Chapter 9

The moment Madeline lunged, the world blurred into chaos.

Victor sidestepped her attack with inhuman speed, his smirk unfaltering. She barely had time to pivot before he struck—a brutal backhand that sent her sprawling against the stone wall. 

Pain exploded in her ribs, but she gritted her teeth and pushed herself up.

"I expected more from you," Victor sneered.

Domenico was already moving, shifting into his half-wolf form, his claws gleaming under the torchlight. He charged at Victor, but two guards blocked his path, their snarls reverberating through the corridor.

Luca was still fumbling with the lock, his hands moving quickly, but the tension in his face was evident.

"We don't have time for this!" Hugo growled, pulling out a concealed knife and launching it at one of Victor's men. The blade found its mark, embedding deep into the guard's throat.

Victor barely flinched. "Sloppy."

He turned his face back to Madeline, his golden eyes glowing. "But I suppose you're desperate."

Madeline steadied her breath, her fingers curling into fists. "You have no idea."

With a snarl, she surged forward again, ducking low this time. Victor reached for her, but she twisted beneath his grasp, driving her elbow into his ribs. His breath hitched—a fraction of a second, but it was enough.

Domenico took advantage, slashing his claws across Victor's chest. Blood sprayed, dark against his pale shirt, but Victor only staggered back, his expression shifting from amusement to fury.

"You'll regret that."

He moved impossibly fast, kicking Domenico in the chest and sending him crashing into the opposite wall. The force cracked the stone, and Domenico groaned as he slumped forward.

But Luca had done it—the lock clicked, and the iron door swung open.

Madeline didn't hesitate. "Ivan!"

Her son ran into her arms, his small body trembling. "Mom, I knew you'd come."

Tears burned at the edges of her vision, but there was no time. She scooped him up, turning back toward the fight.

Hugo had engaged another guard, their weapons clashing in metallic bursts. Blood dripped from his forehead, but he showed no signs of slowing.

Domenico was back on his feet, his breath ragged, his eyes wild with rage.

And Victor… he was laughing.

"You think this changes anything?" he taunted. "Even if you escape, I'll find you again. And next time, I won't be so lenient."

Madeline's jaw tightened. She wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his face, but Ivan was in her arms—she couldn't risk it.

Luca grabbed her wrist. "We have to go. Now."

She hesitated.

Domenico caught her. "Get Ivan out of here. We'll cover you."

She hated it, but she knew he was right.

Hugo knocked out the last guard with a vicious blow to the skull. "Go! We'll be right behind you."

Madeline ran.

She sprinted through the dark corridors, Ivan clinging to her neck. Luca was ahead of her, guiding the way. The fortress was a labyrinth, but he knew the exits.

Footsteps pounded behind them—more guards.

Madeline didn't look back. She pushed forward, her lungs burning, her only focus on getting Ivan to safety.

They burst through a side door into the open air. The cold night wind hit her skin, shocking after the damp heat of the fortress.

Luca didn't slow. "There's a car waiting just down the hill. Keep running!"

Madeline's legs ached, but she held Ivan tighter and pushed forward.

Then—gunfire.

Bullets peppered the ground near their feet. She skidded, nearly losing her balance.

"Get down!" Luca shoved her toward the trees, pulling out a gun of his own and firing back.

More guards emerged from the fortress, their weapons trained on them.

Madeline ducked behind a fallen log, shielding Ivan with her body. His little fingers dug into her shirt, his breath ragged with fear.

"It's okay, baby," she whispered. "I've got you."

Luca was still firing, but they were outnumbered.

Then—a roar.

Domenico.

He crashed through the tree line, his half-shifted form a blur of movement. He tackled one of the gunmen, his claws tearing through flesh.

Hugo wasn't far behind, taking down another guard with a precise shot to the head.

The tide shifted.

Madeline seized the moment. "Luca, the car!"

Luca nodded, breaking into a sprint.

Domenico and Hugo fought to keep the guards at bay as Madeline ran, Ivan clinging to her.

The car was waiting, just as Luca had promised. Catherine sat in the driver's seat, her eyes wide as she saw them approaching.

"Get in!" she shouted.

Madeline yanked the door open, shoving Ivan inside before climbing in after him.

Luca followed, slamming the door behind him. 

"Go, go, go!"

Catherine didn't hesitate. The tires screeched against the dirt as she floored the gas.

The fortress grew smaller in the distance.

Hugo and Domenico were still out there.

"We have to go back for them."

Luca's face was grim. "They'll make it."

She wanted to believe that. She needed to.

The car sped through the mountain roads. Ivan was curled against her, his little fingers still clutching her arm.

She pressed a kiss to his hair. "I've got you now my baby."

He nodded against her, his voice small. "I knew you'd come."

Madeline swallowed the lump in her throat. No matter what, she would never let anyone take him away from her again.

And as the car raced into the night, she made a silent promise.

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.