bChapter /bb177 /b

    bra’s /bPOV

    bThe /bbsharp /bcrack echoed in the night as the cord snapped.

    Without warning, the entire bridge gave way, plunging into the churning river below. Ruvan and Co’s screams were drowned bout /bbby /bthe deafening roar of the water, a distant memory as the chaos swallowed their voices.

    I stood on the tower’s edge, gazing down at the wreckage. The remnants of the bridge floated aimlessly down the river, and the waterb, /bbnow /btinged red, reflected a grim story.

    A chill ran through me as I ced my hand on Kimberly’s shoulder. I felt the tremble beneath my palm, the weight of her unspoken emotions.

    “You did the right thing,” I whispered to her, my voice barely above a murmur.

    “Yeah,” Kimberly responded, her breath shaky. She sucked in a deep breath before continuing, her voice barely audible. “They left me bto /bdie

    in that hospital. I guess twenty years isn’t too long for me to finally get my revenge.”

    I offered her a small, knowing smile. “Congrattions,” I said, though itcked the warmth I intended.

    “Thank you.” She paused, the doubt creeping back in. “But what about Mi? Did she manage to escape?”

    I snorted, the coldness of the sound matching the chill of the night air. “She can’t escape. Not from me.”

    I looked toward the direction she’d fled. The drawbridge had copsed, leaving only the vast gap between the tower and the mountain behind. If Mi had taken another route, she’d have a head start. But she wouldn’t get far.

    I needed a way across. Fast.

    “Get on my back.”

    I turned, startled by Thorne’s voice. He strode out of the doorway, looking every bit the determined warrior.

    “But Zara-“I started, but he cut me off with a shake of his head.

    “Jory is with her. Zara won’t escape. I’ming with you. We’re going after Mi.”

    In one fluid motion, Thorne shifted; his body expanding into the form of a massive ck wolf. He crouched low, his fur bristling under the moonlight, an invitation for me to climb.

    thesitated for a moment before pulling myself onto his back. With a primal howlb, /bhe surged forward, his powerful legs pushing him into the air, and we soared across the chasm. The wind tore at my face, icy and biting, and the ground below felt like it could swallow us whole. But there was no fear. Not with Thorne.

    Hended on the other side, his massive paws sinking slightly into the snow as he came to a stop. I slid offb, /bmy feetnding in the cold, crisp snow. Ahead, the forest loomed–dark, twisted, and imprable.

    “Hold tight,” Thorne warned, and before I could answer, we were off again, dashing into the forest, the cold night air rushing past bus/b.

    The moon above bathed the forest in silver, casting an eerie glow on the snowkes that drifted down like delicate whispersb. /bbThe /bbsound /bbof /bthe wolf’s paws crunching through the snow was the only thing breaking the silence.

    The snowstorm had worsened. kes settled on Thorne’s fur, and my hair was soon coated, each snowke a tiny, cold kiss.

    bChapter /b177

    bBut /bbthis /bbwas /bban /bbadvantage/bb. /bbThe /bsnow had left tracks footprints, leading us right to Mi

    I leaned forward, pressing my blips /bto Thorne’s ear. “Follow the tracks”

    bThe /bwolf’s pace quickened, and we plunged deeper into the woods. My eyes narrowed, the distant echo of hurried footsteps reaching us

    And then bI /bsaw her. Mi.

    She was stumbling through the snow, her movements frantic. She nced over her shoulder, eyes wide in terror.

    “She’s not getting away,” 1 muttered under my breath.

    Thorne’s speed doubled. In one leap, he was on top of her, pinning her to the ground. The snow exploded around her as she hit the bforest /bfloor, the wind knocked out of her.

    She struggled, but the wolf was too strong, his massive body holding her in ce.

    I climbed off Thorne’s back, my boots crunching in the snow as I moved to going anywhere.”

    and over Mi, a sharp grin forming on my face. “You’re not

    Mi’s eyes darted between me and the de in my hand. She was trembling, her fear palpable.

    “Please,” she gasped, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want to die. I never meant to hurt you. I’ve lost everything. Please, just let me

    go.”

    I kicked her shoulder, sending her back into the snow. She scrambled, but I stepped on her, pressing her further into the cold earth.

    “I gave you a chance back in Direstone Pack,” I said coldly, “I even thought you deserved a shot at redemption. bBut /byou chose the wrong side. You killed Serena and ran. You’re beyond help, Mi. And today? Today is the day you die.”

    I raised the de high, my hands firm around its hilt. But Mi, desperate, screamed and rolled, narrowly dodging the strike. The de cut deep into her cheek, the blood staining the snow in a stark contrast.

    She gasped for breath, her survival instinct kicking in as she backed

    away, wide–eyed and panicked.

    “Thorne!” she cried, her ivoice /icracking with fear. “Are you just going to let her kill me?”

    Thorne, still in wolf form, stood a few paces away, his presence silentb, /bunwavering.

    Iughed coldly, twisting the knife in my grip. “Saved your life, huh? You’re sure about that?”

    Mi’s voice wavered with desperation. “Yes! I saved you when we were kids. You owe me!”

    My smile twisted into something colder as I crouched down, locking eyes with Mi. “Oh, do you now?”

    She gripped the snow beneath her, tears mixing with blood. “I was the one who found you when you were lost, Thorne. You remember that day, don’t you? I carried you through the snow, kept you alive. You owe me!”

    Thorne’s expression faltered. For a moment, a shadow passed over his face, and I saw the flicker of memory in his eyes.

    I wasn’t having it.

    “You think that’s enough to save you?” I scoffed. “You really believe you have any im to ihis /imercy?”

    I stepped forward, grabbing a handful of her hair and jerking her head back, forcing iher /ito look me in bthe /beyes. ol start="4"li4. /li/ol

    bChapter /b177

    bWhere /bbdid /bbyou /bbfind /bhim?” I bdemanded/bb, /bbmy /bvoice bIcy/b.

    bMi /bwinced at bthe /bpain but didn’t answer right away. bI /bpulled her hair tighter, making her wince.

    “It was… it was a tree!” she gasped, her voice trembling with fear.

    I raised an eyebrow, my smirk deepening. “Are you sure about that?”

    “…I don’t know! Maybe it was a cave. Please, I can’t remember-”

    “Wrong,” I snapped, before pulling her head back even further. “The right answer is near a streami./ii” /i

    Thorne’s jaw clenched as he looked between us, disbelief shing across his face.

    “How do you know that?” Mi asked, her voice shaking.

    I gave her onest smile. “Because I was the one who saved him.”

    The realization hit Mi like a freight train. She blinked, her face twisting in shock, and for a moment, bI /balmost felt pity. Almost.

    But there was no time for mercy.

    The de sank into her throat before she could speak again.

    Blood spilled out, mixing with the snow at her feet. Her eyes widened in horror as her body crumpled, thest breath leaving her in a bragged /b

    gasp.

    She died there, in the snow, as the storm raged on.