Chapter 4
Eleni insisted on escorting Dario to his den, and he could not refuse her, so he went along with it.
On the way, Dario quietly turned to look out at the passing forest. The night slipped past, tree by tree. In just a year, everything felt different.
Rory had chosen a gathering place far from the pack center, so they traveled a dark path with no lamps.
Cold wind blew, and Dario rolled up the window.
Just then, Eleni's phone rang. It was Rory.
"Alpha, my wound burns," Rory said.
Eleni paused, her tone filled with concern.
"I told you to visit the healing den, but you refused. Is it truly worsening?"
Rory replied weakly. "Yes, I feel faint."
The car screeched to a halt in the pitch-black night, tires scraping against the road.
"I will retrieve you now," Eleni said.
Dario tightened his grip on the seat, suddenly realizing Eleni's intent.
After ending the call, Eleni glanced at him. "Wait here briefly. I will take Rory to the healing den and return for you."
Dario's fingers shook, his eyes stinging. His voice quivered. "Eleni, are you truly leaving me here alone? There is nothing around."
Eleni froze, her brows knitting.
Just as she would speak, a Beta called.
"Alpha, it is grave. Rory has lost consciousness. Please hurry," the Beta said.
Eleni's face fell. "You are not like Rory. You're a strong Beta, and you can defend yourself. I will return after I tend to him."
Dario clenched his jaw, stubbornness blazing in his eyes. "He is already unconscious. Can they not summon a healer? What use is your presence?"
Eleni shot him a condemning look, her voice sharp. "Can you be reasonable?"
Her words echoed in the cramped cabin, striking Dario like a physical blow.
He could not stop replaying how she always defended Rory. Overwhelming hurt swept through him, and tears burst from his eyes.
He broke down, shouting. "So I deserve abandonment? Eleni, are you truly choosing Rory over me?"
Eleni's expression was icy. She looked at him as if he were a petulant pup.
"Dario, you are being immature. Stay here and reflect," she said.
With that, she yanked Dario out of the car. He stumbled, almost dropping to the ground.
Eleni didn't even look back. She got in and drove off without a second thought.
Dario straightened, watching the car vanish into the dark.
His heart felt torn by a silver dagger. The pain was so fierce that he could barely breathe.
The icy wind lashed his face. When he reached up, his fingers found only tears.
He bit his tongue, desperately trying to compose himself.
The road was shrouded in darkness, with no lamps anywhere. The formal boots Eleni had chosen for him were stiff and rubbed painfully.
Dario removed them and walked barefoot down the empty road. Sharp stones cut his soles, but he barely noticed. He simply moved forward, numb to all.
Suddenly, a rush of movement came from behind, swift and close.
Dario tried to dodge, but he was too late. Something struck his head, and then he was knocked out.
*****
Dario came to in the middle of a commotion, his hands and feet bound tight with thick chains. Faint voices drifted to his ears.
"Boss, what should we do with this one?" one of them asked.
A man replied in a low voice. "Mr. Weinstein said to dispose of him."
Dario's heart lurched. Rory had sent these rogues after him.
He shifted his hands behind his back, pressing the recorder hidden in his waistband. Inch by inch, he loosened the ropes.
He opened his eyes, hoping to buy himself some time.
"Who sent you?" Dario asked weakly.
The rogues were shocked he was awake. One moved to strike him.
Dario coughed hard, sounding weaker. "I am not leaving here alive. Let me die knowing who paid for this."
The rogue paused and then sneered, "Since we're already at it, might as well spill the beans. It was Mr. Rory Weinstein. He hired us and paid big money for the job."
The red light on the recorder blinked quietly.
Dario bowed his head and whispered, "So it was him."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he slammed into the nearest rogue, and the ropes slipped off.
He quickly seized the rogue's dagger, cut the bonds at his ankles, and dashed from the warehouse.
The night was dark like a hungry beast, swallowing everything in its path. Dario ran for his life, his breath ragged and tearing at his chest, every step making the pain in his chest flare up again.
Suddenly, he lost his footing and fell.
Dario plunged into the depths, sinking toward the sea floor.
Cold water flooded his ears, nose, and mouth. He struggled for the surface, but seaweed wrapped his ankles, dragging him down.
Salt water poured into his throat. His chest felt ripped apart.
His strength slowly slipped away. He shut his eyes, surrendering to darkness.
He seemed to have plunged into a nightmare. Eleni's face twisted, morphing into something monstrous right in front of him.
For one second, she was whispering that she loved him, swearing she'd always treat him right. In the next, her hands closed on his throat, screaming for him to return Rory to her.
Dario shot awake, choking as if surfacing from drowning.
He sucked in desperate breaths, his shirt drenched in cold sweat.
All at once, a warm, delicate hand held his face.
Eleni leaned in, whispering. "Are you well? Did the nightmare take you?"
Dario, still caught in fear of the nightmare, instinctively pushed her away at her voice.
"Don't touch me!" he blurted out.
Eleni froze at the rejection in his eyes, worry overflowing.
"Dario, what's wrong?" she asked.
Dario shook his head, too exhausted to speak.
Eleni reached to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He tried to turn away, but her hand found him.
She chided him, her voice soft but worried. "We found you at the cliff's base by the sea. Why did you wander so far? Why did you not wait for me?"
Dario smirked sarcastically. "Eleni, you think I walked there alone? I was kidnapped. Rory orchestrated it."