bChapter 14 /b

ra’s POV

“Alpha…” Mi’s voice trembled as she copsed on the muddy path, her wide eyes ssy with tears. “Please… my feet can’t take this…”

Nobody moved.

Cael and Vessa just stared at her, unimpressed. ric was too busy soaking in the view to even notice her theatrics.

Mi turned to herst resort.

“Alpha…” she whimpered, crawling forward until she could clutch the hem of Thorne’s hiking pants. “You remember, don’t you? That winter… when we were eight… lost in the woods?”

Thorne stiffened.

That memory hit like a lightning bolt.

He’d wandered into the forest that year–cold, disoriented, stupidly proud. Passed out under a pine, thinking that was how it’d end. Until Mi, little Mi, dragged him home on her tiny back. He remembered the blood on her feet. How she limped for days. How he’d never forgotte

Thorne drew in a breath, then crouched. “Get on.”

Mi’s eyes lit up instantly. “Thank you,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and climbing onto his back.

When they passed by me, Mi tossed a smug look over her shoulder like she’d won a trophy.

I didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t care.

She could dangle off his neck like a vine for all I cared.

The truth was, my heart stopped beating for that man six months ago–right when he let me bleed in that rogue camp and still turned his back.

“Let’s keep moving,” I told ric, and we continued on.

It took two more hours, but finally, the sound of rushing water grew louder. The trees parted like curtains, and there it was–the Great Waterfall.

The thunder of water filled the air, plunging downyers of worn stone into a vast crystal pool. A mist curled above it, cool and clean. You could feel the

force from here, like the mountain was alive..

ric spread his arms and tilted his head back,ughing. “Now this is what I call a view!”

“This ce is gorgeous all year round,” I said. “Winter gives the waterfall a frozen crown. But summer’s the best for swimming.”

Back when I first came home, I’d spent hours hiking here alone, pitching tents under the stars. This was the only ce where my mind went quiet–where I didn’t hear rejection echoing in my chest.

ric nced at me, like he’d sensed the weight behind my words.

Then he pped his hands. “I have a better idea. How about we jump?”

“Jump?” I repeated.

“Yeah! Cliff dive!” he said, already grinning. “Let’s make some memories!”

Everyone turned to look at the cliff.

15:09 Mon, 28 Jul G

Except Mi, who looked like she’d seen a ghost.

“Are you insane?!” she yelped. “That drop is a hundred feet!”

ric shrugged. “We’re wolves, not humans. What’s a little gravity?”

“Even kids are doing it,” Vessa muttered, pointing across the pool.

Sure enough, a group of giggling children were already leaping from the lower ledges, yelping with joy.

“Don’t tell me a little kid’s braver than a Luna–wannabe,” Vessa added.

Mi’s face went white.

b30/b%部

I almostughed. She was panicking. She’d neverpleted any diving training growing up. She’d always made me take her ce. While she watched from the shore, I’d been the one shoved into icy water again and again.

She was born with silver spoons and zero spine.

As Mi silently spiraled into panic mode, ric had already taken his shirt off and approached the edge.

“Race you all!” he shouted, thenunched off the cliff with a howl of excitement.

We watched him plunge into the water, vanish, then re–emergeughing like a child.

“I’m going,” I said, pulling off my jacket and rolling my shoulders. I’d done plenty of dives before. But never this high.

“Feeling nervous?” a voice murmured beside me.

Thorne.

He was shirtless now–sun–kissed skin, muscled chest, the whole Alpha package. He stood too close, his breath brushing my ear.

“Don’t tter yourself,” I said coolly. “I’m not Mi.”

He leaned in slightly, smirking. “Then why’s your pulse jumping?”

Before I could respond, he grabbed my hand.

“Don’t overthink it,” he said. “Just jump.”

He squeezed.

I squeezed back.

And we jumped–together.

The wind tore past my ears. My heart pounded as the world flipped upside down. Then–ssh. Cold water enveloped us like a shockwave. When I broke the surface, gasping, I wasughing.

Genuinelyughing.

We both were.

“Alpha-!” Mi’s scream rang from above, a shrill note of disbelief and betrayal.

Toote.

We were already swimming.

15:09 Mon, 28 bJul /bG

Back at the cliff, Mi stood paralyzed at the edge, teeth clenched.

Thorne had jumped… with ra.

And held her hand like it meant something.

“This must be a dream,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“Still here?” Vessa’s voice was dangerously sweet as she stepped up beside Mi. “Did you want to go

“I–I’m thinking about it…”

“Oh, don’t stress,” Vessa said, patting her shoulder mockingly. “We can help.”

Mi stiffened.

Cael joined her, cracking his knuckles with a wolfish grin. “I mean… a gentle push never hurt anyone.”

Mi spun around, eyes wide in horror.

Vessa smiled. “Say the word, princess.”

b3/3 /b

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