Chapter 240

Evelyn’s PoV My heart felt torn as I sank my eyes into my mother’s still figure. The Wolf Mother, Serena, lay on the ground unconscious and barely breathing. The silver dagger placed in her chest was a cruel reminder of my impossible choice. Odessa's voice sounded cold on my skin. "You know the terms, girl. Come with me, and she lives. Stay here, and she dies before your eyes." My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palm to hold back the inevitable breakdown. The pack barely breathed. They simply waited. I wanted someone to stop me; I wanted someone to throw themselves in the line of fire and say this was pointless. But there they stood in silence. "Evelyn!" Marcus's voice broke the silence. There was desperation in it, something pleading, something that turned my stomach. I turned to him, and my heart shattered at the pain in his eyes, as though he watched me dying in front of him. "Promise me," I whispered, my throat tight. "Promise me that you won't come after me." His