LOGINThe explosion was deafening—a wall of heat that knocked us both flat. Debris rained down, chunks of concrete and twisted metal crashing around us. I grabbed Sabrina, pulling her close, trying to shield her from the falling wreckage.“Stay down!” I shouted over the chaos.Another explosion. Then another. The entire area was being destroyed, building by building. I could hear screaming, people running, trying to find shelter.Through the smoke and flames, I caught glimpses of the attackers—Lars’s guards, heavily armed, forming a perimeter around the compound. Leading them, directing the assault, was Isabella.“We need to move,” Sabrina said, her voice shaking. “We need to get out of here.”“Where? They’ve surrounded the entire area.” I scanned our surroundings desperately. “If we run, they’ll see us.”A rocket streaked overhead, slamming into the building directly behind us. The shockwave threw us forward. My ears rang, my vision blurred.When I could see clearly again, our cover was go
My phone buzzed on the table. Unknown number. I almost didn’t answer.“Hello?”“Aurora.” A male voice answered.“Who is this?”“It’s Fenris.”My entire body tensed. I pulled the phone away from my ear, finger hovering over the end call button.“Don’t cut,” he said quickly, as if sensing my intention. “Please. Just give me a minute.”“Why should I?” I said in a cold voice. “After what you did at the Red Door headquarters, you’re lucky I’m even talking to you.”“I know. And I’m sorry for that. What I did to you and Arthur back there, it was wrong, and it won’t happen again.”“Wrong?” I let out a bitter laugh. “You wanted them to kill us, Fenris.”“I let my emotions get in the way,” Fenris said, sounding emotional, though I couldn’t be sure he wasn’t faking it. “I was angry and I took it out on you and my brother. That doesn’t excuse my behavior, but I am sorry.”I walked to the window, looking out at the safe house’s surroundings.“Why did you call me?” I asked. “If it’s just to apologi
The bell rang, signaling my victory. I stood over my opponent, breathing hard, watching as she tapped frantically against the mat. Another win. Another match where no one could touch me.Guards escorted me out of the arena, and I was barely through the door when Lars appeared.“Magnificent,” he said, his face bright with pride. “Absolutely magnificent, Isabella. You’re unstoppable.”I felt warmth in my chest at his praise. “Thank you.”“I’ve scheduled three more matches for you this month. High-profile opponents. The betting pools are going insane.” He squeezed my shoulder. “You’re making me very wealthy, and more importantly, you’re making yourself a legend.”I nodded, accepting the compliment. This was my life now. Fighting, winning, being celebrated. What more could I want?After showering and changing, I joined the other fighters in the dining hall. Alessandro was there, along with Margot, Katya, and several others I’d trained with over the weeks.“Isabella!” Margot called out, ge
I turned to the girl who’d kissed me, trying to keep my voice gentle despite the panic rising in my chest.“I’m sorry, but could you excuse me for a moment? There’s something I need to take care of.”She looked confused, hurt even, but nodded and stepped back into the crowd of partygoers.I pushed through the people, heading for the entrance where I’d seen Sabrina. She was already walking away.“Sabrina!” I called out, jogging to catch up. “What are you doing here?”She whirled on me, her eyes blazing. “Fuck you, Njord. I was just a side girl to use, right? Who is that girl?”“She’s no one important—”The slap came so fast I didn’t have time to react. Her palm connected with my cheek with a crack that echoed across the compound. The party noise behind us died instantly as everyone turned to watch.“Stop lying!” Sabrina shouted, tears streaming down her face. “Just stop lying to me!”“Njord?” My mother’s voice came from behind me. “What’s going on? Who is this?”I turned to see her app
I walked away from the safe house without looking back, Arthur’s words still ringing in my ears. Thank you for your help, but I don’t trust you, and I don’t want you here.Fine. Let him stew in his righteousness. As I drove down the dark road, my hands tight on the steering wheel, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake. How could I think Arthur would ever see me as anything other than the brother who didn’t deserve the family name.“Doesn’t matter,” I muttered to myself. “If I can find a way to get Isabella back to Arthur, maybe then he’ll trust me.”The question was how. Lars was a bastard with connections across Europe, resources that dwarfed what Arthur could muster alone. The only real choice Arthur had now was to wage war on Lars, but that itself was a massive gamble. If he lost, all his positions would be taken. His pack would be absorbed or destroyed. Everything he’d built would crumble.But maybe there was another way.I knew Lars. We’d done business together ov
“Mum, what is this?” I stared at my mother, disbelief and anger warring inside me. “This is the emergency you called me for?”She crossed her arms. “This is an emergency. You’re thirty years old, Njord. When are you going to marry?”“I’m not ready yet.”“When will you be ready?” Her voice rose. “You know we bad bloods have to marry young. You don’t know if you’ll die soon, if you’re caught by people like—”She stopped herself, but we both knew what she was going to say.“I will not be caught,” I said firmly.“You don’t know that!” She stepped closer, her eyes blazing. “Every day you’re out there—helping people escape, fighting against the slave trade, you’re risking your life. At least give us grandchildren before something happens to you.”“So that’s what this is about? Grandchildren?”“It’s about family!” she snapped. “About not throwing your life away on some foolish crusade that will get you killed.”I felt my jaw clench. “It’s not foolish. People need help.”“And what about what







