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“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” His serious expression mirrors the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in.

“She’s in danger,” I respond, urgency lacing every syllable. “If this information has leaked, she could be at risk from Rhett’s pack and anyone who sees her as a threat. I need to know she’s safe.”

Damian’s growl reverberates through the room, but my mother steps forward, her presence calming yet resolute. “Damian, despite your reservations about her, Soren is right. She is more vulnerable than ever.”

“She lied!” His accusation echoes off the walls.

“I don’t believe that. I suspect Rhett is behind this leak.” My mother’s explanation causes a lump to form in my throat.

“That’s why Rhett had her cornered at the council.” Damian’s words a mere whisper, the edges of his voice tinged with regret and guilt. His eyes flicker with a muted fear that I seldom see in my brother.

“Excuse me?” I respond, my tone sharp as a blade. Surprise evident in my voice; I feel as though I’d been doused with ice-cold water. A surge of adrenaline courses through my veins as I reach out, grabbing Damian by the scruff of his shirt, the fabric bunching under my clenched fingers.

“I didn’t think much of it,” he mumbles, his gaze focused on the floor, unable to meet mine. His words are a feeble attempt to defend his lack of action. “She looked… scared. But when I asked her, she said he was just showing her back to the meeting room.”

“You didn’t think to mention it!” I roar and he flinches. There is a palpable unease that etches itself onto our faces. My mind races with a flurry of thoughts, each one more terrifying than the last. Each word Damian utters feels like a blow to my chest, punctuating my heart with an unbearable weight. How did I not see this? How did I fail to protect her?

“Damian, the AirTag now!” My command echoes through the room, sharp and urgent. My grip on his shirt loosens as I push him away, desperately needing him to act. Every second wasted is another second Bree is in danger.

With a resigned sigh, Damian reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. His fingers dance over the screen urgently, typing something into an app. A digital map materializes on his screen, a small blinking dot pulsating at a location that makes my heart sink.

Without wasting another moment, I move toward the coat rack, yanking my jacket off its hook. My movements are swift, fueled by fear. I sprint toward the front door, the cold, metallic handle biting into my palm as I fling it open.

My mother’s alarmed voice echoes behind me. Her words are a desperate plea for me to stop, and listen, to think with reason but they fall on deaf ears. There is no room in my mind for anything except Bree. The urgency of the situation propels me forward, each stride echoing with a singular focus - find Bree and bring her home. Though, I have no clue what I will do with her once I do.

Shoving the castle doors open, I step outside and rush down the few steps, my guards all glance at me nervously as I move toward the car. The night air is thick with tension, and my heart races in my chest. I pause as I hear Damian’s footsteps behind me, his voice catching up to me. “Wait! You can’t drive in this state!” he shouts, rushing outside and toward me.

I am furious and I turn sharply, frustration bubbling inside me. He is half to blame for this mess, he could have done so many things differently, his constant pestering of the council and her, has driven her to keep these secrets. Had she not feared repercussions, perhaps she would have told me. “I am going to get my fiancée!” I insist, ready to jump into my car. Damian’s face hard, his teeth clenched as he reaches me. He grabs my arm firmly. “Then let me drive.” His eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that cuts through my desperation but I shake him off still furious with him.

“You’re in no state to drive. I’ll take you. Just get in the passenger seat.”

Reluctantly, I comply, sliding into the car as he takes the driver’s seat. My mind races with thoughts of Bree, her safety, and the implications of what might happen if I don’t reach her in time.

As we speed down the road, my thoughts drift to Jacinta, the anguish of her loss creeping back into my heart. I remember the betrayal I felt, how I had failed to protect her from those who sought to do her harm. The pain of that loss lingers in my chest, mixing with my current fear for Bree. I can’t let history repeat itself. Though it feels like it is. I don’t think I would live through another loss like that.

“Do you think Rhett is behind this?” I ask, breaking the silence that hangs heavily in the car.

“I wouldn’t put it past him. How else would that information be leaked?” Damian replies, his voice grim. “He’s ruthless, and now he has the opportunity to leverage your fiancées past against you.”

I know Rhett has always been unpredictable, “And Jefferson’s sudden illness—something feels off about that,” I mutter, remembering how the container’s discovery aligns so closely with Jefferson’s unexplained condition, which worries me to no end now I know Jefferson is Bree’s father.

“What do you mean?” Damian glances at me, curiosity piqued.

“Jefferson has had nothing but issues with Rhett; I thought he was being unreasonable at first when Rhett didn’t meet his contracts. I thought it odd Jefferson was so quick to cut him out when Jefferson worked with his father for years. If he’s incapacitated right now, it raises questions about what he knows and how involved he might be in this situation.”

“You think Jefferson is behind the container that washed up?”

I shake my head. I have no idea where I am going with this. “I’m missing something.”

Damian nods thoughtfully, and the tension in the car thickens as we drive through the night. The road blurs past us, each mile closer to Bree. I will not lose her, not now, not ever.

Chapter 16

• Aubrey •

My mother got a phone call this morning; she woke me in a panic, saying the doctors urged her to come in immediately, they finally got the toxicology report back last night. He had lethal doses of wolfsbane in his system which caused his heart to fail; had his Beta not found him he’d be dead. Mom is beside herself, worried he tried to end himself with all the stress of Rhett. I know my father, he wouldn’t give Rhett the satisfaction of thinking he won.

I’ve tried calling her but received no answer on my drive to the hospital. I take a deep breath as I approach my father’s room, anxiety swirling in my stomach. The sterile scent of antiseptic fills the air, burning my nostrils. My hand trembles as I reach for the cold metal doorknob. I hesitate for a moment, steeling myself for what I might find inside—hoping he has somehow woken up. I push the door open and step inside.