The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 218

Liora’s POV

“Marissa’s alive?” I gripped Zane’s arm so tightly I could feel my nails digging into his flesh even through his jacket. “Are you sure?”

“Mostly sure.” He looked between me and Callum. “It was hard to tell without getting closer. But they had her ankles and wrists tied, and she looked like she was sleeping.”

“We have to get her out of there,” I said. “Tonight.”

Callum’s brow furrowed. “It would be safer to inform the school—”

“And what?” I bit back. “Wait for them to fill out the right paperwork? Have Mr. Alder expel us just for sneaking out before she’s even saved?”

“She’s right, you know,” Zane said quietly. “Besides, who knows how long they’ve been in that cave or how long they plan to stay? They could have moved locations by the time help comes.”

“Or worse.” I pressed my lips together and gave Callum a meaningful look.

He hesitated, clearly convicted. But finally, he nodded. “Alright. But if we’re going to do this, we need a plan.” He looked at the cave opening, then at Zane. “How many did you say you saw? Two?”

“At least two,” Zane replied. “Could be more. The cave went back further than I could see.”

Callum cursed under his breath. “We’ll have to find a way to draw them out without making them run with Marissa.” His face darkened. “Those fuckers are fast. I learned that firsthand.”

I remembered the day Callum had tried to save Bella and failed. How much he blamed himself. How hard he had tried, only to come home covered in blood and regret.

Suddenly, I had an idea. This was all my fault. Mine. The rogues were looking for me. Maybe, if I exposed myself, they would come out. Maybe I could draw them away.

“I’ll do it,” I said, making both of them look at me. “I’ll act as the bait. In the meantime, you two—”

“Absolutely not,” Zane and Callum said at once.

“What’s your plan once they come for you?” Callum asked. “You can’t outrun them. You can’t fight back. You’re wolfless.”

“You’ve seen me fight.” Back when I had a wolf, but he didn’t need to know that. Besides, I still had some skills, even if I was weaker. “I’m a fast runner, anyway. I’ll lose them.”

“Liora…” Zane sighed.

“Look, it’s either this or leave her there, potentially losing her again,” I said. I stood, dusting off my knees. “Zane, do you think you can access the cave from the other side?”

Zane looked into the distance, narrowing his eyes to see better, then nodded. “I think so.”

“Good. I’ll shout, draw their attention. At least one is bound to come for me, right? It should give you two an opening to get in there, get Marissa, and get out. We can rendezvous where freck—Julia passed away. Then get back to campus from there.”

Zane and Callum exchanged looks, but I could see the defeat in their eyes.

“Alright.” Zane stood, cupping my face in his hands. “But you run, got it? Run as fast as you fucking can and don’t look back no matter what. Not even if you think we’re in trouble.”

I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to promise that. Maybe I couldn’t, because I knew I would have to do more than yell and run if I wanted the rogues to really focus on me. But for Zane’s sake, I nodded.

He hesitated, then kissed my forehead and released me. Callum stared at me, and for a moment, I thought he might embrace me. But he just nodded curtly and muttered, “Godspeed.”

I watched as they both approached the cave from the other side, tucking themselves into a spot where they would be less visible. Then, I backed away, far enough to give them a head start.

And I screamed.

…

Callum’s POV

The moment that scream tore from Liora’s throat, I felt my stomach twist. This felt like a mistake. A huge mistake.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify