**Gaia's POV**

"I let him escape on purpose," Chloe says, her voice dripping with vicious satisfaction. She stands at the cave entrance like a vengeful spirit, moonlight casting harsh shadows across her face. "On the road back to White Moon Pack territory—when I was supposed to be transporting Dennis as a prisoner—I deliberately released him."

My blood runs cold. Behind me, I feel Astrein tense despite his injuries.

"You see, Gaia, your only support is Astrein." She ...