Chapter 4

Adrian continued recounting the history of the Lycan’s as we made our way to the training grounds. Evening was approaching, but I knew the day was far from over.

“Lycan’s favor the element of surprise. Your guard always has to be up.” He said. “Go grab a dagger.” He ordered.

I turned to grab a dagger from the weapons rack when I felt the air change. In a split second I jumped to my right as I felt Adrian’s hand reach for me. I grabbed his arm and redirected it as I spun around.

I blocked his first move but he was too fast on the second move. His hand wrapped around my throat and pulled me up into the air with one arm.

I wrapped my legs around his arm and pushed out of his grasp, dropping to the ground.

“Good.” He said. “But you have to be faster. A real opponent won’t hesitate to kill you the first chance they get.”

I wiped my hair from my face as I stood back up. We continued training until the sky turned black.

The following day was pretty much the same. We trained and Adrian prepared me from dawn to dusk. Telling me as much about the Lycan’s as he could.

We ignored the elephant in the room and I made no attempt to upset him by addressing it.

After several hours we took a break, sitting down. Adrian drilled me with routines and moves until I was fighting for air. I knew it was necessary, and didn’t complain.

“How often did you train when you were away?” He asked. By the tone of his voice I could tell he was trying not to add any extra emotion to the question. He was being matter of fact.

“I worked out when I could. But there was no one to train with.” I answered, just as matter of factly.

“It shows.” He replied. “You’re light on your feet but you’ve slowed down. Being quick will be one of your only advantages in a fight with someone who’s bigger and stronger.” He added.

I nodded. He was worried, that much was obvious. But was he more worried about me? Or the many drawbacks sending me into the Lycan’s den could bring?

“You’re going to be chipped with a tracking device tomorrow.” He said. I figured he would as much. It was one of the few things he could have control over in this situation. I didn’t argue.

“Don’t try to remove it.” He said. His voice wasn’t commanding. It was soft.

“I won’t.” I replied, just as softly. Our eyes met. For a moment, we just looked at each other. I could tell he was fighting to believe me.

I moved my hand to cover his.

“I won’t.” I reassured him. He didn’t move at all. He didn’t blink. He just held his gaze. Then we heard footsteps approaching and I pulled my hand away.

We stood on arrival of Gideon, with a small black canvas bag in hand.

He passed it off to Adrian, who didn’t check the contents. He already knew what was inside.

They nodded silently and Gideon took off as quickly as he arrived. Adrian turned his head back to me. “Let’s go.” He said.

We returned to his office where he placed the bag on his desk and unzipped it. He produced two black smart phones along with a large syringe-like device.

I knew what it was without explanation. He picked up the syringe and looked to me. I rolled up my sleeve and held out my arm.

He gently took my arm in his hand, and pressed the syringe to the crease of my elbow.

“It won’t hurt.” He said. I laughed a little. I had given birth to a child along with countless injuries from training over the course of my life. Of course this wouldn’t hurt.

“What?” He asked.

“Nothing…I know it won’t hurt.” I said. I couldn’t exactly tell him about childbirth but an hour ago he threw me over his head, and he was worried about a little prick from a needle? It was sweet. It reminded me of the old Adrian.

He gave me a measured look, then injected the tracking chip into my arm. I winced and grabbed my arm.

He froze, then I smiled. He rolled his eyes and his serious expression turned into a feigned annoyed one. I could see a smile touch his lips.

He set the syringe down and picked up the phones.

“We’ll stay in contact as much as we can. Service can be spotty in that region but we’ve been able to keep communication up.” He said.

He handed me the phone. I took it. It was like being on a boat in the middle of the ocean and dying of thirst. I knew there was no way I could use this phone to contact Martha.

Adrian would no doubt have installed software to monitor my activity. As much as I wanted to reach out to her, I’d have to find another way.

“You leave a dawn. I’ll have some clothes sent to your room. For now get some rest.” He said.

He didn’t take the phone back. He was letting me keep it. My first test. I tucked the phone into my back pocket and turned to leave.

“Isla.” Adrian said. I stopped and looked back him. His lips parted. And then closed.

“Sleep well.” He said. Whatever he was going to say, he changed his mind.

“You too, Adrian.” I said softly, and then. “Adrian?” I said

He looked at me. “You can trust me.” I said. He didn’t answer.

I made my way to my room, rubbing the spot on my arm where the chip was. If I could complete this mission, earn Adrian’s trust and be released from my enslavement, I could get back to Noah.

I wouldn’t fail. I couldn’t. I also couldn’t sleep. My mind raced over and over about

Noah, Adrian, this mission.

I couldn’t earn my freedom by rescuing Tessa. Get Back to Noah and possibly live undetected again. That was a huge maybe. If I even succeeded in rescuing Tessa.

I could try to escape and abandon Adrian, Tessa and the mission altogether, but I’d have no way of finding where Noah was until I got in touch with Martha.

I held the phone in my hands. It was so tempting, but I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t do anything that would put Noah and Martha in danger.

I couldn’t imagine Adrian’s wrath if I betrayed him like this. For a moment I pictured a world where I earned back his trust, and reunited with Noah. It was painful to imagine us as a happy family.

If Adrian ever found out…his anger would be like nothing I’ve ever seen. He would never forgive me for hiding his son from him, but he would never accept Noah for being half Lycan.

I felt tears streaming down my face. I wiped them away and set the phone down. I had to get some sleep, but mainly I wanted the escape of not having to think about anything.

I woke up to find a set of clothes and boots had been laid out for me. I showered and dressed quickly. I had multiple layers to put on, tied my boots up and lastly put my phone securely in a deep pocket.

Adrian had provided a heavy duty coat, weather resistant and durable. I threw it over my arm and looked myself in the mirror.

I wasn’t sure what to think. I was about to embark on an incredibly dangerous mission, but it didn’t feel like it.

I wasn’t scared. I didn’t feel my heart pounding. I recalled the terror I felt when I ran for my life away from my own pack. This was nothing like that.

I found the door to my room unlocked. I came face to face with Gideon, who waiting on the other side.

“Let’s go.” He said. He immediately turned and I followed. The sun was just starting to paint the sky red. We walked outside where an SUV was waiting.

I opened the door to get in when Gideon’s hand shot out and shut the door. “You bring her back. Or all the Lycan’s in the world won’t be able to protect you.” He threatened.

I didn’t respond, he didn’t give me the chance as he quickly removed his hand and walked around the car.

I got in the back seat. There was a backpack waiting and nothing else. The driver was already seated at the wheel, but Gideon didn’t get in the passenger’s seat.

I looked around. I didn’t see him at all. Nor did I see Adrian. The SUV began pulling away.

So I was on my own from here. I shouldn’t have expected Adrian to see me off, but I assumed he would. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge in my chest.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I opened the backpack to see supplies and the map folded in. I pulled out my phone and saw a single saved number. No messages.

The SUV suddenly hit the brakes and I lunged forward. I braced myself with the drivers seat. I looked up to see Adrian, panting as he walked around from the front of car.

Had he run out in front of the SUV? It looked like. The drivers door open.

“You’re relieved.” He told the driver. Without arguing, the confused driver got out and Adrian got in.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m going with you.” He responded.