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Chapter 233
~Snow’s POV~
At the ntion of the warehouse, my breathing stilled.
"Either they were stupid or it was intentional sending that picture via email as well as this envelope."
I stiffened, my mind flashing to the last ti we’d been there. It was where Marcus had been taken down. Or so we thought.
"Soone’s playing gas," I muttered. "And they want us back at the warehouse."
Before Dare Devil could respond, my phone buzzed on the desk. The na on the screen made my stomach tighten—Jupiter.
I answered quickly, putting the call on speaker. "What is it?"
"Snow," Jupiter’s voice ca through, laced with urgency. "We just intercepted sothing on my server—an encrypted voice note. I’ve forwarded it to your phone. You need to hear this."
The call ended abruptly, and a notification popped up on my screen. I opened the file, pressing play.
A distorted voice filled the room, crackling and low. "You’re getting closer, but you’ll never find . Not until I’m ready."
Dare Devil’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "That’s not Marcus. But whoever it is, they want you to believe they’re in control."
"They won’t be for long," I said coldly, my wolf growling in agreent.
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~Tempest’s POV~
The cool breeze in the garden brushed against my skin, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass.
Although the event was underway, I just couldn’t bring myself to attend in fear that I might see Ryland.
I leaned against a stone bench, my phone pressed to my ear. Koda’s voice on the other end was steady, comforting in a way that I desperately needed.
"Tempest, you’ve been distracted since you got there," Koda said softly. "Are you alright?"
"I’m fine," I replied quickly, though my fingers tightened around the phone. "It’s just... being back here, you know? Old mories."
His sigh ca through the line, low and heavy. "Old mories or old people?"
I winced, knowing exactly what he ant. He didn’t need to say Ryland’s na—it hung unspoken between us. "Koda, I—"
"It’s okay," he interrupted gently. "I trust you. I just don’t want you getting hurt. You deserve better."
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see . "I know, Koda. I promise... I’ll figure it out."
But before I could say more, a familiar sensation prickled at the back of my neck. I stiffened, the phone slipping slightly in my hand as I felt his presence behind .
"Tempest?" Koda’s voice called through the phone.
"I... I’ll call you back," I murmured, ending the call abruptly before turning around.
Ryland stood a few feet away, his hands tucked into his pockets, his eyes locked on mine. The late afternoon sun caught the sharp angles of his face, making him look as devastatingly handso as ever.
"You always did look beautiful out here," he remarked.
Despite the warmth spreading through at his words, I forced a tight smile. "Thanks," I quickly tried to mask my reaction, "but we need to talk."
He nodded and stepped forward. "I figured. Considering you’ve been avoiding since you got here."
I hesitated, searching for the right words, but they tangled on my tongue. Finally, I t his gaze, summoning every ounce of courage I had.
"Ryland, I think... I think it’s ti we break off whatever this is. Cleanly. No lingering feelings, no confusion. Just... end it."
The words left my mouth, but the mont they did, his expression shifted. His jaw tightened, and sothing flashed in his eyes—hurt, defiance, determination.
"I can’t do that," he said simply.
I blinked, stunned. "What do you an, you can’t? Ryland, we had a fling. That’s all it was supposed to be."
"And you think I didn’t know that?" he asked, stepping closer. His voice softened, but it held a raw honesty that made my breath hitch. "I knew what it was. But sowhere along the way, Tempest, it stopped being just a fling for ."
I froze, my heart hamring in my chest as he reached for my hand. His touch was warm and grounding, even as it sent a shiver through .
"I love you," he said quietly, the words so sincere they felt like they hung in the air between us. "And I know you’re stubborn and hot-headed and impossible to pin down. But that’s what I love about you. You’re fierce, you’re passionate, and you don’t take shit from anyone."
"Ryland, don’t—" I tried to interrupt, but he gently squeezed my hand, pulling a step closer.
"It’s been hell pretending I didn’t care," he continued, emotion filling his voice. "Every ti I see you, every ti you look at like I don’t matter, it tears apart. But I know you feel sothing too, Tempest. You wouldn’t be running so hard if you didn’t."
Tears pricked my eyes, and I shook my head. "No. I can’t do this, Ryland."
"Yes, you can," he insisted, his other hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I know you, Tempest. I know how scared you are of letting soone in, of getting hurt. But you don’t have to fight . I’m not your enemy. I just want you so much, Temp. I love you, my wildfire."
His words broke through every wall I’d built around myself, every excuse I’d clung to. Before I could think, before I could stop myself, I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.
The kiss ignited a fire, shattering every doubt and fear. His hands slid up my arms, pulling closer as his lips moved against mine, slow and deliberate.
I felt his fingers brush the small of my back, tracing over the fabric of my dress as he deepened the kiss.
My hands found their way to his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat under my fingertips grounding even as my head spun.
He tilted his head, his lips trailing along my jaw before capturing my mouth again, his intensity leaving breathless.
Every touch, every movent spoke of the emotions he’d been holding back—desire, frustration, and an undeniable love that scared as much as it thrilled .
But the reality of it all ca crashing down like a wave.
"No."
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