"Did you know what guild they are from?" Gideon asked after the invited guests were completely washed out.
"No traces in their swords and daggers, nor in their bodies. And no one dared to speak."
"What guild must be behind of this?" it was from Henry.
There many assassin guilds but the biggest and most prominent is ours, the reason why we have a lot of enemies. This did not happen only once that was why we were not surprised of the attack.
"That is hard to know since we have a lot of enemies," I said before walking out from the group.
"Where are you going, Elena? We are still in a meeting." Henry is such a nuisance. He really gets into my nerves most of the time.
"I need to prepare for my mission tomorrow."
Before he could talk more, I was already out of the room.
The following night, I left the manor before sunset as what I have planned. It was already dark when I arrived at the Dark Valley where the base of Raven pack was situated. Wolf shifters have very sharp sense of smell so I had put a different scent on myself that could cover my human scent. That way, even I watch them in a proximity while their celebration is going on, they will not notice my presence and I could take advantage of an opportunity without getting caught.
I climbed up in a tall tree close to the pack so I could have a clear view of their every action. The celebration was just starting and the man whom I think is their Alpha is sitting at a special chair, staring at his pack who were laughing and drinking together while enjoying the feast.
I could not help but ask. Why is he not joining them? And he looked really serious. What if he had known that he will be attacked by an assassin tonight? But that not is possible. Informations in the House of Spades were never leaked before. So he must have no idea of what I am planning unless he is a clairvoyant—which I am sure is impossible. I have never heard before that wolf shifters have other special abilities aside from their strength and sharp senses.
As time passed, the more the pack became busier. I was getting more impatient by the minute. I could not wait for an opportunity so that I could leave as soon as possible. It was worthless to watch these hybrids laughing as if the world had never been cruel to them. It was making my eyes sore and the urge to kill them all was real.
I was close to dying in impatience when finally, I saw the Alpha leaving the group.
Now this is the opportunity you have been waiting for, Elena.
I watched where the Alpha was going. He went to a certain path which led him to the huge wooden manor. He might be going to his chamber, so this is the perfect chance for me with his pack busy with the feast, drunk and distracted. There was also music from the drums and zithers, so if ever we would make a noise inside, it will not be heard by the others and no one could go there to help him.
I followed him silently in the shadows. As an assassin, I was trained to be very cautious with my actions. Through the hard training and all those experiences in the past, one could not hear even a small noise from my footsteps, nor from my breathing.
I was right. He was going to his chamber. I do not know why but for whatever reason, I am pleased of this opportunity. It has made this mission easier. I want nothing but to finish this as soon as possible and leave this place.
When he was already inside, I waited for a few moments before I entered silently.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was the smell of freesias and lavender. I ignored it and continued walking, this time, I was more blunt with my action. Without further ado, I went beyond the silk curtains, expecting the Alpha to be shocked with my presence.
However, it was me who was taken aback of what I saw.
The Alpha was calmly sitting on his bed, expression was hard, and eyes were blazing gold as his gaze was directed to me with fiery bloodlust.
"Hello, my guest."
He knew.
He knew I was going to attack him. He was expecting me.
"So you knew," I stated as calm as he was, showing no fear.
He remained sitting as if he was not bothered at all if I would just suddenly jump and attack him in every angle I could. What is it? Confidence? Arrogance? I know Alphas are the strongest in their packs, but I have killed different kinds of man, reason why I am not the least bit frightened of him even he looks very lethal and ruthless.
"Yes, I knew you would come to kill me. So I came here to make your job easier."
I did not say anything. Words are useless in a fight. So instead of replying, I just went to him straight with my sword very ready to shed blood. I do not need the words of my victim. It is time consuming and worthless.
Though before I could lash my sword to him, I was caught off guard when the next moment, he was already at my back, and pushed my elbow upward which caused my sword to be thrown away. I kicked his knee backwards, then turned to his way and tried to get away from his grip. But he was incredibly strong as I expected. I tried to get my sword on the floor but the Alpha was quick enough to kick it away.
Anger swept through me. I have no problem in fighting without a sword. I was also trained in hand to hand combat, and I believe I know enough to defeat him.
"Why are you living this way?" he asked breathily, eyes were much more intense than earlier. Is it his bloodlust? Anger? But what's with his question? It made no sense.
I kept on attacking him but he was always one step ahead. It was like he knew where I was going to attack, or maybe he is just really faster than me.
"Why are you not fighting back, mongrel?!" I asked beneath my gritting teeth when I realized he was just blocking my every attack and not doing anything to fight back.
"I am a gentleman. I do not hurt ladies."
Now he just added more fuel on my desire to kill him. Being discriminated because of my gender is the thing that could provoke me the most. Every time I hear such things, the faces of my angry parents always comes back like a haunting nightmare from the past. It makes me feel more urge to be strong, to be cruel, so that I could prove to everyone that I am not weak because I am a female.
"Too bad for you, this lady will end your life tonight."
"Indeed?" He smirked and dodged my attack again. "Kill me if you can, then."
I can see that he is really a skilled fighter like what Henry said. But his arrogance did not go unnoticed. I do not care if he is stronger than me but I will definitely kill him with my own hands.
"Shit," he winced when I managed to left a scratch on his left cheek. I showered him consecutive attacks but his unresponsiveness was sending me to edge. Why the hell is he not fighting back?!
"Is that all you've got? To block your enemy's attacks? I was expecting more since your an Alpha, and yet you are just defending yourself like an idiot?" I could not hold myself anymore. He provoked me too much to the point that I was thinking of torturing him till death.
"Very eager to kill me, are you not?"
I shut my lips tight and pushed his chest with both hands and leaped to kick him on his abdomen but he blocked my knee with one hand. I crushed my teeth altogether as I stepped back for a moment.
"How brave of you to go alone in the base of a pack of wolves. Have you even thought of the possibility that you might die in this mission?"
I did not answer and went to attack him again. This time, he caught my arm and the next second, he was already pinning me on the bed, his both hands were on my wrists while his legs were at the sides of mine, forcing it to stay steady.
"Were you like this in your past missions? You execute your plans very carelessly?" he asked in a low baritone, jaw was tight.
"My life is none of your business. Why do you seem to care, huh? You need not to think of that. You only need to die here tonight, in my hands."
"How would I die, then? How could you kill me when you are there... under me, helpless and..." The corners of his lips rose.
"Why don't you fight me fairly? Why do you need to ask me useless questions, Alpha?"
"I have a name, Elena."
"And who cares if you have a name or not? I do not care about your name. I would rather not know the names of my victims—" I stopped when I suddenly realized something. "How did you know my name?"
"I just know," he simply answered.
I tried to get away from his grip but his hands and legs were like steel. Maybe I really underestimated his capabilities as an Alpha of a huge pack of wolves. If he is this strong, then how could I defeat him? If I really cannot complete this mission, then I would rather be killed. Mistress Hera would surely be disappointed of me and I would rather not see it.
"If you know me, that means you know things about my guild. What do you know?"
He tilted his head and scrutinized my face as if he was memorizing the face of a criminal.
"I know nothing."
I hissed. "I swear, I will kill you."
"Sure."
He is such a crazy mongrel.
"If you want to kill me, kill me now while I am helpless. I will never accept defeat no matter what you do and I would rather die than face my guild with a failed mission."
Death before defeat. That is my principle in fighting.
The faint humor in his face vanished. His expression is now hard and dark.
"But before you do, tell me how you knew that I was coming for you."
His eyes blazed more.
Then he answered that made my jaw drop.
"Because I was the patron. I paid your guild with the instruction to kill Raven Pack's Alpha and requested a specific assassin for the job, which was you, Elena Ross."
I was too dumbfounded to speak.He was the patron? Did he mean he asked for his own death? Worst, he even paid for it!"Are you making a fool out of me?" I asked with my coldest voice. I was very mad already but I could still not free myself from his grip. I was dying to punch him straight to his face."Who is making a fool out of you?"I gritted my teeth. His eyes went down to my lips when he heard the grinding sound. He then smirked and moved his face closer."A little impatient, are we?""I don't know what game you are playing, but if you want a fight, then let's do that! Stop pinning me on this damn bed!""Why would I? I like it this way. The only first class female assassin in House of Spades, under me... on my bed... in my room.""You are really testing my patience, aren't you?""Hmm...""If it's true you are the patron for this mission, then that means you want to die. Why don't you let me do my job?
The sound of urgent footsteps caught my attention. Rage also heard it and looked at the door."A kid's footsteps," I said matter-of-factly. It is easy to identify a kid's footsteps from adult's. "Who is that? Your child?"Rage's eyes drifted back to me. "Do I look like a married man?""Why, are married men are only the ones capable of reproduction?"He grimaced. "Sorry to disappoint you, but your assumption is wrong, woman. I prefer to marry first."I didn't say anything. Why are we suddenly on that topic, anyway? It's not something relevant."Uncle? Are you there?" It was a cute boyish voice.Uncle. So it's his nephew. Rage looked like he was thinking what to do with me.I raised a brow at him. "What are you waiting for? Go to the kid. Don't worry, I won't show myself to him. I don't kill children.""Do you think I don't have any idea what you are thinking? You would escape once I get my eyes off
"What the heck is this thing?!" I stood and tried to push him to prove a point but it was like pushing a huge granite."A werewolf's band. That is the proof that you are under a contract with me.""You told me nothing about this!" I fired, very ready to attack him."I didn't tell you because I was under the assumption that you already knew since I thought you probably gathered some informations about me and my kind before you went through this mission. Why, did you not?"Yes, I gathered informations about him but I didn't go in details. I never had any idea about this stupid contract thing. I thought our deal is just purely verbal!"Explain to me how this thing works, you mongrel," I said sharply. I was close to reaching for his neck and twisting it. Or maybe I could just make his eyes pop out since I don't have the strength to twist his neck."As what I've said, it is the proof that we both agreed to in a deal, like a contract. However, you
"Thought you changed your mind," Rage said playfully when I arrived at our meeting place on the day of our departure."If only I had thought of another way to kill you, I could have changed my mind."He hissed but still smiling. "Honest as always.""I don't lie to make anyone feel better.""Yeah. Sounds like very you.""Now are we not going yet? I don't like chatting with you for long."He shook his head with a ghost of smile on his lips and mounted his horse. "You really don't care if you hurt someone else's feelings with your words, do you?""Do I have to care?"His lips parted in disbelief. I then reigned my horse towards the right way. Rage followed at once and coped up with my pace."You are so heartless.""I don't need to be kind to live." In fact, my principle is the other way around. To kill is to live. That is the only thing I need to do. Why should feel those unnecessary sentiments when all o
"You should rest for the night now. Elena must be tired," Richard Black finally said. I'm very bored of all the storytelling."Right. Let's now go, love?"I looked at Rage. This mongrel never really listens. It makes me want to punch him straight to his face right there and then."Dang, I'm jealous. I really need to find my mate soon," Tyler teased.As soon as I stood, Rage's hand was at my waist at once. I breathed, trying get a hold of myself. I should get used to this for the time being."Have a good night, Elena, Rage.""We will, Grandpa," Rage answered and he then led me out of there."Do you really need to hold me all the time?" I asked irritatedly once we were already inside the chamber. "And why do we need to sleep in one chamber? You should have said that we will be needing two!""Keep your voice low, Elena. Someone might hear you."I hissed and gritted my teeth."Look, as what I have told you
"Why do I have to come with you? You should have done this by yourself!"Rage's grandfather asked him to buy some stuffs in the town for the preparation, and he dragged me with him. I couldn't say no because Richard Black was in front of us."And your grandfather has a lot of subordinates. Why did he have to make his grandson do the job?""It was just an excuse."My forhead creased. "Excuse? What do you mean exactly?""He is thinking that you might want to take a look of the town. He wants us to give alone time together, if your pretty head still don't get it.""Why do we need to have alone time together? We have been together yesterday and last night. Your face is already giving me an eyesore."He winced as if he was hurting. "Your words stung, love."My expression turned grim."Do you really want to die?""If you would be the one to kill me, then it would be my pleasure." He winked. He is not really
"Want to come with us? I promised Tyler to join them on playing football," Rage said after he had given the stuffs we bought to his grandfather. "Why would I? I'm not interested on watching that kind of sport. I would rather stay on the chamber or walk around the forest." "But Aunt Cordelia is expecting you to come. She told me to ask you to go because she wants to get know you more. But..." he hesitated but still continued. "If you don't really want to go, I can just tell her that you are tired..." I sighed. "Fine. I'll come." His face lightened and the ghost of smile on his lips didn't go unnoticed. Later that noon, we went to the wide clearing beyond the forest for the football. Cordelia went too along with several younger women to watch the game. It looks like doing this is somewhat a hobby to them, something usual. I also noticed that all those younger men are friends of Rage. They all consider themselves as "brothers" which I find ridicu
"What is this?" My forehead creased at the big box beside me when I woke up the following morning. Rage was already up, buttoning his upper clothing."Box?"I glared at him."Good morning by the way. You look pretty with messed hair." He winked. This brute. Every time he is like that, I'm always reminded of those so many ways of how to torture a man."That is yours. It was sent ealier. It was said that it was from Grandpa. He said that is a gift."Gift? Why would I be given a gift?I grabbed the big box with a purple ribbon and opened it. My lips parted when I saw an olive green dress with intricate golden vines and crystal flowers on its bodice."Why did he give me a dress?'"I told you, it is a gift. And it was also said that you should wear that dress on Grandpa's birthday. It's his request."Damn. Why does everyone wants to give me a dress? This thing is obviously luxurious. Sure I can buy myself a dress like this bu