"Take them," Gonzalo ordered, his voice rough but steady, though his insides trembled like a man walking barefoot on glass.
Elira screamed. "Don't touch her! Leave her alone!"
Two of Gonzalo's guards tried to pull her back, but she fought like a wildcat, kicking, punching, cursing. Her eyes were blazing with rage and grief as they lifted Liora's limp body into Gonzalo's arms.
"Alpha, she's weak," one of the guards said softly. "She might not make the journey…"
"She will," Gonzalo snapped, clutching Liora closer. "I want her to, I owe it to her."
Elira spat on the ground. "You already lost her the moment your men killed her entire family!"
The words cut deep, deeper than any blade could. Gonzalo's face hardened, but his eyes told the truth, guilt was already strangling him.
He turned away. "We're leaving."
Behind them, Vanya's laughter scraped through the silence like broken glass. "Oh, what a sight," she croaked. "The mighty Liora carried like a broken rabbit."
