Chapter 181: How Far Draven Would Go
Meredith.
The low echoes of whispers were still crawling across the warehouse walls when, from somewhere near the centre, a young man stepped out. His voice was tight at first, then steadier as he faced Draven.
"Alpha... what if we use one of us as bait?" he suggested. "Let them take me. We can track where they’re taking us, find out what the humans are doing to our people."
My breath caught. Around me, I felt the ripple of unease—the idea was reckless, terrifying, yet strangely brave.
Draven’s gaze landed on him, dark and unblinking. For a few heavy seconds, he didn’t speak. The air between them felt like it could snap.
"No," Draven said at last, voice low but firm enough to cut through the crowd.
The young man’s throat bobbed, but he didn’t back down.
Draven’s tone hardened. "I will not sacrifice anyone unless we have no choice. The situation hasn’t called for it—yet."
Silence pressed on us, the kind that made the warehouse feel colder than before. Draven’s gaze swept over everyone, his eyes shadowed under the harsh overhead light, unreadable.
Then he spoke again, softer this time, but each word carrying the weight of command. "Those of you who have faced near abduction recently—raise your hands."
One by one, about ten hands lifted. I recognized a few: the woman whose child had nearly been taken, the man who had spoken earlier. Faces drawn tight with remembered fear.