I'm injured

NOLAN

As we got closer to their supposed hideout, I could feel my heart beating fast. This was my first mission with people considered to be this brutal. I might have been considered as ruthless too which I know I am but dealing with people from another hemisphere who are banned and considered to be wicked needs courage. I stared out through the window of the car, all I could see were trees and thick bushes. I sighed. Everywhere looks so quiet and peaceful. Who could have imagined a peaceful place like this could harbor notorious gangs from the northern hemisphere. I could only hear the chirping of birds. The car suddenly stopped, jolting me out of my thought. I stared at Martin. "Why the sudden stop?" I asked

"We are closer to their hideout. We will need to walk the rest to avoid raising suspicious" he answered

"That's a good idea," I thought. It's a good thing he knew we shouldn't create suspicion. I sighed and opened the door.

"You should wear your mask, boss" Arden spoke up

I nodded in agreement. No one can know my real identity except Martin and Arden. They have remained the most trusted warrior. And even though I had trust issues based on what had happened to my parent, it was difficult not trusting them. They knew everything about my parent and had been in charge of the secret agent my dad created some years back. It was like he knew he was going to die soon and had to prepare them for me. He knew I will be needing help and protection that was the reason he trained them. And now, they did not only protect me, but they also taught me to protect myself.

They were there to protect me until I was able to protect myself. I smiled. It's a good thing to have them with me. Martins handed the mask to me and I wore it. I placed my right leg on the floor and tapped it slowly. I don't know why I had to do that. It was like I had a feeling the ground will open and swallow me up if I don't do that. Sure, that the ground was strong enough to carry me, I placed my left leg on the ground and finally stood up. I walked a bit away from the car and they followed suit. Fours cars had followed mine on the journey. Martins gestured for them to come down and they did. They bowed when they saw me.

I sighed. "Get everything out of the booth and make sure to cover the car up with leaves to hide it" I don't know what lies beyond those bushes but I know whatever it is, I know we can face it.

**

"There is a cave over there" Martins pointed. I could hear a sigh of relief from behind and knew immediately how tired the warriors were. It's been three hours since we had been walking and searching for the perfect place to stay for the night. We were careful enough not to wander too far since we don't know their particular hideout.

I sighed in relief. I pointed at the warriors closer to me. "You and you. Go check the cave out and bring back the report"

"Yes, boss" they answered in unison

I watched them leave and then sighed. "You can all have some rest while we wait for their report"

Everyone began to sit down in twos. I could see how tired they were. I was sure they were hungry too. It was written all over their faces. I rested on the tree close to me and closed my eyes. My mind drifted back home. I wondered how they are fairing. Would they be so bothered about me now?. Or would they think I had gone on a stroll and would be back soon?. What about Olive? Does she miss me as I miss her?. How will she feel when she finds out I am missing?. Those words I said to her the night I left, I meant every of it. I want to and the rest of my life with her and can only wish I get back home with the victory.

The guards returned with good news. The cave was empty and there was no sign of fire being made. That means no one had stayed there in a while. I smiled. That's good news. Everyone will be able to get some rest and get ready for tomorrow's journey. I blinked when I remembered something. The pack from the northern hemisphere will be here by tomorrow but we don't know at what time they will show up. I turned to face Martin. "Any news about their arrival time?"

"No news from the informant yet"

I groaned. How can we plan if we don't have any clue of what will happen next?. How are we going to know the time left for us to get prepared?. I brushed my hair backward. "Any possible time to get the news from the informant?"

"She should be here soon"

I furrowed my brows. She?. His informant is a she?. That's ridiculous. "She is going to be here soon?" I asked, stressing the word, she.

He nodded. "We have a time of meeting each other, to avoid being suspicious"

"Wow. That's great. But where did you know her from, if I may ask?"

He smiled. "She's from my pack"

"And how did you get her to help with this"

"She's been, my childhood friend". I furrowed my brows and he smiled. "She's just a friend"

I nodded my head. "Interesting"

He smiled. "Boss, there is nothing between us. I promise"

I rolled my eyes. "I never said there was but it seems there is"

"No, boss. There is nothing

"Not even a little feeling?"

He rolled his eyes. "Friendship feeling, yes. But any other feeling, I can't say"

I chuckled. "Someone does not want to admit he likes her"

He sighed. "I do like her. But as a friend"

I nodded. "That's a good one. But I don't believe that"

"Sir..."

I shrugged. "Let's see how long you can keep this love away from her". He sighed. "I know..." I yawned. I was already feeling so hungry but too tired to want to feed myself.

"You seem tired, boss. You need to get settled down"

I sighed. "Everyone looks so tired too. You all should get something to eat and have some rest"

"We can't rest if you don't"

I smiled. "You don't have to worry about me. Go have some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day"

He nodded. "Yes, boss"

I watched them all go into the cave. When I was sure everyone was in the cave, I dusted myself and decided to go on a stroll. Though I was feeling so tired. I had an urge to check the surroundings out and be sure it is a safe place for us to be. I couldn't risk the lives of my warriors, right before meeting the enemies. I knew to win this battle, I needed a complete army. So checking out the surrounding will put my mind at rest for the night. Giving the last look at the cave, I turned in the right direction, and off I went.

**

The Creeping movement I heard made me open my eyes. I had heard the movement some seconds ago and had wondered what the movement was for. "Could it be one of the warriors moving?" I had thought. I wanted to open my eyes and check But when the movement stopped, I concluded that it has to be some animals walking past the cave. Maybe it's a rat, I had thought. But when I heard the movement again, this time a little louder and closer, I was tempted to open my eyes and see for myself. The room was so dark I could hardly see what was beside me. it took some seconds for my eyes to get adjusted to the darkness. I saw a figure going out of the cave. I became alert and stood up promptly. "Martins" I whispered to be sure he was the one leaving the cave.

When I heard no voice, I stood up promptly and followed him. From the structure, I could tell it was a male. He began to run and I wondered if he had suspected I was following him. To make sure I keep pace with him, I ran after him. He kept running and suddenly stopped when he got to a bend. I stopped running too and I stared at him. The dark environment and the thick bushes did not make me see his face. He blew a whistle and I was soon surrounded by armed men. I looked around. I wasn't moved by their numbers but was surprised to see them. Who are they? And why did they send him to that cave?. Where they aware of our coming?.

I positioned myself for a fight, just in case that is what they want. I wasn't armed at all. I had never thought they would be these much. "Good to know you in person, Nolan," someone said

I batted my lashes. Does he know me?. How come?. I realized I wasn't with my mask but that isn't a reason for him to know me. I was certain I don't know any of them. His voice wasn't familiar either.

"Who are you?"

He scoffed. "You came all the way here and you don't even know who you're here for?"

I furrowed my brows. What's he saying?. "I..."

"I will save you the stress of asking your question. I am Declan. The alpha of the Lycan pack of the north. The one you're here for"

I batted my lashes. This can't be true!!. Aren't they suppose to be here by tomorrow?. Did we get the wrong information about their arrival?. Or has someone betrayed us again?. Did someone tell them we know about their arrival and they had to come before the said time? How did they find out about us?. I raised an eyebrow. "Y-you were supposed to be here tomorrow"

He laughed. "So you thought. Do you think I am daft?". He moved closer to me. "I am smarter, boy. But you know. I have no business with you. But you're a teenage boy who loves to poke his nose into other people's affairs". He folded his hands. "I have to teach you a lesson". He gestured to someone to come over. I batted my lashes. He doesn't know me, as the ruthless alpha?. That's a relief. But what kind of lesson does he have in mind to teach me?. "Make sure he doesn't die but don't leave him alive" I heard him say.

I watched him leave and I batted my lashes. I should not be killed and should not be left alive?. What does be mean by that?. He suddenly stopped walking. "Kill him too. If he can betray his boss. He can betray us too"

I furrowed my brows. Who betrayed us. The thud sound I heard jolted me back to reality. My eyes widened in shock. What?. He was one of the warriors. I couldn't believe he betrayed us. I made to say something but felt a sharp object pierce through my chest. I groaned in pain. I turned to put up a fight but felt a hard blow on my face. I had learned to fight irrespective of the situation. I was able to kill some of the men left but due to how injured I was, I fell flat on my face. I watched someone raise his sword but was surprised to see him fall. "Are you ok? Boss?" I heard Martin say and my eyes finally closed. "Boss, boss, boss!!!" The voices began to fade away, darkness and silence eluding me. And that became the last thing I remembered.