Cole’s POV
I walked and reached the cell blocks.
The guards stationed outside snapped to attention when they saw me, but I didn't acknowledge them. They knew better than to question a Beta on a mission, especially one with eyes like mine right now: cold steel, promising violence if anyone got in my way.
Esme was inside, sitting on that filthy rot, her knees drawn up to her chest, staring at the floor like it held answers to the nightmare her life had become. Gods, she looked fragile—hair tangled, dress rumpled from the day's humiliations—but there was still that spark in her posture, the unyielding strength that had drawn me to her from the start.
I didn't hesitate. I walked straight to her and, before she could raise her eyes to look at me, I grabbed her by the hand and yanked her up
