Pear pulsed through oute


    op and cold. Why? Who would want su dead?


    I''m the main toget, I answered honestly. You were just... nnfortunate coteral.


    The guilt nearly cubed me, Sophia was in danger because of me because she''d wanted to be my frierid,


    "We need to find a way out, Sophia whispered, determination in her voice surprising me,


    Tint, we need to deal with these chains," I scanned the cell for anything useful.


    ait," Sophia said softly. My hairpin if it''s still theye...


    She awkwardly felt through her tangled hair, her face lighting up when her fingers found a small concealed pin.


    "This isn''t an ordinary hairpin," she exined in a whisper. "It''s a survival gift from my father."


    I took the delicate silver object skeptically. "Looks like a regr hairpin to me,


    "Twist the back end," she instructed. “He careful not to touch the tip."


    I followed her directions, watching as the pin''s end rotated to reveal a tiny spike glowing faintly blur in the moonlight.


    "Moon silver paite, Sophia exined quietly. "A rare herbal mixture that temporarily neutralizes pure silver''s suppressive effects."


    "Not enough to break the locks, but it might weaken their power enough for us to... maybe regain our shifting ability"


    I stared at her with newfound respect. "Seems like the Morgan princess is more prepared than she looks."


    Dad insists we all carry survival tools," she gave a weak smile. "Never thought I''d need to use it in a situation like this."


    ΕΠ


    I carefully applied


    ed the paste to the chains binding Sophia''s wrists first, watching as the angry red burns began to fade. The small amount wouldn''tst long -we''d need to time this perfectly.


    We need a n, I said through our mindlink. Once we weaken the china, we might only have seconds of shifting ability before the silver


    Inch of a fighter, Sophia admitted, shame coloring her thoughts.


    But I are, I repled with fierce determination. You focus on getting free. I''ll handle the guards.


    Sophia studied my face. Why are you helping me? After how piciously my father treated you?


    resteres its effects.


    The question caught me off guard. Because it''s the right thing to do, I answered simply. And because your brother would never forgive me if I let anything happen


    to you


    What I didn''t say-couldn''t admit even to myself-was how the thought of ke suffering the loss of his daughter carved a physical pain in my chest. I might be just an employee to him, but he''d saved my father''s life. I owed him this much.


    They''ll be back soon, I warned, hearing distant footsteps. Get ready. When I give the signal, apply the paste to your chains.


    As the footsteps grew louder, I positioned myself to look semiconscious, watching through barely-opened eyes. My muscles coiled tight despite the silver


    a burn, ready to spring the moment opportunity presented itself.


    For Lucas, Sophia''s voice floated through pur link. And for my father,


    For both our families, I agreed, steeling myself for what wasing.


    1/31


    The door wing open. Our ment was approaching.


    Third Person POV


    Night had fallen deep and hegy across Sharlow Creek territory as Jackson paced restlessly in his quarters. Ever since his chance encounter with Ava and Steven at Moonlight Lodge, he''d been obsessively tracking Ava''s movements. When Benck, his right-hand man, informed him that everything was arranged, a cold smile had twisted his lips.


    Jackson''s lips curled into a predatory smile as he imagined how perfectly his scheme would y out. The fake kidnapping would break down Awa''s stubbern resistance once and for all


    His body tensed with anticipation at the thought of her submitting to him again- her fierce spirit finally crushed, those defiant green eyes looking up at him with the fear and respect he deserved. The mark on her neck will ze bright again, resturing what should have always been his


    By day, he''d be Sephia''s perfect fiance, enjoying the privileges of being connected to the Morgan bloodline and securing his position as Shadow Creek''s next Alpha. By night, he''d have Awa waiting in the shadows, his personal ything, a secret that would make his victory that much sweeter.


    Tonight was crucial for his ns. Everything needed to be perfectly timed-Sophia safely tucked away at ckwood Manor, ware and unsuspecting, while he yed savion to Ava. He needed to verify his fiancée''s whereabouts before proceeding to the "rescue" location.


    Jackson closed his eyes, attempting to establish a mindlink with Sophia


    "Sophia, where are you? Answer me," he pushed through the link.


    When only silence answered, he frowned, concentrating harder, forcing more power into the connection. Still nothing.


    "Strange," he thought, brow furrowing. "She never ignores my links."


    Truth be told, he didn''t genuinely care where Sophia was, but her unusual silence triggered his cautious instincts. He decided to head to ckwood Manor personally, ensuring his "Hancée'' hadn''t discovered anything she shouldn''t know


    Jackson shifted into his wolf form, powerful muscles carrying him swiftly toward Silverprak territory. As he ran, he decided to check in with Brock through mindlink, venlying the kidnapping details.


    "Is Ava safe?" his mental voice was sharp. "Don''t tell me you''ve hurt her."


    "Uh, Mr. Hayes, about that. Brock''s besitation was immediately evident.


    Jackson skidded to a halt, rage boiling through him so intensely he nearly lost his wolf form.


    "Spit it out!'' he demanded.


    "We didn t capture her, sir. We went to the hunting ground border as agreed, but nobody was there. We thought you''d changed your mind...


    Brock was lying through his teeth. Every word that passed through their mindlink dripped with deception. He''d orchestrated his own deadly n behind Jackson''s back, driven by his obsession with Serena Evans. The thought of presenting Ava''s wolf Eang ne to Serena made his pulse quicken with anticipation. She would finally notice him when he eliminated her most hated rival.


    *If everything''s gone ording to n," Brock thought to himself, "that warrior bitch should be dead by now, Just need to stall Hayes a bit longer, and my men can finish the job and dispose of the body."


    What Brock genuinely didnt know was that Sophia had been with Ava. His hired wolves had been instructed to target Ava alone, not the Murgan princes Had he known Sophia was involved, he would nevel have risked it. In this, at least, he wasn''t lying tockson,


    What the hell are you talking about?" Jackson shared. "My instructions were crystal cleart"


    "We did receive your message..." Brock continged cautiously, "but when we arrived, she was nowhere to be found. We waited a long time, then left."


    Brock continued weaving his deception, while privately worrying about a more pressing concern-what would happen if Hayes discovered the truth? He needed to ensure the task waspleted and all evidence destroyed. For now, though, be could only keep stalling.


    "Tell me the exact location!" Jackson demanded.


    After severing the connection,ckann continued his journey with heightened anxiety. If his men hadnt kidnapped Ava, then who had? Why wasn''t Sophia responding to him? Could these two situations be connected?


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