my mind, pressed against Luka's throat moments ago in the main hall. Jaxon's words-"Why's my pup still breathing?" -and Cassian's cold stare burns in my head. The air's damp, smelling of rust

, focusing on Luka. "We can't stay here," I say, picking the left tunnel. "Move." He follows, his steps uneven, blood dripping. "You're running from something big, aren't you?" he says, not letting it go. "Not just me. What's got you so scared?" I stop, turning to face him, my wolf growling. "You don't get to ask that, Voss. You're alive because of me. That's enough." He steps closer, too close, his breath warm. "It's not enough. You're in deep, Kane. With Cassian, with Jaxon. Tell me what's going on." My throat tightens. I want to tell him-about the baby, my wolf, and the lies I've told Cassian. But trust is dangerous, and I've already lost Elena's. My scars burn, revenge for my parents fading against the need to keep Luka safe. "You're a job," I lie, voice hard. "Don't make this personal." Luka's eyes search mine, soft despite the gold. "Too late. You made it personal when you shot your friend for me." My heart twists. Elena's face, her tears, hit like a punch. Friends to lovers, almost, until hunting tore us apart. I turn away, leading him down the tunnel, the walls closing in. The air's colder, the lanterns dimmer, and my wolf's restless, sensing danger. Luka's question hangs between us, and I know he's right-I'm scared, and not just of Jaxon or Cassian. We reach a small room, a dead end with crates and old furs stacked against the walls. A rusty door on the far side might lead out, but it's locked, the handle stuck. I curse, setting Mercy down to try it. Luka slumps against a crate, wincing, his face pale. He's losing too much blood, and my stomach knots. "Sit", I say, grabbing a cloth from my pocket. I kneel beside him, pressing it to his wound, my hands shaking. His skin's warm, and my wolf hums, making me pull back. "You're a mess, Voss." He grins, weak. "You're one to talk. What's your deal, Kane? Why stick your neck out for me?" I focus on the cloth, avoiding his eyes. "I don't know," I mutter, and it's half-true. My wolf wants him, my heart's stuck on him, and it's messing with my head. Cassian's threat-your secret's out-and Jaxon's words about his pup mean I'm running out of time. Elena's pain, my baby's safety, my own lie