Adrien.

I had expected Noah to react differently.

Recklessly.

Emotionally.

Blinded by jealousy and confusion, just like anyone else would have been in his position. I had thought he would lose control, lash out without thinking, making it easier for everything to spiral exactly the way Daniel wanted.

But he didn’t.

He proved me wrong.

And for the first time, despite everything stacked against us, despite the tension, the uncertainty, and the looming danger, I felt something I hadn’t expected.

Pride.

A faint chuckle escaped my lips, low and almost unintentional as I shook my head slightly.

"Nice guess, Noah," I said, my tone carrying a hint of amusement as I looked at him. "You aren’t dumb after all."

It was rare.

Giving him credit like that.

But he had earned it.

Noah rolled his eyes instantly, the reaction almost automatic, but I could see it, the strain beneath it. The way his body tensed, his fists clenching slightly as if he was holding something back.

His wolf.

It was fighting to take control.

I could sense it.

Feel it in the way the air around him shifted, unstable, unpredictable. But despite that, he was still standing there, still trying to stay in control, and that alone said enough.

But I didn’t dwell on it, because right now, my focus wasn’t on Noah.

It was on Daniel.

Whoever he really was...Whatever he had become...He was no match for me, not here in my territory. And more importantly, there was no way I was letting him take Maria away.

"Enough, Daniel," I said, my voice cutting through the tension sharply as I stepped forward slightly. "Drop Maria, and we’ll let all of this go."

The offer was simple and clear.

An end to this without things getting worse.

But Daniel didn’t look convinced.

"Really?" he replied, a faint, mocking smile forming on his lips as he tilted his head slightly. "Is this some kind of empathy?"

His eyes narrowed just a little.

"I don’t think you possess one, Adrien," he added, his tone laced with quiet sarcasm. "So spare me the act."

My expression didn’t change.

"I’ve already come this far," he continued, tightening his hold on Maria just enough to make his point clear. "And it’s too late to back out when I’m this close to achieving success."

The words lingered heavily in the air.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.

"I really don’t want to hurt anyone, Daniel," I said calmly.

And it was true.

Despite everything.

Despite the anger burning beneath the surface, threatening to break free at any moment...I didn’t want this to turn into something worse. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Release Maria now," I added, my tone firm, controlled even if it was the complete opposite of what I was feeling inside.

Because beneath that calm, was fury, raw and unfiltered, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

For a brief moment, everything went still and then Daniel moved, slowly, deliberately, he brought his fingers to his mouth and blew a whistle.

The sharp sound cut through the air instantly, echoing faintly around us.

My eyes narrowed.

In that single moment...I understood.

He wasn’t alone.

He had never been alone.

He was calling for backup.

A low tension settled deep in my chest as I remained where I stood, my senses sharpening instantly. The situation had just changed, and not in our favor.

I wouldn’t want to be outnumbered and more importantly...I didn’t want this to turn into bloodshed.

I didn’t waste time and I made a subtle movement, barely noticeable to anyone else, but enough for who I want to see it.

I signaled Noah.

For a split second, our eyes met, and relief settled quietly within me when I saw the shift in his expression. He caught it.

Of course he did.

We had trained together countless times, fought side by side, bled on the same ground, survived battles that should have broken us. There was an understanding between us that didn’t need words.

An instinct, a connection built over time. I had long taken him as my brother and in moments like this, It showed.

He moved instantly.

Swift.

Precise.

With the help of his wolf, his speed was almost impossible to track. One moment he was beside me, the next, he had already closed the distance between himself and Daniel.

Before Daniel could react...

Noah struck.

He grabbed Maria right out of his arms, pulling her away with a force that left no room for resistance. The movement was so fast, so clean, that for a brief second, even Daniel seemed caught off guard.

That was all I needed.

I lunged forward immediately, my fist connecting with Daniel’s jaw in a solid, unforgiving blow.

The impact echoed.

Sharp.

Daniel’s head snapped to the side as the force sent him staggering backward. A choked sound escaped him as he coughed, blood spilling from his lips almost instantly.

He stumbled, struggling to steady himself, pain flashing across his face.

But I didn’t give him time.

"You should be the one taking caution, Daniel," I said, my voice low, edged with quiet confidence as I straightened. A faint, almost sheepish smile tugged at my lips as I looked at him. "You’re still in my territory."

The words were deliberate, a reminder yet a warning.

But Daniel didn’t seem fazed, Instead...He laughed.

The sound was sudden, unsettling, echoing faintly through the space as he wiped the blood from his mouth.

"Why should I be, Adrien?" he asked, his voice laced with something darker now. "Trust me..."

He took a slow step back, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my muscles tense.

"You’re all going to fall soon."

The words landed heavily.

"Then we’ll see if you can still say that to my face."

I clenched my fists tightly, my jaw setting as his words lingered in the air. The threat was clear, undeniable, but I refused to react the way he wanted.

I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction, so instead, I moved quickly. I reached for Noah, grabbing his arm firmly, grounding both of us in the moment.

Thankfully....I was prepared.

From within my pocket, I pulled out one of the mild explosives I had kept for emergencies like this. Small. Compact. But effective enough to create the distraction we needed.

Without hesitation, I threw it to the ground.

The reaction was instant.

A sharp burst...

Then smoke.

Thick, blinding smoke exploded outward, spreading rapidly, swallowing everything in sight. Within seconds, the entire area was engulfed, visibility dropping to nothing.

Perfect.

"Move," I muttered under my breath.

Noah didn’t hesitate.

Still holding Maria securely in his arms, he turned immediately, and together, we slipped into the cover of the smoke, our movements swift and coordinated.

By the time the smoke began to clear...We were already gone.