Priya listened in silence, every word slotting into place, making the picture clearer. The puzzle was finally forming-pieces falling exactly where they belonged.
“And we wanted power, so we helped,” Lucas and Harmis laughed in unison. Why wouldn’t they? From being worthless rogues, they had risen to Alpha and Beta. They had enjoyed that power for years. And after today, they would keep enjoying it-until death took them.
Maya frozen, tears streaking her face, her eyes locked on Elk. Utter betrayal. The weight of suffering crushed her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Levi’s scream cut through the air. “How can you do this, Dad?!” Her voice cracked as she turned to Rish, who looked just as shattered. Heartbroken.
Aman chuckled, his grip still tight on Priya’s hair. “Didn’t he already tell you?”
Priya barely heard him. Her gaze was fixed on Priyank.
She understood Maya’s pain-because she felt it too. Knowing Priyank’s father was responsible for her being an orphan? That was one thing. But the real wound? The fact that she had trusted him. That she had let herself believe in him. That she had started-God help her-to fall for a man who carried the same blood as her parents’ murderer.
Life couldn’t be this cruel.
Then why was hers never fair? No matter how much she suffered, it never ended.
“You’re still looking at this bastard?” Aman yanked her hair again, forcing her head back.
Priyank sneered, lunging, but the men surrounding him held him fast-Lima too. Neither could move. “You coward! If you have any guts, fight me one-on-one, bastard.”
Aman smirked. “Why would I fight when I can win without lifting a finger?” He scoffed. “Only losers fight. That’s not me. But you’re welcome to try-if a pathetic human like you thinks he can take us all. What a waste of wolf genes. You’re just like your mother… a useless human.”
Heat surged through Priyank’s veins, his blood boiling, his body shaking with fury. The sensation roared inside him like fire. He wanted to tear Aman apart.
“I don’t need that monster’s genes,” he spat. “If I could, I’d drain every last drop of his blood from my body and keep only my mother’s.”
Aman’s eyes darkened. “You can’t talk like that about my leader, you punk.”
“I can go worse.” Priyank’s gaze shot to Priya. She was staring at him, her eyes screaming with questions, though she said nothing.
“I swear, Angel,” he rasped, “I only found out about my bastard of a father’s involvement a few days ago.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I was scared.” His breath hitched. “Scared you’d hate me more… because of the man who abandoned my mom and me years ago. He left us for another woman-his mate.” His hands clenched into fists as he thrashed against Aman’s men. “He’s dead, yet somehow, he’s still ruining my life.”
The weight of Priya’s stare crushed him. He wanted to stab himself for the pain on her face. He had hurt her so many times before-too many times. He had sworn to make up for it.
And yet, here he was, the reason for her pain once again.
“You could have told me.” Her voice trembled, but she couldn’t say more. The emotions choking her made it impossible.
Even so, she could see it now. This wasn’t Priyank’s sin to pay for. His father’s crimes weren’t his.
But he had hidden the truth. And that? That made it worse.
“Enough talking.” Aman cut between them before they could say more. His voice dripped with amusement. “You don’t want your father’s blood?” He paused, then smirked. “Then I’ll make this easy for you.” He motioned toward a group of men. “Beat them to death.”
Lima’s voice rang out. “Stop! We have the key. You won’t get it.” She clutched it tightly, using it as leverage.
Aman snickered. “After killing all of you? I’ll still get it. So really-no issue.”
Priyank’s body tensed, his hands balling into fists as Aman’s words settled in. Beat them to death.
A cruel smirk played on Aman’s lips as he stepped closer, leaving Priya. “What’s the matter? Can’t they do it?” He tilted his head mockingly. “Didn’t think so. You’re weak-just like your mother.”
Priyank’s breath came hard and fast, rage clawing up his throat. His mother. The only person who had ever loved him unconditionally. The only person he had left. He felt his nails dig into his palms, his knuckles turning white.
Aman laughed, relishing the fire in Priyank’s eyes. “Go on, prove me wrong. Kill them, or they’ll kill you.”
Without hesitation, Priyank threw a punch, landing a solid hit on one of the men.
He didn’t care that he was outnumbered. That the odds were impossible. That Aman was grinning like a cat playing with its food. None of it mattered.
His fist again connected with the nearest man’s jaw-a sickening crunch. Another strike to the ribs sent a third man stumbling. But before he could move again, a blow crashed against his side, knocking the air from his lungs.
He staggered. Another hit. Then another.
His knees buckled, but he forced himself up. He had to fight. He had to protect her.
Aman’s laughter rang in his ears. “Pathetic.”
A sharp pain exploded in Priyank’s stomach as a knee drove into him. Then a punch to his temple-white-hot agony.
He hit the ground hard.
Through blurred vision, he saw Priya struggling, screaming his name. His heart clenched, but his body refused to move.
Lima was thrashing against her captors, desperate, furious.
Maya, Rish, Jackson, and Levi struggled against the ropes, tears streaming down their faces, but nothing worked. Priyank knew-he was the only one who could do anything.
Priyank tried-tried to push up, tried to fight back-but his strength was fading.
A boot slammed into his ribs.
He gasped. Another kick. Then another.
His vision dimmed. His muscles screamed in protest.
Aman crouched beside him, gripping his hair, forcing his head up. “Told you,” he murmured. “Losers fight. Winners make others fight for them.”
Priyank’s body sagged. His fingers twitched in the dirt.
He had lost.
“Use your powers, Lima!” Jackson shouted desperately, his voice raw with urgency.
“I can’t,” she gasped, struggling against the ropes. “I don’t have enough power.”
“Whatever you have, just do it!”