Chapter 22
594words
"Stop!" Derek's voice thundered. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his hands. "Let the boy go, and we'll come without a fight."
Victor studied us for a moment, then nodded. "Release him."
The man shoved Ryan toward the door. "Run back to the mansion," Derek ordered. "Tell Marcus what happened."
As Ryan fled, Kayla stepped beside her father, her eyes fixed on me with hatred and jealousy.
"He was supposed to be mine," she hissed. "Derek was meant for me, not some pathetic Omega with a freakish silver wolf."
Victor laughed. "How touching. The Alpha protecting his precious Mate." His eyes narrowed as he focused on me. "But it's not Derek I want. It's you, my dear."
"Your silver wolf spirit and healing abilities are the missing pieces of my research," Victor explained. "With your blood and your unique healing power, I can finally complete what we started."
As Victor's men approached with silver handcuffs, Derek and I exchanged one last look. *This isn't over,* his thoughts reached me, fierce and determined.
*Not by a long shot,* I agreed.
They separated us, leading Derek one way and me another. The last thing I saw before being pushed into a waiting vehicle was Derek's eyes, filled not with defeat, but with a promise.
---
Hours later, I sat in a cold, damp cell beneath what I guessed was Victor's secondary residence. Silver bars prevented me from shifting, and the walls were too thick for any normal werewolf to break through.
The door opened, and Victor entered, carrying a small wooden box.
"Comfortable?" he asked with mock concern.
"Where is Derek?" I demanded.
"Alive. For now." Victor set the box down on a small table. "His continued survival depends entirely on you, my dear."
He opened the box, revealing several vials and syringes. "I need your blood, freely given, and your cooperation in a series of experiments. In return, I'll spare your precious Alpha."
My mind raced. I needed time. "And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll watch him die, slowly and painfully," Victor said coldly. "Silver poison, administered drop by drop."
I closed my eyes, feigning defeat. "I'll do what you want. Just don't hurt him."
Victor smiled triumphantly. "I knew you'd be reasonable. We'll begin tomorrow at dawn."
After he left, I sat in the darkness, focusing on the warm pulse of my connection to Derek. Though physically separated, our Mate bond remained strong.
*Derek?* I called silently.
The response came immediately, a wave of relief and love washing over me. *Lena! Are you hurt?*
*No. Victor wants my blood for his experiments. He threatened to kill you if I don't cooperate.*
*Don't give him anything,* Derek's mental voice was fierce. *I can handle whatever he does to me.*
I smiled in the darkness. *I told him I would cooperate. It buys us time.*
Through our bond, I felt Derek's approval and something else—his strength flowing into me. The Mate bond allowed us to share energy, even at a distance.
*We'll escape together,* Derek promised. *When the moon reaches its peak tomorrow night, we'll use our combined strength. Can you feel my power?*
I closed my eyes, focusing on the warm current flowing between us. *Yes.*
*Even separated, our hearts are together,* Derek's voice caressed my mind. *No matter what happens, I will find you.*
I curled up on the cold floor, wrapped in the invisible embrace of our bond. Tomorrow night, we would fight for our freedom. Together.
