Page 35 of Knox's Fate

“You’ve got a lot of nerve,” Knox murmured, his voice a deadly whisper, “coming into my territory unannounced. Thought you could get away with it?”

The rogue shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around the compound’s dimly lit interrogation room. Not all shifter compounds had an interrogation room, but Knox felt that no place worth living was complete without one. It might seem barbaric to some, but he liked having a place he could question someone he considered a threat without legal interference. Hewanted answers before he turned the two men they’d captured over to the sheriff, who could house them long term. Two of Knox’s men flanked the doorway, their expressions grim and unwavering as they kept a close watch. In another room nearby, the second attacker was being treated by the medics under heavy guard, his wounds deep but stabilized enough to keep him alive—if only to serve as leverage.

The man sneered, his voice laced with defiance. “You think we came here looking for your territory or some of your she-bears?”

Knox laughed. “Our she-bears would tear you apart, and you couldn’t hold my territory.”

The man paled, but then seemed to regain his confidence as he leaned forward as much as the restraints would allow, the chains clinking against the metal table between them. “You’re wrong, Wilder. We’re here for something far more valuable.”

Knox felt a flash of anger spark in his chest. His patience was wearing thin, the need for answers pressing against his instincts. He forced a calm expression, leaning back and crossing his arms, letting his gaze bore into the rogue’s eyes. “If you’re not here for territory or mates, then why risk coming here?” His voice was as cold as steel. “What’s so valuable you’d risk your lives for it?”

The rogue’s mouth twisted into a dark smile. “You know what we want,” he said with a glint in his eye.

Knox felt his body tense, and the air between them grew heavy. A thousand possibilities flashed through his mind, each more infuriating than the last. He leaned forward, his voice low and deadly. “If you’re playing games, you won’t live to regret it. Who sent you? And why come after us?”

The rogue lifted his chin defiantly. “You know the answer to that. We want the treasure. The one the Clearwater family left behind. The one you’ve been so intent on keeping hidden.”

Knox’s jaw clenched.Ruby.This was about her, then. He’d sensed it, felt it in his bones the moment he’d heard of the attack. But the man’s words confirmed his worst fears. They weren’t just after him, his she-bears, or his territory—they were after Ruby and whatever secrets her aunt had left her.

Knox’s grip tightened on the edge of the table, and he felt his teeth grit as he fought to keep his composure. “You think you’re going to waltz into my territory, mess with what’s mine, and leave in one piece?” His voice was a lethal whisper, each word carrying the promise of retribution. “You and your friends are fools.”

But the man only laughed, low and mocking. “You’re not invincible, Wilder. You’ve got plenty of enemies out there. Plenty of people who’d like to get their hands on that treasure. This little fortress of yours can only hold for so long. And when it crumbles, that girl and the treasure her aunt left her will be ours.”

Knox’s hand shot out, grabbing the man’s collar and pulling him forward until they were mere inches apart. “Let me make something very clear,” he growled, his voice thick with rage. “If you or anyone else touches her, there won’t be a place on this earth where you’ll be safe. You hear me?”

The rogue’s smirk faded, a flicker of fear passing through his eyes. But he quickly masked it, pressing his lips together defiantly. Knox released him, shoving him back into his chair with a growl. He glanced at one of his men by the door. “Get more shackles on him. If he tries anything, end him.”

The man nodded, moving toward the table with an additional set of chains, securing the rogue further. Knox stepped back, trying to keep his anger in check. The more this man withheld, the more Knox’s blood boiled, every passing second only adding to his frustration.

But just as he was about to press the man further, the man’s cell phone buzzed on the table between them. Knox glanced at it, noticing a new text notification lighting up the screen. The message preview showed just enough to send his heart into his throat

Got her. Don’t worry, she’ll talk.

His entire body went rigid, his mind racing. He reached for the phone, his eyes narrowing as he turned it toward the rogue, letting him see the message. “You know this number?” he asked coldly, his voice barely above a whisper, but thick with restrained fury.

The rogue’s eyes flickered to the screen, and though he tried to keep his expression neutral, Knox could see the recognition there. He knew the sender, and judging by the look on his face, he knew exactly what they had planned.

Knox held the phone closer, his tone sharp and uncompromising. “Is this a friend of yours?” he asked, his gaze unwavering. “Because if she’s not brought back safe and sound, you’ll be responsible for what happens next. Now pick up that phone,” he demanded, his voice cutting through the room like a blade, “and make sure she’s unharmed. Tell your buddy you’ll meet him—tonight.”

The rogue hesitated, his hands bound and trembling slightly as he glanced at the phone. Knox’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched as he held back the urge to grab the man and shake him until he got the answers he needed. “If you want you and your friend to live through this, you’ll make that call,” he said, voice low and deadly.

“You’re not going to do anything more than hand us over to that sheriff in town. You’re too honorable.”

“Hurt him,” Knox called to the men in the room next door, and the other shifter screamed. He refocused on the pale face of the man he was interrogating. “If Ruby has even a scratch on her, I’ll make sure you pay for it. Slowly. Then I’ll start on him.”

With reluctance, the rogue picked up the phone, his shackled hands fumbling to press the call button. Knox watched him, his entire body tense, barely holding back the need to lash out, to tear through every barrier that separated him from Ruby. Every instinct screamed to go to her, to find her himself, but he forced himself to stay put, knowing that if he left now, he could lose whatever advantage he still held over this man.

The phone rang once, twice, before a low voice answered on the other end. “Yeah?”

The rogue looked up at Knox, and Knox nodded, giving him a silent command to speak. “Hey, it’s me,” the rogue said, his tone flat and betraying none of the fear that Knox could see in his eyes. “I… we need to meet. Change of plans.”

A brief pause. “What for?” the voice on the other end demanded, suspicion clear in his tone.

The rogue swallowed, his gaze darting to Knox before he continued. “Just… we need to talk, all right? Somewhere secure. I don’t want any more mistakes.”

Knox leaned forward, his presence a looming threat over the man, his eyes locked on him like a predator watching his prey. “Tell him it’s urgent and to bring the girl,” he murmured softly, his voice a low command that brooked no argument.

The rogue hesitated, then nodded, relaying the message. “It’s urgent. We can’t wait. The boss wants an update on… the girl and what she knows. He’s not happy with how things went down with her aunt. You’ll need to bring the girl.”

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