Taylor lowered her head and slapped my face lightly. “Raelyn, getting kidnapped doesn’t feel so good, does it? Tell me, are you finally going to beg me to spare your life?” “Taylor, it’s not too late to stop now,” I said coldly. Smack! She suddenly swung her hand and slapped me across the face. “Who the hell do you think you are? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be like this! I’m not afraid of dying—I’ll drag you down with me!” Taylor tilted her head back and let out a maniacal laugh. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth, but I didn’t respond. Pushing a madwoman right now wouldn’t do me any good. Instead, I quietly reached my hands behind my back, using the edge of my ring to cut through the ropes. “Raelyn, weren’t you always so proud, always looking down on everyone? And now look at you, acting all pitiful and weak. It’s disgusting.” Taylor yanked my hair, jerking my face toward hers. “You better remember this—you deserve every second of this. People like you shouldn’t exist!” “Taylor, you—” I winced, biting back the pain in my scalp. “Shut up. The more you talk, the more I want to kill you.” She pulled a dagger from her pocket and waved it in front of me. “This knife’s coated with wolfsbane. One stab to the heart and you’re dead. Want to give it a try?” She was still rambling when the garage door was suddenly kicked open. Adam charged in. Taylor froze, clearly shocked to see him. “Taylor… it’s you!” Adam stared at her in disbelief. When I saw Adam, I felt both relief and a pang of something else—disappointment, maybe. He must have gotten my emergency message. I couldn’t believe a celebrity like him had managed to get here so fast. “What, surprised to see me?” Taylor had dropped all pretenses and sneered. “This is who I really am.”Adam’s eyes locked on the dagger in her hand. He stood frozen in place, not daring to get too close. I said, “Adam, go. Get out of here. It’s dangerous.” “Raelyn, how could anything be more dangerous than you being kidnapped?” He looked at my face, voice heavy with emotion. “Enough,” Taylor snapped. “I don’t have time to listen to your little reunion.” She crouched beside me and held the dagger against my face. “I’ve always wondered what’s so special about this face. Must be real magical to make every man chase after you like a dog. What if I ruin it? What’ll you do then?” The blade was ice cold. It pressed against my cheek, glinting with a chilling light. Taylor let out a twisted laugh and suddenly raised the knife high, aiming straight for my chest. “No!” Adam shouted and lunged forward, kicking Taylor hard in the arm. She stumbled sideways, and that gave me the opening I needed. I’d already cut through the ropes. I jumped to my feet and shook them off. “The boss is hurt! Don’t let the girl escape!” The two werewolves nearby panicked and charged at me from both sides. Adam was just an actor, not a fighter. And I was still weak from the wolfsbane. In no time, both of us were taken down under their brutal assault. Seeing me collapse, Adam threw himself over my body, shielding me as both men’s fists rained down on him. Within moments, he was coughing up blood. He lay across me, gasping between hits. “Raelyn… stay safe… don’t let them hurt you…” His blood splattered onto my face. I froze. I never expected Adam would go this far for me. I always thought he just admired me, that there was no real emotion behind it. But seeing him now… I wasn’t so sure. “Adam, get up! Leave me and run! I’ll be fine!” I cried, my heart aching.He shook his head, gritting his teeth through the pain. “I can’t leave you here… I won’t leave you…” Taylor got up from the floor and saw Adam shielding me. Her fury exploded. “Oh, so that’s how it is? You kicked me?! Adam, you knew Raelyn was involved with Aiden, and you still dare get close to her? You’re disgusting!” “Taylor, let her go… or the Midnight Pack won’t let you off,” Adam rasped, forcing the words out.