bChapter /bb141 /b

    bra’s /bPOV

    “Run?” I blinked, staring at Kimberly.

    She grabbed my hand, squeezing it so hard it almost hurt. “Yeah. Run to Blood Moon Pack. Get back to your people.”

    I stared at her, dazed. “But what about Thorne? What am I supposed to do, just leave him here?”

    “Thorne?” Kimberly snorted, pulling me up from my seat. “Forget about Thorne. You saw him. He’s gone, ra. He’s made his choice, and it sure as hell isn’t you. If you stay here, you’re just giving him more chances to destroy you. It’s time to go.”

    I rubbed my face, frustrated. She was right, but it didn’t make it any easier. I had to admit it–Thorne wasn’t the same man I used to know. He’d thrown his lot in with Lance, chasing power, chasing whatever the hell he wanted.

    But still… leaving him behind? It felt like I was betraying something deeper.

    “Leave him, ra,” Kimberly repeated. “It’s the only way forward.”

    My chest tightened. “If I leave…”

    I couldn’t finish the thought. But Kimberly knew. She knew where I was going with it.

    “Lance,” I said quietly. “Will he attack again? Will Thornee after us?”

    Kimberly shook her head, a look of skepticism crossing her face. “I doubt it. Lance isn’t nning on anything soon. Ever since you two got here, he bhasn’t /bmentioned another war. Seems Thorne’s all he’s wanted. Maybe he’s already won.”

    I let out a bitterugh, the sarcasm tasting sour on my tongue. “So, we trade Thorne for a temporary truce? Sounds like a great deal, doesn’t it?”

    Kimberly raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my tone. “It’s a truce, yeah. For now. But let’s be real–Lance’s promises mean nothing. When Thorne’s usefulness runs out, the war will pick up again. But that’s the future. We’re dealing with now.”

    I nced down, trying to push the heavy thoughts away. Kimberly was right, I knew she was. But leaving like this… it still felt wrong.

    She nudged me, pulling me out of my spiral. “Stop carrying all the weight. You did what you could. It’s time to go back. Don’t waste another minute on Thorne. He’s not worth it.”

    A sigh left me, heavy and slow. “I’ll think about it, Kimberly. But… do I have to go back k to the dungeon tonight?”

    She scoffed, standing up and offering me a hand. “Hell no. You deserve better. You’re the Cab Minister’s friend, remember?”

    J took her hand, letting her pull me to my feet.

    The suite Kimberly led me to was better than anything I’d ever had here. I should’ve felt relieved, maybe even a little excited. But bI /bcouldn’t bshake /bemptiness in my gut.

    The maids had already been gossiping,ughing behind my back. I heard whispers about how I’d failed, about Thorne’s new alliancesb, /babout bhow /bbI’d /bblost /beverything.

    But what did bit /bmatter? I couldn’t be bothered with their opinions. Not when I was leaving. Leavin

    this ce for good.

    b“/bThree days,” Kimberly said, her voice soft but determined. “In three days, you’re gone, Back to Blood Moon, where they love you.”

    bI /bshould’ve felt something positive about it but all I could think of was Thorne. What had bhe /bbe? Who had he bbe/bb? /b

    That night, Kimberly came to me with a backpack.

    b“/bEverything you need is in here,b” /bshe said. “Food, water, and a car key. The car’s 15 miles south. Follow the main broad/b. You’ll make bit /bto the border by bmorning/bb./b”

    I noddedb, /btoo numb to speak.

    b“/bAlso…” She pulled open a side pocket and pulled out ba /bgun. “I made sure the guards will stay out of sure they don’t get up.”

    I didn’t smile, but I took the backpack.

    “Thank you,” I said quietly. “For everything.”

    Kimberly wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “You’ll be fine. Don’t look back.”

    As we pulled away, I asked, “When can I see you again?”

    way tonight. But if anyone stops you… bmake /b

    Her expression softened, but there was no warmth in it. “Soon. When Thorne and Lance screw up, we’ll meet again.”

    My heart sank. Thorne’s name echoed in my head.

    “Does he know I’m leaving tonight?” I asked, trying to steady my voice.

    “No,” Kimberly answered quickly. “I made sure it stayed quiet. Only a few trusted men know.”

    She paused, a dark smile crossing her face. “And frankly, I don’t think he’d care even if he did know. You should’ve seen himtely. Parties, bbooze/bb… /bwomen. You’re not even on his radar anymore.”

    A sharp pain hit my chest, but I didn’t let it show. I couldn’t.

    “Are there other women?” I whispered, the question slipping out before I could stop it.

    Kimberly hesitated, then sighed. “Don’t ask. You don’t want to know.i” /i

    I forced a smile, bitter and empty. She was right. I didn’t want to know.

    What good would it do? Nothing. Thorne had changed. That was all that mattered now.

    Kimberly made her way to the door, checking the time. “Midnight. Be ready.”

    It was 11:45 when I finished checking my bag for thest time. My heart pounded, every second feeling like an eternity. Then came the knock at the door.

    I jumped, fear gripping me instantly. Who could it be?

    Kimberly held her hand out to stop me, signaling for me to stay calm. She opened the door.

    Then, I heard it: “What the fuck are you doing here?”

    I froze. My body went cold.

    Jory and Cael. Here. Now.

    What the hell were they doing in the Rogue King’s pce?

    b“/bGet in!” Kimberly hissed, pulling them inside. She mmed the door shut behind them.

    Cael rushed forward, worry etched bon /bhis face. His eyes were bloodshot, like he hadn’t slept in days.

    “rab, /bbare /byou okay?” His voice was full of urgency, his gaze scanning my face.

    “I’m fine,” I said, trying to hold it together. “But what are you doing hereb?/bb” /b

    “To get you out of here!” he growled. “That bastard Thorne betrayed you. I knew it. I knew he would.”

    His eyes flicked to the bruises on my skin, his voice growing louder. “Did he hit you?”

    b“/bNo,” I whispered, “It was Mi. But that doesn’t matter right now! What are you two doing here? This is dangerous!”

    “We were careful,” Jory said, his voice calm despite the tension. “We made sure no one noticed us.”

    I caught his eye, then nced at Kimberly. “We need to go, now. They’ll be looking for us soon.”

    A knock came at the door again.

    We froze, breath catching in our throats. More people?

    Then, a familiar voice pierced the silence.

    “ra. It’s me. Open the door.”

    My heart stopped.

    It was Thorne.