Natalie~
The iron gates groaned open, their rusted hinges screeching in protest as if the land itself rejected my return. The air was thick with unease, the kind that settled deep in your bones. I felt the guards' stares drilling into my back, their hushed footsteps echoing with restraint. They didn't dare speak. They didn't have to. The silence screamed louder than any insult they could throw my way.
Beside me, Jacob moved with effortless dominance, his every step a quiet declaration of power. He didn't need to puff out his chest or bare his teeth—the air bent around him in silent submission. I wasn't afraid. Not anymore. The world had taken everything from me, and now? Now, I was here to take it all back.
I reached through the mind link, amusement curling in my voice. "Tell me, Jacob, why didn't we just teleport straight into Darius's home? Would've saved us all the theatrics."
