Chapter 12 CHAPTER TWELVE**

Chapter 12 CHAPTER TWELVE**
CHAPTER TWELVE

SHADOWS OF THE PAST

ZARIAH NIGHTBORNE POV

Kael looked different.

Harder. Colder. Like whatever humanity he'd once pretended to have had been carved away.

"You," I breathed, the word tasting like poison.

"Me." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Surprised?"

"I should've known you'd be here. Rats always find the garbage."

His smile widened. "Still have that sharp tongue. Good. I'd hate for them to have broken you already."

The wolves behind him waited, tense, ready to strike on his command.

But they didn't move.

"Call them off," I said quietly.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because if you don't, I'll kill every single one of them. Then you."

He laughed. Actually laughed. "You can barely stand, Zariah. The poison's eating you alive, and you're threatening me?"

"Try me."

Our eyes locked. His amber. Mine blazing silver.

For a moment, I saw something flicker across his face. Regret. Longing. Pain.

Then it was gone.

"Stand down," he said to the wolves.

They hesitated, confused.

"I said stand down!" His voice cracked like a whip, and they retreated, filing out of the chamber until only he remained.

The door closed behind them with a heavy thud.

Silence stretched between us, sharp and suffocating.

"Why?" I asked finally.

"Why what?"

"Why send them away? Why not just kill us yourself?"

Kael stepped closer, his movements careful, calculated. "Because despite everything you think you know about me, I never wanted you dead."

"Just caged."

"Protected," he corrected. "There's a difference."

"Is there?" I spat. "Because from where I'm standing, they look exactly the same."

He flinched. Good.

Behind me, Elara moved slightly, positioning herself to shield our mother. Smart girl.

"What do you want, Kael?" I asked, exhaustion bleeding into my voice. "If you're here to gloat—"

"I'm here to help you escape."

The words hit me like a slap.

"What?"

"You heard me." He pulled a keycard from his pocket, tossing it to me. I caught it reflexively. "Service elevator. East wing. Takes you straight to the garage. Keys are in a black SUV, third row."

I stared at the keycard, then at him. "Why?"

"Because I made a promise." His jaw tightened. "To protect you. Even from myself."

"You broke that promise the second you handed me over to Lucien."

"I know." His voice cracked, just slightly. "And I've regretted it every day since."

"Regret doesn't fix anything."

"I know that too." He stepped closer, and I tensed. "But maybe this will. Take the card. Save your mother. Get out of here before they realize what's happening."

"And you?"

"I'll buy you time. Tell them you overpowered me. Took me hostage. Whatever keeps them from following immediately."

I studied him, searching for the lie, the trap.

But all I saw was a broken man trying to make amends.

"This doesn't make us even," I said coldly.

"I know."

"It doesn't earn my forgiveness."

"I don't expect it to."

"Then why?"

His eyes met mine, and in them, I saw the boy I'd once trusted. Once loved.

"Because you were right," he whispered. "I should've chosen you. Over power. Over family. Over everything." He swallowed hard. "And I can't undo what I did. But maybe I can make sure you survive long enough to destroy everyone who hurt you."

Footsteps echoed in the corridor. Heavy. Multiple.

Kael's expression shifted to urgency. "Go. Now."

"Kael—"

"Go!"

Elara grabbed my arm. "Zariah, we don't have time to debate this."

She was right. My mother was dying. The poison was spreading. We were out of options.

I shoved the keycard into my pocket. "If this is a trap—"

"It's not." Kael backed toward the door. "East wing. Black SUV. Don't stop for anything."

He pushed through the door, and I heard his voice immediately, loud and commanding.

"Containment breach, sector seven! They're heading west!"

The footsteps thundered away.

I looked at Elara. "Can you carry her?"

"I'll manage."

She hoisted our mother up, surprisingly strong for her size. Our mother groaned weakly but didn't wake fully.

We moved fast, following the emergency exit signs toward the east wing.

The corridor was empty. Too empty.

Every instinct screamed trap, but we didn't have another choice.

We reached the elevator. I swiped the keycard, and the doors opened immediately.

We piled in. The doors closed.

Down. Down. Down.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Any second, the elevator could stop. Trap us. Kill us.

But it didn't.

The doors opened to a massive underground garage, dimly lit, filled with vehicles.

Third row. Black SUV.

I spotted it and ran, yanking open the driver's door. Keys in the ignition, just like Kael said.

Elara climbed in back with our mother, cradling her head.

I turned the key. The engine roared to life.

"Hold on," I said.

I slammed the gas.

The SUV shot forward, tires squealing. I aimed for the exit ramp, praying it wasn't blocked.

It wasn't.

We burst out into the night, cold air rushing through the vents.

Behind us, alarms blared. Lights flooded the compound.

They knew.

"Faster!" Elara shouted.

I pushed the accelerator to the floor, the SUV fishtailing as we hit the main road.

Headlights appeared in the rearview mirror. Three sets. Then five.

They were coming.

"We're not going to outrun them," Elara said, her voice tight.

"I know."

I yanked the wheel, veering off-road into the forest. The SUV crashed through underbrush, branches scraping against the windows.

The wolves behind us followed, their vehicles more agile, gaining ground.

My mind raced. We needed cover. Needed somewhere defensible.

The compound. Veda's compound.

It was twenty miles north. Too far.

But it was all we had.

"Call Veda," I said, tossing my phone to Elara. "Tell her we're coming in hot."

Elara fumbled with the phone, dialing. "Veda? It's Elara. We're—yes, she's with me. We've got her mother. But we're being chased. At least five vehicles, maybe more—okay. Okay. Got it."

She hung up. "She's mobilizing everyone. Says to lead them straight to the compound. They'll be ready."

"Good."

I pushed harder, the SUV bouncing violently over roots and rocks. My mother moaned in the back, her body jerking with each impact.

"Sorry, Mom," I whispered.

The trees thinned ahead, opening into a clearing.

And there, silhouetted against the moonlight, stood the compound.

And Veda, flanked by rogues, all armed, all ready.

I aimed straight for them, honking twice—the signal.

They scattered, letting us through, then closed ranks behind us.

I slammed the brakes, and the SUV skidded to a stop inside the compound gates.

The pursuing vehicles burst from the trees seconds later.

And the rogues opened fire.

Not bullets. Arrows. Silver-tipped, dipped in wolfsbane.

The lead vehicle swerved, crashing into a tree. The others tried to retreat, but the rogues were already moving, surrounding them, cutting off escape.

I stumbled out of the SUV, my legs barely holding me.

Veda appeared at my side. "You look like death."

"Feel like it too."

"Your mother?"

"Alive. Barely."

Veda nodded, already moving toward the SUV. "Get her inside. Medical wing. Now."

Two rogues lifted my mother carefully, carrying her toward the main building.

Elara climbed out, bloodied and shaking but alive.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Define okay."

Fair.

I turned back to the firefight. The Syndicate wolves were surrendering, hands up, surrounded by rogues.

We'd won.

For now.

But I knew this wasn't over. Not even close.

The Alpha Don would come. Lucien would come. The entire Syndicate would come.

And when they did, we'd be ready.

I looked at Veda. "Fortify the perimeter. Double the guards. No one gets in or out without my permission."

"Already on it."

"Good." I started toward the medical wing, then paused. "And Veda? Find out if any of those Syndicate wolves want to switch sides. Offer them freedom. Purpose. A chance to fight back."

She grinned. "You're building an army."

"I'm building a rebellion."

I walked inside, every step agony, but I didn't stop.

My mother was in the medical wing, surrounded by rogues trying desperately to stabilize her.

She looked so small. So fragile.

I took her hand, cold and bony in mine.

"I've got you, Mom," I whispered. "You're safe now. I promise."

Her eyes fluttered open, just barely.

"Zariah..."

"I'm here."

"My... girl..." A weak smile. "So... strong..."

Tears burned my eyes. "Rest, Mom. Please. Save your strength."

She nodded slightly, her eyes closing again.

I stood there, holding her hand, refusing to let go.

Behind me, footsteps approached.

Elara appeared at my other side, her hand resting on my shoulder.

"She's going to make it," she said quietly.

"You don't know that."

"I do." Elara squeezed my shoulder. "Because she's your mother. And stubbornness runs in the family."

Despite everything, I almost smiled.

Almost.

Then the door burst open.

A rogue stood there, breathless, eyes wide.

"Luna. We've got a problem."

"What now?"

"There's someone at the gates. Says she has information. Says her name is—"

"Lena," I finished, my voice cold. "I know."

I'd forgotten about her. The girl who'd poisoned me. Who'd betrayed me twice.

"Bring her to the interrogation room," I said. "Chain her. Silver."

"Already done."

"Good." I looked at my mother one last time, then at Elara. "Stay with her. Don't leave her side."

"Where are you going?"

"To have a conversation with a traitor."

I walked out, my rage barely contained.

Lena wanted to talk?

Fine.

But this time, she'd answer for everything.

And if I didn't like what I heard, I'd make sure she never betrayed anyone again.