bChapter /bb69 /b

Skye’s POV

“Earrings?” Nadia’s confusion was evident even

the dim light of our prison cell. Her eyelinases furrowed as she stared at my remaining earring

I nced tend the guard stationed outside our gell before establishing the mind link connection with Rada. The mental bridge between as hummed bwith /benergy as I projected my thoughts carefully.

Not just any carrings, I exined, my mental veire tense with agency. They’re from Lydia—a birthday gift. The center in hollow and containa wolfsbane powder.

Nadia’s eyes widened slightly, the only visible reaction to this revtion, Wolfdan? As in the poison?

1 nodded almost imperceptibly. A specific variant that indices temporary paralysis in werewolves. If ingested, it causes aa–like state for several hours.

And you’ve been carrying this around in your jewy? There was a note of incredulin admiration in Nadia’s mental voice.

Lydia insisted, I replied, remembering the enigmatic smile on the scoured woman’s face as she il presented the delicate sheer pieces to me. “For your protection,” she’d said. “May you never need to me them, but should danger find you…” A hollowugh echoed in my mind, I never imagined I’d need them

b10 /bb3000 /b

Nadia’s gaze shifted toward the bguard/b, bthen /bback to me. So what’s the n? Somehow trick our friendly watchdog into swallowing poison? Her mental tone dripped with sarcasm. Even if we could get him to ingest it, we’re still locked behind these bbars/b. bWe /bbcan’t /beven breach /bhim.

She was right, of course. The cell bars stood between us and the stoic guard who maintained his position several feet away. Even if we somehow managed to polson him, the heavy lock en our cell door would remain an insurmountable obstacle.

I sighed, allowing my bshoulders /bbto /bslump in temporary defeat. The n had seemed brilliant for all of five seconds before reality crushed it beneath the weight of practicality.

The stone floor radiated cold through my thin clothing as night deepened around us. Desert nights were unforgiving–scorching days gave way to freezing darkness with little transition. I shivered involuntarily, and Nadia shifted closer, sharing what little body heat remained between us,

“We should rest,” I whispered, not bothering with the mind–link for such ban /binnocuous statement. “Conserve our strength for whatever tomorrow brings.b” /b

Nadia nodded, her dark eyes reflecting the moonlight that filtered through the small, baned window high above us. We settled against the cold stone wall, pressed bshoulder /bto shoulder for warmth andfort.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. Just days ago, we’d been at odds over Adrian, tension crackling between us like static electricity. Now, facing amon those petty conflicts bseemed /bbas /bdistant and inconsequential as star.

“I never thought I’d say this,” Nadia murmuredb, /bher voice bbarely /baudible, “but I’m d you’re here with me.”

I turned to look at her, surprised by the admission

“Not d you’re captured,” she rified quickly. Just… if I had to face this nightmare with someone, I’m d it’s someone bas /bresourceful as you.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “High praise,ing from Osborn’s fierce Beta,”

“Don’t get used to it, she replied, hat there was no bite in her bwords/bb. /b

We fell into silenceb, /beach lest in our own though an exhaustion gradually pulled bus /btoward uneasy sleep.fn4101 The source of th?s content is fι?dnοvel/fn4101

Morning arrived with heavy footsteps and the metallic ng of the outer dungeon door. I jerked awake, instantly alert as Kane’s distinctive scent–something metallic, like blond mixed with expensive log–reached bas /bseconds before he appeared.

He strode into the dungeon with the confident swagger of a man who owned erything he surveyed, followed by two warriors carrying trays of food. The

tantalizing aroma of fresh coffee and warm bread made my stomach clench painfully, reminding me how long it had been bsich /b

“Good morningb, /bdies,” Kane greeted us with exaggerated cheer, as if we were guests at a luxury resort rather than prisoners in his dungeon. “I must re slept well? Stone floors provide such excellent lumbar support, don’t you agree?”

Neither of us dignified his mockery with a response. Kane merely chuckled, gesturing for his to ce the trays on the floor and slide them through the narrow gap beneath the cell lun.

“Coffee, sandwiches–I’ve been told the hams in particrly good.” He watched with evident amusentent as we eyed the food with equal parts hunger and suspicion. “Oh, it’s not poisoned, I assure you. What would be the point? You’re far more valuable to the alive and well.”

My gare new to his face at the mention of poison, but his expression revealed nothing beyond smug self–satisfaction.

Before I could reach for the coffee, Kane pulled out his phone, holding it up with the camera pointed toward in ‘Smile for Adrian, Indies. Let’s show him you’re being treated humanely.”

u’ve contacted Adrian?” I asked, unable to keep the eagerness from my voice.

Kane ignored my question, his smile never reaching his cold beyes/b. b“/bbCome /bnow, at bleast /btry to look pleasant. No one wants to see such gloomy faces. It gives the impression I’m mistreating you.”

The camera bclicked/b, capturing our disheveled appearance and defiant res. Kane examined the photo with apparent satisfaction before tucking the phone

“Twenty–four hours,” he announced, turning to leave. “Your precious Alpha has until tomorrow morning to make his decision. For your sakes, I hope he chooses wisely.”

The heavy door closed behind him with bfinality/b, leaving us alone with the guard and our breakfast trays.

I immediately established the mind link. I have an idea, I projected, keeping my expression neutral as I examined the food,

Let’s hear it, Nadia responded, watching me carefully.

I can put the wolfsbane in bmy /bcoffee, drink it, and fake a severe medical emergency. When they take me to a hospital, you insist oning to envare my safety. Once outside thepound, we find a way to escape.

Nadia’s beyes /bwidened. Are byou /binsane? bYou /bwant to poison yourself?

It’s not fatal, I assured her. Just temporary paralysis.

al voice bwas /b

vas fierce. I’m not letting you risk your life on such a desperate gamble. If anyone should do this, it should be me.

Absolutely not! Her mentally

That makes no sense, Nadia countered. You bhave /bno well scent–you’re more skilled at hiding. I should take the poison while you create the diversion. You’d have a better chance of escaping and reaching Adrian.

With practiced bfingers/b, I located the tiny hidden sp at the base Before Nadia bcould /brespond, I reached up and carefully removed my remaining earring and twisted it open. A fine white powder spilled into my palm–basely enough to fill a thimble, but more than sufficient for bits /bpurpose

bSkye/b, dont–Nadia’s bwarning /bcame toote.

In one swift motionb, /bbI /btipped the powder into my coffee cup, watching as it dissolved instantly in the bdark /bliquid. I braised /bthe cup, preparing to drink, when Nadia lunged forward.

Her hand shot out, grasping the cup and yanking it from my grip. Before I could react, she had raised it to her own lips, her eyes locked with mine silent challenge .