Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Roana,
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The engine stopped in middle of nowhere, away from the dungeon, away from the forest. Somewhere in the middle of the desert. The only thing was present was the stars and the cold weather.
The smell of blood was strong as I sat there, tied.
The sudden silence was worse than the noise. No rattling metal, no grinding tires, no vibrations humming beneath my bones. Just a hollow stillness that rang inside my skull, sharp enough to make my ears ache. The truck rocked once, settling into place, chains clinking softly with the movement. The smell of oil, dust, and cold iron clung to my lungs, thick and suffocating.
I didn’t move right away, I couldn’t.
I was afraid that if I did, whatever fragile control I had left would shatter completely.
My wrists were bound in front of me, rough rope biting into my skin. The fibers scratched raw against my pulse points every time my hands trembled. My shoulders ached from being held awkwardly for hours, my back stiff and burning from leaning against unforgiving metal. When I finally lifted my head, the motion sent black spots dancing across my vision. I inhaled slowly, carefully, forcing air into my lungs until the dizziness passed.
I was still alive. That fact alone felt strange. Tyran didn’t kill me yet. Candy wasn’t there either. As if I was just in a nightmare, tired of trying to wake up.
Then the reality hit me. Cassian had let me go. Our contract was invalid now.
The thought slid into my mind without permission, settling there like a blade pressed gently against my throat. I swallowed hard, my jaw tightening as I stared at the metal wall in front of me. My reflection stared back faintly under the sparkling sky, warped and dull. Pale skin. Hollow eyes. Lips pressed into a thin, colorless line.
No tears.
I wondered briefly if something inside me had already broken beyond repair.
The truck door creaked open with a long, grating sound. Cold night air rushed in, carrying the scent of pine, damp earth, and smoke. Footsteps followed. Unhurried. Confident.
I didn’t look up.
Chains shifted as someone stepped inside. I felt their presence before I saw them, the weight of their attention settling over me.
“Still breathing,” Tyran said lightly. “Good. That would’ve been inconvenient p>
I remained silent.
He crouched in front of me, boots crunching against the floor. I could sense his gaze roaming over my face,
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Chapter 140
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lingering, assessing. Like I was an object he’d acquired rather than a person.
“You know,” he continued conversationally, “most people scream by now. Cry. Curse. Beg. You’re disappointingly calm p>
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I lifted my eyes slowly, meeting his gaze at last. My reflection stared back at me in his pupils, fractured and distant.
“I already begged once,” I said. My voice surprised me with how steady it sounded. “It didn’t change anything p>
Something flickered across his expression. Interest or Amusement. I didn’t know.
“Ah,” he said softly. “So you understand p>
He stood and gestured toward the door. “Come on. Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable p>
Two men stepped forward, untying my wrists just enough to haul me upright. My legs nearly gave out beneath me, numb and weak. I stumbled, biting back a hiss as pain shot through my ankles. Tyran watched closely, head tilted, lips curved faintly upward.
They led me out of the truck.
The forest opened up around us, dark and quiet, towering trees blotting out most of the moonlight. Torches burned along a narrow path, flames flickering as shadows danced across unfamiliar faces. Somewhere in the distance, water trickled softly. The world felt too calm for what had just happened, too indifferent to my collapse.
I was guided into a tent, larger than I expected, lit by lanterns that cast a warm, almost gentle glow. The contrast made my stomach twist. A table sat in the center, covered with maps and papers. A chair waited nearby.
They pushed me down into it.
The rope was removed entirely this time. My hands fell uselessly into my lap. I flexed my fingers slowly, feeling the sting return as blood rushed back into them.
Tyran dismissed the guards with a wave of his hand. When we were alone, he took a seat across from me, folding his hands together as if we were about to negotiate a trade.
“You were quieter than I expected,” he said. “Most mates react… poorly on their abandonment p>
The word mate struck something deep inside my chest. A dull ache spread outward, tightening around my ribs. I inhaled sharply, then steadied myself.
“I reacted exactly as expected,” I replied. “You counted on it p>
He smiled,
“Smart,” he said. “And accurate p>
Silence stretched between us. My gaze drifted to the tent flap, the faint movement of shadows outside.
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Chapter 140
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Somewhere far away, Cassian was still breathing. Still standing. Still ruling. Maybe was so happy to see his beloved woman back healthy and perfect.
I wondered if he was sitting by a fire right now. Or holding Elle’s hand as she gave birth of another man’s child.
I wondered if it hurt. But I didn’t feel anything. Knowing that I wasn’t his choice, everything else felt hollow and stupid to think about it.
“You want to know the worst part?” Tyran said suddenly.
I didn’t answer.
He leaned forward anyway. “I didn’t know for sure which one he would choose p>
My fingers curled slightly against my palm.
“I knew he’d hesitate,” Tyran continued. “I knew the pregnancy would complicate things. But whether he’d choose his mate or the unborn child?” He chuckled quietly. “That was the gamble p>
My throat tightened, but I kept my face blank.
“And when he said her name,” Tyran went on, watching me closely, “even I was surprised p>
There it was.
The confirmation I hadn’t needed.
Something inside me shifted. Not shattered. Not exploded. It simply… went quiet. Because I knew that exactly who he would choose. I had always seen this before. I knew that I wouldn’t be chosen. But knowing that and then facing it directly, was thousands times more painful.
“I suppose you’re wondering if it was real,” Tyran said, his voice casual. “The poison p>
I looked at him then, really looked. “Does it matter p>
His eyebrows rose slightly. “Interesting answer p>
He stood and walked around me slowly, footsteps soft against the ground. I could feel him behind me, his presence pressing against my back.
“There was no poison in Ellie’s blood.” he said at last. “Just enough blood. Enough screaming. Enough fear to make Cassian think that Elle needed the anti-dote p>
My breath left me in a slow, controlled exhale.
“So,” he continued, “tell me, Roana. Does it hurt more knowing he chose her… or knowing he did it for the right reason p>
My hands clenched tightly in my lap. My nails bit into my skin, grounding me in something real.
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Chapter 140
“He chose,” I said quietly. “That’s enough. I don’t care more or less about it p>
Tyran laughed softly. “Oh, you really are fascinating p>
He stopped in front of me again. “You’re not dead because I see potential in you p>
I lifted my gaze. “I don’t belong to you. I belong to nobody p>
“No,” he agreed easily. “Not yet p>
Something cold settled in my stomach. His smirk said something else.
“I won’t fight you,” I said after a moment, resting my head against the wall,
That caught his attention. He shifted a bit and asked in disbelief, “You won’t p>
I shook my head slowly. “Not right now p>
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Silence fell again, heavier this time. I could see the annoyance behind those blue eyes. He wanted a different answer, “And why is that?” Tyran asked.
I met his gaze steadily. “Because if I fight you now, I lose. And I’m tired of losing. Only pathetic people go to fight against strong people without knowing their place”
His smile widened, sharp and pleased but in the corner of his eyes, there was rage, cruel amusement. “Very good,” he murmured. “Survival first. Revenge later p>
I said nothing.
“Get some rest,” Tyran said, stepping back. “You’ll need it. Elle didn’t have the poison in her. But you have. So be careful. Running away won’t help you to survive p>
He turned toward the tent flap, then paused. “Oh, Roana p>
I looked up, my eyes darkening,
“You might want to prepare yourself. Cassian will come for you p>
My eyes widening. My chest tightened painfully.
“And when he does,” Tyran added with a smirk, ” You have to decide whether you will watch him die or survive! Because this time, I knew how to destroy him p>
He left. The tent fell silent.
I sat there long after, staring at nothing, my thoughts distant and strangely calm. My mate bond pulsed faintly in my chest, weak and aching, like a wound that refused to close.
I pressed my hand over my heart, feeling its uneven rhythm. I didn’t cry. Not when they brought me food. Not when they locked the tent. Not when the night deepened and the forest grew colder.
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