CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & NINE
Maggie’s POV
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After leaving Nolan’s office, I walked around aimlessly. My mind raced with questions. That letter had to have come from Viki, but how did she get it into the folder. Why did she need to meet Nolan? It’s not the plan. I needed to ask her.
‘No. You don’t need to ask her anything. You need to tell Nolan the truth,’ my wolf said.
‘He will kill us if I do that. I just need to ask Viki what’s going on,’ I responded.
‘During the day? You will get caught. Wait until night,’ my wolf suggested.
‘I can’t wait that long. I have to make sure she’s not trying to hurt Nolan,’ I argued.
I left the pack house through the side door near the service entrance. I then used a secret path to get the vacant cabins. It took me a lot longer to get there, but no one would see me.
When I reached Viki’s cabin, I knocked once and the door opened immediately.
“What is wrong with you?” Viki hissed. “Are you trying to get caught?”
Viki yanked me inside by my wrist so fast that I stumbled over the threshold and almost fell. The door slammed shut behind me.
“I had to come. I…”
“Did something happen? Did Nolan contact Silverfang?” Viki demanded, gripping my shoulders tightly.
“No. He received a letter today,” I explained and Viki released me.
“You risked getting caught telling me about a stupid letter???”
“Someone demanded Nolan go to the northern border at midnight. They claimed they had Talia. Did you send it?”
Viki did not look surprised. She looked more annoyed than anything. “So, you thought to come here instead of doing what you were supposed to do.”
“Where is Talia? Is she here? Did you send that letter?” I asked.
Viki turned away from me and paced the small cabin. Her mask rested near the table instead of on her face.
“She is missing,” Viki responded.
“Missing? What do you mean, missing?”
“That is exactly what I said. She is missing,” Viki repeated furiously.
“You lost her,” I said, my voice rising before I could control it. “How could you lose her?”
Viki stopped and looked at me as if I had insulted her. The scars on her face stretched as her expression warped with rage, and for a second, she looked terrifying. I actually felt scared of her.
“You have a lot of nerve to talk to me in that tone,” Viki said firmly.
“I did everything you told me to do,” I said. “I led her out. I gave you the opportunity. And then you lost her. Do you know how bad this is going to be for me?”
Viki scoffed and said, “If you would just do what I tell you, this wouldn’t be an issue. I am trying to help you.”
“I wanted her gone,” I said. “And now she could appear at any moment and put my life in jeopardy!”
“Did you really think this would work out without any issues? Be realistic,” Viki said. She exhaled like I was exhausting her. “I
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NONURE & NINE
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have already sent rogues to find her.”
My eyes widened. “You sent rogues after her?”
“Yes,” Viki said. “The moment I realized she had escaped.”
“To bring her back?” I asked quickly, because that was the only answer that made sense.
“Once they find her, they will kill her immediately,” Viki said. She talked about killing like she was discussing weather. It caused a shiver to run up my spine.
I froze at that. She did not say she would kill Talia but I noticed the scent of blood.
‘Maggie! We need to leave now. She’s unstable,’ my wolf warned.
“How can you command the rogues?” I demanded, suppressing my fear. “How do they listen to you?”
Viki’s mouth curved into a smile that did not soften her eyes. “Because I am one of them,” she said. “Or did you forget that?”
I swallowed hard. “What about the letter?”
“What about it?” Viki asked.
“Do you plan on hurting Nolan?” I asked.
“You ask too many questions, my dear.”
“This was not part of the plan,” I insisted. “If you harm him, I won’t let…”
Before I could finish, Viki’s hand clamped around my throat, and my words died instantly. The pressure was hard enough that my eyes watered. I clawed at her wrist, but she did not loosen her grip.
“I have had enough of you, you stupid little girl,” she said, her voice low and cold.
Viki leaned in close enough that I could smell the blood on her breath.
“From now on,” she said. “You do what I tell you to do, when I tell you to do it. If you try to warn Nolan, or if you try to interfere again, I will kill you. Do you understand?”
My lungs burned from lack of oxygen. I nodded quickly as I still fought her grip. Viki released me. I stumbled backward, my hand flying to my neck as I gasped.
“Do you understand?” she demanded. “I want to hear you say it.”
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
“Louder,” Viki ordered.
“I understand,” I said, forcing the words out.
My throat ached. Shame crawled up my spine. I stood there, breathing hard, regretting every choice that led me to this cabin.
‘We are trapped,’ my wolf said bitterly. ‘I told you not to trust her and now we’re going to pay for this.’
Tears filled my eyes as the truth hit me. I never should have trusted her, and now it was too late.
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