Chapter 148 Chapter 148

Chapter 148 Chapter 148
Rose’s pov

“What do you mean everyone is going to die?” I asked, my voice barely steady.

“I am sorry, I made a big mistake. I should have never brought you back, I should have never brought you here.” He said, and the words stung. For a moment I thought he regretted helping me escape his father.

“Are you having regrets helping me?” I asked, my chest tightening, but he quickly shook his head.

“Of course not. I would die just to make sure you are safe.” he said with so much raw conviction that every doubt inside me dissolved… but then his face fell, shadowed by something darker. “But in my bid to save you, I am afraid I have done more harm than good. I have endangered both your life and that of this entire city. My father will come for you—and he will come with fiery rage, destroying everything in his path.” His voice dropped, and I realized I was already shaking.

“I have to leave here to try and convince him not to… but I can’t break free because of the wolfsbane,” he added, frustration tightening his jaw.

“I tried to talk to Father to release you, but he refused. He is so angry,” I said, my voice dropping as the memory replayed—his rage, the way he shut me down before I could even finish speaking. “I’ve asked my aunty to help speak to him, and she said she would do that tomorrow. Hopefully she can convince him to release you.”

His gaze drifted away, haunted. “If that’s not too late already,” he said softly. The worry carved into his face wasn’t for himself—it was for me. That alone made my chest ache.

“What if there is a way for me to get the keys and help you escape here?” I asked. His head snapped up.

“No. I don’t want you doing anything that would get you in trouble,” he said sharply.

“You risked your life and went against your father because of me—this is the least I can do,” I said. He opened his mouth, probably to discourage me again, but I cut him off.

“You can’t stop me. Remember, you’re the one behind bars,” I teased lightly, and he let out a soft, bitter laugh. I smiled too, relieved that I could at least bring a flicker of warmth back to his face.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine, you will see” I said, reaching for reassurance even though fear churned inside me.

“What are you doing here?” a voice cut in from the side. I spun around and saw the guard—Beta Marcel stood beside him.

“You are not meant to be here, my lady,” Beta Marcel said, his tone much calmer than the guard’s.

“Mmm…” I stuttered. “I just needed to see him.”

“I understand, but your father wouldn’t like that you disobeyed him and came here. But don’t worry, I’m not planning on telling him. However, after what happened in your room, I think you should go get some rest,” he said.

“What happened in your room?” Kavian asked immediately, concern sharpening his voice.

I hadn’t wanted to tell him that his brothers came… or that there had been a fight. But since Beta Marcel brought it up, I couldn’t hide it.

“Your brothers came. They were looking for you, but they got into a big fight with our pack warriors inside my room,” I said, then quickly added, “They’re fine—they escaped.” I added it fast, in case he panicked for their safety.

“A fight?"
Kavian seemed to be processing everything I had said when the guard suddenly snapped, his voice sharp with fury.

“Those bastard brothers of yours killed and injured many of our good men. I should cut off all your fingers and toes as payback.”

The words hit me like a slap. A hot rush of anger shot through me, fierce and protective.
“You dare not touch him,” I growled, the sound low and raw in my throat. My body tensed on instinct, already ready to launch myself at him if he so much as moved toward Kavian.

The guard opened his mouth, rage twisting his expression, but Beta Marcel stepped forward before he could spit out another threat.

“That’s enough,” he said, voice cold and firm. “No one is touching the prisoner. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Beta,” the guard muttered, backing down, though the hatred simmering in him was still obvious. Through it all, Kavian remained calm—too calm, like a storm that knew it didn’t need to roar to be dangerous.

“Kindly escort Lady Rose outside. I would like to have a little talk with the prisoner,” Beta Marcel said, and the guard nodded stiffly.

“I’ll be back, okay?” I whispered to Kavian, trying to keep my voice steady, before the guard gestured for me to move.

I ignored the subtle shove of impatience from him as I walked out.
Part of me wanted to tear into him with my bare hands for the way he spoke to Kavian. But another part—quieter, aching—understood his fury. The injured and the dead were his friends… my people… the weight of their loss hung thick in the corridor.

I paused at the door and turned slightly toward Beta Marcel.

“Please… try and hear him out,” I said softly. “It could be what saves this city.”

He lifted a brow, just slightly, giving nothing away, but he didn’t argue.

And that was enough—for now.

Kavian’s pov

Rose left with that angry guard, and the moment her footsteps faded, the room felt colder. I was alone with Marcel now. He stepped closer to the cell with that calm, unreadable expression, but before he could open his mouth, I spoke. There was no time—nothing mattered more than getting out of here.

“Listen, you have to listen to me. I have to leave here. It’s a matter of life and death.”
I pushed closer to the bars, desperation tightening my voice.

He stayed silent for a moment, studying me before speaking in that measured tone of his.
“Does it have to do with saving the city like Rose said?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

“Well, it’s quite the surprise,” he said, voice cool, almost mocking. “I heard you and your brothers have a reputation for destroying cities, not saving them.”

I exhaled sharply, frustration knotting in my chest. He didn’t understand—none of them did.

“There is no more time,” I pressed. “If my father comes here, then this city will fall along with everyone in it. You have to let me go. You’re the beta—you can reason with your alpha.”

He stepped even closer, his gaze hardening.

“What do you take us for, cowards? Just because you destroy other cities doesn’t mean Ashwood will fall at your hands. We are more than capable of defending ourselves.”

The certainty in his voice made something inside me snap. Emotion surged through me like wildfire, and before I could stop myself, I lunged at the bars. My hands wrapped around the wolfsbane-coated metal, sizzling heat biting into my skin instantly.

“No, you can’t! You will be destroyed!” I roared, the pain searing straight up my arms. The sound of burning flesh filled the air.

Marcel flinched—only slightly—but he forced his expression to remain composed.

“Aah—”
A groan tore from my throat as I stumbled back from the bars. My palms were scorched, but I didn’t look at them. I didn’t care. None of this mattered compared to the danger closing in on Rose… on this entire place.

“You can’t possibly win against my father,” I rasped. “Please. You have to release me. This is the only way I can save Rose.”

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he turned and began walking away.

“Are you leaving just like that? You won’t say anything?!”
Frustration and panic coiled together in my chest, tightening until I could barely breathe.

He paused at the doorway, turning his head slightly.
“If you truly love Rose as you claim, and want her safe, then you will tell us how we can defeat your father and his army.”

“What?” I stared at him, disbelief crashing into me. “What you’re asking is impossible. You can’t defeat them.”

“I do not believe that,” he countered. “Everyone has a weakness. I’m sure even you can testify to that.”
His eyes flicked toward the wolfsbane-coated bars as he stepped closer again.

“That does not apply to my father,” I said, my voice low and grim. “And if you’re foolish enough to allow him to come here, then you will understand why he is called the Alpha King.”