Colt’s POV

"They don't have her," Beck reports, his voice heavy. "We set up surveillance hours after the attack. Oliver returned to his pack alone."

"Three days have passed since he took her," I roar, smashing my fist into the table. "He must have handed her to Ezra."

"Not necessarily," Victor interjects. "Ezra hasn't moved. If she’s not at Oliver’s pack, she’s hidden elsewhere."

"We attack the River Packs tonight," Victor commands. "If we take them both out, it’ll cripple Ezra’s alliance. It’s a risk, but it’s our best shot at destabilizing them."

I nod, though my soul is screaming. I need to find Cass. I need to feel her presence, but that damn bond is severed. I’m forced to play this war game instead.

After the meeting, I retreat to the parlor. Julia finds me there, looking pathetic.

"I thought they’d cast you out," I say, my voice cold.

"With the war, they let me stay," she murmurs. "What if the other packs turn on us?"

"That’s a problem for tomorrow. Why are you really here?"

"I don't want to go, Colt," she pleads. "I love—"

"STOP!" I cut her off. "I don't want you. I never have. You’re not a child, so stop acting like one. Get it through your head: I will never be yours."

She flees, sobbing. Good. It was long overdue.

Later, my sister Bryn stomps in, signaling violently. Because of the curse Cass placed on her, she’s been unable to speak.

If she doesn't come back, will I be like this forever?

"It depends," I realize, my heart stuttering. "As long as she’s alive, the power holds."

I rush to Warrick’s chambers. He’s dying, but his eyes flicker open. "Warrick, if she were dead, would your power over those you marked be broken?"

"If I die, yes," he rasps. "The same applies to her."

I exhale, a wave of relief washing over me.

She’s alive.

The battle that night is a slaughter. The River Packs have hidden traps—even a heavy-duty Gatling gun—but they’re no match for us. Garret leads the charge, dragging the enemy Alpha’s carcass out of the main house.

"Your Alpha is dead!" Garret bellows. "Submit or die!"

The remaining soldiers drop to their knees. It’s a decisive victory, but it leaves us with a logistical nightmare: two occupied packs and thousands of newly conquered rogues. Garret initiates the contingency plan: we take two members from every family as "guests"—hostages. It’s a brutal, cold-blooded tactic, but it’s the only way to ensure loyalty without a living, breathing Alpha to command it.

As we return to our pack house, the air is thick with the scent of victory and stale blood. Victor and Garret debrief, outlining the map for our next move.

"Oliver is next, right?" I ask, my patience fraying.

Victor nods, his gaze hardening. "Alpha Oliver is next. He’ll pay for his betrayal, and then, we’re coming for our Alpha."

Hang on, my love,

I think, staring at the map.

The hunt for you begins at dawn.