Chapter 3

Cassian's face changed.

He grabbed my throat and slammed me against the wall.

"Elara, you'd say anything to stay alive, wouldn't you?"

"That necklace. I'd never mistake it."

I clawed at his hand, barely forcing the words out: "That necklace was stolen… the person who saved you… it was me…"

"Enough!"

My father's voice cut me off.

Cassian's grip loosened half an inch. I slid down the wall, clutching my throat, coughing so hard my vision blurred.

My father stepped in front of me. "Your sister can't be put at risk. You will bear this cost."

I looked up. One face at a time.

The butler stared at his shoes. The guards studied the floor.

My father wouldn't meet my eyes.

Everyone was silent. Everyone was casting their vote in silence.

So their love was never meant for me.

I'd spent my whole life wondering what my life was worth to these people.

Now I knew. Nothing.

"Send word," Cassian said, adjusting his cuffs, his gaze sweeping the room. "Tell them they've got it wrong."

He paused.

"Elara Vance is the one registered as my formal partner under the Blood Trust. Use her for the exchange."

Cassian locked me in the underground water cell.

The water reached my waist. After a few days, my body had almost lost all sensation.

But my mind was sharp.

Ninety-second gap between shift changes. East ventilation shaft — blind spot.

I just needed one window.

That night, the moment the guard's footsteps rounded the corner, I gritted my teeth and wrenched my right wrist free from the silver ring.

I dragged my numb legs through the water cell.

If I got out, I wouldn't have to die for anyone. South to Sanctuary Harbor. Cut the tracking. My road, my rules.

At the end of the ventilation shaft, light bled through.

One more step—

The light went dark.

Cassian stood at the exit, backlit.

"I wasn't planning to chain you up."

"But you just can't behave, Elara."

I knelt at the iron grate, soaked through, and stared up at him.

"Cassian, do you need to watch me die again?"

He didn't answer right away. His jaw tightened. Something flickered behind his eyes, then vanished.

A long time passed before he spoke, his voice dropped lower. "Consider it another debt I owe you."

"Serena saved my life. I won't abandon her."

"That necklace was mine! I was the one who pulled you out of that swamp when we were twelve! Serena took what was mine and claimed the credit!"

"You'll fabricate anything to wriggle out of this. Don't test me on this — it's the last time I'll tolerate your lies."

I finally understood. The truth meant nothing against the weight of his arrogance and devotion to someone else.

Every bit of strength drained out of me. I knelt there, looked at him, and suddenly laughed.

"Fine," I said. "I'll take her place."

Something stung Cassian's chest — a flicker of panic he couldn't name. The words came out before he could stop them: "I won't let you die."

He didn't leave until he watched them lock me back up.

In the shadow of the corridor, he waved over his guard captain.

"Deploy around the abandoned freight terminal. Full lockdown. Priority one — get Serena out safely."

He stopped. Glanced back toward me.

"And — bring Elara out too."

Two days later. The abandoned freight terminal.

Sea fog carried the smell of rust. Across the clearing, werewolves bared silver claws. Serena was pinned between them, and the moment she saw Cassian, she burst into tears.

"Cassian — save me —"

He looked at her. Then at me.

He hesitated for exactly one heartbeat, then pushed me forward.

"Let Serena go. Take her instead. She's my mate."

The pack leader laughed. "The great Lord, willing to hand over his Blood Trust bride?"

Cassian's voice shook, just barely.

"It's her responsibility to bear."

What a beautiful word. Responsibility.

I walked forward.

The werewolves released Serena.

As she passed me, she leaned close to my ear and let out a soft laugh. The contempt wasn't even slightly disguised.

I didn't look at her. Kept walking.

In my peripheral vision, I caught Cassian's hand shift behind his back. High up in the shadows of the terminal, figures flickered and disappeared.

He'd arranged a backup. Save Serena first, then scoop me up as an afterthought. Everything under control.

But I was done living inside anyone else's plan.

The next second — before anyone could react — I kicked off the ground and threw myself straight onto the silver claws in the werewolf's hand.

Left chest. Right where the heart should be.

The blade punched through flesh with a short, muffled sound. Blood hit the concrete.

"No—!"

Cassian's voice exploded behind me.

I turned my head and smiled at him.

"Satisfied now?"