Reclaimed By My Alpha (Natalia and Andrei) novel Chapter 284

Chapter 284

“Take her back to Moonshadow,” I ordered as they gagged her mouth with a piece of cloth. “Put her in the cells. Double the guard this time. And give Henry the cash I promised for his help,”

Lilith’s face paled at the mention of the guard I’d instructed to help her escape when she inevitably asked, but she remained silent and let them lead her away.

Once they were gone, I turned my attention to the cave system. I had come all this way–there might be information here that could help us.

So I made my way deeper into the caves. They were mostly empty save for a few stragglers; whatever society that had been here when Lilith was here had obviously moved on, leaving behind the few who refused to leave- or who were ordered to stay.

That was a blessing and a curse. It would be easier to search with fewer rogues around, but it also meant that the important evidence–assuming there ever was any–might be gone.

Taking care not to be spotted by the few night owls who were wandering around drunkenly, I searched methodically, checking every corner, every crevice. Most of what I found was worthless–old clothes, rusted weapons, half–rotten food.

But in one of the smaller chambers, which appeared to be a small cache of random loot like satchels of jewelry and a few expensive art pieces, I found what I was looking for.

A leather satchel containing what looked like a bundle of maps and letters.

I didn’t take the time to look. I just slung the satchel over my shoulder and slipped out of the chamber, taking care not to trip over everything. I’d spent enough time here, so I decided to just take the satchel and get the hell

out.

I was so absorbed in wondering what my find might reveal that I almost didn’t hear the footsteps approaching the chamber entrance. Almost.

Holding my breath, I pressed myself against the wall.

“-told you someone was here,” a gruff voice was saying. “The scent is fresh.”

“Almost smells like Erik’s scent,” another voice replied. “But he’s supposed to be in Bloodmoon territory.”

“But there’s another scent, too. Maybe he didn’t come alone? Erik?”

“Shh!” the other rogue snapped. “If it’s not him, you just alerted an intruder!”

“Oh, shit…”

While the rogues bickered amongst themselves, I pressed myself against the tunnel wall, barely breathing. Damn knife and Erik’s blood crusted into the handle. I should have cleaned it better before coming here, but how was I supposed to know that this used to be that rogue’s old stomping grounds?

It was then that I noticed that there was a small opening in the tunnel wall behind me–barely large enough for a person to squeeze through. I had no idea where it led, but it was better than being caught.

Chapter 284

+25 Bonus

I slipped through the opening just as light from a torch began to flicker down the tunnel.

The passage was narrow and twisted, forcing me to crawl on my hands and knees. The satchel made it even more difficult, but I couldn’t risk leaving it behind.

After what felt like hours but was probably only a few agonizing minutes, I saw moonlight ahead. The passage opened onto a steep slope covered in loose rocks and scrub. I crawled out and immediately started making my way down the slope, moving as carefully as possible to avoid starting a rockslide that would give away my position.

Behind me, I could hear shouts coming from the cave. They’d discovered the missing items from the cache.

I reached the bottom of the slope and broke into a run, clutching the satchel against my chest. I had no idea if the information inside would actually be useful, but there was no leaving it behind now.

Thankfully, I managed to slip into the night unseen and unscathed.

Chapter 286