Nikolai's body screamed with pain. Every breath hurt. His wrists were raw from the chains. Blood dried on his chest from Elise's cuts.

But the worst pain wasn't in his body. It was in his heart.

Laura, he thought. Please be okay.

Kieran's words echoed in his mind. About Laura being trapped. About his shadow wolves hunting her.

But something didn't feel right. If Kieran really wanted Laura dead, why hadn't he killed her already? Why keep her alive just to plan on killing her after the escape?

He's lying, Nikolai told himself. He has to be.

But doubt ate at him like poison. What if Laura was really in...