Chapter 29
“Kieran!”
At the sight of him, Mona cried out, her voice raw with desperation.
But before Kieran could close the distance between them, the hooded sorcerer pressed a dagger against her throat.
Not another step,” the man hissed.
Kieran froze, his sharp claws unsheathing instinctively, his wolf barely held in check.
“Don’t hurt her!” His voice was filled with rage and fear, the primal snarl of an Alpha protecting his mate.
But the sorcerer paid him no mind. Instead, he turned to Alaric, eyes glinting with something far more sinister.
“Alaric,” the sorcerer murmured, his grip tightening around Mona’s arm. “The time has come. Choose now, or it will be too late.”
Alaric hesitated. For the first time, he hesitated.
And then Kieran spoke.
“Mona,” he said, his voice softer now, his eyes never leaving hers. “I don’t care what happens–I just want you to live.”
His voice cracked, but he kept going. “Even if you forget me. Even if you never love me
again.”
“I just want you to survive.”
Tears streamed down Kieran’s face, his silver eyes burning with helpless devotion.
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Chapter 29
‘Mona shook her head violently.
No,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “If I forget you, I won’t be truly alive.”
“I would rather die than live without the memories of loving you.”
And then–she moved.
From the folds of her gown, she pulled out a sharp shard of glass, something she had snatched when she fell earlier. Before anyone could react, she pressed it against her own
throat.
Alaric’s breath caught in his throat. His wolf howled in agony inside his chest.
For the first time, he understood. She didn’t just love Kieran. She loved him so much that she would rather die than live a life where their love never existed.
The pain of it was unbearable.
“NO!” Alaric roared, his entire body trembling. “Fine! I’ll let you go! Just–just don’t do this!”
Mona hesitated, just for a moment-
And in that split second, the hooded sorcerer struck. With an inhuman snarl, he knocked the glass from her hand, sending it shattering to the ground.
Alaric staggered back, his instincts screaming.
The sorcerer laughed darkly. “You fool,” he sneered. “Did you really think I would let such a rare soul slip away?”
“You thought I came here for your money, for power?” His lips curled into a cruel grin.
“No. I came for her.”
The wind around them howled, swirling with dark energy as the sorcerer’s fingers tightened around Mona’s throat.
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Chaply 29
A gunshot shattered the air.
The sorcerer’s head snapped back, his body staggering before crumpling to the ground.
Blood pooled beneath him.
For a long moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then–a figure emerged from the shadows. It was one of Kieran’s men. A sniper.
Mona barely had time to collapse before Kieran was there, catching her in his arms.
She shook violently, her breath coming in ragged sobs. Kieran held her so tightly, as if afraid she would disappear.
“Mona,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “You’re safe. I’ve got you. I swear, no one will ever take you from me again.”
And finally, she let herself fall into him.
Three Days Later
The mating ceremony was held as planned. But this time, there were no interruptions.
And as their pack howled in celebration, Mona knew–this was where she belonged.
In the darkened silence of an empty hospital room, Alaric lay beside a lifeless body.
Mona’s old body. Her true form–Mina–the one she had left behind.
A body that was slowly decaying, its once–glowing skin now dull, its heartbeat long gone. But Alaric refused to let go.
He still cleaned her. Dressed her. Today, he had placed her in a wedding dress.
One he had chosen years ago. And then, with shaking hands, he lifted a syringe to his own arm. A slow smile crossed his lips, filled with acceptance.
Mina,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her cold forehead. “I’m coming…”
