---- 391.


    SAFE REFUGE KATHERINE Ina matter of seconds, Elliot had his arms wrapped around us, pressing us protectively against his broad chest.


    "Kath, we dont have time to lose.


    Theyre going to cut the bridge.


    Lavinia will be fine, trust me, my love, trust me.


    Dont be afraid of that lycanhes my wolf, and he loves you with all his being.


    We both do," he confessed urgently, caressing my tear-streaked cheek.


    The bridge was still vibrating.


    It seemed those wretched women hadnt reached the other side yet.


    There was no time for romanceonly survival.


    I nodded, trusting him with our lives.


    I did everything he told me.


    I was no longer afraid of the beast behind the man.


    "No matter if you choke me, dont let go of my back for anything in the world!" he roared, his voice already shifting.


    "Yes, yes! Just hold onto Lavinia tight, please!" I begged, climbing onto him, my legs wrapped around his waist, my hands nearly strangling him by the neck.


    I felt his body shifting beneath megrowing, doubling in strength, his skin sprouting thick fur...


    What?! He was shifting on the bridge! It wouldnt hold! As I experienced one of the strangest moments of my life, our enemies were nearly at the other side.


    ---- see ALEXIA "Come on, daughter, were almost there! Hurry, Alexia!" I heard my mothers shouts as if from far away.


    I moved on instinct, dark shadows blurring my vision.


    Only raw hatred kept me going, pushing out thest scraps of strength I had left.


    To take even a fraction of revenge for what they had done to me.


    That precious daughter of hers wasnt worth what I had lost today.


    I still remembered the de slicing my fleshmy hands, my tongue.


    The unbearable pain, the tears, the desperate screams, the agony.


    Thad lost so much blood I didnt even know how I was still standing.


    Thad drifted in and out of consciousness for hours.


    Maybe it was survival instinct.


    Hoping for a tomorrow where I could take my revengea tomorrow that seemed more impossible with every step.


    My mothers screams didnt matter.


    I was at my limit.


    And when the bridge began to sway like a swinging rope, creaking dangerously, my soul could only ept that this was truly the end.


    ---- "RUN, ALEXIA! NO, NO, SHES GOING TO COLLAPSE THE BRIDGE, RUN, DAMN IT!" she shrieked, yanking at me in desperation.


    My feet tangled over themselves, and I fell hard, face-first onto the nks.


    Some broke away, and I sobered up at the sight of my head dangling over the void.


    Below, the predators were already emerging, hungry, waiting to tear apart whatever fell into their jaws.


    "T''m sorry, daughter, Im so sorry..." "Mother," I sobbed internally as I heard her footsteps running leaving me behind.


    She saved her own life.


    Thad sacrificed mine.


    1 abandoned the man I loved, seduced one I despised, all for the so called well-being of our familyfor the sake of climbing the socialdder, selling my soul in the process.


    And just as the bridge split in two with a deafening crack that shattered the night, just like my body, I felt myself plummet into the abyss.


    Theard a scream nearby, along with the wind howling in my ears.