." Ethan's voice was low an

ease just let me explain." "There's nothing to explain," h

ent went quiet. Ethan turned back slowly. His eyes flick

ting each other helps no one. Especially not th

d back, like her answer had hit him in the chest

eatened me. I was just a helpless omega, Ethan

has the child, he won't give him up easily." Ethan's hands curled into fists. "Then we take

epped forw

car across his cheek, spoke quietly. "I was captured by Dorian a year ago. Esca

narrowed. "

Mountains. Hidden deep undergr

"No..." Ethan stared

ack out." Ulric nodded sadly. "It's one of the darkest places in our

Ethan snapped. "You're staying here." Lina stepped forward. "He's m

ay! But don't you dare think for one second I'

ou. You'll need each other. Especially inside

"Fine. But I'm not doing this fo

nodding. "That's

that

arp like knives. The road was rough, the trees b

re spiraling-rage, fear, uncertainty. He had a k

iet, she finally broke it. "I wanted to tell you..

hink you'd believe me. I didn't think you'd want the ch

uld've told me." "I know," she said. Another long silenc

hurt. "Does he

Ethan swallowed the lump in his throat

e Black Hollow Mountains A crooked castle stood like a big shade against the

og. "That's it," the scarred scout whispered. "There's a side

. Find the kid. Get out." "And

rough the woods like shadows, cl

opened at midnight. One guard ste

hey crept inside. The halls were cold and silent. Torches flickered

afraid of this place." They went deeper. Then- A scream.

then froze. Three guards stood around a box. Inside

om behind and tackled the closest one. Claws out. Rage burning. A quick s

But Ethan grabbed him mid-air

e. The boy inside the cag

." Ethan picked the lock with a knife. It clicked open.

." The boy blinked. "You came." "Yes," Ethan

h of them, crying. For the first

uching." The voice was smooth. Cold. Dorian. He stepped out of the shado

" Ethan stepped in front of Lina and Eli. "You won't to

rian drew his sword. "Then prove

his skin. In seconds, the boy who was once weak, sickly, and clumsy-stood

andsome..." Dorian smirked. "You look just like y

y. The fight shook the walls. Claws met

y. But Ethan fought like someon

. Every bite was for his son. Every

lattered the floor. "Ethan!" Ethan growled through the pain, bi

ou think you've won?" he spat. "You're just a boy playing hero!" "I'm

harged a

mid-swing, snapped it in half, and dro

, snarling, breath heavy. Dorian smiled weakly. "This is

o

Blood pooled under him. "Ethan!" Lina ran over, holding his fa

her. "We got him...

went dark. He

ther person watched from the

Stronger. Eyes shining silver. "We found the boy,"