?Chapter 458:


    My pulse raced, each word of his tightening the noose around my chest. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my breathing gave me away.


    “We… we were lucky,” I said, though the words felt hollow.


    Dominic tilted his head and shed a smile again. “Lucky? Are you sure that’s all there is to it? Or are you still holding back the truth?”


    I couldn’t meet his eyes, not now. I looked away, swallowing his relentless questions.


    He chuckled softly. “If thest encounter with the brown bear was an ident, then tell me… how do you exin this time?”


    Makenna’s POV:


    Dominic’s stare bored into me, so piercing it felt like he could read every hidden corner of my mind. My pulse quickened, but I held my ground.


    “I told you, Evie’s strong. It was her strength that helped us kill that lion.”


    A cold smile curled on Dominic’s lips, his voice icy enough to send a chill rippling down my spine. “In that case, I’ll have someone test her. Let’s see if Evie really has what it takes to take down a lion.”


    His tone left no room for doubt, and without waiting for my response, he stood and strode toward the door. Panic surged in my chest as I watched him leave. He wasn’t bluffing.


    I scrambled out of bed, my legs unsteady beneath me, but I forced myself to follow. We arrived at the vi’s garden, where Dominic quickly summoned a soldier. The man loomedrge, a tower of muscle, and my heart sank at the sight of him.


    I lingered behind Dominic, dread wing at my chest. My lie had spiraled out of control, and now Evie was about to pay for it. My lips parted, ready to confess everything. I would take the fall—even if it meant death. I couldn’t let her get hurt because of me.


    But just as I was about to speak, Evie gently ced her hand on my wrist. Her touch was calm, steady, and when I looked into her eyes, I saw nothing but quiet determination. She gave the smallest shake of her head.


    ???????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????


    “I can do this,” she mouthed.


    Her confidence shook me. I swallowed hard, watching as she stepped forward. Though petite, she radiated a quiet strength. Her jaw clenched with determination as she faced the hulking soldier.


    My stomach twisted with regret. What had I done? Evie was only here because I lied. Now, because of me, she was about to fight a trained warrior.


    The fight began swiftly. The soldier lunged first, a blur of muscle and speed. But Evie moved like a sh of lightning, her body nimble as a cat, dodging his strike effortlessly. I blinked, astonished.


    I had expected her to falter, to struggle. But she danced around his attacks as if she had been training for this her whole life. Every movement was fluid and precise. I could only watch in stunned disbelief as she held her ground.


    The soldier, frustrated by her agility,unched a powerful punch aimed straight at her. Time seemed to slow as his massive fist barreled toward her. But in a blink, Evie sidestepped, and with surprising force, she struck back. Her small fist connected with the soldier’s chest, the thud of impact echoing in the air.


    I gasped as the soldier staggered backward, stunned. But instead of retreating, he lunged again, furious and determined to overpower her. Evie’s eyes narrowed with focus. She waited, patient as a predator, and when the opening came, she unleashed her full strength. Her next punch sent the towering man crashing to the ground, his body curling in pain as he groaned in defeat.


    I was shocked to witness this scene. Even Dominic’s usual stoic mask cracked—his eyes narrowed, studying Evie with new interest. “Her strength is… indeed extraordinary.”


    .


    .


    .