Esmera paced back and forth in her chambers, her mind racing. She had expected Kael’s forces to take longer to breach Nyxthorn’s defenses, but his relentless assault had brought him dangerously close to the compound. The echo of his warriors’ footsteps reverberated through the walls, growing louder with each passing moment. The realization hit her like a cold, hard slap—he was almost here.
Her worst fear had been that Kael would find Bella, that he would tear down every barrier she had so carefully constructed. Esmera’s grip tightened on the hilt of her dagger as panic settled deep within her chest. She had been so sure of her victory, so sure that Bella would remain trapped, broken, far from the man who could save her. But now, with the sounds of battle raging closer, she knew time was running out.
The fury inside her twisted into something darker. Desperation clawed at her, pushing her to act before Kael could break through. She needed to ensure Bella was out of the picture, once and for all. The thought of Bella being saved, of her being pulled from the jaws of death by that cursed mate bond, was enough to drive Esmera to madness.
She stormed out of her chambers, the sound of her heels clicking sharply against the stone floor as she made her way to the courtyard. The air was thick with the stench of blood and fire from the ongoing battle, but Esmera’s focus was singular: Bella had to die before Kael reached her.
The guards were already preparing for the execution. They had dragged Bella from her cage, her body weak and bruised from the days of abuse. She was barely conscious, her eyes fluttering as they tied her to a post in the middle of the courtyard, her limbs trembling under the strain. The chains rattled with each movement, the sound like a death knell in the oppressive silence of the courtyard.
Bella’s vision swam as she gazed out at the gathering warriors, their faces cold and indifferent as they readied their weapons. The air around her felt suffocating, her heart racing despite the exhaustion weighing down on her body. She could barely hold her head up, and the cruel reality of her situation was crashing down on her. Esmera had won. She was going to die here, alone and abandoned, with no one to save her.
Tears burned in Bella’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She couldn’t cry now—not when it would give Esmera the satisfaction. She fought to keep her focus, trying to remember Kael’s face, the warmth of his embrace, the sound of his voice calling her name. But with each passing moment, the darkness seemed to swallow her more and more.
The warriors lined up before her, their swords raised high. The weight of their judgment pressed down on Bella’s fragile spirit. She could hear Esmera’s voice in the distance, her cruel words echoing across the courtyard.
“Make sure she suffers,” Esmera spat, her voice dripping with malice. “The rogue deserves nothing less.”
Bella’s heart twisted with the sharp sting of despair. She had failed. She had fought so hard to survive, to hold onto the hope that Kael would find her. But now, in this moment, as the cold steel of the warriors’ blades gleamed in the fading light, that hope felt distant, like a dream slipping through her fingers.
She could feel the presence of the guards closing in around her, their heavy steps marking the finality of her fate. The first blade was raised, gleaming like a silver harbinger of death. Bella closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. She could hear her heartbeat thundering in her ears, drowning out the world around her, and for a moment, she thought this was the end.
But then, just as the blade was about to descend, a sound pierced the air. It was low at first, a distant growl that seemed to echo through the ground beneath her feet. Bella’s eyes snapped open, her heart leaping in her chest as the sound grew louder, clearer. It was unmistakable—she had heard it before, in her dreams, in the very marrow of her bones.
A howl. A deafening, primal cry that cut through the air with a force that shook the earth.
It was Kael.
Bella’s pulse quickened, a wave of warmth and recognition flooding her veins. She had always known that their bond was more than just a connection—it was something unbreakable, something powerful. And now, as that howl reverberated through the night, she knew he was coming for her.
The warriors hesitated, their weapons faltering as the howl continued to echo around them. Esmera’s face twisted with rage and disbelief, her hands clenched into fists as she turned toward the source of the sound. She had underestimated him, underestimated the strength of the bond between Bella and Kael.
“No,” Esmera hissed under her breath, her eyes burning with fury. “This can’t be happening.”
But it was. Kael was here. And he would tear through them all to get to her.