NARRATORAldo never thought he’d live to witness something so extraordinary.The massive wall of ice and rock, which had blocked his and Tomás’s escape, was no obstacle for a Lycan.He looked up, watching as Elliot climbed with sheer brute strength.His clawed feet dug deep into the ice, carving out grips as he propelled himself upward.Strapped to his back, secured in a makeshift sack fashioned from the bloodied, tattered clothes of the corpses left behind in the previous battle, was the unconscious girl—the housekeeper’s precious daughter.She hadn’t been able to withstand the agonizing “adjustments” the laborer had inflicted on her to ensure she wouldn’t betray them.Aldo watched as Elliot reached the top, then leaped into the void, clearing a deadly stretch in a single bound, disappearing from sight.So much power.He could only hope the Duke would save his mate—because if that powerful creature lost his companion in a violent way, he would unleash chaos upon this realm.*****KAT

NARRATORThe impact was brutal. The air escaped from the woman's lungs in a strangled gasp as her head slammed against the stone.The pain was immediate and blinding.Katherine felt the world spin around her before collapsing, powerless, onto the plush carpet.Her vision blurred, and from the floor, she barely made out Francis retreating, a shadow vanishing through the door.*****Meanwhile, Francis ran like a condemned man through the hallway, dodging a few maids checking the rooms, making his way into an abandoned wing.The “treasure” he had stolen was clutched in his hands, his direct path leading to the wing of the late Dukes, a place rarely searched—his ticket out of this prison.*****KATHERINE"Madam!" Amid my haze, I heard a female voice calling me and felt hands trying to lift me up.My blurry eyes managed to focus for a second.It was a maid and two footmen helping me. It seemed they had heard me scream."The… the man, Francis! He was here, find him!""But you're not well…"

KATHERINEI lay on the ground for a second, catching my breath, staring at the distant treetops, filling my lungs with fresh oxygen.I coughed softly and sat up.Beside me stood the stone well I had just climbed out of.In the distance, the silhouette of the castle faintly outlined itself against the evening sky, the last orange rays of the sun casting a glow.This had to be some secret exit from the Duke’s residence.I got to my feet—there was no time to lose. Every second counted.Quickly wiping the dirt from my palms, I checked the red seal, concentrating. The signal hadn’t faded, and it was pointing me in a direction through this tangled woodland.With a furious tug, I tore the skirts of my dress, ripping away several layers. I needed more agility—they had nearly tripped me several times, and the weight was unbearable.Now with my boots free, I took off running toward the path traced by the red line.*****Crouching behind the bushes, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady

KATHERINE"No, no, leave my daughter alone, leave her! You can do whatever you want with me, I'll be your hostage, me!"I offered myself, but that old witch listened to her son and went after Lavinia."Let me go, let me go! Aaahhh, you damn psychopath!" I roared when his mouth bit me.I felt his teeth breaking the skin of my lower lip, making me bleed before he pulled away, savoring it.He had me trapped against the tree, completely controlled—I couldn't escape."So you're willing to do anything, little Duchess. What if I offer you a deal? If you behave, maybe I'll let your brat go." Suddenly, in the middle of my struggle, he said those words that made me stop and look at him.I knew he was playing with me. I understood perfectly well what he would ask of me next. I had been through this situation so many times.For a plate of food after days of starvation, for a sip of filthy water, for something to keep me warm so I wouldn’t freeze to death in my cell… how many times had I been forc

KATHERINEThis was the most bizarre and insane situation of my entire existence.And yet, I was starting to realize that he didn’t seem to want to hurt me. I mean, how much sniffing and licking did he need before taking a bite?I dared to open my eyes just a crack, only to find dark fur dominating my vision.My heart pounded wildly, and I felt the heat of his breath and the dampness of his nose… inside my cleavage.I was speechless. Had I just escaped one pervert only to end up with another?A ridiculous thought crossed my dazed mind—I needed to get out of this situation, find Lavinia. If he was going to eat me, he should just get it over with.My trembling hand inched upward, millimeter by millimeter. I felt so small with this massive beast looming over me.My fingers twitched uncontrollably, reaching toward his… his… where was I even touching?His snout?No, no. What if he suddenly opened his mouth? The image of those fangs, the carnage—it was all too fresh in my mind.His ears? Too