CHAPTER FIFY-TWO SHADOWS IN THE WOODS *MATURE CONTENT*

Alpha Yadiel --

My voice thundered through the chamber, echoing off the stone walls. "What is this Rogue?" I demanded, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. "What happened to the team I entrusted to you? And where is the Captain?"

I loomed over the rogue, my eyes burning with fury. The quivering figure fell to his knees, head hung low in shame before me. "Why have you brought this pitiful human, instead of Alpha Lexington's daughter, Stephanie?" My words hung heavy in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of my disappointment and disdain.

Rogue—

Trembling with terror and the imminent threat of death, I could feel the weight of Alpha Yadiel's disdain for incompetence bearing down on me. I was the last rogue or vampire remaining from our once formidable team, and I had no doubt that he would make a chilling example of me.

As I struggled to find my words, the fear of my impending fate choked the breath from my lungs. I had brought the wrong woman—this woman was not the on