Daniel.

Would she seriously pick Noah over me?

The question echoed over and over in my head, louder with every passing second, drowning out everything else. I stared at her, trying to understand, trying to make sense of the choice she was making so easily, like it didn’t cost her anything.

After everything, after all the lengths I had gone through just to get to this point.

A slow breath left me as I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to remain still, to remain calm. This wasn’t how I wanted things to go. It was never supposed to be like this.

I had planned it differently and carefully. I wanted her to come with me willingly. I didn’t want her to see me as a monster.

That had been the whole point.

Yes... I was following orders. I couldn’t deny that. The weight of it rested heavily on my shoulders, binding me to something bigger than myself. But even then, I had tried to bend it, to shape it in a way that would benefit me.

Because this wasn’t just about orders, not entirely.

The Lycan prince wanted Noah dead.

For reasons I didn’t fully understand.

And honestly, I didn’t care enough to find out.

I frowned slightly, my thoughts drifting for a brief second. When had Noah even crossed paths with someone like that? And more importantly, what could he have possibly done to deserve that kind of attention?

It didn’t add up, but it wasn’t my concern, not really because whether I understood it or not, one thing remained the same...

Noah was a threat.

And getting rid of him?

That was something I had always wanted.

So in the end, maybe this wasn’t as complicated as I was trying to make it. Maybe this was exactly how things were supposed to unfold.

"Well... you don’t have a choice," I heard myself say, the words leaving my lips almost on their own after her refusal.

Her expression shifted instantly.

"What do you mean?" she asked slowly, her voice dropping, cautious now.

For a moment, I just looked at her. There was still a part of me that wanted her to understand. To agree. To make this easier for both of us.

"Maria..." I started, my tone softening slightly despite everything. "I really do not want us to do this the hard way."

I paused, searching her face, hoping, just hoping, that she would give in.

"But we need to leave this pack together," I added, giving her one last chance.

One last opportunity to choose me.

To choose this.

But she didn’t.

"I’m not leaving, Daniel," she said firmly, her voice steady, unwavering. "Nothing can change my mind."

Something inside me snapped, and that was it, I was done. I was completely fed up.

The patience I had been holding onto slipped through my fingers in an instant, replaced by something colder, something more decisive.

If she wouldn’t come willingly....Then she would come regardless.

She was coming with me.

And that was final.

I stood up slowly, my movements controlled, calculated. From the outside, it probably looked like I had given up,like I had accepted her decision and was ready to walk away.

That was the idea, not untill I turned slightly, taking a step as if I was about to leave and then...In one swift motion...I moved.

My hand came up sharply, striking the side of her neck with precise force.

There was no time for her to react.

No time to resist.

Her body went limp instantly, collapsing to the ground before she could even process what had happened.

"I’m sorry, Maria..." I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked down at her unconscious form lying on the ground. There was no response, no movement, just the steady rise and fall of her chest that reminded me she was still here.

"But by the time you wake up... you’ll be out of this mess."

The words were meant to reassure her. To make it sound like I was doing the right thing but deep down, I knew the truth, I wasn’t trying to convince her, I was trying to convince myself.

My jaw tightened slightly as I exhaled, my gaze lingering on her face for a moment longer. There had to be a way to make this work, my way. A way that didn’t involve her looking at me with that same resistance... that same refusal.

My mind began to wander, running through possibilities, through options I had once pushed aside but now seemed more appealing than ever.

There were ways to make her stay.

Permanent ways.

The thought settled in quietly, almost naturally.

What if she didn’t remember?

What if everything tying her to Noah... simply disappeared?

A faint smile began to form on my lips as the idea took shape in my mind. Pills. Something strong enough to erase the memories, her past, her attachment, everything that made her cling to him.

Everything that made her reject me.

Then... she would have no reason to refuse.

No reason to fight.

Slowly, I crouched down and carefully moved Noah’s body away from her, pushing him aside just enough to create space. My movements were deliberate, controlled, as if I didn’t want to disturb her even though she was already unconscious.

Then I slipped my arms beneath her, one under her knees, the other supporting her back and lifted her gently.

Her body felt light in my arms as I carried her in a bridal style, her head resting against my chest, completely unaware of everything happening around her.

"You are mine, Maria," I whispered, my voice low but filled with certainty as I looked down at her.

A strange calm settled over me.

"The very first day I laid my eyes on you..." I continued, my grip tightening slightly, "I couldn’t stop thinking about you."

That had been the beginning.

The moment everything changed.

"And now..." I added, a faint smile returning to my lips, darker this time, more possessive. "It will be the same for you."

With that, I adjusted my hold on her and began to walk faster this time. Every step echoed with urgency as I moved toward the exit. I needed to get out of this territory as soon as possible. The longer I stayed, the higher the risk of someone interfering.

Of something going wrong.

I couldn’t allow that. Not now, not when I was this close.

The door came into view, and without slowing down, I pushed it open and stepped outside, the cool air brushing against my skin.

Freedom.

That was all that mattered now but then...I stopped.

A presence looked around me sharp and nmistakable. My body tensed slightly as I felt it, a shadow behind me, close enough to make my instincts flare immediately.

"And where exactly did you think you were taking her to?" The voice cut through the silence, calm yet dangerous.

My expression darkened instantly.

I frowned, irritation rising as I slowly turned around, already prepared to deal with whoever had the audacity to question me at this point.

But the moment my eyes landed on him...

I froze.

Shock flickered across my face before I could stop it.

"How did you get here?" I asked, my voice lower now, edged with disbelief as I stared at him.