Chapter 379
Nathan’s POV
Last night, Rachel stumbled through the door, her face pale under the flickering lamplight, her voice tight as she dropped the bomb: Kael was here, in Emerald City.
I barely slept, my mind grinding through the implications.
By dawn, I’d made up my mind. I found Tyler at the training yard, sweat gleaming on his brow, and pulled him aside, my voice low and urgent. “Kael’s in the city. There’s gotta be a mole.”
Tyler wiped his face with a rag, his eyes narrowing. “You think it’s one of us?”
I nodded, the weight of it settling in my chest. “Yeah, I do.”
He rubbed his jaw, thinking it over, then said, “He’d probably go for Madison—either kill her or break her out.”
I shook my head. “Killing’s more his style. Madison ratted him out; he’s not the forgiving type.”
Our eyes locked, and I saw the same grim realization hit him–the bastard was tying up loose ends.
“Let’s move,” I said, and he nodded, both of us breaking into a run toward the dungeon.
The air turned stale and damp as we descended, the iron tang of blood hitting me before we even reached the cell.
There she was–Madison, sprawled on the filthy floor, her neck sliced open with a jagged blade, her face a mess of cuts and bruises.
Her hands still rested protectively over her belly, like she’d fought to shield that kid even as she bled out. It was a damn gruesome sight, her lifeless eyes staring at nothing, the stone slick with her blood.
My stomach churned, but I forced myself to look.
Tyler cursed under his breath, turning to the door where the two guards lay crumpled, throats slashed, heads half–severed. Inside, more bodies -more guards, all dead, their blood pooling in the cracks of the floor.
The scene was a slaughterhouse, and my fists clenched as rage simmered beneath my skin.
Then the others showed up–Rachel, Gina, Victoria, Apollo, Emma, Thalia, and Caelum, their footsteps echoing in the grim silence.
Rachel’s voice broke first, shaky with disbelief. “She was fine yesterday. How did this happen today?”
Victoria’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide. “Oh my God, Madison?”
Gina shrieked, backing away, her voice shrill. “This is horrifying! Look at all that blood on her face–it’s terrifying!”
Apollo gripped Victoria’s hand, his tone steady but curious. “Did you two visit Madison yesterday?”
Victoria nodded, her face paling. “Yeah, we did.”
I scanned the group, piecing it together. “Looks like someone overheard you yesterday. But with the guards dead, we’re dealing with someone who knows the layout.”
Rachel’s shoulders slumped, her voice heavy. I was gonna wait ‘til she had the kid to settle the score… Guess Kael’s definitely in the city now.
I turned to the crowd, my gaze settling on Thalia. “What’re you doing here? This doesn’t concern you.”
Chapter 379
Apollo jumped in quick, his tone smooth. ‘She probably came with Emma. She’s an intern–normal enough.”
I shot him a glance, unconvinced. “Huh, okay.”
Thalia’s eyes darted, her volve a little too eager. ‘I came with Emma to help save someone.”
Rachel’s stare lingered on her, sharp and unreadable. Something was off.
‘Caelum, clean this up,” I ordered. “Emma, check the wounds, analyze the cuts.”
Caelum nodded, already moving. I turned to Rachel, softening my voice. “This is on me now. Go rest–you’ve been through enough.”
She gave me a tired smile, her hand brushing mine. “Even after the war, you’re still killing yourself for this.”
I managed a small grin, glancing at the others. “Yeah, it’s over, alright.”
Victoria tugged at Apollo’s arm. “Let’s go, Apollo.”
He hesitated, his eyes flicking to Thalia for a split second before he masked it. I caught it, though, and my suspicions deepened.
Rachel had mentioned Apollo acting strange last night–too smooth, too eager.
Apollo turned to Victoria, his voice gentle. “Baby, I’ll stay and help Alpha. It’s too messy here–go home.”
I nodded at Victoria. “Yeah, head out with Rachel.”
She gave a reluctant nod, her lips tight, and followed Rachel out.
As we worked, I stole a glance at Apollo in the dim corner–he was groping Thalia’s ass, his hand bold and careless.
A smirk tugged at my lips. Gotcha.
So Apollo wasn’t into Victoria–why the hell was he engaged to her, playing the doting fiancé?
It clicked: he and Thalia were in on it, using Victoria to climb the ranks. Thalia wasn’t some innocent intern–too calculated, too close to the action. Was Kael her boss?
The eavesdropper yesterday had to be one of Kael’s lackeys, and with limited access, it narrowed down.
Emma was an old friend, unlikely. Thalia, the new girl, fit the profile.
I kept my face neutral, barking orders. “Tyler, Apollo, get Madison’s body to the morgue. Same with the guards.”
They nodded, “Got it,” and I slipped into a mind link with Caelum. “Thalia’s off. Suspect she’s Kael’s mole.”
Caelum’s reply came fast. “What’s the play?”
“Wait ‘til tonight. Ambush around Thalia’s place. Kael’s probably still in her room.”
“Copy. I’ll loop in Tyler.”
I addressed the group. “That’s it for now. Tyler, Apollo, Caelum–let’s move. Emma, Thalia, handle the bodies.”
Apollo didn’t sneak another look at Thalia this time–instead, she stole a glance at him.
Interesting.
Chapter 379
We headed to the strategy room, the tension thick. I leaned against the table, eyeing them. Who do you think the mole is?”
Apollo’s jaw dropped, feigning shock. “A mole? Jesus!”
I stared him down, my voice flat. “Kael’s still in the city.”
Apollo’s fists clenched, his tone fierce. “I’ll kill him.”
So determined–almost too perfect. He’d always followed my orders without hesitation. Was I wrong?
I hooked a sly grin, a plan forming. I linked Tyler and Caelum. “Apollo’s shady. He’s into Thalia. Tonight, Tyler, get Victoria to bed early–give Apollo a chance to slip out. He might head to Thalia.”
Tyler’s replied. “That bastard! Messing with my sister’s heart–I’ll kill him!”
Caelum cut in. “Chill, Tyler. Priority’s the mole. If Victoria catches him with Thalia, she’ll give up on him–talk’s cheap.”
Tyler huffed aloud, “I got family stuff. I’m out,” and stormed off, his anger palpable.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Apollo, check the north side for Kael’s trail. Caelum, south. I’ll send others east and west.”
They nodded and dispersed. That night, Tyler, Caelum, and I crouched in the brush near Thalia’s place, the damp grass soaking my knees.
Hours passed–nothing.
Caelum whispered, “This a bust? Kael or Apollo–where the hell are they?”
“Patience,” I muttered, my eyes scanning the dark.
Despite feeling somewhat drowsy myself, I noticed Tyler beside me was completely alert, his eyes sharp and focused.
At 3 a.m., a faint shadow moved through the trees. Then he knocked and entered Thalia’s room! About half an hour later, another dark figure slipped into Thalia’s room.
Judging by their builds, both were men –
most likely Kael and Apollo.
I turned to Tyler and said, “Go get your sister now.”
He nodded angrily, then stormed off in a hurry.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
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