Semua Bab AFTER THE DIVORCE, THE ALPHAS MADE THEIR CLAIMS ON ME. : Bab 61 - Bab 70

THE TRAP SPRINGSNight fell heavily over the Shadow Ridge territory.Above, the moon cast pale silver light across the narrow dirt road that wound toward the abandoned northern holding facility.It had once been a prison during the early years of the pack’s expansion. Now it stood forgotten.Or at least, that was the story Nina wanted everyone to believe.Ryan adjusted the strap of his jacket as he walked beside the transport vehicle, the tires crunching against gravel. Two guards followed behind them while another drove the prisoner inside the reinforced truck.Ryan still wasn’t entirely comfortable with the plan.“This feels like baiting a bear,” one of the guards muttered under his breath.Ryan glanced at him. “That’s because it is.”The guard grimaced. “And we’re the bait.”Ryan smirked faintly. “Relax. If Nina’s instincts are right, we’re going to catch them today.”The guard didn’t look reassured.Inside the transport truck, the captured rogue sat chained to a steel bench, his w

AFTER THE BLADENina’s POVThe smell of blood lingered in the courtyard long after the crowd dispersed. Even after the guards had removed the body. Even after the murmurs faded and the pack returned to their routines.The smell still hung in the air as a reminder.I stood inside the house office, staring out through the tall windows at the courtyard below. Wolves passed through the square in small groups now, their conversations quieter than usual.Word would travel fast. It always did.Behind me, the office door opened.Ryan walked in first, closing the door with a soft click.“Well,” he said casually, “that certainly woke everyone up.”I didn’t turn from the window. “That was the point.”Ryan moved further into the room and dropped into one of the chairs near the desk.“You made an impression.”“I hope so.”Ryan leaned back, stretching his legs out.“Oh, trust me,” he said. “You did. I’m sure the news must have spread to nearby wolf packs. This is something worth talking about.”Kai

THE SILENT WITNESSNina’s POVThe forest was too quiet.The only sound was the steady crunch of tires over gravel as Ryan drove the patrol vehicle down the narrow forest road.Kaiden sat in the passenger seat, studying a small digital map on his phone while Kieran and three other guards followed behind us on motorcycles.Ryan broke the silence first. “Still think Nate’s watching us?”“Yes.”Ryan smirked faintly. “Good.”Kaiden didn’t look up from the map. “You’re enjoying this too much.”Ryan shrugged. “What can I say? I prefer enemies who finally show themselves.”I stared out the window, scanning the dark tree line. Kieran’s voice crackled through the radio from behind us.“We’re two minutes out.”Ryan grabbed the radio. “Copy that.”He slowed the vehicle slightly as the road curved sharply ahead. Then the headlights caught something lying in the middle of the dirt path.Ryan braked hard. The tires skidded against gravel before stopping.“Well,” he muttered.“Guess we found him.”Th

THE ONE WHO LEFTNina’s POVThe impact of Nate’s attack rattled through my bones.His speed was precise. Controlled. Calculated. Like every movement had been studied, perfected, and repeated a thousand times before this moment.My arm came up just in time to block his strike. Pain shot up my shoulder.We collided again, claws flashing, the sound of impact sharp against the chaos erupting around us.Behind me, I could hear the chaos of the fight going on, but right now I had a singular focus.“You’ve improved,” Nate said, almost conversationally as he circled me.“You talk too much,” I shot back.His lips curved. “And you’re still angry.”“Good,” I said. “You should be worried.”He moved again. I twisted to the side, barely avoiding his strike as it cut through the air where my neck had been.My wolf surged beneath my skin, rising stronger than it had in weeks.“Still holding back,” Nate murmured.“I’m not holding anything back.”“Then you’re not trying hard enough.”Rage flared hot in

LINES YOU DON’T CROSSNina’s POVI didn’t slow down until I reached my apartment. And even then, it wasn’t because I wanted to.It was because my body forced me to. The adrenaline from the fight was still buzzing beneath my skin, my pulse too fast, my thoughts even faster.I shoved thoughts about Axel away the moment they tried to settle. I didn’t want to think about him.Not right now. Not when anger still burned too hot in my chest.I pushed through the doors and headed straight for my office, ignoring the guards who straightened at my approach.The moment I got inside, I shut the door harder than necessary. I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair.This was too much. Everything felt like it was collapsing into one tangled mess of half-truths and secrets.A knock sounded at the door. I closed my eyes briefly.“Go away.”The door opened anyway, and Ryan walked in. “I said go away.”“Yeah,” Ryan said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “I wasn’t really listenin