Book 2-The end The bitter stench of fear clung to the air, thick and suffocating. Claire and I stood there, barely breathing, as Darius wheeled himself closer-his eyes wild, wounded, and completely unhinged. "Don't be afraid, I would never treat you like that, Avelyn, I will never point a gun at you," he said his voice trembling with an eerie softness. "I love you. So much." I didn't flinch, but my voice had turned as numb as my heart. "You once said you loved Lexie to your very core, too. Or have you already forgotten?" Darius froze. The words struck him like claws across the face. His jaw tightened. Then, without warning, he grabbed my chin and forced my gaze to his, "I meant it. Every word. As long as you don't betray me," he hissed, "I'll never point a gun at you." I didn't dare blink, even as his scent turned sour with obsession. He leaned in, his breath unsteady. "The plane lands in ten minutes. Just ten more minutes, Avelyn, and you'll be mine. Completely mine. My fated mate, my Luna, my everything." That last word was cut short. A deafening explosion once again shattered the front doors like glass beneath a wolf's paw. The walls groaned from the blast, the floor vibrating beneath our feet. Debris burst in like a storm, choking the air with smoke and dust. "What's going on?!" Darius roared, his eyes wide. A guard burst in, blood on his collar. "Alpha! We're under attack-someone blew open the gates!" And just like that, the fire returned to my chest. Riven... He's really here... Only he would dare burn down a manor to bring me back. Only he would come with that kind of storm in his wake. Darius's face darkened with hatred as he saw hope ignite in my eyes. "How? How could you fall so fast?" he spat. "You've only been with him a few months! And already, you've forgotten me?" His aura flared-bitter and black with rage. "But it doesn't matter. I've planned for this. He won't get you back. No one will." A prickling chill climbed my spine. "What did you do, Darius?" I asked, though I already feared the answer. "I've placed runes and explosives all over this estate. If I can't have you, no one will. We'll die together, Avelyn. Mate to mate." "Darius, are you insane?!" I screamed. "What about your mother? Luna Emily And the Elder Alpha Fenric?! Are you going to let them die for your delusion?" For a moment, his eyes flickered-humanity surfacing like a flicker in the night. But it vanished, buried beneath madness and rejection. Chapter 25 3/3 98 1% 7:10 pm "There's no turning back for me," he growled. "So here's the deal. Either Riven retreats... or we all die. Choose." My heart thundered against my ribs. My wolf snarled beneath my skin, pacing, desperate to break free-but the silver restraints on my wrists burned every time I tried to shift. "I'll go," I said finally, each word heavy as stone. "But you have to let everyone else go. Especially Claire." His brows rose. Suspicion lingered, but he nodded. "Fine. Just know-if you lie to me again, I'll bring this whole mountain down with us." Claire was dragged out, kicking and cursing, but alive. That was all that mattered. When the time came, Darius wheeled me outside toward the waiting jet, which hovered like a predator above the estate. Wolves and guards surrounded us on both sides, but the air belonged to one man-and I felt him the moment his power brushed against my skin like fire. Riven. My Alpha. He didn't shout or snarl. He simply looked at me. And in that silent, unbreakable bond, I understood exactly what he was going to do. Darius gestured to the platform. "Go. You first." I stepped onto it without hesitation. Just two steps separated us. And then- A sharp whistle cut through the air. One bullet. One shot. Straight through Darius's head. He collapsed backward, blood blooming like a dark flower. turned in time to see Riven-my mate-stride forward, his claws retracted, eyes wild with fury and relief. He pulled me into his arms, crushing me against him. 'It's over," he whispered, his voice hoarse and guttural. "I've got you now, Avelyn. You're safe." The news spread like wildfire. Darius Nightbane, the disgraced Alpha, is dead by sniper fire during a violent hostage incident. Explosives disarmed. Nightbane Holdings-bankrupt before sunrise. The estate-razed. The egacy-gone. I suffered a mild concussion from the blow to my head. Riven insisted I stay in the pack hospital for observation. He never left my side. When I opened my eyes to find him feeding me soup, I nearly laughed. This was the same man I who'd once ripped through an entire rogue pack for disrespecting me-and now he was spooning warm broth into my mouth like I was a pup. Book 2-The end 7:10 pm A A soft knock at the door pulled us from our silence. "Alpha Riven. Luna Avelyn," said the assistant. "The Alpha and the Luna of the Moonveil Pack are here. They're requesting to see you." I met Riven's gaze. He didn't answer for me. He never did-not when it came to matters of my heart. That power, he left to me. I turned toward the door, glimpsing the outlines of my biological parents-shrunken by shame, worn down by the fallout. "Tell them I won't see them," I said softly. "They gave me life, and I've already paid them back fo that debt. From this moment on, tell them to stop trying to come back." The assistant nodded but hesitated. "Luna Avelyn, Alpha Darius left something. A voice recorder He said... it was for you." Riven stiffened beside me, ready to intercept, but I lifted a hand. stared at the device for a second, then shook my head. 'Throw it away," I said my voice firm. "From now on, anything tied to that wolf-his lies, his name his blood-doesn't exist to me." The assistant bowed and left. leaned back into Riven's arms, closing my eyes. 'd lost a family, a past, and nearly my life-but in return, I had found something far more sacred. had found a true mate. A new name. A new pack. A new beginning. And this time, no one would take it away from me. THE END*