ra’s POV

    I barely breathed as my fingers curled around the crossbow, pulling it from my back.

    b66 /b

    E55 vouchers

    My eyes locked on one of the Lycan soldiers–his back turned, oblivious. I narrowed my focus, drew a breath, and steadied my hand.

    They were talking, so blissfully unaware.

    “Looks like the King’s really into that she–wolf,” one of them snickered.

    “Yeah,” the other replied, voice dripping with contempt, “If it were me, I’d have her on her knees begging, like a damn dog.” Heughed cruelly.

    I didn’t wait any longer.

    WHOOOSH!

    The arrow flew, swift and silent, embedding itself deep into the back of the soldier’s skull. His words died on his lips, and his body crumpled in an instant.

    Hispanion’s gaze snapped toward the scene, eyes wide in horror. The man’s hand shot to his pistol, frantic. “Who’s there? You’re killing the Lycan King’s guards!” His voice was shaky, anger mixing with fear.

    He spun in every direction, searching for me.

    But not once did he think to look up.

    I dropped from the tree like a shadow,nding on his shoulders. He grunted in surprise, but before he could react, my de was at his throat.

    “Don’t move.” My voice was low, but cutting.

    He froze, his body going rigid beneath me,

    “Lady ra?” His voice cracked, disbelief and terrorcing his words.

    I leaned in, pressing the knife harder against his skin. “You move an inch, and I’ll slit your throat. Keep your eyes straight ahead”

    His breath hitched, and I could feel the tremor running through his body.

    “Tell me everything about the search back at the castle,” I demanded, my grip tightening.

    “I–I… If you were up there, you’ve already heard it all,” he stammered, his voice thick with fear. “General Dario’s being punished. Prince Wells and Princess Belle are locked down. The King’s pulling every soldier into this. He won’t stop until he finds you!”

    9:26 Thu, Sep 4 G..

    :

    b66 /b

    55 vouchers

    I cursed under my breath. Dorian wasn’t backing down, and I’d hoped he would. He was more determined than I thought.

    Did he really want me that badly?

    “Lady ra, you should really consider turning yourself in,” the soldier pleaded, his voice desperate now. “You don’t know the way. How long can youst out here? The elders are trying to hold him off, but sooner orter, he’s going to find you.”

    “Enough!” I snapped, my heart pounding faster at the thought of Dorian’s rage.

    I didn’t need him to remind me. I knew.

    Dorian wouldn’t kill me. He’d do worse. He’d make me wish for death.

    “I don’t know the way,” I said through clenched teeth, forcing augh that didn’t reach my eyes. “But you do. You Lycans know this damn forest better than anyone.”

    He trembled under my de’s cold edge. “Y–You want me to–no, I can’t! The King will-‘

    “If you don’t cooperate, I’ll kill you myself, and he’ll never have the chance.” I pressed the point of my dagger into his skin. “So, which way is it going to be?”

    He swallowed hard, panic written all over his face. “Please… I have a family…”

    i“/iCooperation it is, then.”

    I stepped off him, recing the dagger with my pistol. “Move. And don’t try anything clever. If you so much as look back, I’ll blow your head off.”

    He hesitated but then stepped forward, eyes wide with fear.

    I kept the gun trained on his chest as he led the way, the eerie silence of the forest pressing in on us. The fog wrapped around us like a ghost, thick and suffocating.

    The path seemed endless, each tree identical to thest, the ground soft and treacherous beneath our feet. The sun was long gone, the sky turning an ink–ck hue, with only the faintest hint of the moon above.

    The forest was closing in on us, and my patience was wearing thin when, out of the silence, a long howl echoed through the trees.

    I froze.

    The Lycan soldier’s breath hitched. “It’s the King,” he whispered, fear taking over his voice.

    I could feel my heart drop into my stomach. “How do you know?”

    “All soldiers recognize his voice.” The soldier shuddered. “Lady ra, he’sing for you… You can’t outrun him! Even if you leave this forest, he’ll find you. Just… just return now, before it’s toote!”

    I had no time for his warnings. I yanked the dagger from my belt and shoved it into his shoulder. His scream

    b9:26 /bbThu/bb, /bbSep /bb4 /bB.

    rang out, but I didn’t care.

    “Next time, it’s your heart,” I hissed through clenched teeth. “How much farther?”

    “Not far,” he stammered. “Just half an hour… maybe lessb./bb” /b

    “Then move!” I shouted, urgency wing at my insides.

    65

    55 vouchers

    We ran faster, my pulse hammering in my ears. Each step felt like a race against time. Dorian was closing in, and I could feel him in my bones. The air thickened, my breath short and ragged.

    Then, out of nowhere, a massive hound appeared behind us, its jaws snapping at my jacket.

    “Shit!” bI /bcursed.

    The beast growled menacingly, refusing to let go. I twisted, trying to free my jacket from its clutches, but it wouldn’t let up.

    “That’s Dario’s hound!” the soldier shouted, panic in his voice. “It must have caught your scent! They’re close! They’re right behind us!”

    I could feel the urgency swelling inside me. With a swift motion, I ripped off my jacket, tossing it aside. In a heartbeat, I shifted into my wolf form, abandoning both the soldier and the hound.

    I could feel the forest fly by as I sprinted ahead. The wind stung against my fur, but I barely noticed. My instincts screamed at me to go faster.

    And then, in the distance, a familiar scent hit me–one that had haunted my dreams.

    Thorne.

    I skidded to a halt, my heart leaping in my chest. There, standing at the edge of the trees, was the man I had been yearning to bsee/b.

    “THORNE!” I screamed, my voice cutting through the night air.

    He turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes locking onto me, the tension in the air thickening.

    This was it.

    曲

    AD

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