Alexander's POV

"No."

The word is flat. Final.

Rachel flinches. Her eye widens. Fills with tears.

"Alex, please. Just one small—"

"No." I raise my hand. "Whatever you're planning. The answer is no."

She stares at me. Silent. Struggling to breathe.

Then her legs give out.

She collapses. Her knees slam into the rocks. The impact sounds brutal. I hear bones crack. Fresh blood seeps ...