Chapter 144 Chapter 144

Chapter 144 Chapter 144
Rose’s POV

They came at Kavian with their horses and swords, but Kavian was impossibly fast. In one blur of movement, he lifted the first horse with a single hand and flung it sideways into another rider, the impact sending both men crashing to the ground in a violent tangle of limbs and metal.

A third rider closed in, swinging his sword at Kavian’s head, but Kavian ducked at the last second. He surged upward, grabbed the rider from behind, yanked him off his saddle, and slammed him onto the earth—then delivered a brutal, bone-crunching stomp that made me wince.

The leader of the group slid off his horse, charging at Kavian with three men at his sides. They surrounded him, blades slashing in quick flashes of steel. Kavian’s reflexes were pushed to their limits—dodging, twisting, slipping between strikes with sharp, controlled movements. He countered with punches, but none were meant to kill. I could see it—he was holding back, trying not to inflict lasting damage on his own pack members.

But then a blade finally grazed him.
A clean, sharp slash across his arm.

“Ah!” he yelled, and the sound tore through me.

And that pain seemed to ignite something else in him. His eyes darkened, his movements sharpened—he fought with a fiercer edge now.

He struck one man square in the chest, sending him flying backward. Another received a backhand that lifted him off his feet, spinning him through the air before crashing down.

But Kavian wasn’t invincible. A blade caught him again—this time across his back—and I felt the pain echo through my body as if it were happening to me.

I couldn’t sit there any longer.

The man restraining me was so focused on Kavian that he didn’t notice my shift. I tightened my grip on the reins and slammed both my heels into the horse’s sides. The mare reared violently, lifting onto its hind legs and throwing the man off balance. He clung on—barely—so I leaned forward and drove my elbow sharply into his chest.

That did it.
He hit the ground hard.

“Hey, you—!” he tried to get up, but I yanked the reins and steered the horse forward, running him over before he could reach me again. My heart thundered as I turned the horse toward Kavian.

He was still battling two men, unaware of the third one creeping behind him with his sword raised.

I didn’t think—I charged.
The horse collided with the attacker before he could strike, knocking him to the dirt.

Kavian spun around, eyes wide in surprise. It was clear he hadn’t realized the man was behind him.

“Thanks,” he said breathlessly.

I smiled shakily and slid off the horse. The moment my feet touched the ground, I rushed into his arms.

“You came back for me…” I whispered, holding him tightly.

“Of course,” he murmured, cupping my face gently. “I will always be here to protect you.”

He took my hand, already pulling me toward his horse.
“Let’s get out of here.”

But then—

“I’m sorry,” the leader groaned, struggling to rise despite his injuries. “I can’t let you leave with her.”

The other men were pushing themselves off the ground too—bruised, bleeding, but still determined.

I had to hand it to them… they were relentless.

“Learn when to quit,” Kavian warned, his voice low and dangerous. “I do not want to kill any of you—you are my kindred. But you are forcing my hand. Let us go so you can live.”

If you want to continue the next part, paste it—I’ll keep everything consistent.

“We are no cowards. We are men of honor and duty—something you clearly don’t have any idea of.” The leader spat the words with cold conviction. “It’s quite a shame…I once looked up to you. We all did. But seeing how you disregard your father’s orders and turn against your own pack…I have lost every atom of respect I ever had for you. You are a traitor. A disgrace.”

Kavian’s hands curled into tight fists, the muscles in his arms twitching. The man’s words were sinking in, cutting deeper than any blade had managed to.

“You will regret speaking to me like that,” Kavian growled, stepping forward.

“Kavian,” I called softly, hoping to pull him back, but his mixed-colored eyes had already sharpened with something dark—something dangerous. He looked ready to spill blood.

The men prepared themselves, not to win… but to die.

But then—

“Kavian!”

The voice cracked through the tension like a whip, freezing everyone in place.

Arman.
And beside him—Roshan and Shirin. All three riding fast, dust rising behind their horses.

Seeing them sent a jolt through me—love, fear, confusion blending into one painful knot. I loved them, yes… but were they here to help us—or drag me back to their father by force? Were they allies right now… or enemies?

“What has gotten into you, brother? What is this you’re doing?” Arman demanded, riding closer.

“What needed to be done,” Kavian answered without hesitation.

“Really?” Arman’s voice sharpened. “You think this is right? Running away with our mate, endangering her life, fighting—killing—our own people? You actually believe this is the right thing?”

“I had no choice,” Kavian said, jaw tight. “Father is being unfair to Rosemary.”

“And your solution is to become a full-blown traitor?” Roshan cut in. “You’ve messed up, brother. Really messed up. You’ve made Father furious. You need to return to camp with our mate now—before his anger becomes unquenchable.”

“I will return and face Father’s wrath,” Kavian said. “But let Rose return to her people.”

“What are you talking about? She is our mate. She belongs with us,” Roshan said, confused and irritated.

“Yes, but it has to be done the right way,” Kavian insisted. “Let her inform her people. Let her say a proper goodbye before we take her to Varshan Hold.”

Arman paused, considering.
“I understand your point, brother. And it does make sense. But Father has already given the order—we leave with Rose today. We have no choice but to obey. Besides…” he added, looking at me, “Rose never complained.”

“Do I need to complain before you understand it’s not what I want?” My voice trembled slightly, but I refused to look away. “Did you really expect me to be fine leaving with you without even informing my people? I only agreed because I was scared—and because it seemed like only Kavian cared about how I felt.”

“We do care about your feelings, love,” Shirin said gently. “And that is exactly why you must come with us. It is unwise—dangerous—to provoke our father. We don’t want harm to come to you or your people. So please, come with us now.”

“So I don’t have any choice anymore?” I asked, my voice quiet but edged with frustration and hurt.

“Of course you do. But.." he was saying.

“Am I your prisoner or your mate?” I asked, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My voice trembled—not from fear, but from the raw ache twisting inside my chest.

“Why would you ask us such a thing? Of course you are our mate. The woman we love,” Shirin said, his brows drawn together as if the very question wounded him.

“I doubt that,” I whispered, my throat tightening. “Because if you did love me, you would consider my happiness… you would consider how I feel.”

Before Shirin could respond, Arman cut in.

“Listen, Rose,” he said gently, though the firmness beneath his tone was impossible to ignore. “Sometimes duty comes before love and emotions. I am sure our father has valid reasons for wanting you to come with us today without meeting your people. You just have to trust us.”

He stretched out his hand toward me, palm open… inviting… expecting. But something inside me recoiled. I stepped back, moving behind Kavian instinctively. Arman’s hand froze midair. Hurt flickered in his eyes—hurt quickly swallowed by a flash of anger.

“She doesn’t want to go,” Kavian said, his voice steel. “If you love her, you will respect her wishes and let her return to her people.”

“Don’t listen to him, Alpha Arman,” the leader of the men said, stepping forward. His tone carried a smug confidence that made my stomach knot. “Your brother has lost his way. He has forsaken his oaths. You and your brothers must help us fight and seize him for the glory of your father, Alpha King Almon.”

“No, brother. You have to let us go,” Kavian insisted, shoulders squared, every line of his body ready to defend me.

“I’m sorry,” Arman said quietly. “I can’t do that.”

He swung down from his horse, boots hitting the ground with a heavy thud. Roshan and Shirin did the same, forming a united wall of resolve—and dread slid down my spine like ice water.

I won’t lie… fear wrapped its fingers around my ribs. Yes, Kavian could beat the other men. But his brothers? They were just as strong as he was—and there were three of them. My heart hammered as I looked at their expressions, the hard determination settling over them.

I didn’t see this going well at all.