The others gathered around us, Jaxon's face pale with shock, his eyes fixed on the pit where Isabell had disappeared. "That... that wasn't just any trap," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "It was meant for us. They knew we'd come."

"The Red Wolves," I whispered, my heart sinking as the realisation settled in. This wasn't just a random kidnapping. They had planned every step, every trap, and we had walked right into it.

I staggered back, wiping my tear-streaked face with the back of my hand. The cold, damp air of the ruins was suffocating, but I forced myself to stay steady. I had to stay focused. There was...