bChapter /bb28 /b

ra’s POV

b“/bbYou /bthink I’m bdead/bb?/bb” /b

Garron flinched like I’d fired ba /bbullet instead of a sentenceb. /bbThe /bmurmur of bthe /bsoldiers behind me died instantly. The bair /btightened.

bI /bstepped forward slowly, bevery /bbit of my body aching, blood crusted over my side and dried in my hair. But none of that mattered.

bWhat /bmattered bwas /bthe look on Garron’s bface/bb–/bthe guiltb, /bthe bfear/b, the bpathetic /battempt at defiance.

“I asked you a question,” I said, voice low. “You thought I died in thereb, /bdidn’t you?b” /b

“I–I didn’t know for sure…” Garron stammered, eyes darting toward Thorne for help. He didn’t bget /bany.

“I gave you the benefit of the doubt when this mission started. I thought you were an ass, not a coward. But now I know you’re both.” I tilted my head. “Tell me something. Did you send us that map on purpose?”

Garron’s throat bobbed. “What–what are you talking about?”

“The trail led us directly to a den of variant bears–thirty of them,” I snapped. “The map you handed my team was altered. You sent us to die.”

Thorne turned his head sharply toward Garron.

“I didn’t-” Garron began.

“Then how did we end up in a cave that’s not even marked on the official territory map?” I took another step, and Garron backed away instinctively. “Don’t y dumb with me. I’ve lived in this pack. I know every inch of that forest. You can’t exin this away.”

Cael returned, now without Vessa in his arms. He must’ve handed her off to the medics. His jaw was clenched, his eyes like ice shards. “Say it, Garron. Say what you did.”

Garron looked around, desperate for an exit. “It was just a joke. I didn’t know it’d be that bad.”

“A joke?” I repeated, my voice sharpening like a de. “You thought sending me and my soldiers into a death trap would be funny?”

The crowd was silent. Even Thorne didn’t interrupt. His hands were at his sides, but his stance was alert–ready.

Garron shuffled again. “You’re all still alive, aren’t you? So what’s the problem?”

I bwas /bon him before anyone could blink.

My palm mmed into his chest, shoving him back against a tree. “We lost blood, we nearly died, and you call that a joke?” I snarled. “My team was almost buried in that cave. You don’t deserve to wear a Gamma pin.”

He tried to push me off. “bGet /boff me-”

“Or what?b” /bI hissed. “You’ll send me another forged map?”

Cael didn’t bstep /bin. Neither did Thorneb. /bGarron bwas /bon his own. 1/3

bChapter /b28

Co

b“/bbYou’re /bbdone/bb,/bb” /bbI /bbsaid /bbcoldly/bb. /bb“/bbI /bwant him stripped of his Gamma rankb./bb” /b

Garron bughed/bb, /bbut it was bweak /band trembling. b“/bYou don’t bhave /bthe authority to demand bthat-/bb” /b

b“/bbI /bdo,” Thorne cut in, stepping forward at bst/b. His bvoice /bwas low but deadly. “I gave her fullmand of this operationb. /bAnd bif /bGamma bra /bbwants /byou out, you’re out.”

Garron’s mouth dropped. “Alpha, please-”

“bSave /bit,” Thorne snapped. “You forged an bofficial /bpack document and risked the lives bof /ballied warriors. You’re lucky ra didn’t bkill /byou where you stood.”

I took a breath and stepped back. My body bwas /baching more now that the adrenaline had begun ito /ifade.

Cael looked at me. b“/bYou should bsit /bdownb./bb” /b

“No.” I said. “Not until I’m finished.”

I turned to the crowd. “Let this be a reminder. We are not enemies bhere/b. We are allies, training to survive what’sing from the rogue territory. If you treat your allies like prey, don’t bbe /bsurprised when no onees bto /bsave you.”

Silence. A few people lowered their eyes. Even Bex, the usually easygoing Gamma, looked uncharacteristically grim.

Garron dropped to his kneesb, /bbface /bpale. “I’m sorry-”

b“/bYour apology bis /bbas /bworthless bas /byour leadership,” I said.

Thorne nodded at Mylesb, /bwho stepped forward and ripped the Gamma pin off Garron’s chest. “You’re relieved,” Myles said quietly.

Two guards came forward and took Garron by the arms. He didn’t resist.

As they dragged him off, Cael turned to me. “You really should be resting.”

“Not yet,” I muttered. “Where’s Jory?”

“Already at the field clinic,” Cael said. “The medics are on it. Vessa too.”

Relief washed through me, just for a moment. “Good.”

Thorne cleared his throat and stepped closer. “You fought like a damn legend today.”

I looked up at him, expression unreadable. “You look surprised.”

He hesitated. “Not surprised. Just… regretful.”

“Regret’s cheap when the damage is done.” I turned my back and walked toward the edge of the clearing.

“rab, /bwait-”

b“/bbSave /bit for someone who wants to listen,” I called over my shoulder.

I didn’t look bback/b.