Chapter 12

12

Maize paced back and forth in Gideon's cabin. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of worry and regret. The soft creak of the wooden floorboards under her feet was the only sound in the otherwise silent room. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some comfort in the embrace, but her heart ached with a relentless anxiety that refused to be soothed.

Her worry for Liza pounded in her head like a relentless drum, each beat echoing her deepest fears. She desperately clung to the hope that Liza had simply gotten caught up with new friends, maybe lost track of time in the thrill of the festival. Beneath that fragile hope, a darker fear gnawed at her heart, tightening its grip with every passing moment. The image of Rob's menacing face flashed in her mind.

Maize shuddered, her breath hitching as she tried to push the thought away. But the fear refused to be ignored, whispering insidiously that Liza was in danger, that Rob had found her and taken her away. The possibility sent icy tendrils of dread spiraling through her, making it hard to breathe, hard to think beyond the rising panic that threatened to consume her.

She had to remind herself that Gideon was out there. He would find her. He would bring her back. He'd promised.

He'd also promised that nothing would happen to her.

Maize stopped in front of the stone fireplace, its hearth cold and empty now, but she could still feel the lingering warmth from the fire that had burned there earlier. The scent of pine and smoke clung to the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the wood. It was a scent that reminded her of Gideon, of the safety and comfort she felt when he was near.

She closed her eyes, her chest tightening with the memory of her outburst toward him. She had been so scared, so overwhelmed by everything happening, and she had taken it out on him. Now, in the stillness of the cabin, surrounded by everything that reminded her of him, she felt a deep sense of regret.

The cabin was a reflection of Gideon, strong and steadfast, with an understated warmth that seeped into every corner. The furniture was sturdy, crafted from rich, brown wood that matched the hue of his wolf's fur. The deep, earthy tones reminded her of the strength she'd seen in his eyes, the quiet resilience he carried in every movement.

The thought of him out there, searching for Liza, made her heart clench with worry. She wanted him to be safe, to come back to her with her sister, to prove to her that everything would be okay. More than anything, she wanted the chance to apologize, to make things right between them.

That wish would have to wait. First, she needed to know her sister was safe.

She glanced at her phone for the hundredth time, willing it to ring. It stared silently back at her. With trembling hands, she dialed Liza's number again. Again, the call went straight to voicemail. Frustration and fear gnawed at her, making it hard to breathe.

There was only one other thing she could do. Taking a deep breath to steady herself and her hands, she dialed the last number she'd ever thought she would call. She didn't expect Rob to answer, but what surprised her was that the ringing sounded from inside the cabin.

A chill ran down her spine. Maize's heart stopped as she looked up to see Rob standing in the doorway, his face twisted into a sneer. The air grew thick with his oppressive presence, a mixture of musk and menace that set every nerve in her body on edge.

Rob looked scraggly, like a wild wolf that had been let loose, his hair a tangled mess that framed a face etched with cruelty. His clothes were disheveled, clinging to his wiry frame in a way that made him seem almost feral, like a creature that had been living on the fringes for far too long.

His eyes were the worst part. They didn't focus on her. Instead, they looked through her, as if she were a mere shadow in his path. There was a madness in those eyes, a wild, untamed glint that made her stomach turn.

His lips were twisted into a sneer, a cruel curl that exposed too sharp teeth, eager to tear into flesh. The sight of that sneer made her blood run cold. Her skin prickled with the instinctive knowledge that she was staring down a predator, one who wouldn't hesitate to rip her apart if given the chance.

"Where's Liza?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady despite the terror clawing at her insides.

Rob's sneer dropped like a stone, and he growled. "She went off with another wolf."

A brief moment of relief washed over Maize. Liza was safe with someone else. But that relief was short-lived as Rob lunged at her, his speed and strength overwhelming.

Maize's instincts kicked in. She ducked and dodged, her mind racing with the realization that she was fighting for her life. She grabbed a lamp from the side table and swung it at Rob. The heavy base connected with his shoulder. He growled in pain but barely flinched, his eyes glowing with predatory rage.

Rob reached out, his fingers like iron claws as they closed around her wrist. Maize cried out, twisting and turning, trying to free herself. She kicked at him, her foot connecting with his shin, but it only seemed to anger him further. He yanked her closer, and she felt the heat of his breath, saw the wild glint in his eyes.

With a desperate burst of strength, Maize wrenched herself free and stumbled backward. Her hand brushed against the kitchen counter. She grabbed the first thing she could find—a heavy cast-iron skillet. She swung it with all her might, aiming for Rob's head. The impact was solid, a dull thud that reverberated through her arm.

Rob staggered, momentarily dazed, but his recovery was swift. He snarled, his wolfish features contorting with fury. He tackled Maize, slamming her into the wall. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs. She gasped, struggling to stay conscious as spots danced before her eyes.

All she saw was red, red, red.

Her last thought was that she wanted another night with Gideon. But the last words she had said to him were harsh. She wanted to take them back. She wanted to tell him that he already had her heart. That she believed in the bond and the beauty he had shown her through it. She wanted her sister to feel what she felt instead of the ugliness that Rob had shown them both.

But everything went black.