Chapter 0194

Zachary

Each day brought me nearer to him, yet he always found a way to derail my pursuit.

He shifted forms constantly, alternating between Lycan and human, leading me farther from Obsidian Howl and my destined mate. But I wouldn't halt, not until he drew his last breath, even if the chase took me to the edge of the world.

We'd encountered each other several times. Not closely, but we'd locked eyes across open fields, busy train platforms, and long bridges.

With every passing day, my fury intensified. All I desired was to reunite with my mate, yet if I didn't stop Gabriel, he'd forever find ways to torment that pack and the woman I loved.

I followed his scent into a bar, my eyes swiftly adapting to the low light. The air was thick with the stench of stale alcohol, urine, and blood. He'd been here hours ago. Even before stepping inside, I understood why he'd chosen this location.

He'd always enjoyed a challenge, long before his Lycan transformation. Taunting and torturing people. There was so much Isabella didn't know about the man she'd once been mated to. She'd had a fortunate escape.

Bodies were scattered across the floor as the jukebox played. Half a dozen had their throats torn out before they could even process the attack. The other dozen had attempted to fight back, but lost against the beast that assaulted them.

Since going on the run, he'd been feeding every few days. This time, I was sure he hadn't eaten in a week. He knew I was closing in. He must have been starving to target a place like this.

I moved through the carnage, verifying each body was deceased.

"Bastard!"

I turned to leave when a faint whimper froze me in place. A child was hidden somewhere here. Amid the overpowering odors of booze, piss, and blood, I'd missed the scent of a child.

"It's alright, you can come out. I won't harm you."

I waited, but nothing stirred and the child fell silent. Why had Gabriel left a child alive? He'd killed Sebastian's children without hesitation.

"Pinky promise?" a small voice called out.

It had been years since I'd heard that phrase. A smile touched my lips. "Pinky promise."

A little girl crawled from behind a curtain. Blood stained her face. Fading bruises marked her plump cheeks alongside dried tear tracks. A floral dress that might have been yellow or white was now filthy and torn. It hung loosely on her, indicating she'd been here for some time.

She stepped toward me, trembling. Tears welled in her bright green eyes as she struggled not to look at the devastation around us. She halted meters away, a chain attached to her ankle preventing further movement.

Not only was she imprisoned, she was a Wolf pup. Either Gabriel had been too preoccupied to notice her, or he'd left her for me, knowing it would buy him time.

"What's your name?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, chewing her bottom lip. "Charlotte."

"How old are you, Charlotte?" Dark circles shadowed her eyes.

"Six."

"Do you know how long you've been here?"

She shook her head, matted brown hair falling around her face. "You smell strange."

"So do you."

She smiled, opening her vivid green eyes. "Are you like me?"

"No, but I know many who are." She knew she was a Wolf, which was promising.

I had two choices. One, take her to the police, but that would raise questions I couldn't answer. Or two, turn back and take her to Obsidian Howl, letting my brother escape.

"Let's get you out of that, shall we?" I smiled, crouching to examine the chain.

She froze when my hand touched her leg, and my stomach turned at what these monsters might have done to her. Perhaps Gabriel's choice of bar wasn't entirely bad.

The ankle cuff broke easily in my hands, clearly designed for Charlotte's strength.

"Are you chasing the bad man?" she asked as I lifted her over the corpses.

"I am."

"He smelled strange too." She wrapped her arms around my neck, sensing my safety. Children her age were resilient compared to adults. They saw things in simple terms, which made them easy targets.

I found keys on the bar. Grabbing them, I carried Charlotte outside and pressed the fob, waiting for car lights to flash.

I settled her into the blue BMW, noticing a blanket on the back seat. I draped it over her. She remained quiet as I secured her seatbelt. When I told her I was taking her somewhere safe, she smiled and relaxed into the seat.

Charlotte was asleep by the time I reached the police station. Her head tilted against the seatbelt, long eyelashes resting on her cheeks.

I gazed at the bustling police station.

She would be safer here than at Obsidian Howl. They could find her a good home, likely with humans, but she'd be protected. If I took her to Obsidian Howl, Gabriel might return, though she'd be among her own kind.