Page 26 of BeWolfed

Oscar, already inside as part of the ritual preparations, would sabotage the channeling crystals and create additional confusion at the critical moment. If all went according to plan, we would extract Rose and the others before the ritual reached its culmination, slipping away while the alpha and his supporters dealt with the failing ceremony.

"Remember," Lola cautioned as we prepared to move out, "the alpha isn't himself anymore. Whatever the blood magic has done, whatever entity is working through him—don't expect rationality or mercy."

"We won't engage unless absolutely necessary," Rudy assured her. "This is extraction, not confrontation."

But we all knew that plans rarely survived first contact with reality. Particularly when that reality involved corrupted pack bonds, captive witches, and entities from beyond our world seeking entry through blood magic.

As we moved through the darkened forest toward the quarry, I felt my magic responding to the growing tension, power gathering beneath my skin like an approaching storm. Unlike before the mate bond, this energy flowed in controlled currents, responsive to my will rather than fighting it.

Beside me, Rudy moved with predatory grace, his senses extended to track any approach. Through our bond, I felt his wolf side close to the surface, alert and ready but not frantic or aggressive. Like my magic, his wolf nature seemed more balanced since our bonding, the partnership between man and beast more harmonious.

The southern quarry came into view, its white stone walls ghostly in the darkness. Magical lights glowed at various points around the perimeter, marking guard positions and ritual preparations. In the center of the quarry floor, the seven crystalpillars now pulsed with eerie light, forming a circle around a central dais where a hooded figure stood motionless.

"The alpha," Rudy breathed, his enhanced vision identifying what I could only sense magically—corrupted power radiating from the figure in waves that distorted the air around him.

From our hidden position, we could see other preparations underway. The nine steel cages had been arranged in a precise pattern around the crystal circle, each large enough to hold a shifted wolf. Pack members moved between stations, some setting up magical barriers, others preparing ritual components under the direction of Oscar Katz.

Even at this distance, I could see the careful precision in Oscar's movements, the way he adjusted components in ways that would appear correct to observers, but would subtly undermine the ritual's effectiveness. His infiltration appeared genuine, his sabotage already underway.

"There," Rudy pointed toward the outbuilding we'd identified earlier. Two guards stood outside, their posture alert, but not alarmed. Through a small window, I caught glimpses of movement inside—captives, including Rose.

My heart leapt into my throat. Rose was right there. So close I could almost call to her. I forced myself to stay focused, to stick to the plan despite the desperate urge to rush in immediately.

"Lola's diversion should start any minute," I whispered, checking the time. "Then we move."

As if on cue, howls erupted from the northern edge of the quarry, followed by the distinctive sound of wards being breached. Pack enforcers rushed toward the disturbance, shouting alerts. The ritual preparations paused, attention diverted to the unexpected threat.

"Now," Rudy said. We moved as one, sliding from cover to cover with seeming practiced coordination.

We reached the outbuilding's eastern wall without detection, pressing ourselves against the rough stone as voices argued inside. One of the guards departed, leaving only a single enforcer outside the door.

Rudy caught my eye, a silent question passing through our bond. I nodded, gathering magic for a quick incapacitation spell. As he created a distraction with a thrown stone, I released the spell, watching with satisfaction as the guard slumped silently to the ground.

Inside, we found what we'd feared—seven witches, including Rose, bound to stone chairs with spelled silver chains. Their magic had been partially drained, feeding the crystals in the ritual circle, but they remained conscious, their expressions showing defiance despite their captivity.

Rose's eyes widened when she saw us, recognition followed immediately by concern. "Elowen? What are you—" Her gaze shifted to Rudy. Understanding dawned in her expression. "Of course. The threads Daisy mentioned."

Relief and determination surged through me at the sound of her voice. Despite her weakened state, she was still my Rose—sharp-minded, observant, already connecting pieces of a puzzle I didn't fully understand.

"Explanations later," I murmured, already working to break the containment spell on her chains. "We're getting you all out."

The spell yielded to my magic more easily than expected. As Rose was freed, she immediately moved to help with the others, her own magic weaker than normal, but still effective.

"Oscar?" she asked quietly as we worked.

"In position," Rudy confirmed, keeping watch at the door. "Sabotaging the crystals."

Rose nodded, unsurprised by the information. "Be careful with him. He's more than he appears."

Before I could ask what she meant, shouts from outside indicated our presence had been detected. The diversion had worked longer than expected, but our time was running out.

"We need to move," Rudy urged as the last witch was freed. "Lola's wolves can only hold their attention for so long."

I distributed the restorative potion Oscar had provided, watching as color returned to the witches' faces and their magical auras strengthened. Not to full capacity, but enough to defend themselves if necessary.

"The western exit," Rose directed, moving with surprising strength for someone who had been captive. "There's less ritual activity that way. The pack focused their preparations on the eastern approach."

We moved quickly through the outbuilding, Rose leading the way with the confidence of someone who had studied her prison carefully. The other witches followed, their movements growing steadier as the restorative took effect.

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