This is why I needed to reach out. To give you one last chance to walk away from that tyrant,” Samuel continues.

A vicious glint sparkles in his eyes. This man, who has never truly been passionate about anything since I’ve known him, feels very strongly about this.

But I will not be swayed away from Caleb. He must know that. Maybe that’s why he’s not here himself.

Caleb isn’t a perfect man, but he is king. He loves this kingdom and strives to protect it. When he finally meets his mate and calms his mating sickness, he will not be so volatile, and people will at last be able to see all the good he does for the kingdom.

“You, more than anyone, must see how cruel his reign is. You are right there at his side. You’ve been a victim of his ferocity. If anyone should want to flee him, it is you,” Samuel says. “So I will ask you once and only once more. Will you join my side and stand against him? Or will you choose the side of tyrants and oppression?”

“You already know my answer,” I say, with outrage driving my confidence. How could Samuel be so reckless? He has to know that Caleb will never stop now until Samuel is dead.

Perhaps that feeling is mutual. Perhaps they are both working toward the others destruction.

I’ve already chosen my side. It hasn’t changed since that alleyway, where I decided to protect a fallen and broken Caleb rather than escape with Samuel.

“And I am no less confused now as I have been,” Samuel says, frowning sharply. His brow pulls together. “Why would you choose his side, Harper, over the freedom I am offering you?”

“I’m confused, as well,” I tell him, glaring at him myself. “How can you be a part of the rebellion, turning against everything we’ve always stood for?”

“I did not stand for tyranny and fear,” Samuel says. “Also, I am not part of the rebellion. I am the rebellion.”

“Samuel…”

“You’ve been brainwashed, Harper,” he says with pity. “It’s not your fault. Once you are returned to my side, I will help you break the control he has over you.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I said, more forcefully.

“You don’t have a choice, Harper.” As soon as Samuel says the words, I notice movement in the shadows.

“What’s going on? Who are you?” I call out.

“Don’t struggle, Harper. For your sake,” Samuel says. “Come willingly.”

The figures step closer into the light, and I see that there are five werewolves disguised as civilians, all looking at me with intense focus. I am their target here.

I could flee, but I am only human. I doubt I would make it very far before their werewolf speed would overwhelm me.

But that doesn’t mean I will go quietly.

Backing up a step, I shout, “Stay back! I’m not going anywhere with you!”

“Don’t make this difficult,” one of the rebels says. They are slowly moving closer, closing the distance between us even as I back away.

They don’t know what I know, that a much bigger predator is lurking in the darkness, and his presence is the only thing keeping me truly calm.

These rebels might try to kidnap me, but Caleb will never let them. I have total and absolute faith in him and his ability to protect me.

“I’m warning you,” I say loudly. “Stay away from me. You will regret it if you don’t!”

One of the rebels has the audacity to laugh. “What are you going to do girly? Cry?”

Samuel, still connect through the phone I’m holding, realizes quicker than the rest. “She’s not alone.”

But it’s too late.

At that same moment, Caleb howls, the sound eerie, seemingly coming from all directions.

“Is that the Alpha King?” one of the rebels asks, discerning from the howl alone.

“We can take him! He can’t beat all of us!” says another rebel!”

“Grab Harper and run, you fools!” Samuel demands.