Nymera's POV
Astra's dagger gleamed in the dying torchlight.
Dain lay crumpled behind her, blood pooling beneath him.
I could barely breathe.
Astra licked the blood from the blade, grinning at me.
"This ends here, Nymera. You and your little pack of fools—done."
"No," I rasped, stepping forward.
She tilted her head, mocking. "Still so brave. Still so stupid."
I kept moving. Every instinct screamed to run—but if I ran, Dain died.
And somehow, even now, a thread of the bond between us pulsed in the air.
I wouldn't abandon him. Not like this.
"You're bleeding, you're exhausted, you have no one," Astra sneered.
"Just accept it. Kneel."
The word burned through me.
I remembered every mocking laugh.
Every time they called me Wolfless.
Every betrayal.
I met Astra's gaze squarely.
"Not this time," I said.
Her smile faltered.
I lunged.
Pain ripped through my side as the dagger sliced me, but I didn't stop.
I slammed into her full force, driving her back.
The dagger clattered across the stone.
We wrestled, grappling, teeth and nails and rage.
I slammed my fist into her jaw. She yelped, raking claws down my cheek.
I snarled and shoved her again—into the crumbling wall.
Dust rained down.
Astra crumpled, dazed.
Breathing hard, I staggered back to Dain. His eyes fluttered open—barely conscious.
"Stay with me," I whispered fiercely.
He tried to speak. Blood bubbled on his lips.
Behind me, Astra groaned.
I grabbed Dain under the arms, dragging him toward the tunnel exit.
Every muscle screamed. My wounds throbbed. But I didn't stop.
Footsteps echoed down the tunnel.
More of Astra's forces.
We were out of time.
I dragged Dain into a side corridor—a forgotten servant's passage, half-collapsed with rubble.
Dark. Narrow. Hidden.
I pressed myself against the wall, heart hammering, holding my breath.
The footsteps passed by.
I didn't dare move.
Minutes stretched into an eternity.
Finally, the sounds faded.
I slumped to the ground beside Dain, my arms trembling.
He coughed weakly. "Nymera…"
"I'm here," I whispered.
He reached out blindly, fingers brushing my cheek.
"Promise me," he rasped. "If I don't… survive… you lead them."
My throat closed up.
"You're not dying," I choked out.
He smiled faintly. "You're stronger than you know."
A tear slipped down my cheek, hot against the cold stone.
"I need you," I whispered.
The bond between us pulsed weakly. Fading.
Dain's hand dropped away.
His eyes closed.
"No," I gasped. "No, stay with me—"
A low, cruel laugh echoed through the corridor.
I froze.
Astra.
"You should've killed me when you had the chance," her voice purred from the darkness.
Footsteps approached.
Slow. Inevitable.
I tightened my grip on the dagger I'd snatched earlier.
I had one shot.
Behind me, Dain lay unmoving.
Ahead, Astra's shadow loomed.
And in my heart—rage burned hotter than fear.
I bared my teeth.
Let her come.