Caitlyn's POV
After returning to my place, I found myself replaying Yone's words in my mind, and coupled with Talon's peculiar reaction, I had a vague sense that there was something I didn't know.
Pondering this, I felt a tightness in my chest, so I rose from the bed and headed to the balcony for some fresh air.
The bright moon hung in the night sky, casting the heavens as an infinite, transparent sea—quiet, vast, and mysterious. The air carried a chilly edge, adding to the melancholy ambiance. The memory of Leona's final, resolute gaze caused a pang in my heart.
Ever since I was a small-town girl, Leona had protected me like an older sister, standing unwaveringly by my side through betrayals and persecutions.
Leaving her behind in that jail felt like an unforgivable sin. The mere thought of it made my chest tighten, prompting me to step onto the balcony and release a long breath.
It was then that I noticed a stealthy figure lurking in a nearby corner, oddly more conspicuous than usual.
"Bard? What are you doing?" I called out softly, startling the figure.
As Bard looked bewildered, I quickly descended from the balcony to approach him.
"Ms. Caitlyn," he said, his vigilance melting away upon recognizing me. He nodded gently, appearing somewhat hesitant.
"Bard, where do you intend to go at this late hour?" I asked, though I already had a suspicion about his motives.
"Caitlyn, how could you leave Leona alone?" Bard's voice trembled with suppressed anger.
"I'm sorry, I..." I turned my gaze away, guilt enveloping me once more.
"Caitlyn, forgive me if I'm overstepping, but I can't help feeling disappointed for Leona. She always rushed to your aid without hesitation, no matter the danger. And now this..." Bard's disappointment was palpable.
Bard shook his head with a cold, somewhat despondent expression.
"It's not as you think. If I had hurried to bring Leona out, we might have both ended up under siege. Do you think I wanted to leave her alone?"
I looked up at Bard, trying to mask the guilt I felt with indignation.
"It was the king who caused all of this, not me. Leona volunteered to stay at the time. No one knows how she feels now better than me, and no one will suffer more than me!"
I glanced at Bard with wide eyes, feeling intensely frustrated by the feeling of being questioned.
"I don't care about that. I'm going to save Leona!"
Bard appeared visibly stunned upon hearing my declaration, but soon he shouted with impatience before turning away and striding off into the distance.
"Stop, Bard! Now is not the time for recklessness. Rushing over there like this will only play into their hands. The matter of rescuing Leona and my father needs to be discussed thoroughly."
"How long will that take? Can Leona wait until that time?"
Bard whipped his head around, his expression indignant. In the quiet of the night, I could sense the wolf inside him growling with anger.
Without another word, Bard hurried off into the darkness, not looking back.
Realizing that Bard might do something foolish, I could think of nothing else but to make my way to Talon's residence.
"What?!"
After recounting Bard's actions, Talon involuntarily cried out and slammed his palm down on a nearby side table, causing it to topple and startle the guards at the door, who rushed in alertly.
"It's fine. Gather the men and prepare to get Bard back!" Talon ordered, gesturing toward Braum, who stood beside him.
"Bard?"
Braum hesitated for a moment but quickly understood the situation. He left with a furrowed brow to make the necessary arrangements.
Talon stood up, looking prepared to join us in rescuing Bard.
"You shouldn't go. We don't know what's happening this time. All eyes are on you. If we hadn't hidden quickly last time, Fandom might have wiped us out. It's better for me to go this time. That's the promise I made to Leona."
I gazed up at Talon with a serious expression and spoke solemnly.
Talon's brows furrowed as he heard me, obviously pondering the importance of my words.
"Alright, I'm going to make a trip to Yone to get an update, and in the meantime, I'll gather as much information as I can about the exact location where your father is being held. Take care of yourself, but promise me that if you are in any danger, you'll prioritize your own safety above all else."
Talon stood up and let out a long sigh, then cast a worried glance down at me.
"Okay, I will." I nodded softly and prepared to head back to the scene with Braum.
Just then, Talon swooped me up from behind, burying his head in my hair and taking a deep sniff.
The warmth of his breath on my neck sent a tingling sensation through my body.
"I'm sorry, I'm leaving you alone to face it all again," Talon murmured like a child.
"It's okay, it's not your fault. We've chosen to face this together. You don't have to say things like that anymore. You've given me so much in the past; now let me help you," I reassured him, turning around to hug him gently.
As I did, I felt the warmth of my neck where he had breathed.
"I'm sure I'll make it back just fine," I said, flashing a confident smile at Talon before rushing toward the abandoned hospital with Braum, who had been waiting patiently outside.
During the rush, Braum remained silent, his expression cold.
I could sense his emotions; his brother Bard had just disobeyed the Alpha's orders to rescue his lover alone. Despite the positive outcome, punishment was inevitable.
"Don't worry, everything will be fine," I said, trying to comfort Braum.
"Yeah, I know," he replied, nodding gently. He was about to say something else when a loud explosion nearby rendered him speechless.
As we looked toward the source of the commotion, we saw the hospital where Leona had been held now engulfed in black smoke, screams echoing through the night sky.
Clearly, this was Bard's doing.