The Rise Of The Betrayed Luna (Amorah and Holmes) novel Chapter 22

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12:53 Sat, May 30 MMM.

Chapter 22

“I agreed to the contract,” I said. “Not to disappear without finishing what I started.”

Silence followed that.

Conrad stepped closer, his presence pressing in a way that made it clear he was not used to being challenged.

“You’re not safe here,” he said.

“I never was,” I replied.

“That’s exactly the point.”

I shook my head slightly. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

I took a breath before speaking. “Something is missing.”

His expression did not change, but his attention sharpened.

“In the contract,” I continued. “You told me what you want. An heir. A year. Five years together.”

“Yes.”

“But you didn’t tell me why,” I said.

He was quiet for a moment.

“That’s not information you need right now.”

“It is to me,” I replied.

His gaze held mine, steady and unreadable.

“You think I’m trying to control you,” he said.

“I know you are,” I answered.

That did something. Not outwardly, but I felt the shift in him.

“I don’t control what belongs to me,” he said.

“I’m not something you own,” I replied immediately.

“You signed a contract with me.”

“I made a deal,” I said. “That’s not the same thing.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he exhaled quietly.

“You’re staying,” he said.

“In Holmes’s territory.”

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Chapter 22

His jaw tightened slightly. “You expect me to accept that?”

“I expect you to understand it.” I said.

“And if I don’t?”

I held his gaze. “Then you made the wrong offer.”

Conrad looked at me for a long second, then glanced away briefly as if considering something. When his eyes returned to me, they were calmer.

“Why?” he asked.

I answered just as simply. “I need more evidence.”

He watched me carefully.

“You already have enough to raise suspicion,” he said.

“Suspicion isn’t proof,” I replied. “And I need proof.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For everything.” I said.

His expression remained steady. “That’s not a complete answer.”

“It’s enough for now.”

He studied me again, and I knew he could tell I wasn’t saying everything.

“You’re holding something back,” he said.

“Yes.”

“And you expect me to trust you anyway.”

“I expect you to trust the result,” I replied.

My wolf stirred faintly.

Tell him,” she said.

“No,” I answered.

“Why not?”

“Because this part is mine.”

I looked at Conrad again.

“I’m staying.” I repeated

His gaze dropped briefly, then returned to mine.

“You’re putting yourself in danger.”

“I already am.”

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Chapter 22

“That’s not a reason to stay.”

“It is when leaving means losing what I need,” I said.

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer again, his voice lower this time.

“You think Holmes won’t act again?” he asked.

“I know he will.”

“And you still want to stay.”

“Yes.”

His eyes searched mine, as if trying to find something I wasn’t saying.

“You’re planning something,” he said.

“Yes.

“What?”

I shook my head slightly. “Not yet.”

He exhaled slowly, then straightened.

“This isn’t how this works,” he said.

“It is now.”

Another pause followed.

Then he spoke again. “You have until dawn.”

My chest tightened slightly. “For what?”

“To change your mind,” he said.

“And if I don’t?”

“Then I come back for you,” he replied.

There was no doubt in his tone.

I nodded once.

“Understood.”

He looked at me for a moment longer before stepping back.

“Stay alive,” he said.

“I plan to.”

Without another word, he turned and got into the car. I watched as it pulled away, leaving me standing alone in the quiet of the council grounds.

The moment he was gone, the weight returned.

I exhaled slowly and turned back toward the building.

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Chapter 22

My decision was made. But my reason… that was something I would keep to myself.

I walked back inside, moving carefully through the corridors. The council guards were still in place, and I kept my expression neutral as I passed them.

No one stopped me. That worked in my favor. Because I knew exactly what I needed now.

Something that could not be denied. My steps slowed as I reached the wing assigned to visiting packs.

Holmes and Bethany were here.

So were the twins.

My heart picked up slightly at the thought.

Zane and Kyra.

If what I believed was true, then they were the key to everything.

The rite had failed.

But that did not mean the truth was gone. It just meant I had to find another

My wolf stirred again.

“You’re going after them,” she said.

“Yes.”

“That’s dangerous.”

“I know.”

“And if you’re caught?”

“I won’t be.”

I moved further down the corridor, keeping my steps quiet.

way.

I had watched enough of the guards earlier to know their patterns. The night shift was less alert, and the rotation left small

gaps.

I intended to use them.

I reached the corner that led to the private rooms and paused briefly, listening.

I stepped forward carefully, my attention focused on every sound.

The twins‘ room was not far. I could feel my pulse in my chest now, steady but faster than before.

This was it.

If I could get something from them, anything, I could confirm what Holmes had tried to hide.

And once I had that…

Everything would change.

I moved closer.

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Chapter 22

Then stopped.

Voices were coming from just ahead.

I stepped back instinctively, pressing myself against the wall as I listened.

Holmes.

And Bethany

“You should have stopped her earlier,” Bethany said quietly.

“I will,” Holmes replied.

“You’re running out of time,” she added.

“I know.”

There was a pause.

Then Bethany spoke again, softer this time. “What about the twins?”

“They stay where they are,” Holmes said. “No one touches them.”

My chest tightened.

“Not even her?” Bethany asked.

“No,” he replied. “Especially not her.”

I held my breath.

So he knew.

Or at least suspected.

“That means we move tonight,” Bethany said.

Holmes didn’t answer immediately.

Then he did…

Yes.”

My pulse spiked.

Move?

Move where?

I shifted slightly, trying to hear more clearly.

But then. A sound behind me.

My body went still

Slow footsteps were approaching

公)

I turned slightly and froze. A guard stood at the end of the corridor, staring directly at me.

科

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Chapter 22

Our eyes met.

And his expression changed.

“Who’s there?” he called out.

My heart slammed against my chest.

And before I could move, Holmes’s voice came from just ahead.

“Check it.”

I had nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide. And as the guard stepped closer, reaching for me, I realized I had just walked straight into the trap.

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