?Chapter XXX:


    Twenty minutes crawled by. The throb in Afara’s temple finally dragged him back.


    He let out a low groan, forcing his eyes open.


    That bastard really knew how to swing.


    Afara tried to lift a hand to his forehead, but his limbs wouldn’t budge. Both wrists and ankles were bound tight.


    He let out a low chuckle and nced at the two men lounging across the room on a leather sofa.


    “Tie me up all you want. You’ll never find the one you’re after,” he said with a light, mocking tone, as if he had nothing to fear at all. “Besides, you’re not exactly in a safe spot either,” Afara added.


    Noah’s expression darkened.


    He didn’t have time for this.


    Sadie had been gone for nearly twenty-four hours. Every second that ticked by chipped away at the odds of finding her safe. He had run out of patience.


    “Maybe we’re in danger. Maybe you’re the one about to die,” said Noah. “Either way, you’ll be the first to fall.” The smirk slid from Afara’s face.


    He went quiet.


    There was something about Noah—unpredictable, unhinged.


    “Where’s White Tiger?” Noah asked.


    Afara shrugged. The ropes restricted his movement, but the sarcasm in his posture remained.


    “No clue. White Tiger’s always with the boss. Honestly, he’s kind of dull.”


    Noah stared at him, gaze sharp enough to cut through lies.


    Afara didn’t flinch. He didn’t look like he was bluffing.


    “How do you contact them?” Noah asked.


    Afara paused, then answered, “We don’t, really. Not unless something serious happens here. But man—”


    Find the best stories g?lnσν???s


    He didn’t get to finish. Noah had already lost patience with his ramblings. He had no time to waste.


    He turned to Hurst, his voice cold.


    “Burn it down,” he ordered, his tone final.


    Was this some kind of joke?


    Afara’s eyes widened in stunned confusion.


    He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.


    He couldn’t help wondering if Noah hadpletely lost his mind.


    Hurst had the same thought.


    Setting the ce aze would be the same as daring the Wolfpack to open war.


    Noah offered no exnation as he simply watched Hurst with an unblinking, frostbitten stare.


    For a few seconds, Hurst just stood there, uncertain, before finally letting his head fall in resignation.


    .


    .


    .