Chapter 177
Elara’s POV
The sharp crack echoed in the night as the cord snapped.
Without warning, the entire bridge gave way, plunging into the churning river below. Ruvan and Corla’s screams were drowned out by the deafening roar of the water, a distant memory as the chaos swallowed their voices.
I stood on the tower’s edge, gazing down at the wreckage. The remnants of the bridge floated aimlessly down the river, and the water, now tinged red, reflected a grim story.
A chill ran through me as I placed my hand on Kimberly’s shoulder. I felt the tremble beneath my palm, the weight of her unspoken emotions.
“You did the right thing,” I whispered to her, my voice barely above a murmur.
“Yeah,” Kimberly responded, her breath shaky. She sucked in a deep breath before continuing, her voice barely audible. “They left me to die
in that hospital. I guess twenty years isn’t too long for me to finally get my revenge.”
I offered her a small, knowing smile. “Congratulations,” I said, though it lacked the warmth I intended.
“Thank you.” She paused, the doubt creeping back in. “But what about Miela? Did she manage to escape?”
I snorted, the coldness of the sound matching the chill of the night air. “She can’t escape. Not from me.”
I looked toward the direction she’d fled. The drawbridge had collapsed, leaving only the vast gap between the tower and the mountain behind. If Miela had taken another route, she’d have a head start. But she wouldn’t get far.
I needed a way across. Fast.
“Get on my back.”
I turned, startled by Thorne’s voice. He strode out of the doorway, looking every bit the determined warrior.
“But Zara-“I started, but he cut me off with a shake of his head.
“Jory is with her. Zara won’t escape. I’m coming with you. We’re going after Miela.”
In one fluid motion, Thorne shifted; his body expanding into the form of a massive black wolf. He crouched low, his fur bristling under the moonlight, an invitation for me to climb.
thesitated for a moment before pulling myself onto his back. With a primal howl, he surged forward, his powerful legs pushing him into the air, and we soared across the chasm. The wind tore at my face, icy and biting, and the ground below felt like it could swallow us whole. But there was no fear. Not with Thorne.
He landed on the other side, his massive paws sinking slightly into the snow as he came to a stop. I slid off, my feet landing in the cold, crisp snow. Ahead, the forest loomed–dark, twisted, and impenetrable.
“Hold tight,” Thorne warned, and before I could answer, we were off again, dashing into the forest, the cold night air rushing past us.
The moon above bathed the forest in silver, casting an eerie glow on the snowflakes that drifted down like delicate whispers. The sound of the wolf’s paws crunching through the snow was the only thing breaking the silence.
The snowstorm had worsened. Flakes settled on Thorne’s fur, and my hair was soon coated, each snowflake a tiny, cold kiss.
Chapter 177
But this was an advantage. The snow had left tracks footprints, leading us right to Miela
I leaned forward, pressing my lips to Thorne’s ear. “Follow the tracks”
The wolf’s pace quickened, and we plunged deeper into the woods. My eyes narrowed, the distant echo of hurried footsteps reaching us
And then I saw her. Miela.
She was stumbling through the snow, her movements frantic. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes wide in terror.
“She’s not getting away,” 1 muttered under my breath.
Thorne’s speed doubled. In one leap, he was on top of her, pinning her to the ground. The snow exploded around her as she hit the forest floor, the wind knocked out of her.
She struggled, but the wolf was too strong, his massive body holding her in place.
I climbed off Thorne’s back, my boots crunching in the snow as I moved to going anywhere.”
and over Miela, a sharp grin forming on my face. “You’re not
Miela’s eyes darted between me and the blade in my hand. She was trembling, her fear palpable.
“Please,” she gasped, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want to die. I never meant to hurt you. I’ve lost everything. Please, just let me
go.”
I kicked her shoulder, sending her back into the snow. She scrambled, but I stepped on her, pressing her further into the cold earth.
“I gave you a chance back in Direstone Pack,” I said coldly, “I even thought you deserved a shot at redemption. But you chose the wrong side. You killed Serena and ran. You’re beyond help, Miela. And today? Today is the day you die.”
I raised the blade high, my hands firm around its hilt. But Miela, desperate, screamed and rolled, narrowly dodging the strike. The blade cut deep into her cheek, the blood staining the snow in a stark contrast.
She gasped for breath, her survival instinct kicking in as she backed
away, wide–eyed and panicked.
“Thorne!” she cried, her voice cracking with fear. “Are you just going to let her kill me?”
Thorne, still in wolf form, stood a few paces away, his presence silent, unwavering.
I laughed coldly, twisting the knife in my grip. “Saved your life, huh? You’re sure about that?”
Miela’s voice wavered with desperation. “Yes! I saved you when we were kids. You owe me!”
My smile twisted into something colder as I crouched down, locking eyes with Miela. “Oh, do you now?”
She gripped the snow beneath her, tears mixing with blood. “I was the one who found you when you were lost, Thorne. You remember that day, don’t you? I carried you through the snow, kept you alive. You owe me!”
Thorne’s expression faltered. For a moment, a shadow passed over his face, and I saw the flicker of memory in his eyes.
I wasn’t having it.
“You think that’s enough to save you?” I scoffed. “You really believe you have any claim to his mercy?”
I stepped forward, grabbing a handful of her hair and jerking her head back, forcing her to look me in the eyes.
- 4.
Chapter 177
Where did you find him?” I demanded, my voice Icy.
Miela winced at the pain but didn’t answer right away. I pulled her hair tighter, making her wince.
“It was… it was a tree!” she gasped, her voice trembling with fear.
I raised an eyebrow, my smirk deepening. “Are you sure about that?”
“…I don’t know! Maybe it was a cave. Please, I can’t remember-”
“Wrong,” I snapped, before pulling her head back even further. “The right answer is near a stream.”
Thorne’s jaw clenched as he looked between us, disbelief flashing across his face.
“How do you know that?” Miela asked, her voice shaking.
I gave her one last smile. “Because I was the one who saved him.”
The realization hit Miela like a freight train. She blinked, her face twisting in shock, and for a moment, I almost felt pity. Almost.
But there was no time for mercy.
The blade sank into her throat before she could speak again.
Blood spilled out, mixing with the snow at her feet. Her eyes widened in horror as her body crumpled, the last breath leaving her in a ragged
gasp.
She died there, in the snow, as the storm raged on.
