Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123 Accept Defeat

Chapter 123 Accept Defeat.

CADE

Everything around me faded into white noise the second those words left his mouth.

“You’ll never know what the antidote is.”

I still had him pinned to the ground, my hand clutching his throat, my fist still bloody from the last blow. His grin was wide and deranged. He looked up at me like he was invincible. And in that moment, maybe

he was

“Cade,” Bethany’s voice wavered behind me. “Cade-

I could hear the tremor in her voice, the fear in every breath.

“It’s a new poison,” she muttered. “I–I can’t name it.”

Fuck

Every instinct in me screamed to rip through him, tear his jugular open, and make him bleed for what he did. But in the end, I couldn’t do it.

“You think I’m an easy opponent?” he chuckled, lifting his head slightly higher. He wheezed, but he was still completely unafraid. “I thought this through, of course,” he added casually.

“You think I would walk in here half–cocked with no backup plan? Please.”

His eyes flicked toward Bethany, and the smile on his lips turned cruel. “I’ve been wanting to get Fenra from you for years. Isn’t it nice, Bethany? Look at you now, Weak. Sick. Still pretending to be the symbol of hope for everyone.”

Bethany said nothing, her silence sharper than any scream.

“You should go.” Winters continued. “Enjoy the last few years of your life without stress. Hand Fenra to me. I’ll spare you. Why keep fighting? Why support these idealistic children?”

He spat blood to the side. “You’re wasting your time.”

I saw Bethany’s expression dim.

But I couldn’t focus on her just yet.

I couldn’t even focus on the pain splitting through my fists or the blood dripping down his face.

All I could focus on was the rising heat in my chest.

The thought of Arden’s limp body.

“The antidote,” I snarled, tightening my grip around his throat, “Give it to me.”

He only smiled wider. “You’re not getting it from me like this.

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Chapter 123 Accept Defeat

My knuckles tightened. I pressed harder–hard enough he began to choke–but he didn’t beg. He didn plead. He wanted this.

Just then, a rush of movement crashed through the trees. Leaves scattered. I glanced up just as Rowan arrived, his wolf form crashing through the underbrush.

He didn’t even look at me. He shified quickly, and his eyes found her

“Tessa,” he whispered.

“They’ve been poisoned, Bethany choked out. “Both of them.”

Mr. Winters cackled beneath me, delighted. “I didn’t know you two were friends,” he said, enjoying himself.

He turned his head slightly, watching Rowan.

“Didn’t your parents always compare you to Cade after your brother died?”

Rowan froze.

“Pity,” Winters murmured. “You didn’t escape comparison even then. You’re always the spare. It must sting, huh?”

Rowan’s jaw tensed. He didn’t answer. But the look in his eyes was enough.

“This makes it fun,” Winters continued. “I see you’re pretty soft–hearted. Helping Cade now. If I were you. I wouldn’t bother.”

“Just kill him,” Rowan said suddenly, turning to me. “This country is better off with him dead.”

“No.” Bethany barked. “We can’t. If we kill him now, it’ll end their lives. Tessa. Arden.”

Her voice cracked. “They don’t have much time.”

I looked down at the man beneath me. The smug bastard was still smiling.

My hands trembled.

“What the fuck do you need?” I snarled.

Mr. Winters bared his teeth in a grin. I’m glad you asked.”

He coughed once, spat more blood, then looked me dead in the eyes.

“I need something,” he said smoothly. “Something only you can give.”

“Withdraw from the candidacy,” he said. “Today. Publicly. Then, I’ll give you what you need.”

My breath hitched..

“And if I don’t?”

His head tilted lazily.

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Chapter 128 Accept Defeat

“Then we can do this the hard way,” he said.

“Let them die. Keep your pride. And bury your mate while you’re at it

“No.”

I snapped my head toward Arden. She was slumped against Bethany, her skin pale, her lips dry, but her eyes were wide open, burning into mine.

“No,” she whispered again, more force behind it this time.

My chest rose and fell with the weight of everything pressing against it.

“If you do,” she whispered, “I will never forgive you.”

But in exchange, I would be giving up….

“Cade, please,” she said again, softer this time. Her strength was leaving her.

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