Page 121 of Knot Your Fated M.U.S.E.

"Go," urgency roughens my voice as those footsteps draw closer. "Go back to Atlas. Leave with him. Understand?"

Her extraordinary eyes widen at my desperate command, surprise and relief warring in their depths at my knowledge of her connection to my pack leader.

The sight pierces my chest – this remarkable creature considering my life worth risking her freedom.

Guilt claws up my throat, decades of regret spilling forth before wisdom can silence the words.

"I'm sorry," the whispered apology makes her brow furrow in confusion. "I shouldn't have left you. In the forest. Before the van..." My voice cracks beneath the weight of memory. "Should have done something. Interfered even if it meant taking bullets. I let you slip away…a coward at best…and no matter if Ididn't know the implications, you deserved protection. Deserved salvation."

Understanding dawns in those mesmerizing eyes, recognition of our shared past transforming her expression.

That long-ago moment of connection blazes between us, time collapsing until we stand once more in that surreal valley of impossible autumn colors.

"So I'm sorry," sincerity bleeds from every word. "Now go. Back to Atlas and my pack. I'll be fine, alright?"

A final lie to secure her safety.

A noble deception to preserve her freedom.

Instead of fleeing, she launches into motion – closing the distance between us with fluid grace before spinning to face the corridor's entrance.

Her body becomes a living shield, gun raised with deadly purpose as she positions herself between me and approaching danger.

"Nyx," desperation claws through my chest. "Go!"

"Vale?" My name on her lips sends electricity racing down my spine. She glances down, emerald eyes meeting mine with an intensity that strips away pretense. "I forgive you."

Three simple words shatter what remains of my composure. Her grace, freely offered without conditions or expectations, lands like a physical blow against my heart.

Such mercy should mark the beginning of redemption, a chance to heal wounds left festering for six years.

Yet fate mocks such possibilities.

Presents salvation only to snatch it away.

The approaching footsteps grow louder, each impact marking seconds until discovery.

My treasonous body remains locked in paralysis, nerves firing useless signals to muscles that refuse commands. Everyattempt at movement sends fresh waves of agony cascading through my system.

Memories assault me with cruel precision – missed opportunities haunting these final moments. Words left unspoken when they might have mattered. Actions not taken when they could have changed everything. A lifetime of carefully maintained control crumbling to ash in death's shadow.

Never told Atlas how his leadership saved me from despair.

Never thanked Kieran for staying through my darkest days.

Never admitted to Dante how his stubborn loyalty gave me strength.

But above all these regrets towers the ultimate failure – watching Nyx disappear into that van without acting. The cowardice of choosing protocol over instinct, of allowing an omega's suffering rather than risking career and reputation.

Her forgiveness burns brighter for its undeserved nature.

She extends mercy when justice demands eternal condemnation.

Offers absolution despite years of torment that might have been prevented by one moment of courage.

Now she stands guard over my broken form, preparing to die defending the very alpha who failed to protect her. The irony carries a bitter perfection – her strength highlighting my weakness, her bravery emphasizing my cowardice.

Let death come swiftly.

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