R 59
CHAPTER 59
ADRIAN’S POV
The silver chain kept burning deep into my flesh.
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That’s the first thing I’m aware of when consciousness crawls back. Not where I am. Not how I got here. Just the searing, constant agony of silver chains wrapped around my wrists, my throat, my chest.
Every breath makes the metal dig deeper. Every slight movement sends fresh waves of pain through my nervous system.
I force my eyes open. The cell is small. Concrete walls. No windows. A single bare bulb hanging from the ceiling casting harsh shadows. The smell of blood and fear, soaked into every surface.
My blood. Other people’s blood. Years of suffering condensed into this eight by eight foot tomb.
“Where is she? Where is Freya?”
Kael is barely there. The silver suppresses him. Weakens the connection between man and wolf. I can feel him trying to surface, trying to help, but the chains are too strong.
“Find mate. Protect mate. She’s in danger.”
I know. I fucking know. But I can’t do anything chained to this wall like an animal.
The door opens. Footsteps echo on concrete, Slow and measured pace.
Asher walks into my line of vision. He looks pristine. Suit perfectly pressed. Hair perfectly styled. Like he didn’t just orchestrate a massacre hours ago, Very useless man.
“Adrian.” He pulls up a chair. Sits backwards on it. Arms crossed over the back. “You look terrible.”
I don’t respond, I disagree to give him the satisfaction.
“The silver suits you though. Really brings out the pain in your eyes.” He leans forward. “How much does it hurt? On a scale of one to ten?”
Silence.
“Not talking? That’s fine. We have time.” He stands. Walks closer. His hand reaches out. Touches one of the chains around my chest.
The silver flares white hot. I can’t stop the sound that rips from my throat. Part scream. Part growl. Pure agony. Asher smiles. “There we go. I knew you could make noise.”
He releases the chain. The burning fades to its normal level of unbearable.
“Let’s try this again. Where are your pack’s safe houses? Where would they regroup after last night?”
“Go to hell.”
“Wrong answer.” He touches the chain again. Longer this time. The smell of my own flesh burning fills my nostrils. The pain is so intense my vision goes white.
When he finally stops I’m gasping. Shaking. The silver has left new burns layered over old ones.
“You know what I’ve always admired about you?” Asher returns to his chair. “Your loyalty. Your dedication to
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CHAPTER 59
your pack. Your absolute refusal to break even when breaking would be easier.”
He pulls out his phone. Swipes through something. “But everyone breaks eventually Adrian. Everyone has a weakness. And yours is currently locked in a cell three floors up.”
Ice floods my veins. “If you hurt her-”
“You’ll what? Glare at me more intensely?” He laughs. “You’re in no position to threaten anyone. But I appreciate the bravado.”
He stands again. Starts pacing. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Tomorrow morning at dawn we’re having a ceremony. A very special ceremony. One that’s going to break your heart worse than any silver chain ever could” “What are you talking about?”
“The rejection ceremony. Freya is going to stand in front of witnesses and formally reject the mate bond. She’s going to tell you she doesn’t want you. Doesn’t love you. That she was only using you for protection.” Asher’s eyes gleam. “And you’re going to feel every word like a knife to the chest.”
“She’ll never do that.”
“Won’t she?” He holds up his phone. Presses play.
Freya’s face fills the screen. She looks terrible. Exhausted. Scared. But alive.
A voice off camera. One of Asher’s wolves. “What are you willing to do to free him?”
Her voice is hoarse. Broken. “Anything. I’ll do anything. Please just stop hurting him.”
“Anything? Including rejecting the bond?”
A long pause. Then. “Yes. If that’s what it takes. I’ll reject him. I’ll say whatever you want. Just let him go.”
The video ends.
My chest feels like it’s caving in. She agreed. She actually agreed to destroy us both just to save me.
“No. She can’t. The rejection will kill her. Kill us both. She doesn’t understand.”
“See?” Asher pockets his phone. “She loves you so much she’s willing to break both your hearts. How romantic.” “You’re lying. That video is fake. Edited.”
“Believe what you want. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow at dawn.” He moves toward the door. “Oh, and Adrian? Don’t bother trying to escape. These chains are specifically designed to hold Alphas. Many have tried. None have succeeded. The silver will kill you before you break free.”
He pauses in the doorway. “Save your strength. You’
going to need it to survive watching your mate destroy you.
The door slams shut. Locks. I’m alone again
The video plays
on
my head. Her voice. Her face. Her willingness to sacrifice everything for me.
“This is my fault. I should have kept her safe. Should have protected her better. Should have never let her come to that fucking steel mill.
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Kael whimpers. Weak, trapped and unable to help.
AAPTER 59
Hours pass. Maybe days. Time loses meaning in this cell. The silver burns constantly. My wounds won’t heal Every breath is agony.
But worse than the physical pain is the knowledge that Freya is somewhere in this building. Scared. Alone. Preparing to reject me to save my life.
And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”
I test the chains again. They don’t budge. The silver sears deeper into my skin. The smell of burning flesh gets stronger.
I’m trapped. Helpless. About to lose everything that matters.
The door opens again. I expect Asher. More torture. More psychological warfare.
Instead Kelvin stands in the doorway.
He looks different. Guilty. Scared. Determined.
“I’m getting you out.” His voice is barely a whisper. “Both of you. But we have to move fast.”
He rushes forward. Pulls out a key. Starts unlocking the chains around my wrists.
“Why?” The question comes out hoarse. “Why help us?”
“Because I’m done being my father’s weapon. Done letting innocent people die because I’m too weak to stand up to him.” The first chain falls away. Relief so intense it’s painful. “And because you’re right. Freya deserves better than what we’ve given her.”
The second chain comes off. Then the
one
around my
throat. Finally my chest.
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