I knocked on the bars. “Hugo,” I called, my voice soft.
Nothing happened at first, but then the alpha’s head slowly lifted until his amber eyes met mine. He cocked his head to the side, looking at me like I was a puzzle. I wondered if he recognized me. “Laurel,” he said, his voice cracking from disuse. He frowned. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I need your help,” I said, and he stood, coming toward the bars. His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was lined with more wrinkles than I remembered.
“I’m managing an alpha who’s in here. I need him trained,” I continued.
Hugo barked a laugh. “Sorry, darling. Can’t waste energy on fresh meat.”
I moved closer, Casey hovering anxiously as I stepped right up to the bars. “I can make a deal,” I said. “The alpha. I’m trying to get him out of here. I’ll include you, too, but I need him to survive.”
Hugo met my pleading look with a flat one. He’d been on my father’s staff for years down here, training our alphas to fight. He’d trained Jule, too, but then rofetamine had come.
Hugo had been opposed to using the drug on the fighters. He’d challenged my father about it. Unfortunately, with rofetamine, my father didn’t need to waste money paying Hugo to train his fighters anymore. So, Hugo had ended up in the ring.
Drugged before every fight, yet somehow, he’d managed to resist going feral. He was Ocean’s best chance of coming out of this intact.
Hugo studied me, eyes narrowing, before he barked outanother laugh. “Why not? But I also want an extra shower every week. And bring me some decent food from upstairs.”
“Deal,” I said, sticking my hand through the bars. Hugo took it and shook firmly.
“Okay, Casey, could you take him to the training room, please? Then come back so we can grab Ocean.”
Casey nodded, looking apprehensive as he secured Hugo in cuffs and led him out of the cage.
I hurried and reached Ocean’s cage next, a ball of fear knotting in my stomach as I approached. Hugo was the only thing I could give him right now, and I had to hope he’d be strong enough to survive.
His head snapped up as I came closer. He wasn’t blindfolded anymore, and his blue eyes fixed on my face. My heart squeezed painfully. His carefree air had disappeared, and his face was tight as he looked at me.
It was better this way. I should keep him at arm’s length.
Make this strictly business.
He was sitting on the hard cot in the corner of his cell.
“Let me, Miss Laurel,” Casey said from behind me, and set about releasing Ocean. He was surprisingly gentle as he secured the cuffs behind Ocean’s back.
“Could you give us a moment, Casey?” I asked.
The beta hesitated, but crossed the room, leaving me and Ocean side by side.
I couldn’t quite meet his eyes. “I’m sorry,” I said, fiddling with my hands. “I didn’t want to see you hurt, I swear. I’d been trying to reach you all day to tell you not to come back.”
I looked up then, and his eyes met mine. Instead of the hatred that his pack had for me, his brows were creased with concern.
A lump appeared in my throat. “I can’t lie to any of you,” Isaid. “I promise I wasn’t being cruel. Your pack is planning to get you out of here.”
“Hey,” he said softly. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”
My lip trembled and I turned around quickly. I’d expected him to reject me, and I didn’t know how to handle this.
“I’ve arranged some training for you,” I said, leading him back over to Casey, then the room where the alphas were allowed to stretch their legs. Casey jumped at small sounds the entire way.
“You don’t have to stay,” I told him.
He gave me an apologetic smile. “Ah, yes, miss, I’d just feel better knowing I was here. In case something happens.”
I held back a snort. Despite his size, he wouldn’t be able to last ten seconds against any of the alphas here, but the thought was sweet.
