Page 114 of Heart of the Rebel Mate

"Cassian, no!"

The first enforcer hits him like a wrecking ball, claws slicing deep across his side. His blood splatters across the dirt.

But he keeps fighting.

Another enforcer clamps down on his shoulder, shaking viciously, but Cassian twists, ripping free—leaving a chunk of his own flesh behind.

Adrian and I charge in, but Cassian turns, panting, bloody?—

And smiles.

It's small. Broken.

A goodbye.

Then he pivots and throws himself at the biggest enforcer.

They collide.

Fangs tear, bones break, but Cassian doesn't stop.

Even when the enforcer drives a blade into his side.

Even when his legs start to give.

Even when he's drowning in his own blood.

He keeps fighting.

Until—

A final slash.

The enforcer's teeth close around Cassian's throat.

And this time?—

He doesn't get back up.

Everything stops.

The battlefield fades. The sounds muffle.

All I can hear is my own ragged breath.

I take a step forward, but Adrian grabs me.

"Elara," he rasps, his grip firm, his own eyes too dark, too lost. "We can't."

Cassian's lifeless body is already being swallowed by the chaos.

I want to scream. To tear the world apart.

But I don't.

Because Cassian gave us one last gift.

A chance.

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