The first explosion shook dust from the ceiling.
It fell into my hair, into my mouth, mixing with the copper taste of blood. The chains around my wrists rattled as the walls trembled again. This time harder.
They were here.
I felt Derek before I heard him. His rage was cold and sharp, controlled like a blade dragged slowly across stone. He wasn’t panicking. He was calculating. Every breath he took carried intent.
Jax was different.
Jax was set loose in a dry forest.
Through the bond, I felt him shift. Felt the snap of bone and stretch of muscle as he gave himself over to the wolf without hesitation. His fury tore through me like a second heartbeat.
And somewhere between them, I stood.
Still chained.
Still waiting.
Drail paced the length of the chamber, no longer pretending calm.
