Chapter 96
The tray clattered softly as Claude set it down in front of me. His movements were as measured and cautious as always, his face a blank mask. But as he turned to leave, something unexpected caught my eye. A small slip of paper, folded and barely visible, was tucked beneath the edge of the plate. My heart skipped a beat.
I waited until I was sure he had left the room, the door clicking shut behind him, before I reached for the note. My hands trembled slightly as I unfolded it. The handwriting was rough, hurried.
"Midnight. Power cut. Trust no one."noveldrama
I exhaled sharply, the weight of the message sinking in. Claude had taken the first step. He wasn't fully on my side yet, but this was more than I'd dared hope for. The hours until midnight stretched out before me, but I forced myself to remain calm. I had to save my strength. Ava still hadn't stirred, and the weakness from the wolfbane lingered, but I could feel a sliver of my power returning.
When the lights in my room suddenly flickered and died later that night, I knew it was time.
The darkness was absolute. I held my breath, straining to hear any sound that might signal Claude's approach. The seconds stretched into agonizing minutes, and just as doubt began to creep in, I heard a faint rustle near the door.
"Claude?" I whispered.
A shadow slipped into the room, barely visible in the darkness. He moved cautiously, but there was a new sense of purpose in his steps.
"It's me," his low voice confirmed, close now. He stepped forward until he was right in front of me, the dim emergency lights casting just enough glow to reveal the hard lines of his face. His eyes flickered with uncertainty.
I didn't waste any time. "You came," I said softly, trying to gauge his mood. He was still hesitant, conflicted. But he was here. That meant something.
Claude's jaw clenched. "You said you had a way out. I've seen what happens to people who try to defy him."
"I'm not like the others," I replied, my voice firm. "I told you, Claude-I have a gift. I'm a white wolf."
He stiffened, his eyes narrowing. "A white wolf?"
"Yes," I whispered, taking a step closer. "I have the power to purify. The experiments Rambo put you through, the poison in your system, I can help you. But I need you to trust me, just for a little longer."
Claude was silent, his eyes searching mine. The weight of his past hung heavily between us. He didn't want to believe me, I could tell. But something in him was breaking.
"I don't know if I can," he muttered, shaking his head. "Rambo's control runs deep. I've seen too much-done too much. What if you can't do what you say?"
"I can," I said, my voice steady, I had to make him believe. "You've already taken
the first step, Claude. You're here. You're questioning him. That's more than most could do under his influence."
Finally, his shoulders sagged slightly, and he met my gaze with a hardened determination. "If what you're saying is true, then I'm in. I'm done being Rambo's pawn."
Relief washed over me, but I kept my expression calm. "Then we need to move now. Before he realizes what's happening."
Claude nodded and quickly unlocked the door, motioning for me to follow. We slipped out into the dim hallway moving as silently as we could
through the twisting coo
the
facility. My heart pounded in my chest, each step feeling heavier as we neared freedom.
But just as we rounded a corner, I heard the ominous sound of footsteps-heavy, deliberate. My stomach dropped.
Alpha Rambo stepped into view, his expression cold and furious. "Claude," he sneered, his voice a deadly whisper. "I knew you'd betray me eventually."
Claude stepped in front of me, his muscles tense, but I could see the fear in his eyes. He knew what Rambo was capable of, and so did I.
"There's no escaping this, Ella," Rambo said, his gaze shifting to me. "Not for you. Not for him."
Before I could react, Rambo lunged. His speed was terrifying, but Claude moved to block him, throwing himself into the fray with a roar The two clashed violently, fists and claws tearing into one another as I stood frozen for a split second, caught between fear and action.
The battle was fierce, raw power radiating from both of them. Rambo's strength was monstrous and I could see Claude struggling to hold his ground. I wanted to help, but without Ava, I was still too weak. I could feel her, though-faint, distant, but stirring. She was fighting to wake up, to reconnect with me. I just had to hold on a little longer.
Claude let out a cry as Rambo struck him down, sending him crashing into the wall. He groaned, struggling to rise, but Rambo was already turning toward me, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
"Time's up, Ella."
I backed away, fear curling in my chest, but as Rambo advanced, something shifted inside me. A warmth spread through my veins, growing stronger, burning brighter. Ava.
Her voice broke through the haze, strong and fierce. I'm here, Ella. I'm with you. The connection snapped back into place like a surge of lightning. I gasped as Ava's power flooded my body, every sense sharpening, my strength returning tenfold. I wasn't alone anymore. We were whole again.
Rambo's eyes widened in shock as he sensed the change, but it was nothing, because Ava was too weak.
My knees trembled, as I felt what Ava was feeling.
Rambo growled, he mocked at my weakened state.
"So this is the power of the legendary 'White Wolf'. I must say that you are all bark
and nothing." His laughter filled the area.
I looked furiously but a low whimper left my mouth as I felt Ava's pain. She was in
a lot of pain.
Alpha Rambo growled at me. He was ready to attack me.
And I felt that my death was near.
I closed my eyes and Tristan and Nathan's face flashed across my mind.
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