Contractually Yours Alpha (Riley) novel Chapter 617

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Eight 

Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty Eight 

DAEMON’S POV 

Maybe it was just my mind preparing me for the worst scenario, but I couldn’t feel her presence. 

Staring at the castle, I sensed nothing–yet I hoped I was wrong, If she wasn’t inside, it could only mean one thing: I was too late. 

I hated being out here; it made me feel powerless. I needed to get in, find her, see what was happening, 

Seconds dragged on like minutes, and minutes felt like hours. Restlessness gnawed at me, drawing more unwanted attention, but I didn’t care. A soldier stepped forward, and I felt my patience thin. If he came any closer, I wasn’t sure I could hold back from ripping his head off. 

And then, I heard it. The sharp sound of breaking glass. 

Fragments rained down as people scattered, shielding themselves from the sharp shards. But I stood still. 

I watched the body hit the ground. 

Cynthia. 

The soldiers came forward, but I raised a hand, stopping them. I walked to her. 

If she had been human, a fall from that height would have meant instant death. But of course, she wasn’t. Her legs and arm were twisted at odd angles, a dagger embedded in her stomach, but she was still alive, still breathing 

I didn’t care about her well–being when I spoke. 

“Where is she?” I growled, my voice barely above a whisper. I was never one to lose control, but right now, my body shook with rage. The small smile on her face didn’t help one bit. 

“She’s gone.” 

Gone. Dead. 

I picked her up and shifted. We reappeared in the same field where I had stopped Alexander and Kaida earlier. Just like before, there wasn’t a soul in sight. 

“Strange, we had thought you’d taken her, but it turns out you didn’t have an idea either.” She said through bloodied teeth. 

Taken her? 

“What the hell are you talking about?” 

“She escaped. Someone must have aided her escape; I’m quite sure of it.” 

Escaped. There was an instant relief; she might still be alive. But the bigger question. Who had taken her? It could have been someone who wanted to get back at me or maybe someone who wanted to hurt her. 

“How are you sure she hadn’t escaped on her own?” I asked, prying for more information. 

“She was at her weakest after being starved for days, and we had soldiers all around; she couldn’t have made it on her own.” 

My mind lingered on the word starved. I remembered how much they’d enjoyed leaving her hungry, and it had been the very reason I’d learned how to cook. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing her go without food. 

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