HIS FORBIDDEN CLAIM

CHAPTER 29 — “Not Without Her”

Branches snapped beneath Vionn’s boots as he tore through the forest, breath harsh, heart pounding so violently it felt like it would break his ribs.

Hours.

He had been searching for hours.

The night was thick and merciless.

Too quiet.

Too much like the night Adriana died.

Not again.

He would never survive losing Kaela.

“KAELA!” He roared until his throat bled raw.

Silence.

Then—

a soft cry.

Not Kaela.

But familiar.

Vionn froze, turning sharply toward the sound. A girl collapsed near the riverbank, trembling, clutching her knees.

“Emma,” he exhaled, rushing to her side.

She gasped when she saw him, tears streaking her dirty face.

“Vionn… Kaela— Adrian has her,” she sobbed.

His blood iced.

Emma gripped his shirt desperately.

“He dragged her deeper into the woods. She fought—God, she fought—but he’s too strong. He knows everything about the forest. He said…” she swallowed, terrified,

“He said Kaela belongs to him now.”

A lethal silence followed.

Something inside Vionn snapped.

When he spoke, his voice wasn’t human—

it was death.

“He will die for touching her.”

Emma stared into his eyes and shivered.

Not because of fear of him—

but fear for the man who dared steal her sister.

“She told me to run,” Emma whispered.

“She distracted him so I could escape.”

Vionn closed his eyes for a moment.

Pain.

Guilt.

Rage.

“She’s always protecting others,” he muttered, voice breaking at the edges.

“I should have been there to protect her.”

Emma took his cold hand.

“Then go. Bring her back.”

He nodded once—

like a king swearing a blood oath.

He took off his coat and wrapped it around Emma’s shoulders, though his hands shook.

“I’ll send security to take you home,” he said.

“You stay safe. I won’t fail her again.”

Emma looked up at him, voice trembling.

“Vionn… please… save her. She loves—”

He raised a hand gently to stop her.

His jaw tightened.

His heart betrayed him.

“She’s my wife,” he said, a vow through gritted teeth.

“And I will tear the world apart to bring her home.”

Then—he turned and ran.

Not like a man.

Like a storm.

Like a predator unleashed.

Because Kaela wasn’t just his responsibility anymore.

She wasn’t a deal, a duty, a name on paper.

She was the woman he couldn’t live without.

And God help Adrian Vale—

because Vionn Blackwood was coming.