Chapter 222
Soria Stormclaw POV
The moment I stepped out of the war room, everything broke.
“Mom…?” My voice cracked before I even saw her face.
Luna Aelíra was already running. Her cloak billowed like wings as she caught me in a crushing embrace, her trembling hands cupping my cheeks like she couldn’t believe I was real. “You’re here. You’re safe. Oh gods, Soria, you’re safe.”
I sobbed like a little girl into her shoulder. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.”
Then my father was there. Alpha Draven, the strongest male I’d ever known, fell to one knee and pulled me into his arms like I was a pup
again. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “No matter what they made you do. You did what you had to, and you’re home.”
When Varek stepped forward, uncertain and silent, my mother turned to him without hesitation and wrapped him in a hug. “Thank you
for protecting my daughter,” she said. “Welcome to our family, son.”
Varek blinked, stunned, but didn’t pull away. Alpha Draven gave him a once over, then nodded. “Take care of her. Or I’ll make you wish
you were never born.”
Varek smiled. “Wouldn’t expect anything less, sir.”
We were given a room on the west wing with stone walls, clean bedding, a carved wooden chest at the foot of the bed, and a view of the
forest that made my wolf hum in relief.
The door shut. My knees gave out the second the latch clicked. Varck caught me mid collapse, wrapping me up like I was something
precious. “Shh. I’ve got you,” he whispered into my hair, voice like velvet. I’ve got you now, my brave girl.”
“I’m so sorry,” I choked. “I should’ve…I should’ve done more.”
“You did everything,” he said fiercely. “You saved lives. You survived. You never bowed. That’s more than anyone had a right to ask of
you.”
I nodded, trembling, and buried my face into his chest. And when he carried me to the bed and laid me down like something holy,
something sacred, my soul finally stopped running. His hands were slow and exploratory. His mouth found mine in a kiss that started soft,
but grew hungry and wild.
Fangs scraped my lip, and I shivered with anticipation.
“You know what I want, little wolf?” he growled against my skin. “I want to taste every inch of you. I want to worship the scars they gave
you, then make new ones with my fucking name written in your blood.”
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Chapter 222
My breath caught. “Then do it.”
His pupils blew wide, and in a blur of motion, he pinned me beneath him. Clothes vanished. Claws raked down my thighs. Fangs kissed my neck. My hips bucked before he even entered me.
“I’ll never let them touch you again,” he swore as he slid inside, slow and deep, locking our eyes like a vow. “You’re mine now. In body, in
blood. Say it.”
“I’m yours,” I gasped. “Always.”
And when we bit each other, sharp and savage and trembling, it was like the chains that bound us shattered with every thrust.
Taya Quinn POV
“I don’t know how to breathe without her.”
The door shut behind us with a soft click, and it broke something in me.
I crumpled like my bones had turned to ash, hitting the floor with a sob so violent it shook my ribs. My claws dug into the rug, my body
folding in half as a scream ripped from my throat.
“Elowen!” Her name shattered in my mouth. “They took her, Rylen. They fucking took her.”
Rylen was already there, arms wrapping around me like armor, like salvation. “I know, baby. I know.”
He didn’t try to quiet me. Didn’t tell me to be strong. He just held me as I screamed and cried and shook. He let me break.
“I should’ve fought harder,” I choked. “I should’ve stayed.”
“No.” His voice was firm and low. “She made us leave, Taya. She begged us to. You think she’d forgive herself if something happened to
you? If you died trying to save her?”
“But she’s alone. In chains. With them.” I looked up, my eyes swollen and my heart breaking in pieces. “I don’t know how to breathe
without her.”
Rylen’s jaw clenched, his golden brown eyes full of pain. “Then we make damn sure she comes back. Alive, Whole. We’ll tear the world
apart if we have to. For her.”
I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his throat. “Promise me,” I whispered. “Promise we’ll
find her.”
