The red laser dots trembled across the fog.
One rested on Vivian's chest.
Another on Lucas's throat.
Three more moved slowly across Jamo's massive wolf form.
The message was clear.
Move… and die.
Director Adrian Vale stood calmly at the center of the pier as if this entire moment had been carefully scheduled.
"Now," Vale said softly, "let's all make intelligent decisions."
The wind off the water carried the scent of gun oil and silver.
Vivian felt it burn in the back of her throat.
Silver bullets.
Not meant to wound wolves.
Meant to kill them.
Jamo's wolf growled low, a deep vibration that rattled the wooden boards beneath his paws.
Vale glanced at him with mild interest.
"I wouldn't do that," he said calmly. "My snipers are extremely nervous people."
Lucas spoke quietly without turning his head.
"They're not nervous."
"No?"
"They're professionals."
Vale smiled.
"See? That's why I enjoyed working with you."
Vivian's head snapped toward Lucas.
"Working with him?"
Lucas ignored her.
"Get to the point, Vale."
Vale clasped his hands behind his back again and slowly walked across the pier.
"I came for something very simple."
His eyes landed on Vivian.
"You."
Vivian stiffened.
Lucas's voice turned dangerous.
"Not happening."
Vale sighed like a disappointed teacher.
"Lucas, you've been ruining my business for two years. Tonight was supposed to solve that problem."
His gaze moved between them.
"But instead… you brought me something better."
Vivian's heart pounded.
"Why do you want me?"
Vale chuckled.
"Your brother never told you?"
Lucas's voice cut in.
"Don't."
Vale raised an eyebrow.
"Still keeping secrets?"
Vivian's patience snapped.
"Someone explain what's going on!"
Vale looked pleased.
"Very well."
He gestured toward Lucas.
"Your brother built Black Unit to infiltrate trafficking networks."
Vivian already knew that part.
"But during that process," Vale continued, "he discovered something fascinating."
Lucas's jaw tightened.
Vale's eyes returned to Vivian.
"You."
Vivian frowned.
"What about me?"
Vale smiled slowly.
"You're not just a lone wolf hunter, Vivian Black."
A chill ran down her spine.
Lucas muttered, "Vale…"
But Vale ignored him.
"You're a Lorewolf."
The word echoed through the fog.
Vivian's stomach dropped.
Jamo's golden eyes shifted toward her.
Lucas looked furious.
"Enough."
Vale continued anyway.
"Lorewolves are rare," he said calmly. "Ancient bloodlines. Wolves that can move outside pack influence."
Vivian's hands trembled slightly.
She had spent years hiding what she was.
Years making sure no one knew.
Vale's voice turned softer.
"And that makes you incredibly valuable."
Jamo's growl deepened.
"You're not taking her."
Vale tilted his head.
"And what exactly are you going to do about it, Alpha?"
The red laser sights tightened across Jamo's body.
Vale gestured slightly.
"Twenty snipers," he said casually. "All using silver rounds."
Jamo didn't move.
Vale's gaze shifted back to Lucas.
"Which brings us to the interesting part."
Lucas looked like he wanted to tear Vale apart.
"You made a deal with me once," Vale continued.
Vivian's head turned sharply.
Lucas said nothing.
Vale's smile widened.
"You promised to deliver the Lorewolf."
Silence crushed the pier.
Vivian stared at Lucas.
"You… what?"
Lucas's voice came out low.
"That was before."
Vale shrugged.
"A deal is a deal."
Jamo's eyes moved slowly toward Lucas.
"Explain."
Lucas exhaled heavily.
"Two years ago Vale captured dozens of wolves across three territories."
Vale corrected him casually.
"Forty-seven."
Lucas ignored him.
"I needed time to free them."
Vivian felt sick.
"So you promised him me?"
Lucas met her eyes.
"I never intended to keep that promise."
"But you made it."
"Yes."
The word felt like a knife.
Vale clapped slowly.
"Such honesty. I love dramatic reunions."
Vivian stepped back from Lucas.
"You sold me."
Lucas shook his head.
"I bought time."
"For yourself?"
"For everyone he captured."
Vale yawned.
"This conversation is getting repetitive."
He lifted his hand slightly.
The red laser sights tightened.
"Here's how tonight ends."
He pointed toward Vivian.
"She comes with me."
Then toward Jamo.
"The Alpha and his pack walk away."
Finally toward Lucas.
"And you…"
His smile sharpened.
"…die."
Jamo's wolf growled violently.
Vivian's mind raced.
If she refused…
Vale would open fire.
Jamo's wolves would die.
Lucas would die.
Maybe her too.
Vale was watching her carefully.
He knew it.
He knew the decision was hers.
Vivian felt something break inside her chest.
Slowly…
She raised her hands.
"I'll go."
Lucas turned sharply.
"No."
Jamo stepped forward.
"Absolutely not."
Vale looked delighted.
"A wise choice."
Vivian ignored them both.
Her voice stayed steady.
"You get me."
Vale nodded.
"Yes."
"You let them walk."
"Of course."
Lucas grabbed her arm.
"You don't trust him."
"No," she said quietly.
"Then don't do this."
Vivian looked into his eyes.
"You made the deal."
Lucas flinched slightly.
Jamo's voice rumbled.
"Vivian."
She turned to him.
"If you fight them, your wolves die."
Jamo didn't respond.
But the tension in his body said everything.
Vale checked his watch.
"Time is running out."
Vivian stepped forward toward him.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
Lucas's voice followed her.
"You're making a mistake."
She stopped.
Then said something that shocked both men.
"Maybe."
She kept walking.
Vale's smile grew wider with every step.
Jamo's claws dug into the pier.
Lucas looked like he was about to explode.
Vivian finally stopped beside Vale.
He leaned closer.
"Smart girl."
But then—
Vivian whispered something only he could hear.
Vale's smile froze.
His eyes flickered with sudden surprise.
Across the pier, Lucas noticed.
Jamo noticed too.
Vale's voice came out slower now.
"…Interesting."
He looked at Vivian again.
"Are you sure about that?"
Vivian's expression didn't change.
"Yes."
Vale straightened.
Then raised his hand.
The snipers adjusted their aim.
Jamo's wolf tensed.
Lucas stepped forward slightly.
Vale looked between them.
And laughed softly.
"Well."
He turned to his soldiers.
"Looks like the game just changed."
No one moved.
No one breathed.
And then
Vale gave the order.
"Take them."
Gunfire exploded across the pier.
And Vivian realized something horrifying.
Vale hadn't ordered them to take her.
He had ordered them to take everyone.