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I turned to her, studying the sincerity in her eyes, the unwavering faith that humbled and strengthened me. “I hope so.” Maybe I could be more than just another Song. I could be better.

My phone buzzed again, Victoria’s number flashing on the screen. This time, I answered. I checked my watch. It was just past noon. My aunt had let me stew all morning, probably gathering her forces, calculating her response. Typical. She’d always preferred to let her prey panic before she struck.

“Victoria.” My voice was ice, revealing nothing of the storm inside.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her voice was controlled, but fury bubbled beneath the surface.

“Cleaning up your mess.”

“My mess?” She laughed, the sound razor-sharp. “You naive boy. This is bigger than you understand.”

“I understand perfectly. You poisoned an entire town for profit.”

“I was strategic,” she countered. “Business requires sacrifices.”

“Not those kinds of sacrifices.” My grip tightened on the phone. “Not innocent lives.”

“Since when do you care about innocent lives, Logan? You’re a Song. Power is in our blood.”

“I’m nothing like you.” The words felt like a vow.

“You’ve declared war on your own family,” she said, her voice dropping dangerously.

“There will be consequences.” The silky threat in her voice made my wolf stand on alert.

“I made you, Logan. I know every skeleton in your closet, every weakness you’ve ever shown.

And now I know your greatest weakness wears a white coat and thinks she can save everyone. ”

My vision went red, a growl tearing from my throat. “If you so much as mention her—”

“What?” Victoria’s voice turned playful. “The big bad wolf will huff and puff? I’ve been blowing down houses since before you grew your first fang, nephew.”

My free hand curled into a fist, claws piercing my palm. Blood dripped onto the porch boards as I fought for control.

“This conversation is over,” I managed, each word clipped and guttural.

“It’s just beginning,” Victoria promised. “You’ve made your choice, nephew. Now live with it. While you can.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “By the way, I had a fascinating chat with Dr.Vance after your little visit. He seemed motivated to resolve his situation. Immediately.”

The implication hit me like a physical blow. I opened my mouth to demand answers, but the line went dead.

My body went cold with dread. My wolf recognized the sensation instantly. It was a predator’s instinct, the knowledge that somewhere, a trap waited.

Hours passed as we strategized. I made calls to my security team, reviewed maps of the mining property, while my legal team prepared documents to force an emergency shutdown. Sabrina worked alongside me, consulting with medical colleagues online about treatment protocols for the affected residents.

“We should move before dark,” I said, watching the premature twilight creeping across the valley as storm clouds swallowed the sunset.

I pulled her closer, inhaling the scent at her neck, letting it calm the wolf still pacing beneath my skin. She fit perfectly against me, her smaller frame aligning with mine as if designed for this purpose.

“She threatened you,” I murmured against her hair. “Not directly, but—”

Sabrina pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, fearless. “I’m not afraid of her.”

“You should be.” My voice roughened. “Victoria doesn’t make empty threats.”

“Neither do I.” The steel in her voice made my wolf rumble in approval. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

“We need to move now,” I said, voice hardening with resolve. “We’re shutting down that mine tonight, before Victoria can cover her tracks or Vance can do more damage.”

Sabrina nodded, her expression matching my determination. “I’ll bring everything we might need for medical emergencies.”

I pulled out my phone and sent rapid-fire texts to three different contacts. “I’m activating my security team. They’ll meet us at the access road. The sheriff owes me a favor; he’ll bring deputies. And I’ve got environmental inspectors with a hazmat team standing by.”

My mind raced through contingencies, mapping potential threats and responses. Victoria’s words about Vance being motivated suggested she’d backed him into a corner. And desperate men made unpredictable moves.

“We’ll approach from the east access road,” I continued, pulling up satellite imagery on my tablet.

“Security will secure the perimeter while we locate Vance. The environmental team can only enter once we’ve confirmed it’s safe.

” I zoomed in on the main office building.

“Vance will likely be here, gathering or destroying evidence.”

As thunder rumbled overhead, we loaded supplies into my truck. I caught Sabrina’s arm gently, turning her to face me.

“Stay close to me when we get there,” I said, not hiding the protective growl in my voice. “Vance may be Victoria’s puppet, but that makes him more dangerous, not less. He’s trapped between her threats and our investigation.”

Sabrina’s eyes met mine, her gaze unflinching, and nodded curtly. “I’ll be right beside you when you take him down.”

As we drove toward the mine, the first heavy raindrops fell. Whatever waited for us there, whatever trap my aunt and her cronies had set, we would handle it.

Because Angel Spring was mine to protect now.

Because Sabrina was becoming my heart.

And because I was fighting for something that mattered more than power or wealth. I was fighting for home.