“And Nora,” he continued, eyes lifting toward the lodge. “You were always the strongest variable. I wondered how long it would take for memory to surface.”
Nora’s breath caught in my earpiece.
I stepped fully into view, rifle leveled but finger off the trigger.
“You don’t get her name,” I said. “You don’t get anything.”
Keller chuckled softly. “You always did misunderstand your role, Wolf. You’re not her defender.”
Behind him, the two other men shifted—subtle, mirrored movements. Wolves waiting on command.
“You were supposed toretrieve,” Keller finished.
My blood iced.
Trigger swore under his breath.
Keller took another step forward. “You don’t see it, do you? How perfect this is. She needed a protector with teeth. Someone who would react exactly as you have.”
Saint’s voice cracked through comms. “Wolf—he’s provoking an emotional response.”
“I know,” I replied calmly.
But Keller wasn’t done.
“Project Second Dawn didn’t fail,” he said smoothly. “It adapted. Nora survived—thrived—outside our control. That made her… invaluable.”
Nora’s voice came suddenly through the comm—clear, steady.
“You don’t own me.”
The forest went still.
Keller smiled wider. “Ownership is such an ugly word. I preferdesign.”
I moved before he could finish the thought.
“NOW.”
The clearing exploded into motion.
Havoc dropped from the left flank like thunder, tackling one of the operatives mid-step. Trigger fired controlled bursts that forced the second man into cover.
The third—Keller—whirled to retreat.
He didn’t get two steps.
A spotlight flared on from the lodge roof.
Nora.
She stood framed in light—unafraid, unhidden—and Keller froze, eyes locking on her.
That was his mistake.
I crossed the distance in seconds.
He swung—desperate, clumsy.
