LARA
The forest was thick with shadows and the scent of pine, a world away from the cold, damp dungeon where my father and the other prisoners were held. As I stood at the edge of the tree line, I clutched the royal necklace around my neck, feeling its comforting weight against my skin. This necklace, a gift from my mother, was said to possess ancient magic, a relic of our pack’s legacy. Tonight, it would be our key to freedom.
Magnus paced beside me, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. “Lara, I can’t let you do this alone,” he insisted for the hundredth time.
“I have to,” I replied, my voice firm despite the fear gnawing at my insides. “They’re my family. My father is in there. If anything happens to him…”
He stopped pacing and took my hand, his grip strong and reassuring. “Then we’ll do it together,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine.
"You cannot leave our son here, Magnus. Just trust me. I'll be back. I can do it," I insisted.
He nodded, gently holding my hand, “
