Chapter 50 A Trade For Your Safety


    The moment Theresa yanked the item straight from Lucas’ grasp, a flicker of intrigue passed through his gaze. Her reflexes were sharp as lightning, and her power was far beyond the ordinary. Clearly, she’s no mere bystander. She’s something else entirely. Without another word, heposed himself, swept a sharp nce over his team, and gave the order. “We’re done here. Pack up-time to move out!”


    “Got it!” Without dy, Graham and the squad sprang into action, slinging their packs over their shoulders and readying for departure. Lucas’ eyes finallynded on Kyle, who remained rooted to the spot, unmoving. “Kyle?” he called, his voice edged withmand. “Why are you still here?”


    Before Kyle could speak, Graham—already geared up-cut in quickly. “He’s noting, Lucas. He’s off


    the roster!”


    Dave, newly recovered and brimming with energy, added, “He’s Her Majesty’s property now!” Lucas’ expression hardened, a shadow of confusion creasing his brow.


    Sebastian stepped in to exin. “To pull you out alive, Kyle made a trade-himself, for your safety. Ms. Hall took the deal.”


    B


    “If she hadn’t taken a liking to him right then and there, none of us would’ve walked out of there,” Malcolm remarked grimly.


    “Can’t argue with that,” Victor chimed in with a nod. With every word Lucas heard, his disbelief mounted. The lines on his brow carved deeper with each passing second.


    Then, without warning, Kyle reached into his pocket and produced his military badge. “Lucas, I won’t be rejoining the unit.” Lucas’ desperate shout echoed through the air. “Kyle, Special Forces, C1 Unit!”


    Kyle stood ramrod straight, raised his hand, and delivered a sharp salute, unwavering. Lucas’ gaze sharpened, his tone heavy withmand. “You’re still under my g. I’m ordering you back!”


    And just who do you think you’remanding, huh? He answers to me these days,” Theresa shot back, stepping in with fire in her voice.


    Turning to face her, tone restrained but unyielding, he responded, “Ms. Hall, I won’t forget what I owe you That debt will be settled. But I’m not leaving anyone behind. Not a single one!


    She crossed her arms, her stance just as firm. “And I don’t part with mine either-not for anyone!”


    ‘Gleamstones! A hundred!” His voice cut through the air like a de, cold and unyielding. “Not a chance,” came the firm reply. He tried again. “One thousand!” She scoffed, “No amount will make a difference!” The air crackled with the intensity of their standoff, but then Kyle stepped forward, his voice steady. “Lucas, I’m here by my own decision.” His eyes locked with Lucas, unflinching, full of determination. Lucas stared back, just as resolute.


    The bond between the members of their special forces team was beyond words. Before the world plunged into chaos, they had been the elite unit, tackling the most perilous assignments-defending borders, executing covert missions abroad, andunching surprise strikes. Lucas wasn’t just their leader-he was the one who had led them through fire and blood, time and again—shielding their homnd, charging into the jaws of death, and carrying the whole team to glory.


    To them, he was the unshakable foundation-someone they trusted without hesitation, followed without question. And in return, he had vowed never to leave a single soul behind, no matter how dire the situation. But here and now, that promise was being tested. After the silence stretched between them like a drawn wire, Lucas finally broke it. “This is what you really want?”


    Kyle answered without hesitation. “I’ve made up my mind, Lucas!” Without another word, Lucas reached out and epted the military badge from his outstretched hand. “I’ll hold on to this. If the road ever leads you back, you’ll have a ce waiting.” Something shifted behind Kyle’s eyes-an emotion unspoken, buried deep-but the fire in them didn’t waver. “Stay safe, Lucas!”


    Theresa stood off to the side, silently taking in the entire scene like a dispassionate observer. Her expression didn’t shift much—just a faint twitch at the corner of her mouth. With azy flick of her wrist, she swung the heavy door open and stepped aside, wordlessly granting them passage.


    As the team filed out, each of them paused to sp Kyle in a rough, wordless embrace. Each hug carried the weight of finality, as if this was thest time they’d every eyes on him. And maybe it was. The world had fallen into ruin. In a time when every sunrise could bring disaster, separation wasn’t just temporary- it might be permanent. Graham lingered at the doorway, throwing a nce over his shoulder at Theresa. With a grin, he called out, “Theresa, we’re heading out. Go easy on Kyle, will you?”


    She raised a brow, smirking as she fired back, “I’m gonna drown him in rich food. If he can’t finish it, straight to the bin it goes!” He stared at her for a beat, lips twitching, and wisely decided to drop it. Dave swaggered up with a smirk. “Your Majesty, guess this is farewell for real.” She didn’t even blink. “Move it! One step too slow and I’m drafting you into permanent farm duty!” He was rendered speechless.


    Sebastian, Malcolm, and Victor didn’t waste breath on farewells. They simply gave her a polite nod-brief, restrained. Their real goodbyes were reserved for the furry crowd waiting nearby. Over the past few days, hey’d been on kennel duty-bathing, feeding, and handling the less morous business of clean-up. What started as a chore had slowly morphed into an unexpected bond. “Alright, time for us to go.”


    A flurry of barks erupted. Woof! Woof!


    Summer, the four-legged ringleader, trotted in frantic circles around them with his pack, tail wagging like à question mark. Where are our newpanions going? Weren’t they part of the pack now? Summer darted off irst, the rest of the dogs thundering behind him as they tried to follow the departing figures.


    Theresa’s voice rang out, calm but firm. “That’s enough. Back here.” With practiced discipline, the dogs returned to her side without protest.


    Beneath the blood-orange sky, the team disappeared down the mountain path, their silhouettes fading into the falling dusk. She didn’t linger, shutting the door behind her with a decisive click and heading straight to the dinner table. People walk their own roads-no use dragging them where they don’t belong.


    The morning after, she opened her eyes to a quiet, unchanged world.