Nadia’s POV:

I crossed my arms and watched in silence as Derek hauled Cici away. She screamed and thrashed, her fingernails clawing at the wooden walls like a banshee lost in a dark forest.

"The Dark King promised... he promised to bring back my child!" her delirious wails echoed until the dungeon doors swallowed the sound, leaving a ringing silence in the hall.

My stomach did a slow roll. The memory of those slaughtered she-wolves flashed behind my eyes—their pale faces, their ruined bodies. I had to swallow hard to keep my gorge down.

"Derek, wait," I called out, my voice cracking. "Keep her under lock and key. Double the...