Chapter 246
SONIAS POV
The nursery was quiet, the soft hum of the wand outside the only sound as I sat in the rocking chair, No amount of serenity in this room could quiet the storm raging inside me.
The events of the festival replayed in my mind like a broken record, Lorena’s cold smile, the chaos of the rogue attack, Cade’s blood staining my hands again for the second time as I pressed against his wound. Every moment felt like a blow, a reminder of how close we had come to losing everything
I traced my hand on my growing stomach, my heart aching with the weight of it all. How could I keep them safe? How could I promise them a world free of fear when Lorena’s shadow loomed over us, growing darker with every passing day?
A soft knock on the door startled me. I looked up to see Ivy slipping into the room, her expression tense.
“Everything okay!” I whispered, sounding tired.
She nodded but didn’t step further inside. “I just wanted to check on you” she said. “And remind you to get some rest. You’ve been running on fumes all day.”
“I will” I promised, though we both knew it was a lie. Rest wasn’t something I could afford, not now.
Ivy hesitated, her hand lingering on the doorframe. “You’re not alone, Sonia,” she said softly. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
1 offered her a faint smile, appreciating the sentiment even if I couldn’t fully believe it. “Thank you.”
She nodded, then slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more
I didn’t know how long I sat there, rocking myself, searching for comfort of the moment was shattered by a sudden noise, a soft thud, followed by the creak of a floorboard.
Every muscle in my body went rigid, my senses sharpening as adrenaline surged through me. Carefully, I stepped toward the door, my hand instinctively reaching for the dagger strapped to my thigh.
The nursery door creaked open, and for a moment, all I could see was darkness. Then a figure stepped into the room, the moonlight catching the pleam of a blade in her hand
“Lorena,” I whispered, my voice trembling with equal parts fear and fury,
Her smile was cold, cruel. “Sonia,” she said, her tone almost mocking. “I thought I’d find you here. Oh I see. She said looking around the nursery. “Playing the devoted mother, while your pack crumbles around you.”
I stepped between her and the cribs, my dagger drawn. “You won’t touch me.” I said, my voice firm despite the panic clawing at my chest.
She ulted her head, her smile widening “So brave,” she said. “But bravery won’t save you.”
She lunged, her blade ained straight for my heart. I moved to block her, our weapons clashing in the confined space of the nursery. The sound of
I against metal rang out
metal.
“You’re pathetic, Lorena spat as we fought, her movements swift and deadly. “Clinging to this fantasy of peace, of safety. It’s all an illusion, Sonia And I’m going to tear it apart
“You won’t win,” I growled, dodging another strike. This pack is stronger than you’ll ever be
■ She laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “We’ll see about that.
The light was a blur of motion and noise, each strike and counterstrike a desperate attempt to gain the upper hand. But then, just as I thought I saw an opening, she franted, her blade darting toward me faster than I could react.
I braced for the impact, my mind racing with fear and regret. Hut the blow never came.
Instead, a figure stepped between us, the blade sinking into his chest with sickening precision,
“Daniel,” I gasped, my wore breaking.
1/2
11:05 AM c d ·
Chapter 216
He stumbled, blood blooming across his shirt as he turned to face me. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice weak but filled with resolve. “I had to protect
“No.“1 whispered, catching him as he fell. “No, no, no
Lorena stood over us, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes flickering to the dagger still clutched in her hund. Then she stepped back, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as she had come,
Daniel’s breathing was shallow, his face pate as I lowered him to the floor. “Stay with me,” I begged, pressing my hands against the wound. “You’re going to be okay.”
o late,” he said, his voice barely audible.
He shook his head, a faint, rueful smile on his lips. “It’s too l
“No,” I said firmly, tears streaming down my face. “Don’t say that. You’re going to make it. We’ll get the healers-
“Sonda,” he i interrupted, his hand gripping mine weakly. “The dagger, it’s laced with silver. And…
His words hit me like a blow, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe
“I’m sorry,” he said again, his voice trembling. “For everything. I never wanted to betray you.”
poison. There’s no antidote
I shook my head, my tears falling freely. “You didn’t betray us. Daniel. Not tonight. You saved me. You saved my family
His gaze softened, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of peace in his eyes. “She’s targeting the elders and the pups,” he said, his voice fading. “You have to stop her
“I will” I promised, my voice breaking. “I swear I will
He smiled faintly, his grip on my hand loosening. “Thank you,” he whispered. “For giving me a chance to make it right. Please on my bel behalf take care of of my family…please
“Yes. yes Daniel, I…I will promise… I cried.
And then he was gone.
I don’t know how long I sat there, cradling his lifeless body as the reality of what had just happened sank in.
Ramon burst into the room, his sword drawn, his eyes wild with panic. When he saw me on the floor with Daniel his expression shifted to one of shock and sorrow.
“What happened?” he asked, kneeling beside me.
“Lorena,” I said, my voice hollow, “She came for me. Daniel, he saved me.”
Ramon’s jaw tightened, his hand resting on my s
shoulder. “Where is she?”
“Gone.” I said, my chest tightening with anger and grief. “But she left us a message.”
“What message!”
trying to destroy us from the inside”
I met his gaze, my eyes burning with unshed te
tears. “She’s going after the elders and the pups. She’s tr Ramon’s expression darkened, his fury mirroring my own. Then we make sure she fails,” he said, his voice firm.
2/2
Command
Taba Check–n
sacrifice woul
And this time
