Elena’s POV
Fear coiled tightly around my chest, making it hard to breathe. Every instinct in me screamed that Eric meant every word; he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt my mother.
Maurene’s face had gone pale, and her breaths came in short, shallow gasps. Even standing close to Eric’s claws made her look like she might shatter. “Kill… kill me, and Elena won’t be saved…” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“I’ll make sure of it…I’ll find an alternative,” Eric said, low and dangerous. “Don’t overestimate yourself. Your leverage is thin.”
The silence that followed felt endless. Time seemed to stretch and warp, each second heavier than the last. I could feel the tension vibrating in the air. Just as Eric’s hand tightened more around her, Maurene let out a sharp, desperate cry. “ELENA!
