Chapter 61

I woke up several times, but only to more pain. Each time I opened my eyes, his fists were there. He hit me everywhere my face, my ribs, my stomach. He told me I deserved it. He said I tried to take what belonged to

Tessa.

He kept giving me wolfsbane. It burned through my veins, and I knew it was stopping my body from healing. I was weak. If he didn’t kill me soon, I would simply bleed to death on this cold floor.

Part of me hoped he would just finish it. I didn’t want to be here anymore. I didn’t want his filthy hands to touch

me again.

In a strange way, I started to like the darkness. When I passed out and everything went black, the beating stopped. He wasn’t screaming at me in the dark. He wasn’t touching me in the dark. There was no physical pain there just silence.

But every time I drifted away, a small part of my soul fought to stay alive. I screamed out into the emptiness, hoping my voice could somehow reach the only man who could save me.

“ Please … someone help me. ‘

My thoughts were tangled. I tried to remember how I ended up here.

The last thing I remembered was being in the forest.

I was waiting for Owen. We were supposed to meet there, but at the last second, Marcus called him away. For some reason, Marcus even told him to bring my jacket. Owen said he couldn’t ignore an Alpha’s order. He told me to wait right there on the edge of the border, promising he’d be back soon.

So I was here, waiting, for him. Then, a branch snapped nearby.

A figure stood between the trees. Tall. Broad. Not one of ours. A rogue.

I stepped back – and that’s when I felt it. Someone was behind me. Too close. Too familiar.

My heart pounded. Slowly … so slowly … I turned around.

“ Tessa …? ”

She stood a few feet away with an evil smirk on her face. She looked past me and nodded to the rogue behind my

back.

Before I could turn around, something cold wrapped around my wrists. Silver handcuffs. The burn was instant,

searing my skin. I felt my connection to my wolf snap.

I wanted to scream, but a large, rough hand slammed over my mouth. I stared at her in horror.

“ Well, hello there, little runaway, ” she said, her smirk widening.

71: 14L

J 1.

J 11 p>

SYS 1.25: J. 12.

): 47 am

anything to you! ”

His hand slammed back over my mouth immediately.

“ Oh, Emily. Sweet Emily, ” a chillingly familiar voice whispered in my ear. “ You didn’t have to do anything. ”

The rogue chuckled behind me, I felt his nose in my hair. “ Goddess, Tessa, can I keep her? She smells fantastic, ”

he growled.

My stomach twisted, and I felt like I was going to be sick.

“ No. The Rogue King wants her innocent. You don’t want to face his wrath, do you? ” Tessa said calmly. “ He’ll feel

it if you touch her. But we still need to make sure she’s the one. ”

She walked around me and whispered directly into my ear. “ First, we’ll test her. And whatever is left of her … We’ll

give it to the Rogue King. ”

I sobbed, tears falling onto the rogue’s hands. He threw me onto the ground, and I fell to my knees. I looked up at

Tessa.

“ I know you think Nathan will look for you, ” she said with a smirk. “ But you’re wrong. You see, the fact that you’re out here at the border waiting to run … You just dug your own grave. And you even wrote a note. Good girl, you actually listened to me. They will have no reason to doubt. ”

She was right. A panicked sob ripped through my chest. They would never look for me. They would think I hated the pack and ran away. And Owen … Owen will probably think I didn’t want him. He’ll think I just couldn’t wait and

left without him.

“ You should be glad, ” Tessa said. “ You will finally be free of this pack mess, just like you wanted. And you were right about Nathan – you were never his true, beloved mate. He never wanted you, and he never wanted to take care of you. He’ll be happy you’re gone, trust me. ”

I lowered my head. What if she was right?

“ You know it’s true. At this very moment, he’s mating with Stella at the ceremony, ” Tessa continued. “ He thinks you’re weak, and the bond was just making him angry. Now he’ll think you betrayed him, and he’ll hate you. ”

r

I didn’t even look up. I was going to die, and the people I loved wouldn’t even know why. They would never know

he truth.

But I wanted to understand why. Why was she doing this? What would she gain from my death? I made a muffled

sound, pleading for an answer.

“ Oh, our little wolf wants to ask something, ” Tessa said. Her voice was smooth, but it sent shivers down my spine ‘ Open her mouth, ” she commanded the rogue.

The rogue gripped my jaw, forcing it open.

“ Why … why are you doing this? ” I gasped.

Tessa stepped closer, the shadows of the trees dancing in her cold eyes.

9:47 am

01

“ Because my father wants his prize, ” she said, her voice chillingly calm. “ And I am a very loyal daughter. I always give him exactly what he asks for. ”

“ What … what are you talking about? ” I whispered, my heart hammering against my ribs. “ Who is your father? ”

Tessa let out a short, jagged laugh that sounded nothing like the friend I knew.

“ Oh, did I forget to mention that? ” She leaned in, her breath cold against my skin. “ I’m sure you’ve heard of him. My father is the Rogue King. ”

I stared at her, paralyzed by terror. The world felt like it was tilting. “ You’re … his daughter? You’ve been lying

his whole time? ”

“ I’ve been doing my job, ” she corrected me with a cruel smirk. “ I saw your white wolf while you were running luring that picnic, Emily. I knew then. But my father doesn’t tolerate empty hopes. He needs facts. I had to be sure

you were the one before I delivered you. ”

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t scream. I was a prisoner inside my own skin, frozen like a statue. My heart thrashed gainst my ribs like a trapped bird, frantic and desperate.

It wasn’t just the fear of death – it was the soul – crushing realization that I was being handed over to a monster,

ind my best friend was the one holding the leash.

She looked back toward the pack, her expression turning into a mask of innocence again.

“ Don’t worry. I’m staying right here. Someone has to keep an eye on Nathan while you’re gone. Goodbye, Emily. ”

I felt a needle stab my neck. As the world turned black, I sent one last desperate thought to the only person who

ould save me.

“ Nathan … please. You have to feel our bond. Nathan … find me. ”

Next Chapter

Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.