A sharp smell hung in Orin's room, mixed with something stale, broken glass everywhere. Glowing bottles sat crooked on cracked wood, light bouncing off their edges. A chair groaned as Ava dropped into it, worn springs complaining. Liam stood behind her, palm firm on her shoulder - not gentle, more like holding ground. His thumb moved slow along her skin, just below the jaw, steady pressure where pain had been. The ache in her limb faded, pushed back by that quiet rhythm. Warmth spread through her from his side, a weight she didn't shake off.
Orin adjusted his spectacles, unfazed by the bodies outside. "Bounty's not just on you, half-breed. It's a net. King's flushing out sympathizers. Names, routes, safe houses - all exposed."
"Cut the sales pitch," Liam growled, looming. "Who's feeding him intel? I've got ears in every pack and coven."
Orin's smirk faded, eyes flicking to the door. "You sure about that, Alpha? Because someone tipped those hunters we'd hit the rails tonight. Precise. Personal."
Her stomach clenched tight. "Ulric?"
A file landed with a thud. Orin pushed it slow, edge first, over polished wood. Inside: snapshots, messy handwriting. Up top, a blurry shot of Liam's place. Time stamp said just before midnight. Not some outsider. His right hand, Elara. Born of old blood, one of his kind. And she has been talking. Guards at the palace hear her every few nights
Everything inside Liam froze. He said one word only: "False."
"Truth," Orin said flatly. "She wants your seat. Thinks peace talk makes you weak. Already sold out three dens this month."
Fingers tensed, nails biting into skin. That one friend - always quick with a comment, always there when it counted. Nights spent talking, watching each other's blind spots. Now the hurt spreads, cold and sharp, like poison under the blood.
His fingers closed around the folder, skin pale. Where could she be?
"Warehouse district. Summit tonight - packs and covens pretending to parley." Orin leaned back. "Walk in there now, you're walking into a trap. But ignore it? Your bridge crumbles before you lay the first stone."
Fingers dug into Ava's shoulder, Liam's hold hard enough to show what words could not. Her palm slid over his, pressing slow. What she saw was hurt, yes - yet something sharper burned beneath. Not just love, but refusal. His voice dropped low. This finishes now. Side by side, without looking back
A nod came first, pain pressing deep in her chest. Up close, his mouth touched her forehead - soft even when everything else cracked apart. Then he stood tall, voice firm but low. Leave the coin right there, Orin. Hand over every bit of data you've got. This moment.
Fog hung thick as they fled, deal done, grabbing a dented pickup from Orin's yard. Not waiting, engine roaring down cracked streets of Khavar's rustbelt edge. His grip tight on the wheel, speed reckless, gravel spitting behind. Her palm flat on his leg, sensing shakes he kept locked away. Silence broke when she spoke - soft but sure - about Elara's kin. That truth settling between them, heavy as smoke
"She chose the king over us." His jaw clenched. "Over you."
Out of the dark, the warehouse stood like a hollow beast, lit by sputtering flames around its edge. Shapes moved within, blurred against the glow. A distant beat pulsed - thin cheer over something serious. Hidden by night, they left the vehicle behind, entering through a gap at the flank.
There was a shaky peace in place. Drinks moved from hand to hand while wolves stood close to vampires, nerves buzzing underneath. A hush ran through the room when Elara turned her head, strands of pale hair catching the light. She stood by a rough wooden platform, deep in talk with older figures, voice rising in amusement. The moment she saw them, her smile stayed - but her gaze went sharp, full of quiet victory.
He called him a traitor. Liam charged ahead. Everyone stopped moving then.
Elara's smile didn't waver. "Alpha. Bringing the abomination to our little party? Bold."
Out of the shadows they dropped - silent, many, arms already aiming. The snare snapped shut. Everything caught fire after that.
Out of the corner came Ava, teeth showing, taking down the closest hunter while shots zipped by. Elara became a streak before Liam reached her, blade cutting air. His swing missed, yet his follow-up cracked her mouth open with sharp force.
"Peace was always a lie!" Elara spat, lunging. "You'd weaken us for her mongrel blood!"
A blur of motion, then Ava was there. Claws tore at her gear as she wove past silver flashes, gaze fixed on Liam. Out of nowhere, a hunter struck, opening a cut along his ribs. That single hit lit something fierce. She moved before thought caught up, tearing the man away, sending him crashing into wooden boxes that shattered like brittle glass.
Mid-battle, Liam caught sight of her, standing back to back, moving like one. "Watch your rear," he snapped. A twist, then down went the next attacker. For just an instant his fingers brushed her side - steady and sudden - then both plunged forward again.
Elara broke free, rallying hunters. "Take them! The king rewards loyalty!"
That moment stung more than any wound - friends vanishing, predators pausing, enemies grinning. From his own circle came an attack, clearly staged by Elara. He knocked the fighter down, voice cracking like frozen bark, choosing restraint over blood.
Wind at her back, Ava got there before anyone else, moving too fast to see. Teeth met claws in a flash of motion, red drops flying through air. A blade cut shallow across Ava's side, fire spreading under skin where it struck. Her sister spoke low, voice sharp like broken glass - You will not bring us together. Monster
Her forehead slammed into the vampire, knocking her back. "You just see what happens."
Into the room stepped Liam, seizing Elara's arm, wrenching it till a snap echoed. His words came out raw - "Tell me why.".
Breathing hard, she spoke of power - not a plea, but a challenge - while those meant to hold peace began to waver. The pact between them cracked like thin ice under shifting weight.
Outside, sirens screamed - help was arriving for the king. Her bonds broke loose as Liam freed her hands, pushing her ahead of him. He said nothing about loyalty, just told her to go while she could. The night had seen enough killing already. His voice stayed low but firm: they would make their move soon. She ran without looking back
Fog swallowed Elara whole, leaving hunters dashing apart.
He gasped, surrounded by rubble, pulling her near. Their foreheads touched. A mix of blood spread between them. Breathing fell into step. Trust had been given - now broken
Ava held his face close, her voice barely more than breath. Salt on lips, hunger in the gesture. Not love at first sight - but something after. Something harder. Built from what came next. Fire shaped it. Kept it standing.
Light spread across the sky. A fresh image slipped out of the file - her mother and father's murderer, labeled friend. The weight of worse treachery settled in. Dawn had broken, yet shadows deepened.