Kyra’s POV

I believed Mason after hearing his explanation.

The urgent priority now was to contact the outside world.

I walked toward Mason.

"Can I borrow your phone?" I asked him. "I need to call Kieran or someone who can help us."

Mason shook his head, looking grim. "I don’t have it with me. My father might have installed tracking software on it. I couldn’t risk bringing it."

I nearly collapsed at this news. Were we truly this isolated? Forced to hide from Connor without any chance of outside help?

Matt stepped forward, his expression determined despite his exhaustion. "We should rest tonight. Tomorrow, Mason and I can scout the area, figure out our next move."

The idea of sleep was tempting. My body ached from the stress and fear of the day. Nathan led me to one of the bedrooms in the old mansion, which was surprisingly well-maintained despite being abandoned.

I held my breath for several moments before exhaling heavily as I sat on the edge of the bed. Though the house was old, it was fully furnished and remarkably beautiful.

"You should get some sleep now," Nathan whispered, sitting beside me and taking my hand in his. "I’ll watch over you."

I nodded and slowly lay down on the soft mattress. He stretched out beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist and gently running his fingers through my hair.

"I was terrified earlier," I confessed quietly. "I thought we might lose each other."

"No one’s losing anyone, Kyra," he assured me, placing a gentle kiss on my hair.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, nearly drifting off when Mason’s loud voice jolted me awake, followed by urgent banging on our door.

"GET UP!"

I scrambled off the bed, following Nathan as he rushed to open the door. Outside, Mason was pounding on another door down the hall, his face tight with tension.

Matt emerged from that room looking worried and miserable.

I knew he was desperate to save Emily, but he needed rest to recover his strength.

"SARAH!" Mason shouted, banging on yet another door. "Damn it!"

He turned back to face us, his expression grave. "My father’s men have surrounded this place. I can sense them because I set up alerts for any intrusions."

My eyes widened in shock. "What?"

Matt looked confused. "How did father find this place?"

Mason shook his head, equally puzzled. "I don’t know. This location was supposed to be completely secret."

Nathan and I exchanged a glance before I spoke up. "Mason, Matt, there’s something you should know about your father."

Both brothers paused, their expressions questioning.

"Connor might be a high-ranking member of Dark Crown, the rogue organization. That’s probably how he found us despite all your precautions."

Mason’s expression transformed from confusion to utter shock. "No way. My father is straight-laced, kind to his employees, loves his family. He can’t be part of a rogue faction." The disbelief in his voice was genuine, as though I’d suggested something impossible.

I couldn’t help a bitter laugh. "You never truly know someone, do you? Your father might have been playing the perfect family man all along."

Matt’s mouth twisted into a pained smile. "Dark Crown? The largest criminal rogue organization in the Northern territories? That explains a lot. I always wondered how the Foster family gained so much influence in the North without having a particularly powerful pack."

Mason’s eyes widened with realization. "So that’s why Dad refuses to give up the company? It contains evidence of his connection to Dark Crown?"

Before anyone could respond, we heard commotion outside, growing closer.

"Just go, Kyra! You too, Matt!" Mason’s voice was urgent, commanding.

"I’m not leaving you here, Mason!" Matt protested, his loyalty to his twin evident despite their complicated relationship.

"I still need to find your stubborn aunt!"

Matt shook his head stubbornly, but I grabbed his arm to get his attention.

"Mason will be fine. He’ll find us later," I said, then turned to Mason. "Right?"

He nodded immediately and handed Nathan a car key. "There’s a road at the end of the forest with a hidden car. If I don’t come within 15 minutes, leave without me."

"Goddamn it, Mason! We’re not going to leave you here—" Matt started.

"I’ll find another way out," Mason cut him off. "They won’t kill me, you know that. They’re here for Kyra, and if you want your cousin to survive, you’ll do as I say."

Sylvia growled in my mind, alert and protective. "Something doesn’t feel right. Stay vigilant, Kyra."

Matt swallowed hard, staring at his twin before glancing at me. He nodded reluctantly and offered his hand. I took it, looking back anxiously at Nathan.

"Take this," Mason said, handing Matt a gun. Matt looked shocked but accepted the weapon after a brief hesitation, gripping my hand tighter.

As we started moving away from Mason, Nathan took the lead.

"I’ll go first," he said, positioning himself in front of us while Matt guided me forward.

We were running again, fleeing for our lives. The forest was dark, with only moonlight guiding our way. I wanted to believe we’d survive the night, but I didn’t want to disappoint myself. No matter what we did, Connor Foster would hunt us relentlessly. He wouldn’t stop until I was dead.

A gunshot shattered the silence of the night. My eyes widened as I looked back toward the mansion.

"KYRA!"

I gasped, my blood turning to ice. Connor Foster was here in person. He’d completely lost his mind, coming to kill me himself.