Chapter 0477
Levi's lips press into a thin, bloodless line. The blindfold hides his eyes, but I can feel the rage radiating from him.
We haul him forward. He begins shouting for Jasmine. She glances back at him once, then her gaze flicks to me before she quickens her pace to catch up with Athena.
"Jasmine, I saved you!" Levi yells.
The words make her freeze mid-step. She doesn't turn around this time.
"You stole her abilities," Theodore snarls at him.
"Two birds, one stone. She was running. She needed punishment. I punished her. They couldn't find her. I saved her. I save them all."
"You call that saving?" Theodore demands. "Stealing their power isn't salvation."
Levi stays silent. I look at Jasmine. She has shoved her hands deep into her pockets and dropped her head low as she follows the others. Is that agreement? Theodore said she was Levi's prisoner, but what if it began differently?
"Enough," I mutter to Theodore. We pick up the pace, lifting Levi clear off the ground. He desperately tries to engage us, switching between threats, questions, and pleas aimed mostly at Theodore. The realization that his words are useless is finally dawning on him.
The women vanish around the bend leading to Obsidian Howl's gates. When we arrive, the gates stand wide open. A massive gathering of shifted Wolves and Lycans waits inside. Athena and Alexander stand at the front, poised for the hunt.
"What is this?" Levi demands as we halt. Theodore and I set him down, his feet hitting the ground firmly. He struggles against our hold. Athena gives me a sharp nod.
I release his shoulders and unbuckle the belt binding his wrists. He frantically rips off the blindfold and goes completely still.
"You think this frightens me?" His eyes sweep over the waiting army. He starts muttering under his breath. My fist connects with his jaw for the second time.
"Bastard!" he snarls, clutching his face.
"It seems you enjoy games," Athena's voice is ice. "So let's play. You get five seconds." Alexander smiles coldly.
"For what?" Levi spits out.
"A head start. I start counting the moment you enter the forest. You can figure out the rest." Levi scoffs. "You can't find me if you can't scent me."
Luc moves silently behind him. A blade flashes, slicing a long line down Levi's back. Luc takes a piece of cloth and rubs it in the flowing blood.
"Son of a bitch," Levi growls.
"Thanks," Luc smirks, carrying the bloodied cloth to the crowd. It's passed around. Every creature inhales the metallic scent.
"Can't hide the scent of blood," Alexander mutters. "Don't bother trying to wash it off. It lingers."
Levi looks at Theodore. "He can't be serious."
"It was mine and Athena's idea," Theodore steps closer. "You should have stayed dead. This will be painful. This time, there is no survival."
"Whenever you're ready," Alexander tells him.
Levi scans the crowd, his eyes landing on his sister. "Evelyn. Don't let them do this."
She doesn't answer. She moves to stand beside Athena.
"Control is a funny thing," I mutter. "You have it until you don't. Take it for granted, and you lose it. You lose all of it."
He glares pure hatred at me.
"And from what happened with Jasmine, the moment Theodore snapped your neck, everyone you screwed over got their abilities back. If by some miracle someone here doesn't kill you, those prisoners of yours will come for you. I'll be happy to help them."
He spits in my direction and looks back at Athena.
"Run," she growls.
He turns toward the open gate. Caleb and a few others, including Seraphina, block his path. His only choice is the forest.
He starts backing toward the trees, his eyes locked on us. He pauses at the very edge.
"Go to hell!" He bolts into the dense woods as Alexander calls out, "Five."
Everyone crouches, ready to charge.
"Four."
Alexander begins stripping, preparing to shift.
"Three."
Jasmine stares at me, utterly confused by the events. I need to learn how she first encountered Levi.
"Two."
The Lycans and Wolves are growling. I turn to face the forest. There's no way I'm letting him escape.
"One."