bChapter /bb84 /b

    Ididn’t i

    1 say a word for a long time, just standing there, the tension between us thick in the an

    Then, finally turned toce Thorne, my mind drifting far from the present moment.

    “What do you thinkst night was?” I asked, my voice surprisingly steady

    His jaw bwitched, and the muscle under his right eye lightened. His gaze, once fed with warmth, began to harden

    I could feel it his anger starting to bubble up

    With a quick, almost defensive motion, he shot the question back at me. “What do you thinkst night was then

    “S“x,” I said, blunt and simple

    “And that’s Nothing else?”

    “No,” Iahswered, shrugging lightly. “Maybe a little worry, sure. But I was told mating was part of the healing proce

    I didn’t finish the sentence before bhis /biron grip tightened on my bchin/b, pulling bmy /bface up to meet his furious gare.

    “You were bhaving /bs*x with me out of pity?” bHis /bvoice was a low growl, eyes like a storm about to break loose

    I didn’t flinch. I met his gaze coolly

    Your wall needed me. And you seemed to enjoy it. Why can’t we just leave it at that?”

    His eyes darkened further, and I could feel the raw frustration rolling off him

    “Because I want more!” he roared, his voice rough with anger.

    “I want you toe back. I want to im you as mine, the right way! ra,st night… we were great. I know you feel it too. So wity can’t youe back

    ΤΟ ΠΑΤ

    A sigh escaped me, bbarely /baudible.

    “I told byou/b. It was just s“. I won’t deny that it was… enjoyable. But it doesn’t change anything. I can have that with someone else,” I said, holding his gaze as I spoke, letting the truth of it sink in.

    His hand shot out to mp down on my jaw, his grip brutal.

    “Don’t,” he hissed, voice a dangerous bwhisper/b.

    1 jerked my head back, breaking free from his grasp.

    “You get the drill,” I mutteredb, /ba cold smile tugging at my lips as I stepped back

    Thorne stood frozen, his chest still bleeding through the bandage. His hair was a mess, and his beyes /bwere bloodshot. He looked like a beast, defeated,

    “I don’t get it,” he said hoarsely, his voice cracking as he spoke. “You feel something for me. So why push me away? Why le cold

    bd /bagain? Is it another man?”

    I shook my head, fighting the bitterness that threatened to tise. This has nothing to do with anyone else.”

    “Then-”

    For byou/b, then turn ice-

    “I’m tired of being your Luna, Thorne,” I said quietly, my voice shaking despite my e

    up it folt like hell When I left Direstone Pack, left my past behind, I can forgive you, but we can’t go back to what

    fatale: “Staying in that empty Jonni,.

    He stood there, a mix of confusion, anger, and pain sattling in his eyes. He looked like he couldn’t breathe under the weight of it.

    Finally, he spoke again, his voice cough. “But you’re fine with us having bsa /b

    I bit my lip, holding back the wave of emotions that crashed over me

    I nodded, barely a movement.

    His lingers brushed against my hair gently, as if testing the waters. His thumb traced the cure of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

    “Like we’re just “x partners, then?” His voice was low, uncertain,

    I didn’t know what he wanted from me just nodded, reluctant “If that’s how you want to call it

    “Fine,” He spun away, his back now to me, as if the conversation had ended.

    “Leave my tent, Gamma ra,” he said tly, his tone as cold as the distance he was putting between us. “We’ve got things to do today.”

    His words stung more than I cared to admit

    I nced down at his bloodied bandage. “At least let me change the bandage for you…”

    He grabbed his shirt and yanked it over his head. “Get the doctor. You can leave now.”

    He was bbarely /blooking at me as he dressed, his voiceced with mockery. “What, you looking for a second round?”

    I didn’t answer, turning on my heel and bwalking /bout of the tent.

    I wandered through the ruined streets of Cragen Fortress, my fest dragging, my mind still stuck on the fight that felt far from over. The battle had left the bce /bin tatters–broken walls, scattered weapons, and the lingering scent of ash in the air. Yet, the soldiers worked relentlessly, helping to restore some normalcy to the wreckage. Temporary shelters dotted the streets, with vendors selling what they could to get by.

    I should have been looking for Vessa and the other Gammas, preparing for what came next. But my mind kept circling back to Thorne. His face, the way he’d looked at me–his desperation, his hurt. It yed in my head over and over again.

    I should’ve been stronger. I know I had made the right choice, but it didn’t make the bpain /bany less.

    “Gamma ra!”

    Ispun around, startled.

    A familiar face ran toward me–Lance Alder, the smith I’d saved from the rogue.

    “Gamma ra, how are you?” His handshake was firm, his smile warm, but it felt distant to me.

    “Good,” I said, forcing a smile, though my mind bwas /bmiles away. “How’s your wife and child! Got a ce to stay?”

    “They’re doing well. Soldiers set us up in a tent on the ruins. I’m volunteering to help rebuild.”

    “d to hear it,” I bsaid/b, but the exhaustion in my voice couldn’t be masked.

    There was a brief silence before Lance’s expression grew serious.

    “I want to join your army,” he bsaid/b, bhis /bbeyes /bfull of determination. “I hate the rogues, and I have skills that could help. buld weapons. I’m good with

    mechanisms.”“”

    frowned, appreciated his enthusiasm, but I knee the rules Civilians couldict enlist.

    I was about to politely decline when Vessa and Jory appeared, looking erprof.

    Wess wasted no time. “We need to talk”

    She nced at Lance, her eyes sharp, and he took the hint, backing off with a quick, respectful nod,

    “y’ll think about it, Lance,” I said, offering a smile that didn’t reach my tyr

    As Lance disappeared down the street, Vessa leaned in, her volo barely abou a whisper. “The rogues…they’ve been spotted. They’re heading toward

    the Grand Canyon.”

    The Grand Canyon? That was deep within repue territory.

    “They might be heading to their headquarters.” I muttered.

    prave, “Our scouts heard them howling and cheering for the “Rogue King” it sounded like they just lost a battle

    “And there’s more.” Jory added, his face pr

    My stomach clenched, “So, the Rogue King’s still alive?”

    ly never left their headquarters,” Vessa said, her voice low. “We thought we defeated him, but we weren’t even close

    “He probably

    My mind raced

    b“/bWe need to alert the others,” I bsaid/b, tuming to leave. But Jory’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist.

    “Did you… do itst night?” he asked, his voice full of confusion

    puffed my wrist free, my anger ring. “Jory, don’t cross the line!”

    Thurried away, desperate to escape his probing questions. But in my haste, I didn’t notice Lance lurking in the shadows, watching us with a calcting smile on his face.

    I walked faster, but the unease gnawing at my stomach wouldn’t let me forget.

    (AD)