that you believe Serena?” Thorne’s voice was cold, almost a challenge.
around us, the conversation moving from casual to confrontational in seconds. His glare was sharp, his fists clenched by his sides.
Baelen’s eyes didn’t flinch. “I know what I saw, Thome. She didn’t lie Serena told me the truth. I saw it in her sys
How can you be so sure those snorted, his laugh harsh. “Did you follow her around when she met the Pogue King? Were you there
“No,” Raulen answered, his voice steady, “but I can tell by the way she looked at me. I can tell when someone’s lying”
“Or maybe you’re just temble at reading people Thome shot back “you might be too caught up in this to see what’s in front of you.” He stepped closer to Ralen, their faces inches apart. “You’ve been involved with them. Your pack member committed treason–strike one. And now you’re here lying my face, strike two. Tell me why I shouldn’t throw you out of this alliance right now
The tension crackled between them, like a thunderstorm waiting to break
Ralen’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Maybe before you start accusing me, you should check your facts. You said the Rogue Ring was a woman, but how can you be so sure? You couldn’t even see her face under all that cloak and mask. Maybe it’s a guy. Alankier guy.”
“Theard her voice,” Thorne said, his tone biting Theard the Rogue King calling out orders, commanding the rogues. They called her Rogue King” He took a step back, shaking his head “ou’re the one who’s lying, Raelen
“Bullshit“Reel barked, stepping toward Thome, his voice rising with anger, “I thought you were smarter than this. I thought you had more sense. You’re just petty and jealous-
“Jealous?” Thome’s voice cracked like a whip. “You think I’m jealous of you? This has nothing to do with that“.
“You and I both know its personal,” Ralen spat. “This is about you and Elara!”
“Enough“Elara’s voice cut through the argument like a knife. She stepped between them, her voice trembling with barely-contained frustration. “Are you trying to make a scene? Do you want everyone here to think we’re about to start a not?”
Those shot Raclen a look, but Raelen wasn’t backing down. “Thorpe started it,” he muttered.
“Yes, he started it.” Elara snapped, crossing her arms. “But the real question is, why don’t we all just talk to Serena Let’s ask her what happened”
Rafers a tightened, but he didn’t argue “Fine,” he said her a long silence. “Let’s talk to Serena. Let’s get the truth once and for all.”
He grabbed his jacket from the ground and marched off, not waiting for anyone.
Thorne shot one last glare at his retreating back before turning toward Elara. “I’m glad you’re on my side,” he said, voice low, though there was no warmth in it
“You started it,” Elara replied with a bite to her tone, making Thome’s expression darken
“You want to start with me now?” Thome’s words were slow, deliberate
Elara wasn’t intimidated. “I’m not answering to you,” she said, her gare steady “I can be around whope I want, whene
unt. So stop acting like you
Thorne’s expression grew stormy. The way he eyes narrowed, it was like he could crush her with just one look. But Elara didn’t flinch, Instead, she met his gaze with an icy stare before turning on her heel and walking away.
A few moments later, we found ourselves standing outude Serena’s cell, the tension the air still thick enough to cut. Bex, who’d been standing in the
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Chapter 93
corner, looked like he was holding his breath When he saw us enter, his shoulders vishly tensed.
“What’s going on!” he asked, his voice edged with worry.”
- y. “Did you change your mind about me and Serenal
Elara softened, her voice prillèrnew. “Relax. We didn’t change our minds. How’s Serena?”
Bex’s eyes flickered to Serens, who was still lying motionless in the bed. “The doctor said the damage to her throat might be permanent to what de you want from mer
Relen stepped forward, his gare burning toward Serena. “Alpha Thome claims that the Rogue King is a woman. He said-”
“Wait,” Serena interrupted, her hands jerking up in a panic as she made strange sounds, still unable to speak. Her eyes darted between us as shil grabbed a piece of paper and started writing.
Relen’s gaze stayed food on her. “Are you lying in us?” he asked, his voice low but urgent
Serena scribbled quickly on the paper, and we all leaned in to read.
MAN was written in big, bold letters, followed by a quick sentence: He was sitting behind a curtain, only a few feet away from me. I heard HS voice, Loud
and clear.
A shiver ran through me as the truth settled in Serena’s handwriting was shaky, but it was clear enough. She wasn’t lying, Andil she wasn’t, then the Rogue King’s true identity was even more complicated than we thought
“Have you ever met the Rogue King?” Llara asked, her voice calm but demanding as she looked at Bex. “Any details you can give us?”
Ber’s eyes were wide, his hands trembang. “No,” he said, voice tight, “I’ve never met him. All my instructions came through Serena. And I swear to you, she’s been selling the truth. She’s counting on you all to help her get her family track. She’s not lying”
Elara tumed her gazeto Serena, her face thoughtful. “What can you tell us about the Rogue King? Anything at all?”
Serena’s expression tightened as she focused on the paper. Slowly, she wrote again, her handwriting slow but deliberate
I remember telling the Rogue King that Bex was a Gamma. He laughed joyfully. Then he said, “You’re a good girl, Serena. You’re in love with a great guy”
She paused, then wrote again, her thoughts spilling out: Before meeting him, I thought the Rogue King was cold, grim… But he wasn’t. He was. pleasant. He had a nice voice, a pleasant personality.
Thorne’s voice cut through the air like ice. “He was nice to you because he knew how to manipulate you. He used your feelings for Bex to get to us. Don’t be fooled by his charm.”
“Enough, Elara interjected, shaking her head. She turned to Serena. “We need more than just compliments on his personality. Give us something useful.”
Serena shook her head, her lips pressing into a tight line. “I’m sorry,” she wrote, her face drained of color. “I don’t know anything more.”
Thorne scowled, his anger flickering like a flame. “They we’re done here.” With that, he spun on his heel and stalked out of the room.
“Elara…” Raelen’s voice was low, filled with concern as he stepped toward her. “Can you talk to him? I don’t want what happened between us to cloud his judgment.”
“I try,” she replied, her voice steady. She nodded, then followed Thorne out of the cell.
The walk back to Thorne’s tent was silent, the tension thick between us. We didn’t say a word as we walked in step. waste a second before turning to face her, His eyes were like steel
rived. There didn’t.
“Do you have anything else to say to me?” be asked, his voice flat
Elara removed her cost, letting it all to the table. T’m just returning your coat,” she said, her voice a little colder than before.
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Thorne’s jaw clenched, his fists lightening, “Why you prefer his co
“No,” Elara said, her eyes narrowing “But I dont need anyone’s help to stay
She walked toward him and brished off the dust from his shoulders, a quiet i
“You look exhausted,” the murmured, her words softer than usual.
Thorne’s gate softened for a moment, then sharpened. His wolf stirred beneath the surface, the pull of their band, the undeniable connection.
“So,” he asked, his voice strained, “what did you do while I was gone? Did you spend the
Elara chuckled softly, her voice teasing “We had dinner. We talked. Nothing happened”
“Really?” Thome’s voice was raw, his jealousy clawing at
“Really,” she confirmed.
Then, with a small, teasing smile, she leaned in and kissed him. Her lips brushed
“And I didn’t do this with him,” she whispered, the words low and sensual “Did you miss
Thorne’s breath caught in his throat, his hands reaching for her, pulling her closer. “I miss you,” he murmured.”
AD
