Manbaru always had a second plan prepared, one that ensured at least his own survival. This time, that plan was his mate.
He had been confident the operation would succeed, but he never ignored the slim possibility of everything falling apart. Gorrem could fail, or Lord Agram might recover in time to aid Luke and suppress him. Anticipating that outcome, he had instructed Mila to buy him as much time as possible if the worst came to pass.
And now, his greatest fear had become reality.
"Haah... I swear I'll make you pay for everything you've done to me," he muttered between ragged breaths as he raced through the forest.
Darkness clung to him like a second skin. His magic remained active without pause, concealing his presence as he slipped from shadow to shadow. He could not afford even a single mistake now.
In the distance, he could already hear the warriors spreading through the forest, their voices growing farther apart as they searched for him.
