Jason POV
The weight of the earth presses against my chest, pinning me down, forcing me to breathe in shallow gasps. I can feel the tendrils wrapping tighter, locking me in place, and no amount of strength I have is enough to break free. I’ve fought opponents before, real ones—wolves who’ve tried to take what’s mine. But this… this is different. This is humiliation. Defeat. Worse, this is Faith.
She stands above me, and I can’t even look her in the eye. Her voice, though—it cuts through the air like a blade, sharp and unyielding.
“You brainwashed your own pack, Jason.”
Her words hit me harder than any physical blow ever could. I grind my teeth together, trying to fight back the rage rising in my chest, trying to tell myself she’s wrong. She doesn’t understand. She never did. We had to
