Thorne’s
ne’s Pow
“Why?” Roman’s voice cracked like thonder the storm of emotions swirling in the air. “Why, Box? Why the hell would you do this t
Bex stood there, frozen, not even flinching when Roman’s fist connected with his jaw. The punch landed with a dufthud, andi made no move to step back. He just took it. And then Roman hit him again.
Harder,
“You bastard!” Roman’s voice shook with age, his suckles bright white as he grabbed Bex’s collar and threw him back with a savage Why the hell? We were on the same side, dann it. I
He cut himself off, the weight of the betrayal weighing on his chest. How could be have been to blind?
Bex didn’t flinch, didn’t fight back. His lips parted, a slow exhale slipping from him, like he was resigned to whatever was coming when Roma another blow, Bex only swayed sightly, his eyes flicking up, unlized.
“Are you a rogue now? Roman spat, voice cracking with disbelief. “How the hell did you become a Gamma if you’re working!
Bes’s eyes glinted as he straightened himsell, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
Just cold indifference.
“No,” he muttered, voice quiet, like he was speaking to himself. “I’m not a rogue. But…” He looked up, locking eyes with Roman, and his words
ice. “But it doesn’t matter now, does it? I’ve lost. You caught me. And that’s all there is to it.”
The words hit Roman like a slap to the face. The world seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of his angry breath filling the silence. back. He wasn’t even apologizing. He was ready to accept whatever punishment was coming.
“Execute me if you want, Alpha Thorne, I’m done. I have nothing left to say
Box’s gaze turned to Thome, his voice cool, devoid of emotion.
was still seething shaking with the disbelief of it all, and the anger–God, the anger–that kept
Silence spread like a thick fog as everyone stared. Roman was st bubbling up in his chest.
“I don’t believe this,” Theo’s voice cracked. “There’s gotta be a reason! You didn’t just turn your back on us, Bed You saw what those bastards civilians Tellus, damn it! Why?!”
Boshrugged, the movement so casual it felt like a slap in the face.
“Maybe there isn’t a reason,” he muttered. “Maybe I’m just evil.”
Theolt out a frustrated growl, the sound raw and desperate. “This Bex He shook his head. “I can’t believe
Elara spoke up suddenly, her voice cutting through the tension. “I think I know why.”
Bex’s eyes flicked to her, narrowing, suspicion creeping into his expression. “You think you know?” His voice was low, almost a whisper, the words laced with a cold challenge
Elara didn’t flinch. She walked to the tent entrance and spoke briefly with the soldiers outside. A moment later, a figure appeared in the doorway. She was a girl, probably in her early twenties, looking completely wrecked her hair tangled, eyes red, face streaked with dirt and tears. She had clearly been through hell, but there was still something in ber posture, in the way she held hersell, that screamed defiance. She was still fighting
“Serena!” Box’s voice cracked as he stopped toward her, his face amicofidisbelief and desperation.
She rushed forward, tears falling like they had been held back for too long. They collided, their embrace desperate, like they were afraid to let go of each
Chapter 81.
other,
“Serena…” Bey breathed out, his voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing here told you had why didn’t you plent
Serena sobbed into his chest, her body shaking “couldn’t just leave you here, Bex. I couldn‘ as the weight of her words hit het.
i had to make sure you were okay 1–7 rer
Elara stepped forward, her expression hard. “We found her last night, sneaking around the woods, she explained coldly “She was poking we brought her in for questioning”
Bex’s hands were gently stroking Serena’s hair, his eyes closed as he whispered soft words to her words that no one else could hear
Theo glanced at Triss, exchanging a look of confusion. “Uh… What’s going on here? Who’s this?”
Elara didn’t even spare him a glanced. “She’s a rogue. And Bex’s lover,” she added, the words landing like a bomb. “She’s the reason returned on a
Bex’s face went pale, and for the first time, there was a flicker of shame in his eyes. Serena turned to face the group tears still flowing freely down her checks
true,” she said, her voice trembling. “He did everything for me.”
The words seemed to echo in the air, a harsh, painful truth they weren’t ready to hear.
“We met at the border when Bex came to fight off rogues,” Serena continued, her voice shaking with emotion it was love at first sighter wanted to take me away from all this, but I couldn’t Not with my family still held by the Rogue King”
A sharp gasp ran through the group. Elara’s voice cracked as she pressed on, “Wait. You’ve met the Rogue King
Serena shook her head, her voice low. “Not in person. He never shows himself. But I heard his voice and I knew he was a man.
A ripple of frustration passed through the group. They had learned one thing–his gender–but that wasn’t enough to make any sense of this war
“So what did the Rogue King say?” Elars pushed, her eyes narrowing. “Did he threaten you?”
Serena’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Oh, he made me an offer. He promised to set my family free if Bex agreed to be his informant during the war
The weight of the words hit them all like a wrecking ball.
Bex lowered his eyes, his face flushed with shame. Serena’s voice as softer now, almost a whisper.
“So I did what I had to. I became a waitress at a club in Direstone Pack. Bex would come to me after his meetings, passing on information he gathered,
and I would send it back to the Rogue King”
Elara’s mind raced back to the time before the war began. She remembered those long meetings, the exhaustion that clung to everyone, and how ex always found time to slip away. They thought it was just his energy, his restlessness.
But now it all clicked. He had been sneaking away to see her..
Roman couldn’t contain his anger anymore. He stood up, his voice rising with disbelief. “So that’s it? That’s your excuse for betraying us?” His fists clenched at his sides. “You threw everything away for a damn woman!!”
Triss reached for him, trying to calm him down, but Roman shrugged her off his frustration boiling over.
“We lost lives in this damn war, Bed! Do you even care about that? Your own people trusted you! And you betrayed them! You brought into hell!” Ha voice broke with anger, raw and painful
Bex didn’t flinch. But Serena trembled, stepping forward, her hands reaching out, trying to calm him down. But Elara stopped her.
“Stay back,” she said, her voice firm but not cruel. “You won’t help by getting
involved now.”
2/3
Chapter B1
Elara turned back to Box, her mind racing. The Rogue Ring was dangerbus, a mastermind who could mani
“What else do you know about the Rogue King?” she asked, her voice low and urgent
Serena’s eyes met hers, raw with emotion. “He’s cruel Powerful. Almost… charismatic,” she whispered. “He has a way of making you obey him failed him…She swallowed hard. “He would skin my family alive. He meant it I couldn’t fail him. Thad no choice.”
Her words hit like a thunderclap, and a wave of foreboding washed over Hara. She took a step back, the weight of the moment preting down on her
I on hers, in a flash, she pulled something from her side–something sharp, glinting
But before she could react, Serena’s eyes locked o
A dagger.
Elara’s breath hitched, her body jerking into motion too late.
Serena’s eyes were wild, her face twisted with desperation. With a scream, she lunged, the dagger flashing in the air
1005
Someone shoved Elara aside, and she stumbled, her heart pounding as she twisted around in panic.
But the blade didn’t find its mark in Elara…
It found Thome.
The world slowed to a horrifying crawl as the dagger plunged deep into his chest.
AD
