SAGE


    1 had no idea the bar had a back room. As Scott and I were led through a narrow hallway, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air felt heavier, the dim light from a single overhead bulb barely illuminating the space. When we stepped inside, the room greeted us with a


    stark contrast to the lively bar out front.


    It was dark, cramped, and rusty, as if this part of the building hadn''t been touched by renovation in decades. The smell of stale alcohol and faint metallic tang hung in the air, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. A handful of people lingered around small tables, their conversations dying the moment we entered.


    All eyes turned to us, their gazes sharp and unweing. Each stare felt like it carried a silent challenge, as if they were waiting for us to exin our presence or make a wrong move. The people here weren''t ordinary bar patrons; they exuded an aura of danger. Scarred faces, weathered expressions, and tense postures told a story of lives lived on the fringes of thew-or perhaps far beyond it.


    I couldn''t help but feel exposed under their scrutiny, like a deer walking into a den of wolves. My heartbeat quickened, but I forced myself to appear calm, standing straighter as I followed Scott''s lead.


    "This ce screams trouble," I muttered under my breath, my eyes scanning the room with a practiced wariness.


    "Now, do you realized how stupid it is to go here alone?" he said.


    I roll my eyes at him in response. I''m aware of the danger, I wasn''t just expecting it to be this dangerous.


    A hulking man near the corner spat on the floor, his eyes narrowing at us. Another man whispered something to hispanion, who chuckled darkly. The atmosphere felt thick with unspoken threats, but no one made a move-yet.


    Scott stepped closer to me, his presence solid and reassuring. "Stay close," he said, his voice firm.


    I didn''t need to be told twice. This was no ce for mistakes, and every instinct in me screamed to stay on guard. Whatever/ deal I thought / could strike with the hunter suddenly felt far riskier than I had imagined. But it was toote to back out now.


    We moved deeper into the room, my senses on high alert with every step. The murmurs of conversation picked up again, though I could feel the weight of curious, suspicious stares lingering on us. Scott stayed just half a step ahead, his body a barrier between me and the unknown threats around us.


    In the far corner, seated at a battered wooden table, was the hunter. His rugged features were cast in shadow, but his piercing eyes caught the dim light, gleaming like a predator''s. He leaned back in his chair,pletely at ease despite the tension in the room, as if he owned it.


    "Well, well," he drawled, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Look who graces us with her presence."


    Scott cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Let''s make this quick


    The hunter''s gaze flicked to me, ignoring Scott entirely. "Bold of you toe back here, littledy," he said, his tone almost amused. "Got tired of letting the big bad Alpha speak for you?"


    I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his words rattle me. "I''m here because we need your help. And if money isn''t enough to convince you, I''m prepared to negotiate."


    His brows lifted, and his smile widened. "Negotiate, huh? That''s a dangerous word around here."


    Scott''s hand twitched at his side, close to the concealed weapon he always carried. "Don''t push it," he warned, his voice like a low growl.


    The hunter chuckled, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table. "Rx, Beta. I''m just having a bit of fun. Sit down," he


    said, gesturing to the empty chairs across from him.


    Scott hesitated, but I moved first, pulling out the chair and sitting down. Scott sighed and followed, his eyes never leaving


    the hunter.


    "What exactly are you offering?" the hunter asked, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.


    "I''ll agree to your offer, but under one condition," I said firmly, even though my heart raced at the words.


    Scott stiffened beside me, his hand shooting out to grip my arm "Sage, no-"


    "I wasn''t asking for you opinion, Scott," I interrupted, turning to him.


    His jaw clenches as he looked at me with hesitation. He probably noticed the determination in my eyes that he was finally convinced that there''s nothing he can say that will change my mind.


    The hunter watched us with interest, his fingers tapping idly on the table. "Go on. I''m listening," he said, tilting his head.


    I took a deep breath, meeting his sharp gaze. "I''ll agree to be the payment for this mission. I''m aware of your intention to sell me to the highest bidder. But under one condition, that I''ll be the one to choose who are allowed to join the auction."


    His smile turned predatory. "I don''t think that you''re in the position to negotiate, littledy."


    I leaned forward, keeping my voice steady. "On the contrary, I have all the rights to demand everything. I''m worth more than thousand of gold bars and pile of money, aren''t I?"


    The room seemed to grow quieter, the tension thick as the hunter considered slightly.


    my


    words. He leaned back, his eyes narrowing


    The hunter leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes never leaving mine as a slow smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "You''ve got guts," he said finally, his tone almost amused. "I''ll give you that."


    Beside me, Scott''s jaw tightened, his frustration radiating off him in waves, but he stayed silent, clearly holding back whatever argument was wing at his throat.,


    The hunter''s gaze shifted briefly to Scott, then back to me, as he let the moment stretch ufortably long. "Alright," he said atst, his voice calm but edged with skepticism. "Let''s say I agree to include your condition. How can I be sure you''re going to hold up your end of the bargain?"


    I took a slow breath, then spoke before I could overthink it. "Does a blood pact will be enough?"


    Scott''s head snapped toward me, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Sage, are you


    serious?"


    I didn''t look at him, my focus locked on the hunter. "It''s the only way to guarantee trust between us. If either side breaks the pact, there are consequences."


    The hunter leaned in, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied me intently. "A blood pact, huh?" he drawled, his tone tinged with intrigue. "That''s not something you hear about every day." His lips curved into a sharp, predatory grin. "You do realize what you''re proposing, don''t you? It''s binding magic. If you fail to uphold your end of the deal, the consequences won''t just be... minor inconveniences."


    "Don''t worry, I''m big girl. I know what I getting myself into," I said, my voice unwavering.


    Scott grabbed my arm, his voice low and urgent. "Do you even hear yourself right now? A blood pact isn''t just risky-it''s dangerous. If something goes wrong..."


    I finally turned to him, meeting his worried gaze. "If we don''t do this, we lose any chance ofpleting this mission. We need his help, Scott."


    The hunter chuckled, his anusement evident as he tapped his chin in mock contemtion. "Well, well," he drawled, his toneced with intrigue. "I''m almost tempted, littledy. But let''s not kid ourselves-I''m not stupid enough to cross an alpha, especially one who used to be the ruthless Lycan King"


    "He can''t act against something he doesn''t know about," I shot back, my voice firm despite the nervous knot in my stomach.


    The hunter''s grin widened, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. Fair point. But let''s see if your courage holds up."


    "Wait, hold up!" Scott interjected, stepping between us with a raised hand. "We need a moment. Sage and I need to talk- now." "Take all the time you want, sweetheart," the hunter replied smoothly, leaning back against the table. "I''m not going anywhere."


    Scott grabbed my arm, pulling me into the far corner of the room. His grip was firm but not painful, his concern etched across his face. "Sage, you can''t do this," he hissed, his voice low but urgent. "There''s no way in hell Alpha Titus would ever agree to something like this!"


    "That''s exactly why he doesn''t need to know," I countered, meeting Scott''s worried gaze with determination. "This is the only way to make sure the hunter agrees to help us."


    "This is insane, Sage!" Scott hissed, his eyes zing with frustration. "If the hunter doesn''t kill you, Alpha Titus will the moment he finds out about this!"


    "Then he doesn''t need to find out," I said, my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. "This is my decision, Scott."


    Scott ran a hand through his hair, his exasperation evident. "You''re ying with fire, Sage. And you don''t even know how badly you''re going to get burned."


    "I know the risks," I replied, my voice soft but firm. "If this is the price we have to pay, then so be it."This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Scott stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tight. Finally, he sighed, releasing my arm. "I don''t know why you''re doing this for a man who doesn''t remember you," he muttered.


    I chuckled, "So, am I. Let''s just say th


    He shook his head, but remained silent.


    I''m suffering from a superheroplex where I always wanted to save everyone."


    Scott and I returned to the table where the hunter lounged casually, his boots propped on the chair across from him. His dagger spunzily between his fingers, the gleaming de catching the dim light. He smirked as we approached, as if he already knew the oue of our hushed conversation.


    "Well, that was quick," the hunter drawled, setting the dagger on the table with a soft clink. "I take it you''ve alreadye up with a decision?"


    I nodded, trying to appear braver than I felt. "Yes. We''ll do the blood pact."


    The hunter''s smirk widened into a full grin, predatory and sharp, "Now, that''s what I like to hear. But I need to make sure you fully understand what you''re agreeing to, sweetheart. There''s no backing out once it''s done." He leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Fail to hold up your end of the bargain, and you''ll suffer consequences worse than death. Magic like this doesn''t mess around."


    "I understand," I said firmly, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my chest.


    Scott, standing slightly behind me, muttered something under his breath, his disapproval radiating off him like heat. I ignored it. This wasn''t his decision to make.


    The hunter reached into his coat and pulled out a small vial filled with a dark, viscous liquid. He ced it on the table, its contents swirling ominously. "This is the catalyst," he exined. "We both bleed into the vial, speak the terms of our


    agreement, and drink from it. The magic does the rest."


    Scott tensed, his fists clenching at his sides. "This is a mistake," he muttered, but he didn''t stop me as I stepped closer to the


    table.


    The hunter retrieved his dagger, flipping it skillfully in his hand before holding it out to me, hilt first. "Ladies first," he said, his grin taunting.