hide, Kane. Bring the pup to the Den, or we come for you both. The creak at my door pushed us out here, into the dark. I grip Mercy, my crossbow, and scan the alley below. My bike's by a dumpster,

plans, just trying to keep us alive. My hand brushes my stomach, and Luka notices, his look sharp. I turn, leading him to a side door, my senses sharp. The Den's a maze of steel and shadows, and I know its paths-hidden routes, weapon stashes-from working for Cassian. But Luka's here, and my wolf's too happy about it. Inside, the air's thick-fur, sweat, blood. Lanterns cast shadows and claw marks on the walls. My wolf feels right, but I'm on edge. I push Luka behind crates, my hand on Mercy, ready for trouble. Voices echo-maybe Nyx, Cassian's enforcer. I need to find Cassian, act like I'm still his, and figure out who's after us. "Mira?" Luka whispers, too close, his breath warm. "What's this place to you? You're not just here for kicks." I glare, heart racing. "Be quiet," I hiss. "I'm here to survive. You should try it." He leans closer, not backing off. "You're shaking. You're scared, like me." I clench my jaw. Scared? Yeah, for what I'm hiding, for Elena, for what I might become. Luka's eyes, soft despite the gold, make me want to tell him. Falling for an enemy is stupid, but I'm slipping. I push him back, gently. "Stay here. I'm checking ahead." I creep forward, Mercy up, shadows hiding me. My scars burn, old pain from losing my parents mixed with Elena's hurt face. I hunt to make things right, but now I'm chasing shadows-Cassian's trust, answers, my own feelings. That text means someone knows too much, maybe Vincent or Rhea. The Den's my only chance to find out. The main hall's close, a big room with fur on the floor and a platform where Cassian leads. I stop at the edge, hearing his voice-smooth, strong, pulling me like it always does. He's talking to Rhea, her voice sharp and cold. They're trouble together, and I'm caught in it. "Mira's late," Cassian says, his amber eyes scanning. He's tall, with silver in his hair and scars unde