Chapter Seventeen: Hour of Reckoning
NICOLE
“You think this ends with me?” I forced the words out, my voice raw but steady.
“Nathan will come. And when he does, you’ll regret every second of this.”
Gerald smirked, the kind of smirk that turned your stomach. He crouched to meet my gaze, his voice low and venomous.
“Oh, Nicole. It is almost saddening how hopeful you are but Nathan will never find you at least not while you are alive. And Daniel? He’ll get here just in time to see your last breath. After that, I’ll rip Nathan apart piece by piece, and no one—no one— will stand in my way.”
His words clawed at my resolve, each one a weapon designed to break me. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs. I couldn’t show him my fear. I wouldn’t.
50% 11:41
1/6
11:41
Chapter Seventeen: Hour of Reckoning
The door slammed open, and Nadia strutted in, heels clicking against the cold floor. Her wicked grin sent a chill down my spine. In her hand, she held a phone.
“The boy is almost here.”
Her laughter echoed in the room as turned to Gerald, “I’ll make sure everything‘ s set outside. Don’t screw this up.”
Gerald waved her off, clearly irritated.
“Just handle it.”
When the door slammed shut behind her, I was alone with him again. The silence between us was heavy, suffocating. My wolf stirred weakly in the back of my mind, but the silver injections they’d been using had dulled our bond. She was a whisper now, barely there, and it felt like losing a piece of my soul.
But I couldn’t give up. Not yet.
I slumped forward, letting my head drop as if I was finally giving in. “Gerald,” I whispered, my voice trembling just enough
50% 11:41
2/6
Chapter Seventeen: Hour of Reckoning
to sound believable.
“What?” he barked, pacing the room like the predator he was.
“You were right,” I said softly, my words shaky. “I never deserved their loyalty. I was just handed everything. You… you were the one who earned it. I see that
now.”
He stopped mid–step, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “What are you playing at?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly, letting tears fill my eyes. “I just… I don’t want to die like this. Not without admitting the truth. You were always the better leader.”
For a moment, I thought I had him. His chest puffed out slightly, pride evident. But then his smile returned–sharp, cruel.
“Nice try,” he said, stepping closer. “But you‘ re not fooling me.”
Damn it.
Desperation clawed at me. I reached deep
50% 11:41
3/6
11:41
Chapter Seventeen: Hour of Reckoning
within, searching for the mental link I had severed long ago. Nathan, can you hear me? Please. Please answer me.
Silence.
The emptiness was suffocating, and for the first time, hopelessness gripped me but then my eyes darted to the table behind him where a small blade glinted in the dim light. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
I let my body sag against the chains, feigning exhaustion. “If you‘ re going to kill me, at least tell me this,” I murmured, buying time. “Why did you fake your death?”
His hesitation was brief, but it was enough. I lunged, stretching against the chains. My fingertips brushed the blade, but Gerald was faster. His hand closed around my throat, slamming me back into the wall.
“Because I as so done playing your dog. I needed time to pull this together and you
50% 11:41
4/6
taking the wrong mediat
Dr. My Crazy Husband f
11:41
524
Chapter Seventeen: Hour of Reckoning
couldn’t just give me space to breath. Always Gerald this, Gerald that,” he growled, tightening his grip,
never fit and you are pathetic.”
‘You were
The blade slipped from my grasp,
clattering to the floor. My vision blurred, but I caught the faintest flicker of
something in his eyes. Doubt? Uncertainty?
Before I could process it, the door burst open again.
Not Nathan.
Nadia stormed in, fury etched across her face. “Gerald!” she barked. “Stop playing around. We’ve got a problem.”
“What now?” he snapped, releasing me.
Her voice dropped, her tone almost trembling. “The wolves I sent to bring Daniel… they‘ re dead. Their heads were sent back in a box. And Daniel isn‘ t with
them.”
Gerald’s eyes narrowed. “And?”
50% 11:41
5/6
11:41
Chapter Seventeen: Hour of Reckoning
Nadia swallowed hard. “The area‘ s crawling with wolves. Nathan’s found us.”
I thought Gerald would be scared that his plan was falling apart but instead a smirk graced his lips. Dark and Deadly. He turned to me, his expression cold and final.
“There’s no point in waiting anymore.
99
“Give the order,” he said to Nadia. “Our wolves are to kill without mercy.”
He looked back at me, his grin widening.
“And as for you, Nicole…”
Before I could react, his hand shot forward, plunging into my chest and I gasped as I felt his claws against my heart. The pain was blinding, and then…
Everything went black.
50% 11:41
