Chapter 345: Chapter 345

AURORA

The air in that holding cell was thick, like damp stone and tension pressing onto my chest. She sat there, restrained but, poised, her confidence unshaken by the chains that bound her.

Her piercing gaze was locked on me, and I couldn’t ignore how she carried herself, even in defeat.

A smirk played on her lips, and I couldn’t deny that she was beautiful. Her curves, her confidence–all of it exuded a power I didn’t want to acknowledge. For one brief second, jealousy tugged at my heart–a ridiculous, unwelcome emotion.

“You think you’ve won?” she sneered, cocking her head slightly. “I hold more power than you realize.”

I straightened my shoulders and kept my face neutral.

“And what would that power be? Your tricks didn’t save you, Kaida. What makes you think they’ll work now?”

She laughed, the sound low and mocking. “Oh, Luna, you underestimate me. It’s almost sweet.”

I took another step forward, the flickering torchlight casting her features into sharp relief. “If you’ve got something to say, say it. Otherwise, spare me the stories.”

Dane held my arm. “Leave, Aurora. I will settle this.”

I furrowed my brow. “No, Dane… you leave. I will handle the scheming woman who wants my husband.”

Dane exhaled sharply, gritting his teeth, and without a word, he stormed away. I knew he would be mad at me, but I don’t want to see him near Kaida… It ignites something inside me.

Kaida leaned back in her chair, chains clinking softly. “All right, here’s the deal: I’ll tell you everything you want to know about Orion, his plans, his weaknesses, everything. But-”

I crossed my arms over my chest, my patience running thin. “But what?”

Her smirk spread further across her face. “I want my freedom. Release me, and the information is yours.”

I studied her, searching for any sign of deceit. “Why should I trust anything you say? For all I know, this is another one of your games.”

Kaida’s eyes flashed with something between humor and irritation. “You don’t have to trust me. But consider it: what have you got to lose? Your mate is just recovering, your pack’s at a divide, and Orion may close in again. Desperation doesn’t wear well on you, Luna.”

Her words cut deeper than I cared to admit. “What is stopping me from forcing the truth out of you?”

3/5 She giggled low in her throat. “Because you’re too smart for that. Torture won’t get you anywhere, and you know it. I’m the best hope you have of staying one step ahead of Orion. You don’t have the luxury of wasting that.”

I clenched my fists as the weight of her proposition bore down on me. “Even assuming I was inclined, why would you betray Orion?”

Her expression shifted minutely, something flickering across her features a shadow of something much deeper. “Let’s just say my loyalty to him isn’t as strong as he thinks it is. Besides, I have. my own interests to protect.”

Her casual manipulation made my anger flare, but I kept my cool. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, Kaida. But don’t think for even one second that I’ll be releasing you without some kind of proof regarding your sincerity.”

She shrugged, as if the outcome wasn’t a big deal to her. “Take your time, Luna. But remember, the clock is ticking.”

As I turned to leave, her voice, low and venomous, stopped me in my tracks. “Tick tock, Luna,” she drawled, her tone mocking yet laced with a chilling undertone. “The more time you waste, the more lives you gamble with. And when you fail, as you inevitably will, they’ll turn on you. Even Dance.”

My body went rigid, and I turned slowly around, my eyes fixed on her. “Dane?” I said, my tone neutral, my chest squeezing al the insinuation.