Arabe scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to escape from Sandro. She stumbled over a stray branch and nearly fell but managed to regain her bnce before he could lunge toward her, effectively blocking her path.


    In a sudden burst of aggression, Sandro grabbed her by the hair, yanking her back with such force that Arabe felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Gasping in pain, she staggered backward, her head spinning from the abrupt impact.


    Before she could fully gather her senses, Sandro thrust her against a nearby tree, her body colliding with its rough bark. The coarse surface scraped her skin, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.


    Sandro’s hot breath prickled on Arabe’s neck as he snarled. His fingers traced her cheek in a way that made her skin crawl.


    “Why did you think you could escape me?” Sandro’s voice dripped with cold menace; his eyes narrowed with fury.


    Her heart raced as she grasped the grim reality – she was trapped, and Sandro had absolute control over her. Orga had been right; he had sensed the danger, but her stubbornness had overridden his warning.


    “Let me go!” Despite the sharp pain shooting across her scalp, Arabe fought to maintain herposure. She knew disying any sign of weakness would only stoke Sandro’s anger, potentially leading to more harm.


    Her hands trembled as she reached up to touch her hair, feeling the tangled strands Sandro had mped onto. She tried to steady her breathing, lowering her gaze to avoid further confrontation.


    Sandro leaned in close, his eyes glinting. “You should have stayed put, Arabe. But since you didn’t, tell me, what fate should befall you now that I’ve tracked you down? Should I snap my fingers and have you killed?” Malice dripped from his words, and she shuddered at the dark possibilities his capabilities hinted at.


    As Sandro spoke, Arabe caught the sound of shuffling feet around her. She had been so fixated on Sandro that the presence of others had eluded her. Her heart sank as the realization set in: it wasn’t just Janice and Alessia apanying Sandro, but also ten of his soldiers.


    Panic surged within her as she saw ze being held down, a spear aimed threateningly at his heart.


    “Lower that spear!” Arabemanded. Her eyes darted around the group of soldiers, a challenge in her gaze as she dared them to take action. She was determined to shield ze, regardless of her difficult circumstances.


    Sandro’s snide chuckle twisted Arabe’s stomach. “Or else?” he jeered, leaning dangerously close to her face. “Seems you’ve forgotten how difficult I can be. And-” He whispered.


    Sandro shifted his attention to ze with disdain. “That bastard over there will shoulder the consequences. Unbelievable that I’ve provided refuge to such filth!” His lip curled with scorn.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ze’s heart sank as he realized that Sandro had uncovered not only his true identity but also his connection to Thalia. She must have divulged everything, even their sibling rtionship. The disdain in Sandro’s tone and the contempt in his gaze left ze acutely aware of the imminent danger he faced.


    Mixed emotions of anger and guilt surged in ze towards Thalia for exposing his location to Sandro. He desired to be angry for her breach of trust, yet he acknowledged his abrupt departure without a word, wondering what sort of threats Sandro employed to extract information from her. Regardless of his feelings toward Thalia, his primary concern rested with Arabe’s and his own safety.


    “Release Arabe,” ze asserted firmly, his voice tinged with an underlying desperation. “It’s me you want. I’m at your mercy.”


    Sandro redirected his gaze at ze, his eyes narrowing as an evil, sadistic grin crept across his lips. “Think I need a monstrosity like you? You’re nothing but a betrayer, ze. Count yourself lucky, my mood is cheerful today, and I don’t fancy shedding blood.”


    ze clenched his fists, fury surging within him at the insult. Yet, he understood the stupidity of provoking Sandro.


    Arabe, meanwhile, disyed visible fear, but she struggled to conceal it beneath a facade of confidence. Despite Sandro’s tightening grip on her, she let out a small giggle. “An actual monster calling a pure-hearted man a monster. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”


    Sandro’s face contorted in anger as he addressed Arabe, his words seething with venom. “Laugh all you want, darling. You’re about to face a world of punishment. Not only have you been sleeping with my Beta behind my back, but you also made him betray me. You have no idea how unforgivable that is.”


    “I’m not asking for your forgiveness! And honestly, fucking ze is actually better than being with you…”


    Before she could finish her taunt, Sandro’s grip tightened around her neck, silencing her words and cutting off her air supply. Panic set in as Arabe struggled to break free from his grasp, but Sandro’s strength was overwhelming.


    Suddenly, Arabe’s eyes ignited in a brilliant shade of green, and she red at Sandro with fierce intensity. Power surged and raged within her, a force to be reckoned with.


    In an instant, Sandro was flung backward, crashing into a nearby tree with tremendous force. He groaned in pain, attempting to regain his bearings, shocked by her strength.


    Still radiating the green glow from her eyes, Arabe rose to her feet and stepped towards Sandro. “Sandro, you might be the Alpha, but you’re not the only one with power. You can’t control me, and you certainly can’t control ze.” Her voice resonated with confidence and determination.


    Sandro stared at Arabe in disbelief as she approached him with what he interpreted as a newfound confidence. She seemed like apletely different person, emitting a power that he had never felt emanate from her before.


    “What are you? Am I right in thinking you’re a witch?” he inquired, furrowing his brow as he struggled to stand.


    “I am more than a witch,” Arabe replied, her voice dripping with authoritative allure. She moved closer to ze and Sandro’s soldiers, each step exuding a scary intensity. Her eyes shone with an almost otherworldly gleam.


    A mixture of curiosity and suspicion swirled in Sandro’s mind, his forehead creasing as he observed Arabe’s approach toward his soldiers and ze. His gaze darted back and forth between the two figures.


    “Release him,” shemanded, her voice low and forceful, her steely re fixed upon Sandro’s soldiers. “Now.”


    The soldiers hesitated briefly, casting wary nces among themselves, before finally stepping away from ze, relinquishing their hold on him.


    ze moved forward, positioning himself beside her, prepared to fight if necessary.


    Sandro advanced toward Arabe; she shot him a warning look, but he stood his ground. His determination to take her with him remained unshaken. Her disy of power had not rattled him; it paled inparison to what he believed he could unleash.


    “Whatever you are, I do not care. I am an Alpha, and mymands must be obeyed!” Sandro yelled with raw anger. “Seize them both!” he bellowed, his voice resonating with authority.