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378. ON THE EDGE
NARRATOR"Aggrr, le…t me… go… you bas…tard!" Arthur struggled like a cornered tiger.His torso twisted, desperately trying to shake off the vermin that had leaped onto his back.Álvaro’s hands trembled more and more as he tightened the rope between his wrists.His veins bulged, protruding beneath his skin, while his wounds seeped streaks of blood.He clenched his teeth, his vision going dark, on the verge of losing consciousness, but his thirst for revenge kept his fury burning.But it wasn’t enough.He loosened his grip for just a second—just one—and his entire body twisted, crashing onto the hard ground.His head hit the earth, and he groaned in pain, his throat raw and scraped.In the distance, the roars of battle; nearby, the choked coughing of his enemy.Álvaro tried to get up, but this time, his body refused to obey. The rush of adrenaline was wearing off."You bastard! You’re about to find out what happens when you mess with me!" The furious scream was followed by a crushing we
379. THE DUKE'S LYCAN
NARRATORHe lifted his head and roared to the skies, a guttural sound ripped from the depths of his throat, sending flocks of birds scattering in terror at the absolute predator about to emerge.Alexia saw it all. A murky yellow liquid trickled down her legs. The stench of fear, of death, thickened the air.Even so, she saw one last chance to escape. While Elliot wrestled with these strange new sensations—no longer suppressing them, but letting them flow like a dam fully unleashed—she stumbled to her feet, urine still streaming down her thighs, and began to run in a frantic, staggering sprint, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the beast.Elliot collapsed onto all fours, hands and knees pressing into the ground. His nails, now black, even those on his feet, lengthened, shredding through his boots like sharpened blades.His jaw stretched, reshaping, ready to expand into a ferocious muzzle. His skin burned as if flayed alive, every hair follicle dilating, preparing
380. AGAINST THE CLOCK
NARRATORAldo never thought he’d live to witness something so extraordinary.The massive wall of ice and rock, which had blocked his and Tomás’s escape, was no obstacle for a Lycan.He looked up, watching as Elliot climbed with sheer brute strength.His clawed feet dug deep into the ice, carving out grips as he propelled himself upward.Strapped to his back, secured in a makeshift sack fashioned from the bloodied, tattered clothes of the corpses left behind in the previous battle, was the unconscious girl—the housekeeper’s precious daughter.She hadn’t been able to withstand the agonizing “adjustments” the laborer had inflicted on her to ensure she wouldn’t betray them.Aldo watched as Elliot reached the top, then leaped into the void, clearing a deadly stretch in a single bound, disappearing from sight.So much power.He could only hope the Duke would save his mate—because if that powerful creature lost his companion in a violent way, he would unleash chaos upon this realm.*****KAT
381. BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
NARRATOR“Ma… Madame?” The maid dared to step forward, gently pushing the wooden door.“I'm sorry if you're sleeping, but it's urgent, we don't know if the Duke... Aahhh!”She screamed, covering her mouth with her hands as she saw Nanny Freya lying on the carpet, a pool of blood spreading around her head.Instinct drove her forward instead of freezing or running away.“Mrs. Freya!” She threw herself to her knees beside the lifeless body.Laura had been a volunteer at the treatment center; she knew the basics.Her trembling fingers stretched out, her lips quivering as well. Everything in her was shaking uncontrollably!"Please be alive, for heaven’s sake, please, Mrs. Freya," her cold fingertips touched the pulse on the side of the elderly woman's neck.After a few seconds, Laura closed her eyes, and tears slipped from the corners."WHAT DID YOU DO TO FREYA?!" The Duchess's roar snapped her out of it.Laura's eyes shot open, meeting the woman's distorted expression, filled with fury an
382. FOLLOWING THE MAGIC
NARRATORThe impact was brutal. The air escaped from the woman's lungs in a strangled gasp as her head slammed against the stone.The pain was immediate and blinding.Katherine felt the world spin around her before collapsing, powerless, onto the plush carpet.Her vision blurred, and from the floor, she barely made out Francis retreating, a shadow vanishing through the door.*****Meanwhile, Francis ran like a condemned man through the hallway, dodging a few maids checking the rooms, making his way into an abandoned wing.The “treasure” he had stolen was clutched in his hands, his direct path leading to the wing of the late Dukes, a place rarely searched—his ticket out of this prison.*****KATHERINE"Madam!" Amid my haze, I heard a female voice calling me and felt hands trying to lift me up.My blurry eyes managed to focus for a second.It was a maid and two footmen helping me. It seemed they had heard me scream."The… the man, Francis! He was here, find him!""But you're not well…"
383. SECRET EXIT
KATHERINESweat poured down my body, my teeth chattering uncontrollably inside my mouth. It felt like the seconds were stretching into hours.I could hear the rattling of the pulleys as they passed through the wheels, the screech of metal against stone, and the wood trembling.It only lasted a moment, yet to me, it felt like an eternity.When I finally reached the end of my descent, the dumbwaiter—or whatever this box was—came to a stop.I stayed still, silent, listening only to my own ragged breathing and the frantic pounding of my heart against my chest. I opened my eyes slightly, feeling the dampness on my lashes. My hand reached out to pull the lever.Beyond these metal walls, I might find my death—I didn’t know. But there was no turning back now.With a screech, the doors began to open.I pressed myself against the back of the compartment, fighting off my ghosts, bracing myself for a battle. But none of that was necessary.Outside, it was dim, looking like an underground space. I
384. SAVING MY DAUGHTER
KATHERINEI lay on the ground for a second, catching my breath, staring at the distant treetops, filling my lungs with fresh oxygen.I coughed softly and sat up.Beside me stood the stone well I had just climbed out of.In the distance, the silhouette of the castle faintly outlined itself against the evening sky, the last orange rays of the sun casting a glow.This had to be some secret exit from the Duke’s residence.I got to my feet—there was no time to lose. Every second counted.Quickly wiping the dirt from my palms, I checked the red seal, concentrating. The signal hadn’t faded, and it was pointing me in a direction through this tangled woodland.With a furious tug, I tore the skirts of my dress, ripping away several layers. I needed more agility—they had nearly tripped me several times, and the weight was unbearable.Now with my boots free, I took off running toward the path traced by the red line.*****Crouching behind the bushes, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady
385. CAPTURED
KATHERINE"Sweetheart, careful!" I caught her in my arms, breaking the impact.She was gasping for breath, completely leaning against me—I could feel her tiny heart racing wildly."Baby, just a little more, honey. We’re so close. We can’t stop." I cast a nervous glance toward the path ahead. I couldn’t see clearly, but I knew the monsters were out there.I crouched in front of Lavinia, who could barely speak, still trying to catch her breath."M-Mama, I’m so… so tired… Mama… I’m scared…" She threw her arms around my neck, sobbing again.All I could do was stroke her head and back, my heart aching at the bruises marring her delicate face. Those filthy bastards hadn’t even spared a child."My love, I know you’re tired, but I can’t carry you, sweetheart—you’re too heavy. We’d never escape." I wiped her tears away with my fingers, pressing a soft kiss to her dirt-streaked forehead.We were both a mess."Just a little more, my love. I promise we’re almost there." I started to stand, but th
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