Kent let out an exasperated breath and cast a glance at the slumbering werewolves. But he didn’t do anything.
Celeste arched one eyebrow inquisitively. "I believe I have already explained our purpose here quite clearly. We are not here to harm you or your pack! We just wanna clear up any misunderstandings and, if possible, gain an ally."
"An ally... What's the plan once we're in cahoots? Are we gonna wage war on the hunters? And can you really guarantee that my pack will become mightier once we join forces with yours?" Kent's tone took on a more matter-of-fact air. Gone were the deep, intimate undertones he had with Celeste earlier.
Besides, judging from his tone, it was clear that Kent wasn't about to bow down to their pack. They should be on equal footing, at the very least.
"Yeah. We want you to be our allies so we can work together to get rid of the hunters. Just think of the atrocities they've committed against your pack. If you're yearning for vengeance, why waste your time with Byron when the real culprits are those hunters?" Celeste said, her gaze running across the faces of the rogues in the room.
When Kent said nothing, she continued, "Sure, our pack may be more accustomed to peaceful days, not as nimble and sharp-witted as yours, but we've got the numbers advantage. Them hunters are cunning and sneaky, and you know it. Having an extra ally gives us one more shot at success, don't you think? Ain't revenge something you crave?" Celeste caught a glimmer in Kate's eyes. The lady seemed intrigued by the idea. But Celeste was well aware that the final say belonged to Kent.
"Firstly, I can't be completely certain that what Byron said is true. We'll need to do some proper research to sort things out," Kent stated nonchalantly. "And secondly, even if we were to seek revenge, I think our pack's got enough power. No need for you folks to join in and stir up a ruckus."
Celeste pursed her lips. Well, it looked like forming an alliance wasn't going to be a walk in the park. No way in hell could she sweet-talk Kent into agreeing with just a few words, then.
Plus, she could practically taste the animosity between Kent and Jeremy. And to top it off, Kent had gone ahead and cast another sleep spell on Jeremy. She wondered if Jeremy would wake up fuming, ready to throttle Knet. This was the second time Jeremy had fallen into Kent's spell, after all.
"Okay, fine. I get it. We're not getting an alliance anytime soon. But seriously, do you really want to make more enemies? Why don't we release their magic first?" Celeste said, pointing her finger toward the other snoozing werewolves.
Kent knitted his brows, deep in thought, before turning on his heels and strolling over to Kate. Kate leaned in close and whispered something in Kent's ear. Although Celeste had the sharp hearing of a wolf, their voices were too damn low for her to catch a single word.
In the back of her mind, she wondered if they were plotting to kill them altogether.
Kate occasionally shifted her gaze, making eye contact with Celeste. In response, Celeste mustered up the best damn smile she could manage. Hopefully, it would work as a shield to keep her wolves safe from becoming target practice.
Seizing the brief moment of their hushed discussion, Celeste quickly scanned her surroundings. The doorway was blocked by a bunch of rogues, like a freaking barricade. Even if Celeste could miraculously pull off the magic tricks and break their spells, she wasn't sure if they could dash past those rogues and escape.
It was as if their lives now hung in the balance, completely at the mercy of those rogues. Of those she had talked to and laughed with. Damn, Celeste couldn't help but feel discouraged.
They had barely set foot in this place and hadn't even started their conversation yet, and the rogues sniffed them out like bloodhounds and dragged them here. No wonder Kent wasn't all excited about teaming up.
As Celeste was lost in her thoughts, Kent let out a raspy cough, yanking Celeste back to reality.
"So..." Celeste arched an eyebrow, her anticipation hanging in the air, waiting for Kent's response.
"We ain't gonna team up. That's for sure," Kate said.
No surprises there. But when those words reached Celeste's ears, she couldn't help with the flicker of disappointment dancing across her face.
Kent snapped his fingers and said, "Awake." Celeste's eyes widened as she witnessed the slumbering werewolves stirring, their delicate eyelashes fluttering in the awakening.
Just like that, they were up and about? And there stood Kent, a bona fide werewolf, enchanting right in front of Celeste. The sight was downright bizarre, giving her a peculiar sense of unease. But without wasting a moment, she briskly approached her pack.
Jeremy jolted awake, his eyes widening as they met Celeste's gaze. But the initial surprise soon transformed into bewilderment as he realized he was bound, his nostrils flaring with a mix of irritation as he caught the scent in the air. He swiftly turned his head, pinpointing Kent's exact position with uncanny precision. Baring his teeth at the rogue, he didn't miss a beat, his restrained fury oozing an undiluted intensity.
"What the hell did you drag us into, you son of a bitch!" Jeremy spat out, his voice dripping with rage.
Feeling the tension rise, Celeste soothingly placed her hand on Jeremy's shoulder, trying to ease his simmering frustration.
Kent, seemingly impervious to Jeremy's outburst, didn't spare him a glance. He nonchalantly spun on his heels and strolled toward the exit, leaving the air tinged with a mix of arrogance and defiance.
But as he reached the doorway, he paused and turned back, seemingly recalling something. His eyes met Jeremy's. "You lot can safely skedaddle this time. But mark my words, if you dare set foot on our turf again, things won't be as smooth and dandy as today."
With those parting words hanging in the air, Kent left the place, merging with his rogues in a calculated display of camaraderie.
"Freakin' bastard!" Jeremy bellowed, his words ricocheting off the walls, but it was a futile outburst that dissipated into the air.