Karyme POV:

I didn't make it.

The Alpha Command-You are confined-was a magical chain. My wolf seized mid-stride, muscles locking up, collapsing into the dirt.

Warriors dragged me back, throwing me onto the bedroom floor.

"Lock the windows," Archie ordered from the doorway, silhouette dark. "If she runs, break her legs."

The lock clicked.

For two days, I paced. Signal jammed.

Then, Faustina's voice slithered into my mind.

"Do you like the cage, Luna? I win. The chandelier was just the start. I'm leaving now. I'm going to disappear. And guess who Archie will blame?"

An hour later, chaos.

Archie stormed in, eyes bleeding crimson. He slammed me against the wall, hand crushing my throat.

"Where is she?" he roared. "Faustina is gone! Her room is empty! Signs of struggle! You hired someone!"

"No..." I choked.

"Find her," he commanded his warriors. "Tear the territory apart. Bring me anything that smells like a rogue."

He threw me onto the bed. "If she is hurt, Karyme, you will pray for death."

Karyme POV:

They dragged me to the Main Hall. Archie sat on the obsidian throne, looking like a king of the underworld.

"We found them," the Head Warrior said.

Two warriors dragged in a sobbing Faustina. She looked disheveled, but unharmed.

"Oh, Archie! The rogues... they said the Luna paid them!"

Archie's eyes snapped to me.

Another warrior walked in carrying a burlap sack. It was stained with mud and reeked of sulfur and something sharp-industrial solvent. The sack moved.

"A rogue pup," Archie said, voice dead. "Used to distract the guards. Is this your accomplice?"

"No!" I crawled forward. "Don't touch him!"

Archie picked up a heavy iron fire tong, the tip glowing red.

"Tell me the truth."

"I didn't! That's not a rogue!" I sobbed. "Archie, look! That is your blood! That is our son!"

Archie froze. He sniffed the air, but Faustina had done her work well. The chemical stench masked everything. All he smelled was the solvent and the faint, underlying scent of a trespasser.

"Our son?" He laughed darkly. "We have no son. The curse kills them all. You're lying to save a filthy rogue mongrel."

"His name is Jalen! Please!"

"You are insane."

He raised the iron tongs.

He swung.

The iron struck the sack with a wet crunch.

The scream wasn't human. It was a child in agony.

I vomited blood onto the marble. The mother-child bond shattered in my chest.

"Stop!" I gargled.

Archie stared at the sack. Doubt flickered in his eyes.

"Alpha... the heir is scared," Faustina whispered.

Archie's face hardened. "Just a rogue."

He raised his boot.

Karyme POV:

Time slowed.

"Archie, don't."

He brought his boot down. Hard.

I heard ribs snap.

From inside the burlap, a tiny, wheezing voice emerged. Barely audible.

"Pa... pa..."

Archie froze mid-stomp. His foot hovered. His face went slack.

"Did you hear that?" he whispered.

"Hear what?" the Head Warrior asked.

"It's a trick!" Faustina shrieked. "Rogues mimic voices! Kill it before it calls the pack!"

Archie's jaw tightened. Paranoia won.

"Die," he growled.

He stomped one last time.

The sack flattened. Movement stopped.

My Inner Wolf let out a soundless howl and died.

"Take it away," Archie said, voice shaking. "Throw it to the wild rogues at the border."

"No..." I whispered.

A warrior kicked me over.

"Get her out of my sight," Archie ordered, turning to embrace Faustina. "Lock her in the dungeon."

"I curse you," I whispered, the words heavy with dying magic. "I curse you, Archie Hatfield. May the silence of this hall haunt you until you rot."

He flinched.

The doors slammed shut.