LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S / KELLY THOMPSON'S POV
After days of tense negotiations, Alpha Biansky finally agrees to release me, but at a steep price. In addition to the territorial concessions Jason offered, the North Pack demands a ransom of ten gold bars.
On the day of the exchange, I'm brought from my cell and loaded into a heavily guarded carriage. Alpha Biansky's son Harry, along with their gamma and a contingent of warriors, are tasked with overseeing the handover.
As we near the stream that marks the border between the two territories, my heart races. After weeks in captivity, freedom is so close I can almost taste it. But a part of me also dreads facing Jason and confronting the truth of my deception.
The carriage comes to a stop and I'm roughly pulled out by the guards. Across the stream, I can see Jason and his warriors waiting. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of my ex-husband.
As we approach the stream, I can see Jason more clearly now. His face is a mask of cool detachment, but I know him well enough to sense the tension coiled beneath the surface. Our eyes meet briefly across the water, and a jolt of electricity runs through me.
Harry, Alpha Biansky's son, steps forward.
"Alpha King Jason," he calls out, his voice carrying across the stream. "We have brought the prisoner as agreed. Do you have our payment?"
Jason nods curtly. "Ten gold bars, as negotiated." He gestures to a large chest beside him. "Release Kelly Thompson, and you'll receive your ransom."
Harry's hand tightens on my arm. "The gold first," he demands.
For a moment, neither side moves. The tension in the air is palpable as the two packs stare each other down across the stream. I hold my breath, wondering if the exchange will fall apart at the last moment.
Finally, Jason nods to his beta. "Show them the gold."
The beta opens the chest, revealing the gleaming bars inside. Harry's eyes widen slightly at the sight, but he quickly schools his expression.
"Very well," he says. "Send two of your men across with the chest. Once we have verified the payment, we'll release the prisoner."
Jason agrees, and two of his warriors carefully cross the stream with the heavy chest. I watch anxiously as Harry and the gamma inspect the gold, my heart pounding. After what feels like an eternity, Harry nods.
"The payment is satisfactory," he announces. Then he turns to me, his grip on my arm loosening. "You're free to go... for now."
As the North Pack warriors step back, I hesitate for just a moment. Then, taking a deep breath, I step into the cool water of the stream. The current tugs gently at my legs as I make my way across, my eyes locked on Jason's impassive face.
When I reach the other side, Jason's beta immediately moves to flank me, as if afraid I might try to run again. But I have no intention of fleeing - not now, not when I'm so close to seeing Eden again.
"Kelly," Jason says, his voice low and controlled. "Welcome back."
I swallow hard, unsure how to respond. There's so much I want to say, so many questions I need to ask, but this isn't the time or place.
"Thank you," I manage to whisper.
Jason turns to his warriors. "Let's move out. We need to be back within our borders.
"Alpha Jason, wait!" Suddenly exclaimed the North pack's Alpha heir Harry, leaving everyone in surprise.
"You know better than anyone the rules after a deal is made. This exchange is not sealed until we shake hands. So technically Luna Kelly or Doctor Springstone, depending on how you prefer to call her, is still our prisoner. If you don't shake my hand, we have the right to come and take her back." Harry describes, causing the atmosphere to become heavier.
Jason and the rest of us turn to fix our rivals in the eyes, disbelief evident in our face. However, the North pack's heir to the throne is right, only a handshake will mark an approval of both parties.
Jason hesitates, for he's not happy with the idea of touching the palms of these widely reputed cheats without honor. Nonetheless, the stakes are high and he must leave his personal feelings aside.
Jason's eyes thus narrow as he reconsiders Harry's words. The tension in the air is palpable as everyone waits to see how the Alpha King will respond to this unexpected challenge.
After a long moment, Jason gives a curt nod. "Very well," he says, his voice tight with barely contained anger. "Let's conclude this transaction properly."
He swims courageously to the other bank of the stream, closing the distance between himself and Harry. The two men lock eyes, neither willing to show any sign of weakness. Jason extends his hand first, his movements stiff and controlled.
Harry grasps Jason's hand firmly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Alpha King," he says, his tone dripping with false sincerity.
Jason's jaw clenches, but he manages a terse nod.
"The exchange is complete. Kelly Thompson is now under the protection of the South Pack once more." He declares with emphasis.
With this, his fear is confirmed as Harry out of the blue shifts into his wolf and attacks cowardly the South pack's ruler who stumbles.
As Harry's wolf form lunges at Jason, chaos erupts on both sides of the stream. Jason manages to dodge the initial attack, but Harry's claws still catch his arm, drawing blood.
"Treachery!" Jason roars, his own wolf form bursting forth in a blur of fur and muscle.
The two alphas clash in a vicious battle, teeth snapping and claws slashing. Around them, warriors from both packs leap into action. The peaceful clearing becomes a brutal battlefield in seconds.
I stand frozen in shock, watching the violence unfold. This is exactly what I had feared - my presence causing conflict between the packs. But before I can think of what to do, strong hands grab me from behind.
"Come on!" It's Jason's beta, pulling me away from the fray. "We need to get you to safety."