Chapter 22 - Articus

Articus’ heart pounded in his chest as he and Cassius approached the slavers' hideout. The dilapidated warehouse loomed before them, its weathered exterior a stark contrast to the sleek buildings of the pack territories.

The night air was thick with tension, carrying the faint scents of decay and desperation. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to shift and tear through anyone who dared to keep Wren from him, but he knew he had to keep his cool.

One wrong move could spark a war between the territories. The wolf inside him howled for blood, demanding immediate action, but Articus forced it down, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Cassius placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, his touch grounding Articus in the moment. "Remember, Cousin," he murmured, his voice low and urgent. "Diplomacy first. We can't afford a conflict here. Too much is at stake."

Articus nodded stiffly, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. He hadn't felt this level of fury and fear since... well, ever. The thought of Wren in danger, especially now that he knew she was carrying his child, made him want to howl with rage.

The primal need to protect his mate and unborn pup warred with the rational part of his mind that knew caution was necessary.

Two burly guards materialized from the shadows near the entrance, their movements fluid and predatory. Their eyes gleamed with recognition as they took in Articus' distinctive appearance, a mix of wariness and curiosity in their gazes.

"We're here to see your boss," Cassius stated firmly, his tone brooking no argument. The authority in his voice was clear, reminding Articus why his cousin was such an effective Alpha.

The guards exchanged a look, a silent communication passing between them, before one of them grunted and jerked his head toward the door. "Follow me," he growled, his voice rough with disuse.

They were led through dimly lit corridors, where Articus' enhanced senses picked up a cacophony of sounds and smells.

The acrid stench of fear permeated the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood and the musty odor of unwashed bodies. Each inhale made his nostrils flare, his wolf snarling at the wrongness of it all.

Muffled sobs and rattling chains echoed from behind closed doors, making his stomach churn with disgust and anger. He could hear hushed whispers, pleas for mercy, and the occasional bark of laughter from what he assumed were guards.

The sounds of suffering surrounded them, evidence of the cruelty that took place within these walls. Articus' fingers twitched, his claws threatening to emerge. He wanted nothing more than to break down every door, to free every soul trapped in this hellhole. But he couldn't.

Not if I want to get Wren out safely.

Finally, they were ushered into a surprisingly well-appointed office. The contrast between the squalor they had just walked through and the luxury of this room was jarring.

Rich mahogany furniture, plush carpets, and expensive artwork adorned the space—a sickening display of wealth built on the suffering of others.

Behind an ornate desk sat Linus. He had been the announcer at the auction. He was a man who could only be described as unremarkable—average height, average build, with nondescript brown hair and eyes.

Yet there was a coldness in his gaze that sent a chill down Articus' spine. This, he realized, was the true face of evil—not some monstrous creature, but a man who could orchestrate such suffering while looking utterly ordinary.

Linus rose, a practiced smile spreading across his face. "Ah, the esteemed Alpha from across the mountains. To what do I owe this pleasure?" His voice was smooth, cultured, and at odds with the brutality of his business.

Articus stepped forward, barely containing his growl. His wolf clawed at his insides, demanding release, demanding blood. "You know damn well why I'm here," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous. "Where is she?"

The slaver's smile didn't waver, his composure infuriatingly intact. "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, Alpha. We deal with many... acquisitions here." He spread his hands in a gesture of false helplessness, his eyes glinting with amusement.

In a flash, Articus had Linus by the throat, lifting him off his feet. The slaver's eyes widened in surprise and fear, his mask of confidence finally cracking. "Don't play games with me," Articus snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously, a hint of wolf gold bleeding into them.

" Where. Is. Wren? "

Cassius quickly intervened, placing a firm hand on Articus' arm. "Cousin," he said urgently, his voice low but firm. "Remember what we discussed. Let's handle this civilly." His grip tightened, a silent reminder of what was at stake.

Damn the war!

For a moment, Articus considered ignoring his cousin's plea. The wolf inside him howled for blood, demanding retribution for the fear and pain Wren must have endured. He could feel his canines lengthening, the urge to sink them into the slaver's throat nearly overwhelming.

But the rational part of his mind knew that violence would only make things worse. With a low growl that seemed to vibrate through the room, he released Linus, who stumbled back, gasping for air and clutching at his throat.

"My apologies for my cousin's... enthusiasm," Cassius said smoothly, though his eyes remained hard, chips of ice in his otherwise calm expression. "We're here about the young woman who was recently... reacquired by your organization. Wren Knight. I believe there's been a misunderstanding."

Linus straightened his jacket, his composure quickly returning despite the red marks blooming on his neck. "Ah, yes," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "The rogue bride. Quite the popular item, that one. It's not often we get a chance to resell such high-profile merchandise."

Articus's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his claws finally emerging to dig into his palms. The pain helped him focus, kept him from losing control completely. The casual way this man spoke about Wren as if she were nothing more than a piece of property made his blood boil.

"She is not merchandise," Articus growled, each word dripping with barely contained fury. "She is my mate and the mother of my heir. And you will return her to me immediately." The declaration hung in the air, heavy with implication.

The slaver's eyebrows rose at this declaration, genuine surprise flickering across his features. "Your mate? Well, this is an interesting development." Linus leaned back against his desk, studying Articus with newfound interest. "I was under the impression that the marriage was... shall we say, a business transaction?"

"Things change," Articus bit out, struggling to keep his voice even. The urge to tear this man apart was growing stronger by the second. "Now, I'll ask one more time. Where is she?"

Linus held up his hands in a placating gesture, though the calculating look never left his eyes. "Now, now, there's no need for hostility. We're all businessmen here." He smiled, all teeth and no warmth. "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that satisfies everyone."

Cassius stepped forward, his tone diplomatic but firm. Years of pack politics had honed his negotiation skills, and Articus was grateful for his cousin's steady presence.

"What my cousin means to say is that we're prepared to compensate you for any... inconvenience this situation may have caused. We simply want to resolve this matter quickly and quietly."

Linus’ eyes gleamed with interest, the prospect of profit overriding any lingering fear from Articus' earlier outburst. "Compensation, you say? Well, that certainly changes things." He moved back behind his desk, settling into his chair with the air of a man who knew he held all the cards. "Perhaps we can discuss terms?"

The two men began to negotiate, their voices a low murmur as they haggled over prices and conditions. Articus fought to keep his composure, every muscle in his body tense with the need to act. Every second that passed was another second Wren was in danger, another second his child was at risk.

He wanted nothing more than to tear this place apart until he found her, consequences be damned. The wolf inside him paced restlessly, snarling at the delay, demanding immediate action. Images of Wren, scared and alone, flashed through his mind, fueling his anger and fear.

But he knew that wasn't an option. Not if he wanted to keep the peace between the territories, not if he wanted to ensure Wren's long-term safety.

So he forced himself to stay still, to listen as Cassius and the slaver haggled over the price of his mate's freedom. The idea of having to buy Wren back, as if she were property, made him sick to his stomach.

After what felt like an eternity but was likely only a few minutes, they seemed to reach an agreement. Linus turned to Articus with a shark-like grin, satisfaction oozing from every pore. "Well, Alpha," he said, leaning back in his chair. "It seems today is your lucky day. We've come to a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Articus' eyes narrowed, his patience wearing dangerously thin. "Meaning?" he growled, the single word heavy with threat.

"Meaning," Linus continued, seemingly oblivious to the danger he was in, "that in light of this... unexpected development, and in the interest of maintaining good relations between our respective communities, we're willing to release the girl back into your custody." His smile widened, showing too many teeth. "For a reasonable fee, of course."

"Of course," Articus echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The urge to wipe that smug smile off the slaver's face was almost overwhelming. "And I'm sure that 'reasonable fee' just happens to be significantly more than what I paid initially?"

The slaver's grin widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Consider it a finder's fee. After all, we did go through the trouble of locating and retrieving your... wayward bride." He spread his hands in a gesture of false helplessness. "Expenses were incurred, you understand."

Articus bit back a snarl, his entire body vibrating with barely contained rage. Every instinct screamed at him to rip this smug bastard's throat out, to make him pay for daring to lay hands on what was his. The wolf inside him howled for blood, for vengeance.

But Wren's safety had to come first. He'd deal with the scum another day when Wren and their child were safe.

"Fine," he growled, the word feeling like ash in his mouth. "Name your price."

Cassius handled the financial details while Articus's mind raced. How was Wren? Had they hurt her? Did the slavers know about the baby?

The questions swirled in his head, threatening to drive him mad with worry. He tried to focus on her scent, trying to pick it up among the myriad odors of the warehouse, but there were too many conflicting smells.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Linus nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent," he said, rising from his chair. "I believe our business is concluded. Gentlemen, if you'll follow me?"

They were led through another series of corridors, these ones cleaner and better lit. The contrast was jarring, a reminder of the two-faced nature of this operation—respectable business on one side, unspeakable cruelty on the other.

Articus' heart raced as they approached a nondescript door. He could hear movement inside, the soft sound of breathing. Wren's scent, faint but unmistakable, reached him, and it took every ounce of his control not to break down the door.

The slaver knocked twice before opening it, revealing a sparsely furnished room. And there, curled up on a small cot, was Wren.

Articus' breath caught in his throat, relief and concern warring within him. She looked small and vulnerable, her face pale and drawn. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her clothes were rumpled and dirty. But as her eyes met his, he saw a spark of that fierce spirit he'd come to love.

"Articus?" she whispered, her voice hoarse, as if she hadn't used it in days.

In two long strides, he was at her side, gathering her into his arms. She clung to him, burying her face in his chest as silent sobs wracked her body. He could feel her trembling, could smell the lingering scent of fear and stress on her skin.

"Shh, it's okay," he murmured, stroking her hair, his touch gentle despite the rage still simmering inside him. "I've got you. You're safe now." He pressed his nose to the top of her head, inhaling deeply, letting her scent calm the frantic beating of his heart.

He turned to Linus, his eyes cold and promising retribution. "If I find out you've harmed her in any way..." The threat hung in the air, unfinished but unmistakable.

The man held up his hands, that infuriating smile still in place. "I assure you, Alpha, she hasn't been touched. We take pride in delivering our... merchandise in pristine condition."

He’s asking for it now.

Articus growled low in his throat at the word 'merchandise,' his arms tightening protectively around Wren. But her gentle touch on his arm calmed him, grounding him in the moment. "Let's just go," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please."

He nodded, helping her to her feet. She swayed slightly, and he steadied her, concern flooding through him. They made their way out of the building, Articus keeping a protective arm around Wren, glaring at anyone who dared to look their way. He could feel her leaning heavily on him, exhaustion evident in every line of her body.

At the entrance, Linus extended his hand, that oily smile still in place. "A pleasure doing business with you, Alpha. I trust we won't be seeing each other again?"

Articus stared at the offered hand for a long moment, imagining all the ways he could make this man suffer. But Wren's soft breathing beside him reminded him of what was truly important.

Reluctantly, he shook the man's hand, his grip perhaps a bit tighter than necessary. "No," he said coldly, a promise and a threat wrapped into one word. "We won't."

They walked away, Articus unable to shake the feeling that this wasn't over. The slaver's world was a cancer on their society, one that needed to be cut out. But for now, all that mattered was getting Wren to safety.

They reached Cassius' car, and Articus helped Wren into the backseat before sliding in beside her. Cassius started the engine, the low rumble filling the tense silence. Articus pulled Wren close, inhaling her scent deeply, reassuring himself that she was really here, really safe.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, his eyes roving over her, checking for any visible injuries. "Did they hurt you?"

Wren shook her head, though she winced slightly at the movement. "No, I'm fine," she murmured, her voice still raspy. "They... they didn't do anything to me. Just locked me up." She shuddered, and Articus tightened his hold on her.

Articus felt a wave of relief wash over him, followed quickly by a surge of guilt. This was his fault. If he had been honest with her from the beginning, if he hadn't let his pride and stubbornness get in the way...

I caused this.

"Wren, I'm so sorry," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't—"

She cut him off, placing a finger on his lips. The simple touch sent a jolt through him, a reminder of all they had almost lost. "Don't," she said softly, her eyes meeting his. "We both made mistakes. We need to talk, but... not now. Not here."

He nodded, understanding. There was so much they needed to discuss, so many misunderstandings to clear up. But right now, all that mattered was that she was safe, here in his arms, where she belonged.

They drove away from the warehouse, leaving the dark underbelly of the territories behind. The city lights blurred past the windows, a stark contrast to the darkness they had just escaped.

Articus couldn't help but feel a sense of unfinished business, a nagging feeling that this chapter wasn't truly closed.

He knew that as long as places like that existed, as long as there were those who saw others as nothing more than commodities to be bought and sold, there could never truly be peace between the territories. His wolf growled at the thought, demanding justice, demanding change.

But that was a battle for another day. For now, he had Wren back in his arms, their unborn child safe and sound. And he silently vowed that he would do whatever it took to keep them both safe, to create a world where their child could grow up without fear.

The city lights faded behind them, replaced by the rugged landscape of Cassius's territory. Wren relaxed against Articus, her breathing evening out as she fell asleep, exhausted by the ordeal. He marveled at her strength, at how she could find peace even after all she'd been through.

He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his mind racing with all that had happened. The revelation of her pregnancy, the misunderstanding that had driven her away, the terror of thinking he might lose them both... it was almost too much to process.

But as he held her close, feeling the steady beat of her heart against his chest, Articus knew one thing with absolute certainty—he loved this woman. And he would spend the rest of his life making sure she never doubted that again.

The car wound its way through the darkened streets, carrying them toward Cassius's fortress. Articus gazed out at the passing scenery, allowing himself to hope. Hope for forgiveness, for understanding, for a chance to build the family he never knew he wanted.

There would be explanations to give, wounds to heal, and trust to rebuild. But for now, in this quiet moment with Wren safe in his arms, Articus felt a peace he hadn't known in days.

They approached the imposing gates of Cassius's fortress, the guards quickly recognizing their Alpha and waving them through. Articus gently shook Wren awake as they pulled up to the main entrance.

"We're here," he murmured softly.

She blinked up at him, momentary confusion clouding her features before recognition set in. "Oh," she said softly. "I... I thought it might have been a dream."

The vulnerability in her voice tugged at his heart. "No dream," he assured her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're safe now. I've got you."

He helped her out of the car, keeping a supportive arm around her waist as they made their way into the fortress. The few pack members milling about at this late hour cast curious glances their way, but a warning look from Cassius kept them from approaching.

Abigail and a petite woman with kind eyes and graying hair hurried toward them. "Alpha Cassius," she said, bowing her head slightly. "You're back. Is this—"

"Yes, Elara," Cassius interrupted gently. "This is Wren. She needs medical attention."

The woman—evidently Cassius's pack healer—nodded briskly. "Of course. Follow me, please."

She led them through the winding corridors of the fortress to a well-equipped medical wing. Articus hesitated at the door of the exam room. "Do you want me to stay?" he asked Wren softly.

She bit her lip, indecision clear in her eyes. Finally, she nodded. "Please. I... I don't want to be alone right now."

Relief flooded through him. He took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as Elara began her examination.

The next hour passed in a blur of medical tests and gentle questions. Articus never left Wren's side, offering silent support as Elara confirmed what they already knew—Wren was indeed pregnant, about six weeks along.

"The baby looks healthy," Elara assured them with a warm smile. "And you're in good shape, too, Wren. I'm a bit dehydrated and in need of a good meal, but otherwise, I’m fine. I want you to take it easy for the next few days, though. Your body's been through a lot of stress."

Wren nodded, her hand unconsciously moving to rest on her still-flat stomach. Articus felt a lump form in his throat at the gesture.

Elara finished up, giving them some pamphlets on prenatal care and instructions for follow-up care. Articus finally allowed himself to relax fully. Wren was safe. Their baby was healthy. They had weathered this storm.

But he knew they weren't out of the woods yet. There were still so many things left unsaid between them, so many misunderstandings to clear up.

They left the medical wing, and Articus turned to Wren. "Are you hungry? I could have the kitchen prepare something for you."

She shook her head. "Honestly, I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep in a real bed."

He nodded, understanding. "Of course. Cassius has prepared a room for us."

Cassius led them to a luxurious guest suite, assuring them they were welcome to stay as long as they needed. The room was spacious and comfortable, with a large bed dominating the center.

"Do you want me to run you a bath?" Articus asked, suddenly feeling awkward. "Or I could get you some tea?"

Wren shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Art, stop fussing. I'm okay, really. I just need some sleep."

He nodded, running a hand through his hair. "Right, of course. You take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

But as he turned to go, Wren caught his hand. "Art," she said softly. "Stay. Please."

His heart skipped a beat at her words. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, her eyes meeting his. "I am."