?Chapter 312:

But I can’t.

“Not yet.”

“I’m fine,” I say, the lie bitter on my tongue.

She doesn’t believe me. I can see it in her eyes. But she doesn’t push.

Instead, she just reaches for me, pulling me into her arms, holding me like she knows I’m about to break. And for a moment, I let her.

Because I know it’s only a matter of time before the truth tears us apart.

RYDER’S POV

The dungeon reeks of damp stone and bad decisions, and yet here I am, staring down the biggest fucking mistake of my life. Isabelle. The woman who used to be family, who onceughed at my stupid jokes and made fun of my hair, is now a venomous snake coiled in the shadows, waiting to strike.

And I’ve let her live.

Ace isn’t happy about it—he never is when ites to her. He’s pacing in my head, ws out, ready to rip her apart. His growl is a low rumble beneath my thoughts, echoing with bloodlust.

Kill her, he snaps. Rip her fucking heart out. Let her watch it beat before you crush it.

I ignore him, but it’s a near thing. Isabelle’s sitting there, her face an infuriating mask of mockery, like she’s got nothing to lose. Maybe she doesn’t. Her hair’s a tangled mess, her once-bright eyes now dull except for the glint of malice she directs at me.

And fuck, I want to break her.

Kade’s words are in the back of my head, his calm voice like a counterweight to Ace’s rage. “She’s just bitter, Ryder,” he’d said. “Hurt peoplesh out. Let her rot in her own hatred—it’s a better punishment than anything you could do.”

But now? Now, with her staring at me like she’s already won whatever game she’s ying, I don’t know if I believe that.

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“So,” Isabelle drawls, dragging the word out like a de against my nerves. “Alpha Ryder graces me with his presence. Should I bow? Or are you here to cry on my shoulder again?”

My jaw clenches so hard I think my teeth might shatter. She’s poking the bear, and she knows it.

“Careful,” I warn, my voice low. “You’re on thin fucking ice, Isabelle.”

She tilts her head, her smirk growing. “Thin ice? Please, you won’t touch me. You’re too busy trying to figure out how to deal with your little panic attacks.”

The words hit like a p, and I hate that she knows. That she can see the cracks I’ve worked so fucking hard to hide. Ace surges forward, a growl slipping from my throat before I can stop it. Isabelle justughs, the sound sharp and hollow, like breaking ss.

“You really are pathetic,” she says, leaning forward as far as the chains will let her. “Is that what this is about? You finally worked up the courage to face me, only to freeze the second I mention your little episodes? Poor Ryder. Can’t even handle his own fucking head.”

I take a step closer, the cold stone biting into my boots. She doesn’t flinch. If anything, her grin widens, and I swear to God, I see the devil in her eyes.

What the fuck happened to you, Isabelle? I ask, my voice rough. “You weren’t always like this.”

She snorts. “No, I wasn’t. But then again, you weren’t always a coward, and here we are.”

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