“Drake…” I choked out, my voice shaking. “Does it hurt you at all watching this? Or am I just nothing now?”
No answer.
By the time it reached fifty, I couldn’t think straight. My back was soaked, blood dripping down my sides. “Fifty-five!” someone called out. My vision blurred. My body swayed.
“Stop!” Drake roared, “I said stop hitting her! Can’t you hear me? That’s enough, she can’t take it anymore!” Chains rattled as he broke free, rushing toward me.
For a second I thought, I really thought… But then—
“Drake!” Chiara screamed, “My stomach!! It hurts… something’s wrong! I think I’m losing our babies— please, help me…”
Everything froze. I felt it. That hesitation. Drake stopped. Grabbed her. “What’s wrong? Talk to me. Are you in pain? Don’t scare me like this… breathe, okay? I’m here.”
I laughed weakly.
It came out broken. So this is it… right? Another whip came down. I coughed, blood spilling from my mouth.
“Chloe!” Drake shouted. His voice sounded far away now.
Jakobi laughed, slow and cruel. “Alpha Thornhill, this is getting interesting. I’ve got a medical team ready, but you can only save one. Think carefully… are you choosing her again? Or do you finally want to change your answer?”