Moiras POV

"Why?" The word rips from my throat, raw and desperate. "Why are you telling me this now?"

Jaxon flinches like I've slapped him. His hands shake as he runs them through his hair, and I can see something broken in his eyes that wasn't there this morning.

"Because I can't" His voice cracks. "I can't be part of this anymore, Moira. Not this."

I laugh, but it sounds more like a sob. "Now? After years of" I touch the fresh burn on my arm, and he follows the movement with his eyes. "After everything you've done to me, NOW you grow a conscience?"

"I know how this sounds." He takes a step closer, and I instinctively back away. The hurt that flashes across his face surprises me. "I know I don't deserve your trust. But I'm begging youplease, just listen."

My whole body trembles. 'This could be another trap. Another way to hurt me.'

"Talk fast," I whisper.

Jaxon sinks back into the chair like his legs can't support him anymore. "I used to think" He stops, swallows hard. "Dad raised us to believe certain things. That you were weak. That Mom spoiled you. That teaching you lessons would make you stronger."

The casual way he says it makes my stomach turn. "Lessons?"

"That's what I told myself every time I" His voice breaks completely. "Every time I hurt you. I thought I was helping."

I want to scream at him. Want to tell him how those 'lessons' felt when I was twelve and he held me down while Tristan cut my hair off. How they felt when I was fourteen and he watched Marcus break my wrist. How they felt every single time.

But the words stick in my throat.

"What changed?" I manage.

"Rosalie had the baby three weeks ago." His voice goes soft, almost reverent. "Our daughter. And when they put her in my arms"

My chest tightens. Jaxon? A father?

"She was so small. So perfect. And all I could think about was someone hurting her the way we hurt you." His voice drops to a whisper. "I went home that night and I looked at youreally looked at youand I saw what we'd done."

The silence stretches between us, heavy and suffocating.

"I'm sorry." The words are barely audible. "I'm so fucking sorry, Moira. For all of it. For every time I hurt you, every time I watched them hurt you, every time I told myself you deserved it."

I want to stay angry. Anger is safeit keeps me protected, keeps me strong. But something in his voice, something in the way his whole body shakes...

'Trust him.'

The voice is so faint I almost miss it. Like someone whispering from very far away.

I shake my head, confused by the strange thought.

"Why should I believe you?" My voice cracks. "How do I know this isn't just another way to"

"Because I'm getting you out of here." He's on his feet again, pacing like a caged animal. "Tonight. Before they canbefore Victoria"

The urgency in his voice sends ice through my veins. "What's she planning?"

"I don't know the details. But Dad put her in charge, and she's been talking to Tristan and the others all day. They're excited, Moira. Too excited." His face goes gray. "They always take you to the warehouse when they want to really hurt you."

My legs give out. I slump back in the chair.

"We have to go now," Jaxon continues, his voice getting more frantic. "I can take you to Rosalie's pack. Crimson Eclipse. They'll accept you there."

"No."

The word surprises us both.

"What?" Jaxon stares at me like I've grown a second head.

"I said no." I stand up, my legs steadier than they should be. "If I disappear tonight, they'll know you helped me. You'll be a rogue, Jaxon."

"I don't care"

"I do." The words come out stronger than I intended. "You have Rosalie. You have a baby. I won't be the reason you lose that."

Jaxon's face twists with anguish. "Moira, you don't understand. If you staythe things they'll do to you"

"I can survive one more night." The certainty in my voice startles me. "I'll endure whatever they have planned, then escape tomorrow before they hand me to Sterling."

"No, you can't." He grabs my shoulders, and for the first time in my life, his touch doesn't hurt. "I've seen what Victoria is capable of when she really lets loose."

"Then that's a risk I have to take." I pull away from his grip. "But I won't drag you down with me."

We stare at each other across the space between us.

"There has to be another way," he whispers.

"I go to the warehouse alone. Face whatever she has planned. You stay away."

"Absolutely not." Jaxon's voice is flat, final. "I won't let you walk into that alone."

"You have to."

"No." He steps closer. "I'm coming with you."

"Jaxon"

"I'll stay hidden. But close enough." His jaw sets with determination. "If I hear you screamreally screamI'm coming for you."

I stare at his face, searching for any sign that he might change his mind. But his jaw is set, his eyes hard with determination. There's no budging him on this.

"Fine." The word comes out reluctantly. "But you stay hidden. You don't come out unless"

"Unless you really need me. I know."

"And if something goes wrong, if they catch you"

"They won't."

I want to argue more, but I can see it's useless. For better or worse, Jaxon has made his choice.

"Just" My voice catches. "Be careful. Please. Your daughter needs her father."

Something soft passes over his features. "She needs her aunt too."

The word hits me like a physical blow. Aunt. I'd never thought of myself that way before.

"The oak grove," I whisper. "Fifty yards south."

"I'll be there."

*****

We leave the library separatelyJaxon first, then me a few minutes later.

The rest of the school day passes in a blur. I sit through chemistry, English, and history, my mind barely registering the teachers' voices. Other students chat and laugh around me, but their voices sound muffled, distant.

When the final bell rings, I pack my bag slowly, watching classmates rush toward the doors. The hallways empty quicklyeveryone eager to start their weekend.

I step outside into the afternoon sun, and my blood turns to ice.

They're waiting by the parking lot. Tristan leans against a black SUV, his arms crossed and a cruel smile playing on his lips. Ethan stands beside him, cracking his knuckles. Marcus paces back and forth like a caged animal.

And Victoria sits on the hood of the car, swinging her legs, looking perfectly innocent in her pink sundress.

"There she is!" Victoria calls out sweetly, waving at me like we're best friends. "Come on, Moira! We're giving you a ride home!"

My feet freeze to the pavement. Every instinct screams at me to run.

"Don't be shy," Tristan adds, his voice mockingly gentle. "We just want to spend some quality time with our little sister."

I know this game. I know exactly what they're doing.

They want me to come willingly. Want me to walk right into whatever trap they've set.

But I already know where this is heading.