The implication hit Sorayah like a slap to the face. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief, a cold chill running down her spine as her arms tightened around the fragile infant she held.
Before she could utter another word, Dimitri turned his attention back to Jasmine, treating Sorayah as though she were invisible, as though her presence no longer mattered.
"I don’t understand why you’re using your sex slave for this role, Your Highness," Jasmine said, her tone asured but laced with judgnt. She gave a slight bow of respect. "I thought you planned to rely on an assassin, soone who willingly accepted this mission, soone prepared to die if necessary. At least an assassin would be skilled, able to hold out for so ti before being overwheld."
"What?" Sorayah whispered, stunned. Her eyes widened further in shock and despair. The small baby in her arms, had stopped crying by now. Perhaps exhaustion had won out, and he had simply fallen asleep.
"This is a very dangerous mission," Jasmine continued calmly, folding her arms as she regarded Sorayah with skepticism. "I’m certain your sex slave won’t last long. She’s far too weak for sothing like this."
"She’s not that weak Jasmine. And yeah she’s also here as a purnishnt. It’s either she dies or live which solely depends on her luck." Dimitri uttered, his tone cold.
Oh yeah! A purnishnt! Sorayah thought to herself as she let out a scoff. I ended up taking the role ant for an assassin sohow.
"But..."
Before Jasmine could further express her displeasure, the door slamd open.
Liam burst into the room, his expression intense, and quickly locked the door behind him. "Everything is settled, Your Highness," he reported briskly. "The guards have left. We just need to visit the palace tomorrow to deliver the goods we brought. Tonight, we’ll position our fighters across different zones. Once we et with the Alpha or once we infiltrate this pack, everything will be turned to ruin."
"Good," Dimitri said simply. His voice was calm, but there was a storm behind his eyes. He moved a chair in front of Sorayah, then sat down, facing her directly. Jasmine and Liam followed suit, each taking a seat beside him.
Now what? Sorayah thought to herself as she swallowed hard.
Dimitri locked eyes with her, his gaze heavy and unwavering.
"Now listen to , Sorayah," he began, his voice low but firm. "As I’ve told you before, this is a matter of life or death. You either rise victorious in the battle tomorrow morning, or you perish with the rest. The magic I’ve imbued into your hands and your bow should make you stronger, strong enough to defeat your enemies. That is, of course, unless you truly are weak."
Oh yeah! My life kind of depends on the magic In my hand and bow. How pathetic! Sorayah thought, as she heaved a heavy sigh of frustration, her gaze still locked with his.
"Oh, I see..." Jasmine muttered under her breath, her arms still folded. "So you did teach her a few tricks but even though, she’s a lowly maid."
"Enough," Liam interrupted, raising his hand sharply to silence her. Jasmine pursed her lips but said no more. "Let his highness explain to his maid."
Sorayah could feel anger building in her heart but then she kept mute. What’s the point of saying anything anyways. Rather, she better think on how to survive the dangerous ga she got dragged into.
The werewolves before her regard her as a cheese piece in the ga they are playing. A cheese piece that could be discarded anyti.
Dimitri continued, his tone turning grave, bringing Sorayah back from her whirlpool of thoughts. "We’re not just here to destroy. We’re here to save certain people. But while Jasmine and Liam head to the palace tomorrow, you and I will be taking over the slave fair. That’s where you co in."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering even further. "I asked you to pretend to be a pregnant woman, and then to fake childbirth. That was the bait, the distraction. The mont we set foot in their pack, their eyes were glued to us, watching, analyzing, waiting to see if our story held any truth. Now that they’ve seen the child, they’ll believe the lie. Their attention will shift elsewhere. That gives us our opening."
Sorayah’s heart pounded in her chest. She could hardly breathe.
"But we must follow through," Dimitri added. "The goods must be delivered to the palace. We need to maintain the illusion. If even one thread unravels, this entire mission collapses."
He held her gaze a mont longer, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"I see..." Sorayah finally murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Well, that part has been executed perfectly," Dimitri said with a nod, resting his elbows on his knees. "Anyway, this inn we’re in is filled with my people. The receptionist, the owner, everyone here is part of my network. That’s how I was able to get the master key to Jasmine’s room so quickly, to continue the drama uninterrupted."
He glanced briefly at the baby in Sorayah’s arms.
"And yes, the mother of that child you’re holding, she’s here in the inn as well. You’ll need to feed the baby so milk once the guests start leaving. But until then, you have no choice. When he wakes up again, you’ll have to give him water to keep him quiet."
"Once the inn closes for the night," Dimitri continued, "you’ll et others here, people working for in one way or another. So of them will accompany us tomorrow, to the slave trade."
He paused, his expression turning solemn.
"Trust ...it’s a dangerous place. But I’ll be with you all."
"Slave trade." Sorayah repeated, her voice hollow. "Why are we going to the slave trade though?"
She shook her head, confused and alard. "You said we were here to save so people people. Are they the slaves?"
She stared at him, eyes narrowing slightly in distrust. Of all people, Dimitri didn’t strike her as the kind who would risk so much to rescue slaves. What was it about these slaves that had him so worked up?
"We’re here to save slaves and also so certain people. There are reasons," Dimitri said cryptically, his voice taking on a chilling edge. "But you can’t know them as you’ll lose your life. Just know this, humans from your kingdom are among the slaves."
Sorayah’s breath hitched. A sharp chill prickled down her spine.
"What...?" she whispered, clutching the child tighter. "My people?"
She had believed every human from her kingdom were taken to Lupien’s pack since he’s the one who threw her kingdom into ruins.
Dimitri nodded slowly. "Because of the alliance between Alpha Emperor Lupien and the emperor of this pack, gifts are often exchanged between their courts. Slaves are part of those gifts. Not just werewolves from conquered packs but humans, too."
A nauseating wave of horror washed over her.
Did my cousin...my bodyguard...end up here as well then? Is that why I had that dream which ans sothing bad will happen. Like losing soone?
Dimitri’s voice softened, just slightly. "Apart from trying to save your own life, you should also try to save the lives of those humans. Of course, if you want to leave them behind, that’s your choice. I’ll still save the werewolves I ca for."
"What?" Jasmine suddenly blurted out, eyes wide with disbelief. "You want to save humans too?! I thought we were only saving those who matter and killing the rest of the pests!"
Her voice trembled with rage, but before she could say more, Liam placed a firm hand on her shoulder. His grip was steady and commanding. Jasmine clenched her fists but said nothing more. Instead, she glared at Dimitri, anger burning in her gaze.
Sorayah glanced between them, her mind racing.
She rembered Dimitri saying he had once lived among humans. He’d even ntioned witnessing the crown prince’s swordsmanship firsthand. That ant he had indeed spent ti in her kingdom. But how was it possible? She had never heard of werewolves being held captive there. Werewolves were far too powerful for humans to control. The idea seed absurd.
He’s lying, Sorayah concluded silently. Trying to lighten the mood with dark humor or misdirection. But I’m not laughing.
Still, she forced herself to breathe and answered quietly, "I will save my people too."
She looked up at Dimitri, her expression calm but weary. "If we’re going to the slave trade where they’re held... then yes, we should save them all."
A mont passed before she added, her brows furrowing, "But... where will the humans go? It’s not like they can return to another human kingdom. They’ll just be captured again. Handed over as a show of loyalty to the werewolf packs. One way or another, they’ll end up as slaves again, won’t they?"
Dimitri gave a short nod. "Yes. The Alpha Emperor Lupien ford an alliance with this pack, but I plan to ruin it. That ans whoever we save here, human or werewolf will have to remain under my protection. And I have a place for them. Sowhere they can live freely, equally."
Jasmine shot to her feet, fury boiling in her expression. Without a word, she stord out of the room, the air crackling behind her. Liam gave Dimitri a brief, apologetic glance before following her.
Sorayah remained seated, shoulders tense, eyes shadowed with worry.
"Oh, I see..." she said at last, voice laced with uncertainty. "I hope they truly are safe there."
And I hope to find my cousin and my bodyguard, she added silently, biting the inside of her cheek in desperation. I still don’t trust Dimitri, no matter what he says. But if I do end up saving so of those humans, then my cousin and bodyguard can take over from there I guess. Build sothing. A place where humans can live freely again. I hope... I truly hope.
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