Third Person's POV "Why wasn't she protected?" Silas snarled, stepping forward before Kade could answer. His hand shot out, fisting the front of Kade's jacket. "Why did she take that bullet? You were supposed to keep her safe!" Kade didn't fight back. His wolf lowered its head inside him, weighed down by guilt. "It's my fault," he said quietly, his voice trembling with remorse. "Why?" Silas demanded, shaking him once. Kade swallowed hard. "Because I didn't expect her to jump in front of Parker. No-I should have known she would. Parker is Eric. Her brother. If he was in danger, she'd risk everything." The truth sliced through the air like a blade. Kade's jaw tightened. "If I'd moved a second faster, if I'd been paying closer attention… she wouldn't have been hit." Silas released him slowly. The Alpha of the Ironclad Coalition took a step back, his shoulders slumping, the anger draining from him until only despair remained. Eric. Freya's beloved brother. The one she'd spent years searching for, clinging to the hope that he was still alive. And Silas-he should have been the one to protect her. If only he had gone with her to the negotiation site, instead of keeping his distance, trying to hide his jealousy and confusion. He should have stood at her side, guarded her, shielded her from harm. But he hadn't. Now the woman he loved was lying unconscious in a hospital bed, her body riddled with wolfsbane, her life hanging by a thread. Silas looked down at his wrist. Around it gleamed a bracelet of darkwood and jade-Freya's gift. He traced the carvings absently with his thumb. The words she'd whispered when she'd given it to him echoed faintly in his mind. "It's for protection. So you'll always come back safe." She had wished him safety and peace. But what peace was left for him if she wasn't safe? "Years of safety," he whispered bitterly. "But how can I be safe if you're not?" The bracelet suddenly felt heavy, like a shackle.Across the city, Parker sat in the dim suite of the Williams estate, the pain in his skull slowly easing as the medication Jenny had given him began to take effect. His head still throbbed faintly, but at least the pounding had dulled. He pressed his fingers against his temple and exhaled. Jenny paced in front of him, irritation written across every line of her face. "We're leaving The country," she said sharply. "It's too dangerous here. " "Immediately?" Parker looked up, startled. His thoughts flickered to the hospital-to Freya. The image of her falling in front of him, her blood staining his hands, refused to fade. "But I need to see-" He stopped himself, jaw tightening. He wanted to see her, to make sure she was alive. To thank her. Jenny caught the hesitation, her expression darkening. "You mean her, don't you? That woman who threw herself in front of a bullet for you?" Parker didn't answer. Jenny's wolf bristled; her eyes flashed with something that was not entirely human. "You're not going anywhere near her," she said coldly. "She's dangerous-and so is everything about this place. You're coming back with me tonight." He wanted to argue, but her words pierced through the fog of pain clouding his thoughts. Jenny's voice softened, though her tone was still edged. "You forget what's at stake. If you stay, if you get distracted by her, you'll lose everything. Do you really want that?" Parker's hands clenched. Lose everything. That meant Lina. Lina's fragile face flashed before his eyes-her laughter, her pale cheeks, her soft voice calling his name. Lina was dying, her blood poisoned by an illness no healer or scientist could yet cure. Without the right marrow match, she had only a few years left. A few years. Too short. Much too short. Jenny stepped closer, her expression tightening. "If you don't come with me now, I won't help her. I won't save your precious sister Lina." Parker's wolf snarled inside him. "You wouldn't dare." "Oh, I would." Her tone was low, threatening. "Do you think I forgot what that Freya woman said-calling you her brother in front of everyone? If that story spreads, do you realize what happens to me? To us? To the family name?" Her nails dug into his sleeve. "You're my only leverage in the Williams Family, Parker. Don't make me lose that." He looked at her with fury and disgust-but he knew she wasn't bluffing. He had no choice. After a long silence, he exhaled and said hoarsely, "Fine. I'll go." Jenny's lips curved in satisfaction. "Good." She turned away, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Pack your things. We leave before dawn." But as she left the room, Parker pressed his hand over his chest, where his heart still ached with a pain he couldn't explain. He told himself it was just guilt. Gratitude. But deep down, something older stirred-a buried connection that made his pulse race and his wolf restless. When Freya's eyes fluttered open again, the first thing she saw was a ceiling washed in sterile white light. For a moment, she couldn't tell where she was. The faint beeping of monitors, the antiseptic tang in the air-it could only be a hospital. She tried to move, but the motion sent a sharp jolt of pain through her shoulder. A soft gasp escaped her lips. Immediately, two voices overlapped: "You're awake!" Her blurred vision cleared, and she saw Silas and Kade standing at her bedside. Her lips parted. "My brother," she whispered. "Where's my brother? Is he okay?" Kade nodded quickly. "He's fine. When I got you out, the police arrived just in time. The kidnappers are in custody now. I gave my statement already-they won't come after us again." Relief flooded her chest, dulling the pain for a moment. "Good," she breathed. Silas pressed the nurse call button. "You just woke up. Let the doctors check you before you move." Moments later, a team of nurses and a healer rushed in. They worked around her efficiently, scanning her vitals, checking the wound. Freya stayed still, trying not to flinch as they lifted the bandages. One of the doctors smiled reassuringly. "You were lucky. The wolfsbane-infused round didn't reach your heart, and we flushed most of it out during surgery. But you need rest. The toxin weakened your wolf-don't try to shift until we clear you." She nodded faintly. Her body still felt hollow, her wolf silent but alive. When the staff left, Kade lingered by the door, watching her with relief etched deep in his features. "You've been out for a whole day," he said softly. "You scared the hell out of us." Freya blinked. "A day?" Her voice trembled. "I need to find my brother. I have to tell him-he is Eric. I have the DNA report, I can prove it." She tried to sit up, but the pain in her shoulder forced her back down. "I need to bring him home," she whispered. "To Stormveil. To our parents' resting place. They need to know I found him." Kade hesitated, his expression tightening. "Freya…"