~Annalyn POV~
The cold wind slapped my cheek as Matteo dragged me through the long corridor, his grip hot and tight on my hand, my breath tangled, my heart twisted.
"Matteo…" I whispered, "how did you even find me?"
His jaw was tense, his eyes burning as he pulled me faster. "I saw Celix lying unconscious in the bathroom, naked and there's blood on his wrist. And Lucas… Lucas wasn't himself, I knew something was wrong because you were nowhere to be found. Tell me, Annalyn, did you do all that just to run away?"
I shook my head, chest rising painfully. "No, it wasn't me, it was her! That stupid ancient wolf… she forced herself out."
Matteo's lips pressed thin, his eyes clouded. "We need to get inside the mansion before Ezra catches up."
I paused, my legs trembled and my voice broke. "Matteo… please, I want to see my mother. Can you let me go? I promise I'll come back."
His eyes flickered, pain showing through. "You can't go back home."
