bChapter /b60

Triss’s bPOV /b

The camp was chaos, Soldiers flooded the lumberyard, disarming the guards with ease. Every worker, every prisoner, trembled as though the about to copse under the weight of their own fear could barelyprehend what was happening. The air was thick with tension.

I shook my head, staring at Thome as his men took control of the ce. “But… how did you know where my family was? The words barely let my lips, but I couldn’t stop the desperation in my voice,

Before Theme could answer, ra stepped forward. She wasposed, her eyes calcting Thorne did what couldn’t,” she said, her voice low but firm. “We know Garron had something on you something that kept you under his thumbs, Your family hadn’te back to your old house in years. We found the footage from three years ago, saw where they took them.”

Thorne’s gaze softened as he turned to me, regret clouding his expression “I should’ve known, Triss Should’ve figured it out sooner.”

I opened my mouth, but no sound came. bInstead/b, Isank to my knees, tears streaming down my face. In an instant, I was in my family’s arms, clinging to them as we all cried–three years of feat, of separation, of loss–all spilling out in that moment.

ra stood back, watching us with quiet sympathy. I saw the flicker of recognition in her eyes. She knew the ache of being torn from loved ones, the desperation of reunion.

The guard, once so ruthless, now quivered on his knees in front of Thome. His bravado bhad /bmelted away like ice in the sun. “Alpha Thorne,” whispered, his voice shaking, “Please, we didn’t know. We were just told to watch them. Please… forgive bus/b.”

Thorne’s voice was an icy whisper. “Who told you!”

The bguard /bhesitated, his breathing in short gasps. Behind him, one of Thome’s soldiers seized his arm, mming it to the ground. A wicked m shed in the soldier’s beyes /bas he raised an axe, waiting for Thorne’smand.

“Chop his hand off,” Thome ordered, his tone bcold/b. “That might make him talk

The guard’s eyes widenedb, /band the pleading began in earnest. “No–walt it’s Gamma Ganon! He’s the one, please let me go!”

Thorne nced at the soldier. The axe was lowered, but the guard’s brole /bwas short–lived. Thorne crouched in front of him, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Who are these workers? What is this camp for?”

The guard, shaking like a leaf, let out a strangled sob. “They’re… they’re hostages People Garron took because they defied him. The ones who wouldn’t bend to his will his father’s old captainb, /ban ountant who wouldn’t cook the books, a journalist who was going to expose him. And the girls the ones he wanted for himself.” His voice trailed off, a haunted look crossing his face.

Each name he uttered seemed to sink ra deeper into her thoughts. She had always seen Gamon as a coward. But this? This was something else entirely. Her disappointment was palpable.

Regret gnawed at me, I should’ve seen the signs earlier. When Garron set me up with the bear incident, I should’ve questioned everything. But I didn’t. I hadn’t known the full extent bof /bhis depravity

Thorne’s voice cut through the silence. “What were they forced to do?”

The guard trembled, but he had no choice now. “They worked the Cedar Camp. Chopping wood, it’s it’s profitable But someone tried to escape or refused…we’d take them into the woods. And we’d kill them.”

Triss’s little sister gasped and buried her face info Triss’s chest. Triss stroked her hair, a quiet anger burning in her eyes. Without ba /bword, she walked forwardb, /bbher /bgaze fixed on the guard. She picked up a whip from the ground and turned to Thome.

“Alpha,” she said quietly, “if 1 may?”

Thorne nodded, ba /bsilent permission.

Triss bstrode /bforward with purpose. She raised the whip and brought it doen hand on the guard’s face. The crack of the leather echoed through the c and the guard screamed in pain, his hands instinctively rising to protect lice, flut Triss didn’t stop. Sheshed him again, and again

“That’s for my father?” she yelled, each word punctuated by the sting of the whip

Another strike, “For my mother”

Another. For my brothert My sister!”

She wasn’t stopping. The crowd of workers had gathered around, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and admiration. With each strike, they grew bolder, their whispers turning to shouts of approval

By the time Triss was done, the guard was half–dead on the ground. She dropped the whip and turned to ra and Thorne, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “bThank /byou,” she choked, “Wpha Thorne, thank you for everything And ra……. I’m sorry. I treated you terribly earlier was wrong”

ra stepped forward, cing a hand on Triss’s shoulder. “Garron threatened you. We understand. No one is judging you

Triss’s father bwiped /bbhis /btears away and smiled through his pain. “Thank you, bAlpha /band Gamma. Please… lollowus

We followed them into a small cabin. Once inside, Thome wasted no time. Triss, your family is safe now. And I trust you’ve seen the truth about Garron. bWe /bbneed /bbevery /bDirestone soldier to know what kind of monster he is. And for that…” He paused, looking at her expectantly.

Triss reached for her neck, bpulling /bout ba /bne with a tiny golden locket. She handed it to Thome. “The address and number for the ount book are inside,” she said softly. “That’s where you’ll find what byou /bneed.”

Thorne took the locket, his fingers tightening around it. “Thank you for trusting me.”

Triss smiled, a sense bof /bpeace in her eyes. “I know you’re a good Alpha. I’m proud to serve under you.”

Hours passed as Thorne and his soldiers made arrangements for the workers, ensuring everyone was safely returned home. I found myself leaning against the cabin’s wall, watching him as he worked.

Thorne caught sight of me and grinned.” thought you’d left already.

I shrugged, meeting his gaze. “I wanted to see if you needed any help.”

His smile softened, his eyes warm. “You’re quite the badass yourself, Gammab.” /b

I chuckled, crossing my arms. “Not as much as the Alpha who took down a bunch of crazy bears.”

The night air was cool, the moonlight soft against the darkness, After all the chaos, there was a rare moment of peace between bus/b. And byet/bb, /ba question lingered in my mind.

“You know,” I began, breaking the silence, “I was so happy when I found out you were my mate. Not because you’re handsome or an Alpha, but because you bgive /bpeople security. You make them feel safe.”

Thorne looked at me, his expression shifting. “And yet.

I let you down.”

I shook my head, a bitterugh escaping my lips. “it’s in the past, Thorne. Why are we even talking about it now?

I started to stop away, but before I could move, Theme’s hand shot out, catching my wrist. He spun me back into his arms pressed against his chest

His voice was low, seductive. “I know you don’t need my protection, ra… but I’d take a bullet for you. bAnytime/b.”

before bI /bknew it, I bwas /b

The air between us shifted. His scent surrounded me, a mixture of earth and strength, and my heart raced at the feel of him so close. I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening.

And in that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to our bond than I’d ever realized.