bChapter /b196

    ra’s POV

    I froze. My heart hammered in my chest, and my stomach twisted into knots.

    Dorian was threatening to kill Thorne?

    No.

    That wasn’t just a threat.

    Dorian meant it. I could see it in his eyes, the raw fury, the certainty. He’d been waiting for this moment–for the right time to end Thorne. I’d interrupted him once, back in the Grace Ruin. If I hadn’t… Thorne would’ve been gone by now. Dead in Dorian’s hands.

    Without the power of the Werewolf King… Thorne didn’t stand a chance.

    I wanted to rush out from the hiding ce, to scream at Dorian, to stop it all before it went too far. But before !

    could move, Kimberly’s hand gripped my sleeve, pulling me back.

    “Stay calm,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos. “Let it unfold. He won’t do it. I don’t think he

    will.”

    But my pulse didn’t slow. My heart felt like it was about to explode, thumping against my ribs. Please, Thorne.

    Don’t do anything stupid.

    Then, Thorne’s voice broke the tension, cool and detached.

    “Kill me?” Hisugh was icy, filled with defiance. “No, King Dorian. That’s thest thing you’re going to do.”

    A beat of silence. Then, Dorian’s voice,ced with bitterness, cut through the air.

    “Why? Do you not believe I’m capable?”

    Thorne’sugh didn’t wayer. “Because I know that if I die at your hands, ra will never forgive you. You’ve worked

    so hard to win her over… You can’t risk losing that.”

    The silence stretched, thick with unspoken threats.

    “And I’m curious, King Dorian…” Thorne leaned in slightly, his gaze locked on Dorian. “What’s your endgame? Why is ra so damn important to you?”

    Dorian’s voice was a frigid whisper. /‘Because I love her. Obviously.”

    “Liar.” Thorne sneered. “You’ve barely known each other a month. Where does this ‘love‘e from? You didn’t want a Werewolf King, yet you’re willing to throw that away… just for her. She means that much to you?”

    Aug

    G13)

    Dorian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak.

    “Stop the act.” Thorne’s words were sharp, his voice low, menacing. “You and I aren’t so different. I know a lie

    when I hear one.”

    The tension grew unbearable.

    Finally, Dorian’s chuckle broke the stillness. It was dark, almost amused. “Now I really want to kill you. Can’t have you spilling the truth to ra.”

    “I won’t say a word,” Thorne replied coldly. “But I will win this damnpetition. I won’t let someone like you hurt

    ra.”

    I heard every word they exchanged, each one digging into me, leaving my mind reeling.

    Thorne was right, wasn’t he? Dorian was hiding something. But what? What could possibly be more important than the game he was ying? Why was ra caught in the middle?

    My thoughts were tangled. Thorne’s words echoed in my mind. Was Dorian here to manipte me, to use me for

    some dark purpose?

    No. I shook my head. He can’t be.

    But then, why the sudden push for control? Why was he so desperate to keep me close?

    Before I could piece everything together, Thorne’s voice sliced through my thoughts again.

    “I won’t let you hurt her.”

    I barely had time to process what he meant when the door to the red–brick house swung open. Thorne walked out, the wooden box clutched tightly in his arms. His face was a mix of determination and something… darker. He wasn’t just leaving with the wine–he was leaving with something far more dangerous: a promise to protect.

    But as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, I heard Dorian’s footsteps behind him. He was following Thorne out, This pace quickening, like a predator who couldn’t let go of his prey.

    “Thorne,” Dorian called, his voice dripping with something cold and threatening.

    Thorne stopped, his back to Dorian. He didn’t turn to face him. “What?”

    A smile twisted at the corner of Dorian’s lips. It was all wrong. The way his eyes gleamed. The way his fingers. flexed, ready for something more.

    “You really think I’m going to let you walk away with that wine?” Dorian’s voice was low, dangerous. “If I can’t use it to please ra… then no one else will.”

    I felt a chill shoot through me. The tension in the air was unbearable. Then, I saw Dorian’s hand move, and the metallic glint of a gun appeared.

    13)

    I gasped.

    No… he wasn’t-?

    Before I could even react, Dorian raised the gun, aiming straight at Thorne. He didn’t hesitate.

    BANG!

    The sound of gunfire shattered the silence, echoing across the vineyard.

    Time seemed to slow. I could feel my body freeze, my heart stalling. The red droplets sttered across the ground. Everything went numb.

    I didn’t know if it was the shock, the confusion, or the sheer fear. But I knew one thing for sure. This was only the beginning. And things were about to get a lot worse.

    Would Thorne survive? Would Dorian’s game finally end?

    The door mmed behind me.