Chapter 5

Jax’s POV

Kai and Ty pinned me to the ground as Zara’s scent drifted farther away.

I was back in control—human again—but broken. Tears fell unchecked as I clung to my brother like a child lost in a storm.

“I-I lost c-control,” I stammered through sobs, my chest tightening with guilt. “She… she hates me now…”

“No, Jax,” Ty said gently, crouching beside us. “She’s hurt, confused. Not hateful. I just hope the next five days pass quickly—before something irreversible happens.”

I sniffled, trying to steady my breath, but panic surged again.

“She’s not in the pack house,” I whispered. “I… I can’t feel her, Kai. The bond—she’s too far. Or she shut it down.”

Ty’s eyes darkened. “Damn it!” he cursed, standing abruptly. “I’ll go find her before she does something reckless.”

“No,” I said, sitting up with sudden clarity. “Let me go. I’ll find her faster—I can track her better.”

Kai hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“She’s headed to the Northern Frontier. Probably to that rogue cave—trying to prove something, or cool off.”

Ty paled instantly. “No. No, no, no—this is bad.”

“What is it?” Kai asked, voice sharp.

“I was just about to warn both of you. That cave behind the waterfall? It’s the site of an arms deal tonight. Wolfsbane, weapons, supernatural contraband. Double-layered security, hidden traps, guards everywhere,” Ty said in a rush.

My blood ran cold.

“She’s walking straight into a warzone,” I muttered.

“Stupid girl,” Kai growled, already mindlinking the pack for reinforcements.

“Let’s move. Jax—get on,” Ty said, shifting into his enormous phoenix form. “We’ll beat the others there. Kai, keep trying the mindlink—she’s blocked it, but maybe something will get through.”

Without hesitation, I leapt onto Ty’s back, gripping tight as he took off like a bullet, wings slicing the wind.

Midair, agony ripped through me.

I arched with a strangled cry. “AHH—my back! Something’s wrong—”

Ty screeched, accelerating even more. “She’s been hurt,” he said grimly.

Another searing jolt tore through my abdomen. I nearly doubled over.

“They’re torturing her,” I gritted out, pain turning into rage. “Silver. Whips. I can feel every strike.”

“It’s the mate bond,” Ty said through the mindlink. “Unmarked, yet already stronger than most true mates. You’re connected in soul—even pain doesn’t wait.”

Another lash. My cheek split open.

“I’m going to kill them,” I swore. “Every last one.”

“Hold on,” Ty urged. “We’re close.”

The thunderous waterfall loomed ahead. Without warning, Ty dove straight into the crashing torrents and, with a powerful screech, launched me through the concealed entrance.

I shot into the air like a missile and flipped mid-flight, narrowly avoiding hidden mines as I landed hard behind a massive boulder.

From behind the rock, my breath caught in my throat.

There she was.

My mate.

Blindfolded. Arms bound in silver. Kneeling on the cold stone floor.

Her skin was marked with lashes. Blood stained her torn shirt. Yet she held her chin high, defiant even in chains.

A low growl rumbled in my chest.

No one had noticed me yet—fools.

And then I saw him.

Him.

The man who had once tried to force himself on her. The bastard I’d nearly killed that night. Now, he raised a silver chain again, ready to strike her once more.

I stepped from the shadows slowly, fury simmering just beneath my skin. My wolf was at the edge, snarling for release.

You’re dead, I thought.

Dead and too stupid to know it.

I cracked my neck.

Let the bloodbath begin.