Chapter 99 Wanna bet?
The plane door opened, and Kane’s senses screamed. The cool Seattle air hit his face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside him. He held Aria’s hand tightly, her fingers trembling around his. Lily clung to her mother’s leg, and Leo let out a quiet whimper.
Amanda and Jacob stepped down first, slow and deliberate, like predators surveying territory. Kane kept his eyes locked on them, every muscle coiled, ready to strike but he had to stay in control.
“Welcome to Seattle,” Amanda said, her tone deceptively sweet, masking the danger simmering beneath. “You have everything here, yes? Medical help, security…comfortable accommodations?”
Kane forced a nod. “Everything’s ready,” he said. Every word was measured, every motion cautious. He felt Devon’s presence behind him. A silent reassurance. But he couldn’t risk the wolves revealing their hand yet.
Amanda’s smile widened, and she gestured to Jacob. “See? Cooperation is simple when you want it to be.”
Jacob’s gun never wavered, the tip still aimed at Lily. “One wrong move,” he said. “One twitch, and it’s over.”
“Let’s skip the part where you threaten us back,” Amanda said. “You have questions. I have what you need. If those two things can meet in the middle, everyone walks away from today.”
Kane’s voice was steel. “What do you want?”
Amanda’s eyes locked on Aria. “What we agreed on. Part of your powers.”
Aria’s jaw tightened. “That agreement was for helping with the witches.”
“Plans change.” Amanda’s tone stayed flat. “You two finding the map was a complication we didn’t anticipate. But the original deal stands. A portion of your power. That’s my price.”
“You already proved to us we can’t trust you. Why would we make that mistake again?” Kane demanded.
Amanda reached into her jacket pocket. Every wolf on the tarmac tensed. She pulled out a small glass vial filled with pale green liquid.
“For this.”
Aria’s breath caught. “The antidote.”
“Full doses. One for your son. One for you.” Amanda held the vial up to the light. “Synthesized three days ago.”
The words hit Kane like a physical blow. She had it three days ago. Before the plane. Before watching Leo’s fever climb. Before Aria’s magic drain.
His hands curled into fists. Every muscle in his body screamed to move. To tear Amanda apart for what she had done. For watching his son suffer when she could have ended it at any moment.
But he kept his voice level. “You had it the whole time.”
“I did.”
“You watched my son deteriorate.”
“I watched you make the choice to come here. To my terms.” Amanda’s expression didn’t change. “You needed motivation. Now you have resolution. Fair trade.”
Aria stepped forward. Her voice was raw. “Give it to me.”
“After we have an agreement.”
“No.” Aria’s hand moved to her sword. “I can’t give you what you want if I’m not cured.”
Amanda considered this. Three seconds passed. Then she nodded. “Fine.”
She walked forward. Jacob moved with her, gun still in hand. Kane’s wolves shifted, but held position.
Amanda handed it over without resistance.
Aria uncorked it with shaking fingers and brought it to Leo’s lips. The liquid slid down his throat. For a heartbeat nothing happened.
Then Leo inhaled sharply.
The heat beneath his skin receded almost instantly. The tightness in his small chest eased. Color returned to his cheeks.
Aria gasped as energy rushed back into her own veins. The dull ache that had dampened her magic since the poisoning evaporated. Her power flared, bright and alive.
Amanda watched with open satisfaction. “There it is.”
That was the moment Kane moved.
He vanished from his position and reappeared at Amanda’s side in less than a breath. His hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her from the seat and slamming her against the interior panel of the SUV.
Jacob jerked the gun upward.
He never got the chance to fire.
Devon moved faster than sight. He tore the door open and drove his boot into Jacob’s wrist with brutal precision. The gun flew from his hand as Devon followed through with a sharp kick that sent Jacob crashing to the pavement.
Wolves swarmed instantly.
Amanda was laughing.
Even with Kane’s hand crushing her airway, she laughed.
Aria stepped out of the vehicle, twins in her arms, her body radiating protective fury.
“You had it,” Kane growled, tightening his grip. “You had it the entire time.”
Amanda’s laughter wheezed but did not stop. “And now he is fine.”
Kane’s eyes burned gold. “You watched him suffer.”
Jacob struggled on the ground beneath Devon’s knee.
Amanda’s smile never wavered. “What are you going to do? Kill me?”
Kane’s claws extended. They pressed into her skin. Drew blood.
“Kane.” Aria’s voice cut through the rage. “The kids are watching.”
He looked at his children. Leo was awake now, alert. Lily’s face was pressed into Aria’s shoulder, but her eyes were visible. Wide and scared.
Kane lowered Amanda. Released her throat. She dropped to her feet, coughing.
Amanda rubbed her neck, blood smearing under her fingers. She was still smiling.
Kane turned to Jacob, still pinned beneath Devon’s weight. “On my land, I make the rules.”
Jacob stopped struggling. His eyes flicked to Amanda.
“Understood?” Kane’s voice was quiet. Deadly.
Jacob nodded once.
Kane gestured to Devon. “Let him up. Take his weapon.”
Devon rose slowly, keeping his boot on Jacob’s chest for one extra second before stepping back. Two wolves moved in immediately, confiscating the gun and patting Jacob down for additional weapons. They found two knives and another small pistol.
Jacob got to his feet, wiping blood from his split lip.
Amanda straightened her jacket. “So. What now?”
“Now,” he said evenly, “You give me a reason why I shouldn’t rip your throat right now for threatening an Alpha on his own territory..”
Amanda tilted her head slightly. “You can’t kill me. If you did, your precious twins would be as good as dead.”
“Wanna bet?” Kane’s voice was lethal.
“You think your biggest threat is Alexander and Victoria?” Amanda asked. “Because I can assure you, those two are the least of your problems.”
“What are you talking about?” Kane was confused. Was Amanda trying to get into his head?
“I’m saying, you should keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”