Chapter 286

286 From Mara’s Angle

Mara

Martha and I barely had time to pack. We moved fast-stripped down to the essentials. Speed was everything. I’ve never liked traveling by road, but flying wasn’t an option, and time was running out.

The women, though? They were buzzing with energy. You’d think I handed them real military ranks the way they reacted-but that was the point. Give them structure, give them purpose, and they’d find their fire. And they did. The thought of facing Alaric lit something in them. Many of them had history with the bastard. If they caught him alone, there’d be no mercy. And honestly? I couldn’t blame them. Alaric hadn’t just burned bridges-he’d salted the earth. No wonder he kept to the shadows. Cowards always do.

As we crammed into the transports, I stood up to address them one last time before we hit the road.

“Ladies,” I said, raising my voice so it cut through the chatter. “I know we’re fired up. I know we’re ready to throw down. But hear me-everyone not with us is fair game… except Alaric. He doesn’t get an easy death. He gets to bleed first. Hurt. Then we bring him in. Understood?”

A chorus of cheers. Agreement. Bloodlust barely restrained.