Romance

  Celena&#39;s Perspective
  Something... shattered.
  Through that warm field of the soul that connects all of us, a bone-chilling wave suddenly swept over. &nbsp;Sadness, like a soaked blanket covering the mouth and nose, pain, sharp as shards of glass stirring, and... fear, a heavy and guilt-ridden fear. 
  My heart skipped a beat. What happened? Jacob? Lily?
  “What&#39;s wrong, everyone?” I tentatively probed the link, as if touching fragile butterfly wings. No response. There was only a oppressive silence, so heavy that it was suffocating. The link remained, but it felt... distant, as if I were separated by an invisible glass barrier.
  “Jacob?” I tried again, calling the name that brought me comfort, the one I subconsciously believed was bound to my fate. What came back through the link was... chaotic darkness, intense physical pain, and a deeper, swampy emotion I couldn&#39;t fat

  Celena&#39;s Perspective
  Brett was dead.
  This struck my mind like a heavy hammer, reverberating repeatedly, yet I couldn&#39;t truly understand it. How could that be? That Brett who always wore a helpless smile, secretly brought me food and medicine, and told me in my darkest years that there was still sunshine and forests outside? The Brett who told me, &quot;Live on, Celena, just for yourself&quot;? Even my name was given to me by him. &nbsp;
  My heart felt as if it were being clutched by an invisible hand, aching so much that I couldn&#39;t breathe. Fragments of memory uncontrollably welled up: the cold and damp stone walls of the dungeon, Brett&#39;s focused profile as he carefully treated my wound, his low voice telling me stories about the outside world, about the city, about freedom, and the silent clenched and loosened fists when he was mocked by his fellow hunters for bei

  Lily&#39;s Perspective
  The hunters&#39; convoy was more vigilant than we had imagined. &nbsp;They were not driving fast. From the sunroofs of each car, shooters armed with shotguns were peeking out, their eyes scanning the roadsides like those of eagles and falcons.
  Damn professionals.
  My fingers were tightly clasped to the ground, my limbs were gathering strength, and my breathing was gentle. &nbsp;We had&nbsp;the geographical advantage, but forcing an&nbsp;attack was still extremely risky. &nbsp;
  Just then, I noticed that the rear window of the car in the middle was not closed tightly. Vaguely, I could see a figure tied up and with its head lowered. &nbsp;
  It was Brett! He was alive, but looked utterly wrecked.
  “Spotted Brett,” I growled through the wolf pack link.
  In that instant, one hunter seemed to sense something. The muzzle of his rifle whipped toward our hiding s

Celena&#39;s Perspective
  Something... shattered.
  Through that warm field of the soul that connects all of us, a bone-chilling wave suddenly swept over. &nbsp;Sadness, like a soaked blanket covering the mouth and nose, pain, sharp as shards of glass stirring, and... fear, a heavy and guilt-ridden fear. 
  My heart skipped a beat. What happened? Jacob? Lily?
  “What&#39;s wrong, everyone?” I tentatively probed the link, as if touching fragile butterfly wings. No response. There was only a oppressive silence, so heavy that it was suffocating. The link remained, but it felt... distant, as if I were separated by an invisible glass barrier.
  “Jacob?” I tried again, calling the name that brought me comfort, the one I subconsciously believed was bound to my fate. What came back through the link was... chaotic darkness, intense physical pain, and a deeper, swampy emotion I couldn&#39;t fathom. He had shut himself off.
  Panic began to coil around my heart like a vine. Finally, Lily&#

Chapter 184