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Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Kyle’s screams fade to whimpers, his body limp, making me glare down at him.

“The docks,” he whispers, his voice barely audible. “They’re keeping her in the sorting center. That’s all I know, I swear.”

I nod, satisfied at last. “Good.”

With a final, vicious snarl, I plunge my claws into Kyle’s chest, slicing bone and wrapping them around his heart. He gasps, his body convulsing once before going still when I squeeze, his eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling. I back off, satisfied with my kill. His blood pools around me, staining the floor.

I rise, wiping the blood from my hands on my pants. The rage within me has cooled, replaced by a deep worry for Aubrey. Calmly, I retrieve my jacket from a nearby chair, shaking off the dust before slipping it on. The weight of his death is nothing compared to the urgency of rescuing Aubrey, and with determined strides, I head toward the door, leaving the chaos behind.

The door creaks open, and I glance over my shoulder. Damian glances at the man on the floor before his eyes turn to me. “Ready to move now?” he asks. Damian steps aside and steps out, looking at Jefferson’s Beta.

“The docks,” I say, my voice cold and harsh. “That’s where they’re keeping her.”

“You’re kidding, we just came from there. We figured that was the most obvious spot.” Beta Magnus growls. I ignore him. Instead, I stomp down the stairs to get my future wife.

We rush outside, the metallic scent of blood still clinging to the air around us. The rising sun highlights the bloodbath outside left behind from the fight, highlighting the splatters of crimson that mark our path. Without a moment’s hesitation, we leap into our cars, engines roaring to life as we tear out of the driveway, gravel spitting up as we race toward the city and the docks. I just hope we make it in time.

Chapter 26

• Aubrey •

Bianca’s heels click against the hard floor, drawing closer with each sharp step, rage evident on her face. I will my fingers to work frantically, to loosen the rough ropes, tugging and unwinding them as quickly as I can. Trying to break my other hand free of the restraints.

She stalks toward me, a predatory gleam in her dark eyes. Just a few more seconds.

I need to time this perfectly.

An abrupt ringing cuts through the tense silence. Bianca pauses mid-step, annoyance flashing across her features as she yanks her phone from her pocket. I freeze, hands still poised on the half-unraveled rope, maintaining the illusion of being restrained.

This is my chance. If I can just keep up this helpless charade a little longer…

Bianca jabs at her screen and raises the phone to her ear, half-turning away from me. “What?” she snaps impatiently.

I strain my ears, trying to make out the voice on the other end of the line. I instantly recognize the voice as Rhett’s. And hope surges through me at his words. “They raided the packhouse and killed Kyle. You need to get her out of there now!”

“What?” Bianca’s face contorts with shock and disbelief, her eyes widening. Her grip on the phone tightens, and for a moment, she seems to forget about my presence altogether. Panic flickers across her features, and I can sense her mind racing.

“King Soren is on his way to the docks; get her out. We still need her!” Rhett screams, making Bianca jerk the phone away from her ear. My heart pounds with a mix of fear and exhilaration. This is it—the break I’ve been waiting for. I can’t afford to waste this opportunity; with Bianca’s attention diverted, now is my moment to act. Help is coming, and if I can just free myself before she regains her focus, escape is within my grasp.

My muscles coil with tension, ready to spring into action.

She paces in agitation, her blonde hair swishing with the motion. “Fine,” she spits into the phone. “Where do I take her?”

“I don’t care, just get out of there now. I will call you when I’m on my way back for her.”

This may be my one shot at escape. I have to make it count. A whirlwind of emotions surges through me—fear, desperation, and a flicker of hope blending into a chaotic symphony. My breath hitches, the stakes of this moment amplifying all my senses.

Bianca ends the call and turns back to me. It’s now or never. She curses under her breath.

I rip my hands free of the remaining ropes and lunge to my feet, knocking the chair aside with a loud clatter. Bianca whirls around, startled rage contorting her face. Her eyes blaze with fury as she takes a menacing step toward me, her fists clenching at her sides. “You think you can just run?” she sneers. But I can see the hint of uncertainty flicker in her eyes. I have the upper hand here and she is about to realize that.

Our eyes lock, a charged moment suspended in time. Her lips curl back in a vicious sneer.

Then she lunges.

I dodge Bianca’s attack at the last second. She stumbles off balance and reaches out, finding only air. I take advantage of her vulnerability, driving my shoulder into her back and propelling her forcefully into the wall with a sickening thud.

The building shudders at the impact, the ground unsteady as if it might give way beneath us. Bianca cries out in pain and anger, blood streaming from her nose as she turns to face me. I quickly swipe the blood from my face, clearing my vision just in time to meet her furious gaze.