BLOODBOUND: The Wolf, The King and The Killer의 모든 챕터: 챕터 171 - 챕터 179

Nikolai's POV I hit the airport exit at ninety miles an hour, tires chirping as I took the curve too fast. The clock on the dash read 5:47 a.m. and I still had twenty minutes before Killian and Colt’s flight landed. I hadn’t slept. I’d been up all night watching the guild’s encrypted channel like a hawk and pacing the war room while Rhett pretended to read reports and actually just growled at the walls. I parked crooked across two spaces in the short-term lot and jogged inside, hoodie up, coffee in one hand, phone in the other. The arrivals board said ON TIME. Good. I found a spot by the international gate and waited, bouncing on the balls of my feet like a kid. The second the doors slid open and I saw Killian’s dark head above the crowd I broke into a stupid grin. He spotted me, dropped his bag, and I was across the space in three strides. I slammed into him hard enough to lift him off his feet, arms around his neck, mouth on his before he could even say hello. He laughed into t

Declan's POV I rolled the bike into the garage beside Colt’s and killed the engine. The quiet after all that roar felt heavy, like the night itself was holding its breath. My knuckles were scraped, lip split, but the adrenaline still buzzed under my skin in a good way. Colt swung off his bike, pulled off his helmet, and grinned at me through the dim light. “That was exactly what I needed,” he said. “Me too.” I handed him the spare key. “Thanks for the escape route.” He pocketed it and clapped my shoulder. “Anytime you need to punch some idiots or outrun your feelings, you know where I keep the bikes.” I laughed once. “Night, Colt.” “Night, Dec. Try not to get murdered by the alpha before breakfast.” I flipped him off as he headed toward the guest wing. I stayed in the garage a minute longer, letting the cool air settle on my face, wiping blood from my lip with the back of my hand. The house was dark, most of the pack asleep or pretending to be. I didn’t want to deal with anyon

Colt's POV I slammed the door to my room hard enough to make the frame rattle, but it didn’t help. My jaw throbbed where Rhett’s fist had landed, a hot pulse that matched the anger burning in my chest. Brother or alpha or whatever the hell he wanted to be tonight, he had no right. I grabbed my keys off the dresser, shoved my wallet in my pocket, and headed for the garage. The bike started with a roar that felt good, too loud for the quiet night. I didn’t bother with a helmet. I just twisted the throttle and shot down the driveway, gravel spitting behind me. The cold air slapped my face, stung the split in my lip, but I welcomed it. Anything to drown out Rhett’s voice calling me a useless fool. I rode aimless for a while, letting the roads twist under the wheels, but my hands knew where they were going even if my head didn’t want to admit it. Twenty minutes later I pulled into the gravel lot of The Rusty Nail, the dive bar on the edge of town where nobody asked questions and the be

Third person POV The grand ballroom of the Valdez estate gleamed under strings of golden lights that stretched from one end to the other like a canopy of stars brought indoors. Black and gold dominated the color scheme, with long tables draped in crisp linen, centerpieces of dark roses and flickering candles, and banners bearing the pack crest hanging from the high beams. The air carried the scent of fresh flowers mixed with expensive cologne and the faint hint of anticipation that always accompanied large gatherings of powerful people. Staff moved efficiently through the space, adjusting silverware, topping off champagne flutes on passing trays, and directing early arrivals to their assigned areas. The string quartet in the corner played soft classical pieces, the notes floating over the low hum of conversation as guests began to filter in. Outside, the red carpet stretched from the valet drop-off to the main entrance, flanked by velvet ropes and subtle security in tailored suits

Rhett's POV I heard Colt's voice over the speakers calling my name, and the room quieted in that way it always does when the alpha is summoned. Applause started before I even stood, polite at first, then building as I buttoned my jacket and walked to the stage. The lights were bright, but I was used to it. I took the steps slow, nodding to a few familiar faces in the front rows, investors who had been with us since the beginning. Colt handed me the microphone with a quick grin and stepped aside. "All yours, boss." I adjusted the stand and looked out at the crowd. Two hundred plus faces, all turned toward me, waiting. Some I knew well, some only from emails and conference calls. All of them important tonight. "Thank you, Colt," I started, voice steady. "And thank you all for being here. This night belongs to every one of you as much as it does to us." I paused, letting the words settle. "First, to our investors. You didn't just write checks. You believed when others walked away.