Chapter 12

Karen’s POV

The maid hesitated, her eyes darting toward the door before she whispered, “I can’t tell you exactly. But… this place… it’s deep in the western woods. Past the river with the broken bridge. The rogues use it because no pack dares to cross that area.”

I held my breath, burning the details into my mind. Western woods. Broken bridge. Hidden den.

That night, I closed my eyes and reached inward. My wolf stirred, her strength flickering like a candle. Zaiden.

The bond snapped alive, warm and fierce. “Karen… talk to me. Did you learn anything?”

“I don’t know the name,” I admitted softly, “but I think I know where I am. There’s a river nearby, with a broken bridge, and the maid said it’s somewhere in the western woods. It feels damp here, and I smell smoke sometimes like they burn wood close to the den.”

Silence, then his growl rolled through the link, sharp and deadly. “I know that place. I know exactly where they’re keeping you.”

My chest tightened with relief. “You do?”

“Yes. Hold on, my little Luna. I swear on the goddess, I’m coming for you.”

I smiled faintly, clutching the bond like a lifeline. For the first time since the rogues took me, hope flickered in my chest.

**********

Zaiden’s POV

Her voice faded from the bond, but my chest was still burning with her words.

Western woods.

Broken bridge.

I stood up so fast the chair scraped across the floor. My wolf clawed beneath my skin, demanding we run, demanding we tear the rogues apart.

I stalked outside, my warriors snapping to attention the moment they saw me.

“Prepare yourselves,” I barked, my voice like thunder rolling through the night. “We move out now. Push further west. Leave nothing standing in our path.”

They obeyed, moving quickly, gathering weapons and shifting forms. The camp exploded into controlled chaos, the sound of steel and claws filling the night.

Only then did I turn, my eyes finding Cole. He looked at me sharply, searching my face. He knew I’d heard something through the bond, but he didn’t ask not in front of the warriors.

When the pack was ready and we began to move, I finally slowed my stride enough for him to catch up beside me. His voice was low, meant only for me. “You know something.”

I exhaled hard, golden eyes burning through the shadows. “She reached out. She told me where.”

Cole stiffened. “Where?”

“The western woods. Past the river. Near the broken bridge.” My voice was a growl, heavy with fury and the promise of blood. “She’s there, Cole. She’s alive. And I’m bringing her back.”

Cole nodded once, his jaw tightening. “Then let’s finish this.”

The night swallowed our footsteps as we moved. Wolves in their true forms flanked us, their paws thundering against the earth. The forest seemed to hold its breath, branches swaying as if the goddess herself had stilled the wind to guide us.

I ran at the front, my senses sharpened, the faintest scent of rogues already pulling at me. My wolf was restless beneath my skin, golden eyes flashing as I thought of Karen her chains, her pain, the wolfsbane burning through her veins. Every step fueled my rage.

The river came into view at dawn, mist curling above its surface. The broken bridge jutted out like a jagged scar, the wood rotted and snapped from years of abandonment. My warriors spread out in formation, scanning the banks, waiting for my command.

I raised my hand, and silence fell.

Beyond this river… they were there.

And so was she.

I bared my teeth, my voice

low and lethal. “No more hiding. Tonight, we end them.”