Novel-novel oleh Author B.C

Lisa’s POVThe moment the bell stopped ringing, Kael and I exchanged a glance before getting to our feet.Neither of us said a word.I followed him out of the spare room, and the moment we stepped into the corridor, we saw warriors hurrying toward the main hall from every direction.The entire compound was filled with restless whispers.“What happened?”“Did you hear that explosion?”“They said it came from the abandoned tent.”“I heard someone was inside.”My stomach tightened.Kael and I joined the stream of warriors heading toward the hall. The tension in the air was almost suffocating, and with every step, my heart pounded harder against my ribs.As soon as we entered the hall, I spotted Alpha Lucien standing at the center.His jaw was clenched, his expression dark as he stared at the gathered warriors.“I don't understand how that tent exploded.”His voice carried across the hall, immediately silencing the murmurs.“That place was supposed to be secured. No one was allowed anywhe

Lisa’s POVThe moment Kael stepped through the opening, a deafening roar tore through the air.The force of the blast hurled us backward, and I barely had time to gasp before Kael wrapped both arms around me, pulling me tightly against his chest. His body twisted in midair, positioning himself between me and the flying debris.We crashed onto the ground together.For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything except the ringing in my ears.My heart pounded violently against my ribs as I lifted my head and stared at what remained of the tent.It had been completely destroyed.Smoke billowed into the air, mixing with dust and fragments of fabric. Pieces of wood and debris were scattered across the ground, and the once-standing structure had been reduced to ruins.Everything around me seemed to freeze.Jade… I'm so sorry.A rush of memories suddenly hit me: The argument between us… our trays we had both spilled… the way she had told Mrs. Bella that everything had been my fault… the way

Lisa’s POVI took a step toward Kael, ready to run to him, but he dragged the sword in his hand across the ground as he forced himself back onto his feet.His uniform was drenched in blood.“Kael,” I called, my voice trembling.But instead of looking at me, he turned toward Varek.Varek had already positioned himself near the unsealed section of the tent, his blade angled toward the opening as he prepared to tear through it and escape.So that was why he had left that section unsealed. He had been planning his escape all along.Kael lunged forward and drove his foot into Varek’s chest, sending him crashing onto his back.“You’re bleeding,” I said, staring at the blood soaking through Kael’s uniform.“Find a way out,” he replied.Before I could respond, Varek pushed himself off the ground and charged at Kael, his sword slicing through the air.Kael raised his own blade just in time as their swords collided with enough force to send a sharp vibration through the tent.My chest tightened

Lisa’s POVWe tiptoed toward the tent, careful not to make a sound. As we reached the entrance, Kael moved ahead and pressed his ear against the fabric, listening intently.“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Varek’s thunderous voice erupted from inside.There was silence.Then his voice came again, this time filled with disbelief. “What do you mean they’re gone? How the hell did they escape?”“I told them your plan.” Jade’s voice came firmly.My eyes widened.Was that really Jade? She had actually dared to stand up to Varek?Nyra murmured. ‘Maybe she’s finally taking your advice’I frowned.No, I don't think that was it. Jade knew Varek was going to kill her regardless. Maybe she had simply decided she had nothing left to lose.“Jade!” Varek roared. “You little brat!”A sharp slap cracked through the tent.My breath caught.I immediately met Kael’s gaze and gestured toward the entrance.Go in already.But he shook his head.Seriously?Was he planning to wait until Varek killed her? Th

Lisa’s POV“I only came to tell you that. I have to head back now,” Ray said as he turned toward the door.I followed him and helped unlock it. Once he stepped outside, I quickly locked it behind him.“Are you sure we can trust them?” I asked Kael as I returned to the couch.“Jade was telling the truth,” he said instead. “Which means she’s genuinely putting her life at risk for us.”I furrowed my brows.He was right. That was far too high a price to pay for betraying us.Kael began pacing across the room, one hand resting thoughtfully against his chin.“So, what do you think we should do?” I asked.He stopped and met my gaze. “We have to save her.”My eyes widened. “What?”Did he seriously think he could save a loyal servant from her master? Jade could easily be feeding him information only to turn him over to Varek without a second thought.Nyra spoke. ‘Remember, she was controlled by fear’I’ve already told you not to tell me that.“We can’t just let her die,” Kael said.I stood up,

Lisa's POV“There’s no need for this,” Kael muttered as he listened to the voice calling from outside.“Ray! Ray!”“Shh.” I quickly pressed a finger to my lips.“Are you there?” the voice called again.“That’s Cole’s…”Before Kael could finish, I gently pressed my finger against his lips.He fell silent as our gazes locked.Heat rushed through me as I realized what I had just done.Did I really just silence my instructor?Nyra giggled. ‘You just did’I didn’t mean to. I just don’t want us to get caught.“It seems he isn’t here. He should be at the hall, then,” the voice said.The footsteps moved closer to the door.I held my breath.A moment later, the door opened and then shut again.Only after the footsteps faded did I slowly remove my finger from Kael’s lips.A faint smile curled across his lips, his eyes still fixed on me.I quickly looked away, forcing an awkward smile.“I guess he’s gone now,” I whispered.I slowly stepped out of the bathroom and cautiously peeped outside.There

Liora’s POV*Days later*Derek was doing much better now and was finally ready to resume work.I swung my bag over my shoulder and joined everyone at the dining table.“Mummy!” Aurora called excitedly as she ran toward me, dressed in her school uniform.I bent down and lifted her into my arms.“Good morning,” she greeted with a bright smile.“Morning, Rora, darling,” I murmured, playfully pressing my forehead against hers.She giggled.“Liora, come join us,” Derek’s mother called.I forced a smile before walking over. I placed Aurora on her chair and took my seat beside her.“So, I’ll be leaving soon,” Derek’s mother announced.Oh, thank goddess.Her gaze shifted toward Aurora before settling on me.“But I hope you all won’t miss me too much.”Not even a little.I forced another smile.“Also, I heard Starlight will be having a meeting with Madison Enterprise in two days. It’s a very important meeting. Your mother doesn’t take her dealings with them lightly,” she continued.I know that

Liora's POV“Are you sure about what you're saying?” Derek's mother asked, still looking at me in disbelief.I nodded, unable to hide the smile spreading across my face as a tear slipped down my cheek.Without another word, she turned and hurried toward the ICU doors. My mother and Jade followed closely behind her.Before I could take another step, Aurora came running toward me.“Mummy!”I quickly bent down and lifted her into my arms, holding her tightly against my chest.“I want to see Daddy,” she whispered, her lower lip trembling as tears gathered in her eyes.I gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.“Daddy is resting right now, sweetheart. He'll wake up and see you soon.”Rora, darling… you had no idea what was happening. You were too young to understand how close we'd come to losing your father.A few minutes later, the ICU doors opened, and Derek's mother stepped out first. Her entire expression had changed; the worry in her eyes had been replaced with relief.“You were

Liora's POVThe ICU doors slid open, and Derek's mother and I stepped inside.Derek lay motionless on the hospital bed, his eyes peacefully shut.A clear oxygen cannula rested beneath his nose, while an IV line disappeared into the back of his hand.His left arm was wrapped in thick white bandages and secured in a sling to prevent movement. One of his legs was heavily bandaged as well, slightly elevated on a pillow.Machines surrounded him, their monitors flashing numbers and steady rhythms.Seeing him like this shattered me.A sob escaped before I could stop it."Derek..."His name broke apart on my lips.Beside me, his mother covered her mouth as silent tears streamed down her face."My baby..."Her trembling whisper barely reached my ears.She slowly walked to his bedside and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from his forehead."When you were little," she whispered softly, "you always hated hospitals. The moment you smelled medicine, you'd start crying."A fragile smile app

Liora's POVTears rolled down my cheeks as I sat in the hospital lobby.Derek... please come back to me.I clasped my hands tightly together. "Liora."At the sound of my mum's voice, I turned and saw her walking toward me with Jade.I rushed into her arms and hugged her tightly."It's okay... it's okay," Mum whispered repeatedly as she rubbed my back.She gently guided me back to the waiting area, and we sat down, my head resting against her shoulder.A moment later, a nurse stepped out, and I quickly shot to my feet."How's he?" I asked.But she didn't answer. Instead, she hurried away."Calm down, Liora," Mum said, holding my hand."How can I be calm..." My voice softened painfully. "When Derek is in there?"She gently stroked my hair."His mother will be here soon," she said.I looked up at her, my eyes widening.Just then, Aurora's tiny voice rang out."Mummy!"I turned and saw her struggling to keep up with Derek's mother. The moment she was let down, Aurora ran straight toward

Liora's POVMy heart pounded against my ribs as I rose to my feet.The moment the call ended, I immediately forwarded the recording I'd secretly captured to Jade.Please... let us not be too late.With trembling fingers, I opened the location-tracking app Derek and I had installed on each other's phones months ago.The loading icon spun, then a blinking blue dot appeared.Relief and terror collided inside me."I found him."My voice shook as I turned toward the bodyguards."We're leaving. Now."Neither of them wasted a second. They fell into step behind me as we rushed out of the house.The car sped through the streets, weaving between traffic while I kept my eyes glued to the moving location on my phone.The blue dot continued shifting; he was still moving.Please... stay alive.I quickly dialed Jade as she answered almost instantly. "Ma'am.""Send the recording to the police immediately. I want officers surrounding us, track our location. Use the recording as evidence. No delays.""

Derek's POVJust then, a waiter walked toward me."Can I get your order, sir?" he asked, forcing a smile.Before I could answer, my eyes landed on a man sitting alone with several expensive liquor bottles scattered across his table. He smoked a cigar leisurely, his gaze never leaving me.Why was he staring at me like that?"Sir?" the waiter called, pulling my attention back.I looked at him."I know I've seen you before, though I can't remember where." His smile remained, but his voice dropped so low I almost missed it. "You need to run. They're after you."They're here already?My eyes widened as I looked back at the stranger.He was still watching me as a slow smirk spread across his lips.He's definitely one of them.The waiter straightened up, raising his voice again as if nothing had happened."Alright, sir. I'll get your order right away."Then he walked off.My hands trembled as I pulled out my phone and quickly typed:[Liora, Lorenzo and his gang are after us. I don't even kno