Denderick’s POV
With a great cry, Logan’s guards rushed toward me.
But I wasn’t afraid. No, fear wasn’t something I could feel anymore. Only rage. Pure, burning rage that boiled inside me like molten lava, begging to be unleashed. And I would grant it that wish.
With a single, swift motion, I brought my sword up. The first guard barely had time to react before the blade sliced clean through his neck. His body collapsed to the floor, and the metallic scent of blood filled the dungeon air.
The others hesitated for a moment, their eyes widening in shock. Good. Let them fear me. Let them realize what was coming for them. I was going to make sure they felt every bit of the pain that Aria had endured. Every bit of suffering Logan had caused. They would all pay.
Another guard lunged at me, but he was slow-too slow. I sidestepped him, swinging my sword with deadly precision. His head hit the floor with a sickening thud, followed by his body crumpling beside him.
The remaining guards exchanged glances, fear now evident in their eyes. They should have run while they could. They should have turned and fled, but they didn’t. And now, they would die.
“Is this what you serve?” I snarled at them. “A monster who tortures women and kills children? You’re all complicit in his crimes!”
One of the guards, a large brute of a man, came at me with his sword raised high. I met his blade with mine, the clash of steel ringing through the dungeon. Our swords locked, and for a moment, he thought he had the upper hand.
But I was stronger. Faster.
With a grunt, I shoved him back, sending him staggering. Before he could regain his footing, I swung again, this time slicing through his chest. He let out a guttural cry as he collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from the gaping wound.
“Who’s next?” I growled, my eyes burning with fury.
One by one, they came at me and my warriors, and one by one, they fell. Blood splattered across the stone floor, pooling around the bodies of Logan’s men.
With the last guard’s body hitting the ground, I finally sheathed my sword, the blade still dripping with fresh blood. My breath came in heavy, ragged gasps as I surveyed the carnage around me. Dead bodies littered the dungeon, their lifeless eyes staring at nothing. But there was no satisfaction in this. Not yet.
Logan wasn’t here. And until his blood was on my hands, I would not rest.
When I turned back to Aria, she was still lying on the cold floor, her face pale, her body trembling with pain. The sight of her like that-it broke something inside me. I had failed her once. I wouldn’t fail her again.
I knelt beside her, gently brushing her hair away from her face. She flinched at my touch, and it sent a stab of guilt through me.
“Aria,” I whispered, “I’m so sorry.”
She blinked, her eyes half-open, barely able to focus on me. She was in bad shape, far worse than I’d feared.
“Denderick…” Her voice was weak. “Is… is it over?”
I hesitated, not wanting to lie to her. “Not yet. But it will be soon. I promise you, Logan will pay for what he’s done. And Erinne, too.”
She closed her eyes, a single tear escaping and sliding down her bruised cheek. “My son… he killed him, Denderick. He killed him.”
Her hand reached out weakly, and I took it in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. She was shaking, her body racked with pain, and I wished-gods, I wished-I could take it all away from her. But all I could do now was keep my promise.
“I won’t let him hurt you anymore,” I vowed, leaning closer. “I’ll make sure you’re safe. And I’ll make him pay.”
Just then, the door to the dungeon opened once more, and another of my men rushed in, panting from exertion.
“Alpha!” he called out. “It appears Logan and his mistress have tried to escape. We’ve cornered Logan’s men in the woods, but Logan and Erinne are on the run. They’ve split up, but we’re tracking them both.”
I stood up, my grip tightening on my sword once more. “Then what are you waiting for? Go after them. I want them both captured-alive if possible.”
“Yes, Alpha,” he said before hurrying back out.
I turned my attention to the other women. The dim light from the torches flickered across their gaunt faces. Some of them barely seemed alive, their skin pale and taut, eyes hollowed from starvation and torture. Others were completely still-too still.
I took a step forward and inspected. Three of them were already dead. Their bodies hung limply in their chains, heads slumped forward in silent resignation. I fisted my hands, fury rising in me again, but I forced it down. There would be time to grieve and rage later. Right now, I had to help those who could still be saved.
“Sara,” a faint voice whispered from one of the women who remained conscious. “Naomi… please, help…”
The one who spoke looked like she was clinging to life by a thread. Her dark hair was matted with blood, and her clothes were torn, hanging off her frail body. She tried to raise her head, but her strength was fading fast.
I rushed over to her, my hands moving quickly as I unfastened the shackles from her wrists. She winced in pain as I pulled them away, the skin around her wrists raw and bleeding.
“You’re safe now,” I reassured her. “You’re safe. I’m going to get you all out of here.”
She nodded weakly, her eyes wide with fear, but there was a spark of gratitude there too. “Thank you… Alpha.”
I turned to the other woman who was still conscious. She was slumped against the wall, her body trembling, but her eyes were alert-filled with terror, yes, but also with something else: survival.
“Can you stand?” I asked her, quickly releasing the chains from her wrists.
She nodded, swallowing hard as she pulled her arms free. “Y-Yes… I think so.” Her voice was soft, barely audible over the sound of my boots scraping against the stone floor.
“What’s your name?” I asked, trying to keep her focused, to keep her grounded in the present.
“Naomi,” she whispered. “That’s Sara… the one next to me.”
“Naomi, Sara… stay with me, all right? I’m going to get you out of here.”
As soon as the chains fell away, Naomi collapsed to her knees, her breath ragged. I knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll make it,” I said. “You’re not going to die in this place.”
She nodded shakily, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I thought… I thought we were all going to die down here.”
“You’re safe now,” I promised again. “Logan’s men are gone.”
I turned to Aria. She didn’t stir, didn’t respond, but I could hear the faint rise and fall of her chest. That was enough.
“Aria,” I whispered as I knelt beside her, carefully lifting her into my arms.
Her head lolled against my shoulder, her body cold and fragile in my arms.
I would make Logan pay. For every woman he had tortured, for every child he had killed, I would see him brought to justice. I stood, cradling my mate close as I turned to Sara and Naomi.
“Follow me,” I said. “We’re leaving.”