re’s POV

As soon as Theard Owen’sugh, it just ended off

“You want a one–on-one with me?” Traised an eyebrow

He took a step toward me, cracking his knuckles like he was about to throw down. A prin spread across face,

roganes and old me

“Forgot how I used to knock you around when we were kids” Owen taunted. “Missing those bruises, rat Want me to remind

I didn’t flinch. My

neck cracked as Trolled it, then lifted my lists. :

“Bring it on, Chwen,”

He chuckled darkly, stripping off his jersey, his muscles flexing as he revealed the hours he’d put in at the gym. Every inch could already see his ego puffing up like he was untouchable.

But I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t that fragile girl anymore.

Ladjusted my stance, just waiting for the storm to hit

“Gaon, Owen!” Co yelled from the sidelines, like she was cheering him on in some twisted game. “Kick her

He roared and charged,unching himself at me like a freight train. But I was faster, sidestepping slipping behind him like a sha my leg shot out,nding a clean kick to his rear. He staggered, caught off guard, and fell to his knees.

“Looking for something on the floor, Owen? I smirked, my breath steady.

Trissughed, pping his hands, cheering me on.

Without thinking.

Owen’s face bwas /bscarlet. His fists clenched tight, his roar splitting the air as he scrambled back to his feet. This time, he wasn’t going to miss.

He came at me again, full bforce/bb, /blike a bull with blind rage

But this time, I didn’t back off I nted myself right where I stood, raising one hand, palm out.

Co’s eyes bnearly /bpopped out of bher /bskull. She gasped. “Wait, she’s bgoing /bto take that punch?”

But I want about to let Owen’s muscle mass scare me. As he swung his fist down with ba /bvengeance, I caught it in mid air with a firm grip.

Owen’s face twisted in confusion, his hand trapped as if in a vice. He tried to yank it back. Nothing

I stared at his bface/b, now turning purple from the effort.

Levent

“Your turn,” I said, and before he could even react, I raised my other fist and delivered a perfect uppercut.

The sound of bones breaking was sickening

His scream echoed, but he couldn’t

I wasn’t done, though.

the hif. He dropped to his knees, clutching his dislocated jaw

I followed up with a kick to his face, sending him crashing to the ground, hisrge body sprawled out, lifeless. A tooth flew out of his mouth, spinning in the air like some cruel teminder.

Co and bRuvan /bjust stood there, staring in disbelief, probably waiting for a miracle.

But there was none. Owen was done. He struggled to rise, his hands shaking, but I wasn’t about to let him.

I stepped on his shoulder, pinning him to the ground. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath.

“You bthink /bI’m still that little gift i sneered. “This is for all the times you looked down on me. And for every woman you ever belittledb./bb” /b

My fist clenched around his cor as i pulled him closer, aiming for his nose. I let my punch fly once more

Co couldn’t take it anymore, her voice shaking with anger and lear. “You can’t do this! You’ve got to pay for his hospital bill

Ruvan joined in. “This isn’t over, ral You can’t just walk away from this

I rolled my eyes, exhausted

Triss stepped forward, his tone bcold/b. “The duel’s rules are clear. You’re responsible for your own consequences. matter what happens to your son

ara doesn’t owe you ba /bsingle penny, no

“What are you talking about?” bCo’s /bvoice wavered with bpanic/b. I’ve never heard of these rules! This can’t be reall”

“Believe me,” I said, shrugging bcasually/b. “If byou’ve /bgot a problem, byou /bcan talk to the one who made the rules. You know…. Alpha Thorne?”

Both Co and Ruvan froze

Their tax issues were still unresolved, and Thorne was thest person they wanted to deal with.

“Fine.b” /bCorlia stammered, her voice bweak/b. “We’ll take him home and treat him.”

Triss gave her a chilling look. “Your son missed training this morning. He stays here for his daily practice.”

“What? He’s knocked out cold! How do you expect him to train?” Ruvan shouted,

Triss barely even blinked, a dark smirk forming. “bI’ve /bgot ways”

I turned toward the door, grabbing my coat from the couch. “Triss, I leave Owen with you. You can bhandle /bhim.”

Triss grinned, his tooth bshining /bin the dim light. “He’ll be in good hands.”

ughed, leaving the room as I heard bCo /band Ruvan still begging for mercy in the background. It was hard not to feel bad, but Owen needed to be put in his ce.

it had to happen, for my sake, for the pack’s bsake/b.

As I walked down the staircase, I couldn’t help but think I might’ve gone too far

But sometimes, a little push was all it took

Triss and I had just been discussing the uing border deployment, preparing for war. We couldn’t afford distractions, especially not from someone like Owen

I had to make sure he stayed in line. No more drama. No more stirring up trouble.

I stepped outside, meeting up with the other Garimas. The tension in the air was palpable. We were preparing for a battle. And thest thing we needed was someone with a vendetta slipping into our ranks

We couldn’t afford moles.

It wasn’t long before I found bmyself /bwalking back to the hotel. The rest of the team was talking amongst themselves, the weight of our uing bmission /bpressing on all our shoulders.

“I’m so tired,” Theo from Obsidian Pack yawned, his voice dragging with exhaustion.

on the battlefield.” “Get used to it,” Roman from Craglen Pack replied with a grin. “Sleep’s a luxury a

“Ugh, you’re right,” Theo groated, “That’s why I’m gonna sleep like a king now, while bcan /b

“Not if Bex has anything to say about it,” Roman chuckled, nodding to Dex who was striding off toward a distant street corner,

Bex waved his phone,ughing. “Got a call from the girl I metst night. Later, guys!”

“I envy his energy.” Theo said with a sigh. “How does he do it? Even when we’re all at the breaking point, he’s out there living life.”

Roman bshook /bhis head, amused. “Some people just never stop

I looked back at them, my thoughts drifting toward the light still on in Thorne’s office.

“I think I’ll see someone too.” I bsaid /bwith a small smile.

“Yeah? Who?” Roman asked, raising an eyebrow

I didn’t answer right away, just letting them wonder.

But I knew exactly where I was going. The ss of wine waiting for me in Thome’s office was calling my name.

And for the first time tonight, I was looking forward to it.

bAD /b