Chapter 38: The Collar
The silver chain rattled in Garrett’s hand. It was a heavy, industrial sound—the sound of a prison door slamming shut.
I knelt in the sand. The grains dug into my knees, but I couldn't feel the pain. I could only feel the cold terror gripping my heart.
To my left, Kael was lying on his back, paralyzed by the wolfsbane. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, and fixed on me. He couldn't move, couldn't speak, but I could feel his scream vibrating through our bond.
Don't do it, Elara. Don't submit.
To my right, a guard held a knife to Leo’s throat. My son was sobbing silently, his small body shaking.
"I’m waiting," Garrett whispered. He dangled the collar in front of my face.
It was thick, polished silver. It wasn't jewelry. It was a restraint used for breaking wild anim
