*****Jace''s POV*****


    I watched Erika exit the room, her departure leaving me deep in thought. I knew that the revtion of the mastermind being a woman still lingered in her mind, stirring a mix of surprise and intrigue. With a heavy sigh, I settled back on the bed, my body craving rest as I awaited Kat''s return with the photos.


    Closing my eyes, I hoped to find sce in a moment of peace. Instead, memories of past torment and suffering flooded my mind, unwee and vivid. The weight of the past pressed down on me, stealing the sleep I longed for. Another sigh escaped me as I opened my eyes, the turmoil within refusing to grant me respite.


    Just then, a knock came at the door.


    "Come in." The door was pushed open and Kat walked in finally with the pictures.


    As she gazed at me with a mix of worry and curiosity, she asked, "How are you holding up, Jace?"


    I sighed at the questions everyone keep asking me since today, then mustered a small smile and replied, "I''m hanging in there, thanks for asking."


    She returned the smile.


    Reaching out for the photos, I could sense her hesitation before she handed them to me. The images felt cool to the touch.


    With a deep breath, I started examining them, hoping to find the missing link that would bring rity to Tasyra''s abduction.


    Kat sighed heavily and muttered, "You have no idea how stubborn Erika can be. It was like pulling teeth to get her to hand over these photos." She continued to sigh intermittently as she watched me examine the images, her impatience evident in her bodynguage.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle at her dramatics and teasingly said, "Well done, love. Your persuasive skills are truly impressive." Her pout turned into a proud smile as she watched me go through the photos.


    My attention went back to the photos.


    I was carefully sifting through the photos in my hands, my gaze lingering on each image. When I reached the one of Tasyra blindfolded, my attention was drawn to a symbol in the background. The symbol sparked a memory, reminding me of the ce where I had been held captive during my own traumatic incident.


    Calling Kat over, I gestured towards the symbol in the photo. "Kat, take a look at this. That symbol... it''s from where I was taken," I shared, my voice tinged with recognition. As Kat approached, I exined the significance of the symbol.


    "Kat, I''m sure of it. The same people who took me, they''re the ones who took Tasyra too," I muttered, running a hand through my hair in recognition. Fuck! Tasyra was In big trouble.


    "Are you sure?" Kat asked as she took another nce at the pictures again, biting her lip as she watched the symbol again.


    "The symbols, the whole setup... it''s too simr to be a coincidence. We need to act fast and figure this out before it''s toote."


    "We? You''re going to risk yourself to save Tasyra?" She asked with a deep frown and I sighed. I never thought about this part. The part where they would never let me save Tasyra.


    "Look Kat...."


    "No, I won''t look at anything. Before I brought these photos to you, I thought about it and something told me you would most definitely try to be the hero again. I won''t let that happen until you''re perfectly fine."


    I knew she was just as stubborn as Erika, but we really needed to help Tasyra. I know how dangerous those people are and what they might do to talk more Tasyra who is a spoiled brat.


    I sighed, my eyes zing with determination as I tried again to convince Kat that I was fine and ready to take action. "Kat, I''m fine. We need to save Tasyra now," I insisted, my voice firm and resolute.


    However, Kat still didn''t shudder. She shook her head, refusing me instantly, "Jace, you''re not fully recovered yet. We can''t rush into this. You need time to heal."


    Despite her words, I still persisted, she wasn''t the only hard person here, my urgency was even more palpable. "We really can''t wait. Tasyra''s in danger," I urged.


    "You can''t risk your own life just to save someone else" she growled, my wolf finding it adorable.


    "Please Kat, please"


    She stared at me for a split second and shook her head. "You need to recover first." Anger began to build in me as I heard her words. Why were all the women in my life this stubborn?


    meas


    "Katrina, look at me." I ordered and she turned to look into my eyes.


    "If you love me as you im, then you would say yes." I didn''t care if I was being too demanding. I wasn''t into Tasyra, I was only doing this for her Gridshade''s sake.


    Finally, after much hesitation, Kat relented, "Fine, Jace. In one week, we''ll n an escape for Tasyra. But you have to promise me you''ll take care of yourself first."


    I sighed thankfully and nodded immediately. "Yes, I''ll take care of myself.


    She smiled thinly and nodded.


    "I''ll make sure of that. Promise also...."


    Ha! Women!


    "That you''ll let me be part of this mission." I blinked at that.


    "You want to join?" I asked and she gave a nod. I smiled thinly at her words.


    Kat was really wonderful.


    "Alright, you''ll be part of it, but when I say it''s enough, then it''s enough. Got it?" I asked and she smiled, giving a nod as well.


    I sighed and leaned back into bed, still staring at that particr symbol at Tasyra''s back. It was indeed the same ce that I was taken to, back then. Tasyra was in a big mess with those hoodlums.


    “I''ll go return the photos now, then I''ll stay with Rika and Pa for a while." She


    said suddenly and stood up. I handed the photos back to her and nodded.


    She turned around to leave, but before she could walk out of the room, I stopped


    her.


    "Kat!"


    She turned.


    "No matter what, don''t tell Erika about all this nning, alright?"


    "Alright." With that, she left the room.