Chapter 47: A Knife in the Back

The silver blade pressed tighter against Bella's throat, the cool metal biting into her skin, sharp enough to draw blood.

But that wasn't what made her freeze.

It wasn't fear.

It wasn't even the fact that Mikhail was standing before her, grinning like the bastard he was.

It was the scent.

The scent of the person holding the blade.

A scent she knew.

A scent that shouldn't be here.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Slowly, carefully, she turned her head.

And her entire world shattered.

"No."

It came out in a whisper. A breath. A denial.

Because standing behind her—holding the knife to her throat, betraying her in the worst way—

Was Gavin Torres.

Her friend.

One of her closest warriors.

Someone who had fought beside her, laughed with her, protected her.

And now?

Now, he was the traitor.

Gavin's golden-brown eyes were void of emotion, his grip on the blade steady, certain.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he murmured. "But I can't let you win."