<b>Skye’s </b>POV
I never thought I’d willingly action to Gravestone Pack territory. Yet here I was, seated beide Adnan in his Stivan
The fear that had consumed me during my pipe was g
<b>Every </b>bump in the road sent pain shooting through m will healing injuries, each twinge feeding the fury heilding Inside me.
My mind kept reying that moment in our prison cell – Nadia’s unwavering eyes at the look the poisoned coffee meant for me, her body convulsing on the wone took effect<b>. </b>
1 promised I’de back for you, I thought fi
fiercely. I won’t let you down
Adrian’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his face mask of forcedposure. Though he maintained the illusion of surrender, his scent betrayed him–ocean spray tinged with the metallic ege of burely controlled violence.
The two <b>warriors </b>in the back seat remained silent, their tension filling the vehicle like a physical presence.
“Remember.” Adrian <b>said </b>quietly as Kane’spound came into view, “this is just a dying tactic. Keep hi
him talking. Give Ryder’s team time to locate and extract Nadia:
“I know.“I nodded, adjusting the cor of my jacket to hide the worst of my bruises.
<b>Guards </b>met us at the gate–twice as many as I’d seen during my captivity,
They searched us thoroughly for weapons before escorting us <b>into </b>the main building.<fndc22> The source of th?s content is Find?Novel</fndc22>
Kane awaited us in what appeared to be a formal conference room. He sat at the head of a massive stone table, a self–satisfied smile ying acts his lips. Ten fully armed warriors lined the walls, their <b>hands </b>resting on their weapons–a clear message that we were outmatched.
Adrian!” Kane rose, arms spread in mock wee. And the silver–haired escape artist herself. He turned to me, slow apuse punctuating his words. “Slipping away <b>from </b>under my very pose I truly underestimated you<b>.</b>”
My <b>hands </b>curled into fists, nails digging into my palms <b>as </b>I fought to maintain myposure. The bruises on my body seemed to throb in time with my elerating heartbeat,
“We brought the surrender documents,” Adrian stated tly, cing <b>a </b>leather folder on the table. “As agreed.”
Kane made no move to examine them. Instead, he circled the table slowly, predatory eyes never leaving us
“You know, I’m genuinely surprised. I expected more resistance from the great Alpha Adrian.” He paused behind my chair, his proximity making my skin crawl. Though I suppose even the noblest woll will bend when his Beta’s life is at stake.”
Adrian’s jaw clenched, but his voice remained steady. “The documents areprehensive. Full surrender of Oasisborn territory, resources, and infrastructure. Once signed<b>, </b><b>it’s </b>binding and inevocable ording to werewolfw.”
“So eager to proceed” Kane finally took the folder, leafing through the pages with deliberate slowness. “But as they say, the devil is in the details.
He pointed to a paragraph on the third page. “You’ve neglected to specify a timeline for evacuation. <b>His </b><b>smile </b>widened, ivealing too <b>sharp </b>teeth. “Leta remedy that, shall we? I’m a generous host–11 give you three days to <b>vacate </b>my new property.”
“Three days?‘ Adrian’sposure cracked slightly. “That’s impossible. We need time to find <b>new </b>territory, to relocate our pack members safely.”
Kane shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “Not my problem. Or did you n to continue squatting on mynd while you search for a new home?”
“Two weeks.” Adrian countered. The minum time needed to evacuate without endangering our most vulnerable members.”
<b>1/3 </b>
“Three days, Kane repeated, voice hardening. Or your fete bes a permanent resident. He lined one of his warriors. <b>Add </b>the three day GI the agreement,”
1 watched Adrian’s threat work <b>as </b><b>he </b>swallowed his pride. Each concession seemed to physically pain him, yet he nodded atfy.
“Fine. Three days. But we release Nadia now, as originally agreed.”
Kaneughed a sound like broken ss. ‘Such i neet Nadia will be released when pret pack has fully evacuated. Consider it insurance against way –
second thoughts,”
Adrian sorged to his feet, any bleeding through his carefully maintained facade. “That wasn’t our arrangement. You promised her release upon signing the Agreement.”
“Did 17” Kane’s eyes gleamed with malicious pleasure. “Thow careless of
“You pave your word,” I interjected, <b>unable </b>to remain silent any longer.
“And I’m a man of my word<b>,</b><b>” </b><b>Kane </b>replied smoothly. “Tell you what–Ill provide <b>a </b>good faith deposit.” He gestured to a warrior near the door. “Show
The man moved to a control panel on the wall, activating arge screen 1 hadn’t noticed before. The disy flickered to life, -the same dungeon where Nadia and I had been imprisoned.
ealing a dimly lit stone cell
My heart stopped.
<b>Nadia </b>was chained to the wall, ber arms stretched above her <b>head</b>. A gag covered her mouth, but her eyes burned with defiant fury despite her obvious weakness. Blood and bruises covered every visible inch of her skin, yet she held herself with the dignity of a true Beta.
Adrian <b>lunged </b>across the table, seiring Kane by the cor in one swift movement. “You promised she wouldn’t be harmed!”
Kane didn’t flinch, <b>his </b><b>smile </b>never wavering “Careful, Adrian, My warriors will treat your Beta exactly as you treat me.”
On
the screen, as if on cue, a hulking <b>warrior </b>grabbed Nadia by her hair, mming her head against the stone wall with brutal force. Blood sttered against the gray stone <b>as </b>she slumped in her chains, momentarily stunned by the impact.
“STOP” I screamed, tears springing unbidden to my eyes. “Please, stog
Adrian released Kane immediately, his hands trembling <b>with </b>suppressed rige. Our warriors shifted behind us, their eyes glowing red <b>as </b>they fought their wolves instinct to shift and attack.
straightened his cor with exaggerated care. “Much better. Now, shall we continue our civilized negotiation!”
Something inside me broke at that moment. The pain, rage, and humiliation crashed together in a losic wave. I’d been so proud of escaping, so determined to rescue Nadia–and here we were, still dancing to Kane’s tune, helpless to <b>stop </b>his cruelty.
On the screen, Nadia’s eyes <b>found </b>the camera<b>. </b>Though blood trickled down her face, her gaze remained unbroken, fierce and proud. Even now, she refused to surrender her dignity.
I met her eyes through the screen, a silent promise passing between us. Hold on. We’reing for you.
Kane returned to his seat, picking up a pen with theatrical <b>fair</b>.
“Now, let’s finalize our agreement, shall we? <b>Three </b><b>days </b>to vacate, and your Beta remains my <b>guest </b>until the handover isplete.”
Adrian’s eyes met mine, a silent message passing between us. Time. We needed to buy more time for Ryder’s team to find Nadia.
“We need to docuss the details, Adrian said, pis voice steadying <b>as </b>he regained control. “faventory <b>lists</b>, water rights, boundary markers–”
“Of course,” Kane pumed<b>, </b>settling into his hair like a satisfied cat. “By all means, let’s be thorough. We have all day.”
As they began discussing technicalities, <b>I kept </b>my eyes fixed on the screen showing <b>Nadia </b>
23
Just hold on a little longer, Nadia, I thought firerly. We won’t leave without you.