bChapter /bb201 /b

    ra’s POV

    I couldn’t speak.

    The duct tape smothered my mouth like a suffocating nket.

    Dorian’s grin spread, smug as ever. “My bad,” he said, ncing down at me. “Can’t speak with that on, can you? But hey, if I rip it off, you promise me you’ll be good and stay quiet?”

    It was like I was his damn pet. Hispdog.

    I stared at him, eyes burning with hatred. If looks could kill, Dorian would’ve been dead a hundred times over.

    He chuckled, his smile curling even more. “I know you’re angry, but let’s keep it civil. Yelling’s a waste of energy. We’re in the middle of nowhere. No one’sing to save you. Let’s be adults, okay?”

    The urge tosh out, to scream, was almost overwhelming. But it was pointless. I wasn’t getting out of here by fighting him.

    I had to y this smart.

    With a slow, controlled nod, I gave him a silent agreement.

    “Perfect,” he beamed, too pleased with himself.

    He yanked the tape off my mouth, and I inhaled deeply, gulping fresh air as if it was myst.

    “Why are you doing this?” I spat, my voice hoarse.

    Dorianughed, a low, mocking sound. “Because I love you, ra. And you’re about to run off with someone else. Jealousy makes people do crazy things.”

    I seethed. “Liar!” I hissed, my voice venomous. “You don’t love me. Don’t insult me with your twisted version of love. Tell me the truth.”

    The grin faltered. For a moment, he looked like a man who was pretending. “I do have some feelings for you, ra. You know that,” he muttered.

    I let out a bitterugh. “Spare me. You’re a shameless liar. Just stop with the nonsense, will you?”

    It was like I’d pped him. I could see the shift in his eyes–anger mixed with something darker. His charismatic mask slipped, just for a second.

    “Fine.” He crossed his arms, his tone darkening. “I need a werewolf as Queen.”

    My mind raced. That was his big reason? He needed a werewolf wife, so he kidnapped me?

    I almost couldn’t believe it. “What?!” I barked, voice rising in disbelief. “You’re crazy! There are plenty of women who want you–like those maids at the Grace Ruin, even girls in the Blood Moon Pack! iYou /ican find someone else who’ll say yes. Why the hell does it have to be me?”

    Dorian clicked his tongue, sounding almost impatient. “Those women are for fun, ra. They don’t deserve to be my queen.”

    My body shook with fury. “So I’m the lucky one, huh? I get to be your queen? Wow, how lucky am I?” I mocked, eyes shing with anger.

    He ignored the sarcasm in my voice. “iYou /ihave a noble background. You’re my mate. It works out perfectly.”

    I almostughed at his ego. “What? You need a werewolf as queen because you think I’m the only one good enough for you?”

    He shruggedb, /bunbothered. “That’s none of your concern.”

    I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to explode. “Then don’t expect me to y along. I’ll fight you every step of the way. I’ll rip the crown off my head and crush it under my heel if I have to.”

    Before I could even breathe, his hand shot out, gripping my throat.

    “Why choose Thorne over me, ra?” he growled. His voice was cold, bleak. “Things could’ve been so much easier if you’d just chosen me.”

    I gasped, struggling against his grip, my fingers trying in vain to loosen his hold.

    b“/bYou know I’m better for you than he is,” he continued, tightening his grip. “I know how to make youugh, make you feel alive. You could have everything with me, ra. Why push me away?”

    I couldn’t breathe. My vision was starting to blur. Panic wed at me.

    Dorian leaned in, whispering in my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “You’ve got a few days ahead of you, ra. A few days until we reach Lycan territory. Best get some sleep.”

    His grip tightened, and my body felt like it was copsing. My mind screamed for air, for freedom.

    And then everything went ck.

    The Blood Moon Pack – Thorne’s POV

    It had been days. The Blood Moon Pack was a mess.

    Everyone had been out searching for ra, scouring every inch of thend.

    But Dorian had disappeared. No trace. No leads.

    Cael had ordered soldiers to follow the path Dorian’s car had taken, but it was as if they’d vanished into thin air.

    The team searched the car–clean. Not a single shred of evidence.

    Cael’s frustration was palpable, his jaw clenched tight as he stared out into the wilderness.

    “Darnmit!” he cursed, grinding his cigarette into the dirt.

    Another dead end.

    The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Another day wasted.

    “I should’ve never let the Lycans ini,” /iCael muttered, pulling at his hair. “I should’ve told ra to stay away from him from the start.”

    “No,” Thorne interjected sharply, his voice dark. “It’s inot /iyour fault. It’s mine, I should’ve killed Dorian the moment I had the chance.”

    The words hung in the air, heavy with guilt,

    Thorne’s eyes were bloodshot. His exhaustion was evident, his body drained from days of relentless searching. Yet, despite the toll, he remained resolute, unyielding

    “You should get some sleep,” Cael urged, but Thorhe just shook his head.

    “I’ll sleep when I find ra.”

    Cael sighed, knowing all itoo /iwell that if they didn’t find her soon, Thorne might break. They both might.

    Before Cael could say another word, footsteps echoed from behind.

    He turned to see Vessa, breathless and urgent. Kimberly and Jory nked her.

    10:24 Sat, 23 Aug

    “What’s going on?” Cael demanded, his protective instincts kicking in.

    Vessa grabbed his hand. “Forget that! Kimberly just told me there’s a way to find ra.”

    Thorne’s eyes snapped to hers, his bloodshot gaze intense. “What did you say?i” /iHis voice was a mix of desperation and disbelief.

    Kimberly nodded quickly. “It’s you, Thorne. You’re the only one who can find her.”

    Cael blinked, confused. “What are you talking about? Thorne doesn’t even know where she is.”

    Kimberly’s gaze softened. “Not yet. But he will. He has to be the Werewolf King.”

    10:24 Sat, 23 Aug