Chapter 0068

Theron is raging inside my mind. If that monster wants Evelyn as his Luna, he'll brand her against her will. A forced mating mark is the only way to create an unwilling bond.

Theron's snarl vibrates through my skull. I'm barely holding onto control. My body trembles violently as fur erupts across my skin. "Give me the pack's location. I'll check if she's there." My voice drops an octave with Theron's growl layered beneath it.

"I'm coming with you."

I whirl around to see Sebastian standing in the doorway. His assessing gaze locks onto me. "Neither of us wants her trapped in a forced bond. We find her together."

Theron protests violently at Sebastian's involvement, but Evelyn's safety overrides everything. I give a sharp nod.

By dusk, we're speeding toward the Obsidian Moon territory. It's closer than expected—they must have circled back after sending us on that wild chase.

We ditch the truck in a dense thicket and shift before continuing on foot. Sebastian knows these lands. I follow his lead through the shadows.

The sight that greets us chills my blood.

Dozens of wolves move through the crumbling ruins of what was once a thriving pack. The buildings sag with decay, but the place teems with activity. We skirt the perimeter patrols with practiced stealth.

Shifting back, we observe from the tree line. Sebastian points to a dilapidated structure swaying in the wind. "The old packhouse. That's where they'll be keeping Evelyn and Victor."

As if summoned by his words, Evelyn's scream pierces the night.

Pure agony.

I'm moving before conscious thought catches up.

Sebastian tackles me mid-lunge. "Think!" he hisses as I thrash against him. "Charge in blind and we lose any chance of getting her out alive!"

"He's torturing her!"

"Yes." Sebastian's grip tightens. "But she's a Guardian. Pain won't break her. We need strategy, not suicide. If they feel cornered, they'll kill her. For Evelyn's sake—think!"

My chest heaves. Every instinct screams to tear through the compound, but he's right.

I wrench free and stalk toward the trees. "I'm calling my father. We need reinforcements by dawn." My jaw clenches. "I won't let that monster touch her again. Neither will Theron."

"Understood." Sebastian's eyes gleam in the moonlight. "I'll maintain surveillance."

The phone call with my father lasts precisely ninety-three seconds. When I return, Sebastian hasn't moved from his vantage point. "They'll be here by first light. We're staying tonight."

He nods. "We'll rotate watch."