Behind me, the others are arguing—Rhett demanding they break the chains anyway, Stellan insisting there’s a better way, Theo muttering about visions and keys and time running out.
I don’t listen.
I just stay there, nose pressed to her hand, breathing in the proof that she’s real.
That we found her.
That we’re not too late.
“We’re not leaving her here,” I think, the words human-shaped even if I can’t speak them.Not this time.
Thane’s hand settles on my head, steady and certain.
“We’re not leaving her here,” he says, voice carrying to the others. “But we’re not moving her until we know how to break those chains without killing her.”
He looks at Stellan. “You said you have help coming. You said they know how to navigate this place.”
Stellan’s expression is unreadable. “They do.”
“Then we wait for them.” Thane’s voice goes cold. Sharp. “And pray they get here before whatever’s keeping her like this notices we found her.”
For a moment, no one moves.
Then Stellan nods once. “They’re coming. We just have to hold position until they arrive.”
“How long?” Rhett demands.
“I don’t know.” Stellan’s voice is tight. “Time doesn’t work the same for them.”
“Fine.” Thane doesn’t look away from Bree. “Rhett, Jace—secure the perimeter. Wes, check Seth. See if he’s salvageable. We hold here until Stellan’s reinforcements show.”
Commands. Purpose. Direction.
The group scatters into motion.
I stay where I am, nose still pressed to Bree’s hand.
Her pulse beats steady against my fur.
For the first time in forever, the Void smells like home. Her. Alive. Mine to protect.
Home,I think.You’re home now.
Even if she can’t hear me.
Even if I don’t deserve to be the one to find her.
I’m not leaving her again.
Chapter 4
Stellan
No one speaks—there’s nothing to say.
We’ve arranged ourselves in a rough circle around Bree and Seth—silent sentinels keeping watch over the broken and the unconscious. Gray’s massive wolf form is curled at Bree’s feet, nose pressed against her ankle like he’s trying to will warmth back into her. His eyes haven’t closed once.
Seth lies motionless a few feet away, chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. Alive, but barely. Wes checked him twice already, hands shaking so badly he could barely find a pulse.
