Emilia’s grip on Claire’s arm was unyielding, her fingers digging into the fabric of the girl’s cloak as she dragged her through the forest. Claire stumbled behind her, her protests falling on deaf ears.

“Let go of me!” Claire hissed, her voice sharp with anger.

“Not a chance,” Emilia snapped, her voice taut with fury. “You’re not slipping away this time.”

The trip back to the pack house was grueling, with Claire putting up resistance every few steps. She twisted and pulled, trying to free herself, but Emilia was relentless. Her mind replayed the horrific scene in the dungeon over and over—the maid’s lifeless body, the blood pooling on the...