Chapter 379
Chapter 379 Two Choices
Third–person POV
Finished
Hudson thought to himself. Aubrey’s life was literally in his hands–what was there to fear?
So he moved Aubrey to the right, and when Cado saw they hadn’t fled but instead drew nearer, he studied them with a puzzled look.
When they reached the spot, Hudson gritted his teeth and shouted, “If you want her, fine–let’s make a deal!”
Cado’s instincts told him something was off, so he didn’t answer rashly. Hudson’s taut voice came again. “Have all your men change back to human form and drop your silver pistols! As long as I walk away alive, I’ll hand Aubrey over to you!”
Cado snorted coldly and said nothing.
Hudson kept up the threat. “Hurry up, or I’ll kill her!”
Cado didn’t want to bother with him, but Hudson was unstable now; he wasn’t willing to act recklessly while Aubrey was still in Hudson’s grip. Killa’s orders were clear: capture Aubrey alive.
Whatever–Hudson wasn’t their primary target anyway. Letting him go probably didn’t matter that much. With that thought, Cado agreed.
Aubrey’s lips curved faintly; Hudson’s voice turned grim as he ordered, “Have your people come out and gather on the open ground near me. I don’t trust any of you sneaking an attack!”
Hearing that, Cado’s sense of unease deepened. He looked at the ground–there were lots of dry grasses, but some patches looked disturbed. He gave a signal to his trusted men and murmured, “Don’t step on the turned–over patches. Come closer to me.”
“Yes.”
Seventeen or eighteen of Cado’s still–living werewolves snapped to alertness and closed ranks, slowly approaching the spot where Aubrey stood.
Seeing the circle tighten, Hudson grew fearful and lowered his voice to ask Aubrey, “I’ve called them out–what exactly do you intend to do?!”
Aubrey tilted her body slightly and replied with a taunt, “Are you scared?”
“Bullshit!” Hudson spat, though his hand still trembled faintly.
Chapter 379 Two Choices
Aubrey shook her head and didn’t dwell on his reply. “You have two choices now.”
Finished
“First: keep me restrained and retreat step by step. These people want me–if you leave from the rear, they won’t be interested in you until they catch me. After that, you’re on your own.”
Hudson fell silent. Behind him was one of the exits from the fishing grounds; if he moved fast, he might get away from these people, but Aubrey wouldn’t be his anymore.
“Second: stay and watch me take them out. But in the chaos, you’d be hard–pressed to walk away unscathed…”
In that instant Hudson was torn.
Aubrey’s meaning was clear: run and lose everything, or stay and risk losing even his life.
On the other side, seeing them whispering, Cado urged warily, “Hudson, it’s time–give her to me.”
Those words spun Hudson’s thoughts further into disorder.
He knew that although Cado’s men had returned to human form and set down their weapons, they could shift back into wolf form in under ten seconds. Escape would be impossible if he tried to run with Aubrey. But to surrender Aubrey as a bargaining chip felt intolerable.
“Decide, Mr. Lynn.” Aubrey’s calm voice made sweat bead on Hudson’s forehead–run or stay?
Running would at best buy him temporary survival.
Staying, with Aubrey in hand, seemed to carry less immediate risk; he’d already thrown everything into this moment–if he gave up now, he’d be left with nothing.
Hudson ground his teeth and barked, “Cut the crap. You said you could kill them–stop stalling and do it!”
A flicker of pity crossed Aubrey’s eyes. “You really are pathetic.”