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Connor's Pov “We’re doing this all wrong, this is all wrong and you guys wouldn't listen. I can't go with you and you can't execute your plan. It'll all be a waste of time” Sofia said, “Tiara will never listen to brute force or desperation. She'll get what she wants and won't listen to anyone. I promise you. You need someone who can reason with her, someone who understands what she wants. If at all, anyone would do that, it's definitely not Liam. They already lost each other's trust, and you Connor… you just don't mean anything to her” The man who had led me here nodded quickly in agreement, but I narrowed my eyes on Sofia. “What are you suggesting, Sofia? That we release her and let her run loose? Just like you? Monsters aren't supposed to be walking around the earth like that.” Sofia smirked, leaning casually against the wall. “Not just release her. You let me go after her. I know how her mind works. She’s not just a rogue hunter with a thirst for power; she’s someone who feels wronged. If I go, I can bring her back.” I didn’t like the way this conversation was heading. Sofia’s confidence bordered on arrogance, and her motivations always seemed to serve her own interests. “And what’s the price for your so-called help?” I asked. Her eyes gleamed, her smirk widening. “Make me the Luna of the pack. Back at the old pack house. I'll be the perfect for to have meals with the Alpha's of the other packs.” The audacity of her demand hit me like a slap. “That’s out of the question,” I snapped. “This isn’t some game, Sofia. I’m not bargaining for Aria’s life.” Sofia rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Of course, it’s not a game. But if Tiara succeeds in taking all of Aria’s powers, she’ll be unstoppable. Do you really think you can handle her on your own?” I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. “Lock her up,” I growled at the guards. “We’re done here.” But Sofia’s laughter echoed through the dungeon, cutting through the tension. Every word she said made sense but none of it felt good to follow. “You’ll regret this, Connor. Mark my words, you’ll come crawling back when you realize you need me. And I promise you that.” I turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, Liam stormed in, his face flushed with urgency. “I found her!” he announced breathlessly. Everyone froze. The tension in the room thickened as Liam’s words sank in. Sofia was the first to speak. “You idiots will only make things worse if you go after her now.” I ignored her. “Show us where,” I ordered Liam. His gaze was faltering and he couldn't even think straight. Sofia stepped forward, her tone laced with warning. She had this aura that almost made me feel she was worth something giving a chance. “If you go charging in, you’ll trigger whatever trap Tiara has set. She’ll kill you all before you even get close to Aria. You should know this better than anyone except you've been a fool since you become the wrong Alpha of the wrong pack” “That’s enough,” I barked, grabbing Sofia by the arm. “If you’re so sure you know how to handle her, then you’re coming with us.” Her eyes widened in surprise as I tied her hands with rope. “You think this will stop me?” she sneered. “It’s not about stopping you,” I said coldly. “It’s about making sure you don’t sabotage this mission.” Liam led the way, guiding us through the dense forest and the treacherous paths Tiara had used to cover her tracks. Finally, we reached a small clearing. At its center was a crumbling hut, filled with silence. The scene before us stopped us all in our tracks. Tiara lay sprawled on the floor in a pool of her own blood, her pale skin almost glowing in the moonlight. Just a few feet away, Aria was unconscious, her chest rising and falling weakly. “What happened here?” one of the guards whispered. Sofia stepped forward, her eyes scanning the scene. “It’s obvious,” she said grimly. “One of them took the other’s blood. The only question is who did what.” I turned to Sofia, desperate for answers. “What are you saying? Are they both alive?” She nodded slowly. “For now. But the balance of power has shifted. One of them has absorbed part of the other’s powers and that’s not something you can undo.” “How do you know all this?” I demanded. Sofia smirked, her confidence infuriating. “Are you kidding me? I was with Tiara for days. And besides, I was more of a warrior than just anyhow person. You guys belittled me. The moon goddess doesn’t just grant powers lightly, Connor. There’s always a cost. And when two powerful beings like this collide, the result is... unpredictable.” “Will they wake up?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. “They’ll wake up,” Sofia said. “But not until midnight. And when they do, we’ll find out who has the upper hand.” I knelt beside Aria, gently lifting her into my arms. Her body was cold, and her face was pale, but she was alive. That was all that mattered. Liam moved to Tiara, his face a mask of conflicting emotions. “We’ll take them both back to the pack,” I said firmly. “Are you sure that’s wise?” Sofia asked, crossing her arms. “Bringing Tiara back could be a disaster waiting to happen.” “We’re not leaving her here to die,” I snapped. “If she wakes up with her powers intact, I want her where I can see her.” Sofia didn’t argue, but the look in her eyes told me she had her own plans. The trek back to the pack was tense. I carried Aria while Liam carried Tiara. Every rustle in the bushes, every snap of a twig, set my nerves on edge. The guards were silent, their unease palpable. When we finally reached the pack’s borders, I ordered the guards to prepare two separate rooms, one for Aria and one for Tiara.