Page 75 of Dark Auctioned Mate

Back in his human form, Silas approached, his face grim, looking at the carnage.

“All targets accounted for,” he reported. “Some injuries on our side, nothing serious. Gavin also died during the chaos. The Caldwell pack is finished.”

“And Blackwood?” Rael asked, not loosening his hold on Alanis.

“In custody. All of them. We have evidence, testimonies, and financial records. They won’t talk their way out of this.” Silas looked at Alanis. “You did a good job tonight. The information you gathered was crucial.”

“It wasn’t worth—” Alanis started, but Rael cut her off.

“It was worth it. Every bit of it. You brought down a network that’s been operating for years. You got justice for yourself and for countless other women.” His arms tightened around her. “But don’t ever scare me like that again. Understood?”

“Understood,” Alanis said softly.

She looked at Derek’s body, feeling... nothing. No satisfaction, no closure, no relief. Just emptiness where rage used to be.

“He’s really dead,” she said.

“He is,” Rael confirmed. “He can’t hurt you anymore. He can’t hurt anyone anymore.”

Alanis nodded slowly. Eight years of running, of being afraid, of knowing her former pack was out there somewhere—and now, it was over.

Really, truly over.

She let herself lean into Rael’s embrace, let herself be held while the adrenaline faded and the pain set in.

“We need to get you to a medical facility,” Rael said, noticing her wince. “You’re hurt worse than you’re letting on.”

“I’m fine.”

Rael’s voice was gentle but firm. “You’re not fine, Alanis. And it’s okay to not be fine. You just went through hell.”

She wanted to argue, wanted to maintain the facade of strength. But she was so tired. Tired of fighting, tired of hurting, tired of pretending she didn’t need help.

“Okay,” she whispered. “Take me somewhere safe.”

“Always,” Rael promised, lifting her carefully into his arms. “Wherever you need to be, I’ll take you there. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

As they left the clearing—leaving behind Derek’s body and the remnants of the pack that had tormented her for so long—Alanis finally felt something shift inside her.

It wasn’t closure, exactly. It wasn’t peace either. But it was the beginning of something. The possibility of healing. The chance to build a life that wasn’t defined by trauma and running. And maybe the freedom to finally choose where she belonged.

Chapter 23 - Rael

The healthcare institution at Shadowridge was flooded.

More than thirty women needed immediate attention, including the Lumen operatives and pack enforcers who got wounded in the raid.

But Rael could think of no one but Alanis.

She was sitting on an exam table, with a doctor wrapping her ribs. She also had bruises all over her face and the definitive outline of a hand on her throat.

“You should go to a proper hospital. These sorts of injuries need adequate follow-ups. If one of these ribs—”

“I will be all right,” Alanis replied. “It is not the first time. Just wrap them, and give me something for the pain.”

“You are stubborn,” the doctor grumbled, but completed the wrapping.

Rael stood by the wall with crossed arms, trying to seem in control. But his hands were trembling, and adrenaline was still rushing through his body. When he saw Derek press a knife against her throat, he thought he was too late. That image would haunt him forever.