*Mackenzie*I stared at the glass, hoping the verdict would not be unfair or too harsh. I shouldn't think like that, but I couldn't help but think that not everything that is bad is bad in reality. I didn't hear anything said, but I could read a lot from the faces and emotions they showed. And from there, I knew my hope was slowly fading, replaced by pessimism and despair.My heart was beating faster and faster, and my grip around Claire's arm turned into a vice. I didn't think I would feel so strongly about being interrogated by someone who, less than two days ago, was ready to take away everything that was most precious to me. But here I was, standing and watching from the side."You must learn to turn off your emotions and make decisions using only facts. And the fact is that no matter how sweet, defenseless, or naive you think she is, she committed a grave crime against her Alpha. And in doing so, she jeopardized our entire community. Additionally, collaborating with a madman and

*Mackenzie*I woke up suddenly as the icy water landed on my entire body. I gasped and started choking, trying to catch my breath. My body was sore, and even breathing hurt. A cold chill ran through my body when I noticed all my clothes were wet, and I was lying on the cold, musty, dirty floor."What a nice sight. I haven't seen you like that for a long time, little girl."A familiar, mocking voice pierced the air, immediately sobering me up. My heart pounded as I found the gaze of that one and only person I never wanted to see again. My stepmother, Esther Allard, smiled evilly at me from behind bars."I had to wait a long time for you, my love. But after what I discovered, I must say it was worth the wait. Letting you off the leash was my best choice of the year.” She laughed, throwing away the empty bucket.I crawled away from her, even though there was a long distance from the bars. It was instinct; no meeting with her was pleasant, and I knew my presence here was not accidental."

*Conrad*Walking down the stairs and into the dark corridor leading to the farthest cells, I tried to calm down. Rip was excited about venting his anger, pushing the block further and driving me crazy.'Impatient asshole.' I commented, but Rip didn't even react. The closer we got to the cell where Melody and Chase stayed, the more his excitement grew, forming a massive headache for me."Chase first. I'll save Melody for last." I dissed Miles and Garret, especially Rip, who almost attacked me for wasting his time."I want him in the cell for interrogation; Melody is to be on standby in room two,” I instructed the guards and went to my cell to wait for Chase.The last time I was in this cell was when we captured the mercenaries hunting Mackenzie. In the same cell, Chase was interrogating them. I laughed dryly. What an irony that Chase was dragged into the mess by his sister and mate to be interrogated this time.I sat in a corner chair and waited. Moments later, two people, Miles and Ch

*Mackenzie*I couldn't even do simple things like walking. There was a moment when Leon had to remind me to move, and Maddox bluntly expressed his annoyance at my unnecessary slowdown."I don't know about you, Luna." He brusquely emphasized my title, "But I want to get out of here as quickly as possible. Call for backup and destroy the whole damn pack." He stated, rushing me once again.„Don't tell me that you suddenly felt a connection with this place?” He asked, rolling his eyes.I looked at him, and even though the tunnel was barely lit, I didn't miss the challenging look on his face. I sighed, tightened my grip on Leon's hand, and quickened my pace, avoiding answering."I thought so,” Maddox said under his breath, adjusting Anna in his arms.I don't know how long it has been since we entered the tunnel, trusting my father's words. The tunnel must have been at least several hundred years old and wound endlessly. The cold at the entrance was only helpful for one thing - it helped Le

*Mackenzie*We stood at the tunnel entrance with our foreheads pressed together while our hands interlaced. None of us spoke a word, but the beating of our hearts and the gentle touches of our fingers spoke volumes.“We need to go, Mackenzie.” Maddox urged us to move, but we stayed reluctant, “Please. We don’t have much time to waste. I swear to protect her, Connie. Let her go.” Garret patted Conrad’s shoulder as he grabbed my arm, trying to pry me away from my mate.“Just one second, please,” I begged as I pressed my body to Conrad’s, and our eyes met. “Stay safe. Stick to the plan. Stay with Garret and Caris.” Conrad reminded me as he lifted our hands to graze my cheeks. I nodded, agreeing to his terms. “And no matter what, save yourself. If you have to choose. Chose yourself.” His voice cracked slightly at the end, and I eagerly nodded.“I promise.” I agreed, speaking barely above a whisper as I raised to seal the vow with the kiss.Conrad responded immediately and captured my lip