<h4>Chapter 327: 327-Tension Between The Crusaders</h4>


    <strong>Clementine:</strong>


    It was pretty crazy that the three of my mates led us straight to the ce where I knew Oriana was.


    But it didn’t make sense to me why she would go out of her way to hide in a subway station.


    For a brief moment, I wondered if it was her way of trying to portray me as a danger.


    But when I arrived, it didn’t seem like she was alone there.


    As soon as I realized she was either being held captive or something else was going on, I decided to get inside.


    However, these safe ces were built so securely that not even a monster could enter unless the door or windows were left open.


    Getting inside was going to be a difficult task.


    We began to ponder what to do next. The three alphas, for some reason, were agitated to save her, but they weren’t acting recklessly.


    That honestly upset me, because knowing them, if they’d known one of the crusaders needed help, they would’ve gone crazy for it.


    But the fact that they couldn’t, it made me realize they were probably under some sort of spell, maybe one cast by Oriana herself.


    And since she was held captive, she wasn’t able to get help.


    "Okay, whoever’s inside, open the fucking door, because we’re not leaving this ce! We’ll stand outside and wait for you to get tired and open it, even if it takes twenty years, or eternity!" I yelled in desperation, my fists clenched.


    Everyone else went silent.


    Then I banged on the door again, angrily.


    "And if you think I’ll give up, you’re so fucking wrong! You don’t know me yet! So either open the fucking door, or just die in there!" I threatened and sat down in front of the door, cross-legged.


    Everyone there knew how stubborn I was. If I sat in front of the door, no one would be able to move me.


    After a minute or two, I heard the door unlock.


    My body tensed, and I stood up straight, my fingers tightening around my knife. When the door opened, well, what do you know, it was Joshua on the other side.


    "Joshua?" I blurted.


    The boys instantly tried to rush past him, but Joshua spread his arms, stopping them.


    "Joshua, what’s going on? Do you have Oriana in there with you?" I asked in disbelief.


    He started nodding, and everyone gasped.


    "Did you kidnap one of us?" Mira wondered.


    The way Joshua turned to re at her made me snap my fingers in front of his face.


    "Hey, talk to me," I told him, not wanting him to throw a tantrum at my squadmates.


    Mira immediately ced her hand on my back to show her support, silently acknowledging the small things I did for the team.


    "Yes, I have her with me," Joshua began, "but before you all attack me, just listen to why I had her with me."


    He hurried to exin himself after realizing how everyone reacted to the fact that Oriana was with him.


    "What exnation could you possibly give," I challenged, "other than being interested in whatever power she has to control my squadmates?"


    I didn’t stutter once as I used him directly. I knew that was the reason he had her.


    Why else would he abduct her?


    I had seen the glint in his eyes ever since he discovered that she possessed some kind of power and now she was controlling the alphas.


    "Okay, you guys are all pushing a narrative against me," Joshuained. "She came downstairs, scared of Clementine, and opened the door, running outside. I, being a decent person, went after her, not only to help her, but also because my squadmates were trying to keep the fleshmingos from getting in. That’s how we ended up out there. Then I grabbed her because I realized she had put everyone’s life in danger, and she was going to control the alphas to kill the rest of you."


    Joshua’s voice rose as he tried to take control of the narrative.


    "So yeah, if anyone should be med for it, it’s Clementine. Why did you attack her? You made her open the door! What if someone had died?"


    He paused briefly, scanning the room to make sure everyone was still there, then went onining.


    "Oh, shut the fuck up. Clementine didn’t do any of that, it was you. You were the one interested in that magical thing," Renee snapped, letting him know that everyone was done being manipted.


    "Well, fine, maybe she didn’t do anything if that’s what you believe," Joshua retorted. "But Oriana left the door open, and we went after her." He took a deep breath before continuing.


    "Well, all you had to do was shut the door," I countered. "If you knew she could control alphas and had that kind of power, you should’ve let her be. Or at least one of you could’ve gone after her while the others locked the door. Don’t you think so?"


    "What the fuck is wrong with you guys?" he yelled. "Fine, we made a mistake, but it was Oriana. And yes, I captured her so we could finally find out what she’s up to. And let me tell you something, she confessed to having some kind of magical jewelry she’s been using to control these three idiots!"


    Joshua pointed at the three, and for the first time during the conversation, I felt my heartbeat falter. Everyone else seemed just as stunned.


    "What?" Renee whispered from behind me, her shock evident.


    "That’s what I’m talking about!" Joshua shouted. "And you all thought I did this because I wanted power. But yes! it’s true. I don’t think we are safe with that magical thing being in her control."


    At this point, it was frustrating. Everyone started exchanging nces, and I could tell some of them were beginning to agree with him.


    "Where is she now?" I demanded.


    He finally stepped aside and pointed inside. The three alphas rushed past him immediately.


    "Who else is with you? Do you have Jack and Nate?" I pressed.


    Joshua sighed and pointed toward the back again.


    "Jack’s there, but we lost our friend on the way." He hesitated before adding quickly, "I mean, he took off. I’m not sure where he is."


    We stood there in silence as the other three untied Oriana. When she walked out, she instantly grabbed Joshua by the cor.


    "You fucking kidnapped me!" she shouted furiously.


    By now, we already knew he had confessed to it.


    "And you fucking used some magical jewelry to control my squadmates!" I yelled at her, grabbing her by the back of the head and forcing her to face me.


    My squadmates flinched and squared up against me, ready to fight me for her.