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Chapter 323
~Zade’s POV~
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders. It was done.
But just as I turned, a low, pitiful groan ca from the side. My eyes snapped toward the sound.
Kyllian. Kane’s beta was there.
He lay sprawled on the floor, his broken wrist cradled against his chest, his face twisted in pain.
I stalked toward him, my boots crunching against the blood-stained ground.
Kyllian flinched as I lood over him. His once handso face was now dirtied like the floor he was lying on.
"Good. Very good," my wolf applauded inside .
I turned, eyes narrowing at Kyllian, who was crawling toward , his broken wrist cradled against his chest.
"Please," he croaked.
I crouched down, gripping his chin roughly and forcing him to et my gaze. "Give one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now." My eyes glowed red as my wolf pushed forward so more. He was eager for blood and I was ready to appease his thirst.
"Wait! WAIT!" Kyllian swallowed hard. "The pit—" He coughed, gasping. "I—I know where it leads."
I stilled.
One of the n Aira had injured groaned from behind , trying to push himself up. Imdiately, I slamd my boot down on his spine, pinning him in place.
"Talk," I ordered Kyllian.
He nodded frantically. "It leads to an underground passage—a tunnel opens up in the ruins behind this warehouse. If they’re alive, that’s where they’ll be."
I stared at him for a long mont. Then, I made my decision.
"Get up." I grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward the exit. "You’re taking there."
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~Aira’s POV~
The tunnel slled worse than the pit.
Storm clung to my side as we trudged through the dark passage, my wolf senses sharp, listening for any sounds from above.
Then, a rustling noise.
Footsteps.
I tensed, shifting Storm behind , ready to fight.
A beam of light cut through the darkness.
"Aira."
My entire body sagged in relief at the familiar voice. "Zade."
He was here. Thank goodness.
In three strides, he closed the distance. Once we ca into his line of sight, he pushed Kyllian to the side and rushed towards us.
Zade’s arms wrapped around both and Storm, crushing us against his chest.
For the first ti since this nightmare started, I let myself breathe.
Storm grumbled against him. "Too tight."
Zade loosened his grip just slightly, pulling back to cup my face. His thumb brushed over my cheek, his eyes scanning , searching. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head. "We’re okay."
He exhaled deeply. "Good."
Storm turned to Kyllian, who stood a few feet away, looking torn between relief and fear.
Zade followed his gaze.
Kyllian shifted uncomfortably. "I told you where they were. Let go."
For a long mont, Zade said nothing.
Then, he smirked. "I will let you go. But rember this day, Kyllian." His voice dropped, dangerously. "Rember the rcy I gave you. Because if you ever cross again?"
Kyllian’s throat bobbed as he nodded quickly. "Understood."
Zade flicked his wrist. "Then get lost."
The Beta ran.
Zade turned back to and Storm.
"Let’s go ho," he murmured.
I nodded, gripping his hand tightly as we walked out of the nightmare together.
Just as we stepped outside close to Zade’s car, an explosion occurred, followed by scorching flas burning in the fields.
"He... is..."
"That’s your brother’s doing. Snow got your back."
"And Zara?" I asked, unsure of what to expect.
"I left her with Snow at the hotel. I do not know her whereabouts.
My son lifted his head as his eyes fixed on mine. "Mum, is Auntie Zara alright?" I stuttered briefly before putting on a facade. "She’s with your Daddy Snow."
I smiled at Zade and instead of entering his car, I helped Storm inside, belted him up, and hugged him and Zade in turn.
"I’ll drive alone. Please, protect him."
"Always."
Once we were all in, I kickstarted my car and waited for them before driving off. A few seconds later, my phone rang, pulling my attention to the caller.
"Mom." I answered the call, placing it on speaker as I drove.
"Hello?"
"Oh my God," she sighed in relief. "Aira, my love. How are you and my grandchild?"
"We’re safe now. I’m coming ho."
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~Snow’s POV~
The house was filled with movent, voices blending as warriors reported back, securing the area. I barely acknowledged any of it as I walked through the front doors, my focus set on one thing.
Zara.
I needed to see her. I needed to hold her.
"Where’s Zara?" I asked the first maid I saw.
"In your room, Alpha."
I nodded and imdiately went upstairs, my pulse quickening with every step.
When I pushed open the bedroom door, I found her standing by the window, her arms wrapped around herself as she gazed outside.
The glow of the moonlight illuminated her face, but there was sothing distant in her eyes, sothing she wasn’t saying.
I stepped in quietly, closing the door behind before approaching her. Without a word, I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her into my chest.
For a mont, she tensed, but then she lted into , her hands resting over mine.
"You’re back," she murmured.
I kissed the top of her head. "I am." A brief silence passed between us before I asked, "Did you see Storm?"
She nodded but didn’t turn around. "Yes, I saw him when he exited Zade’s car."
"Then let’s go see him."
She finally turned in my arms, her blue eyes eting mine. "I’m pretty sure your sister wouldn’t want anywhere near her son again."
I sighed. "Zara, please don’t be—"
"Please don’t insist that I’m being petty," she cut in, her voice calm but firm. "I’m trying to respect myself. I know Storm is okay, and that’s what matters. Just... pass along my regards, will you?"
"Zara..."
"I just want to be alone."
Her words stung, but I knew pushing her would only make things worse. I exhaled, brushing my knuckles along her cheek. "Alright. But you’re not alone, you know that, right?"
She gave a small, sad smile. "I know."
Just as I pulled back, the bedroom door burst open.
Small, frantic footsteps echoed across the room before a tiny body collided with Zara.
"Auntie Zara!"
Storm’s little arms wrapped tightly around her waist, his face buried in her stomach as he sniffled. "I missed you."
Zara’s breath hitched as she looked down at him, her hands hovering over his back, hesitantly.
Just as she was about to hug him back, a shift in the air made her freeze—a presence.
And then, from the doorway, a familiar voice cut in. "Hello, Zara."
Aira.
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