Chapter14: The Exchange

LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S / KELLY THOMPSON'S POV After days of tense negotiations, Alpha Biansky finally agrees to release me, but at a steep price. In addition to the territorial concessions Jason offered, the North Pack demands a ransom of ten gold bars. On the day of the exchange, I'm brought from my cell and loaded into a heavily guarded carriage. Alpha Biansky's son Harry, along with their gamma and a contingent of warriors, are tasked with overseeing the handover. As we near the stream that marks the border between the two territories, my heart races. After weeks in captivity, freedom is so close I can almost taste it. But a part of me also dreads facing Jason and confronting the truth of my deception. The carriage comes to a stop and I'm roughly pulled out by the guards. Across the stream, I can see Jason and his warriors waiting. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of my ex-husband. As we approach the stream, I can see Jason more clearly now. His face is a mask of cool detach