Page 97 of Heart of the Rebel Mate

His nostrils flare. "I've been keeping us alive."

"By what? Selling us out?"

"You think everything is black and white?" His voice rises now, matching mine. "You think we're just going to charge into war and magically come out victorious? There's more at play here than you understand."

I step right into his space, the tension crackling between us. "No. What I understand is that people are dead because of what you didn't tell us."

His gaze flickers. Just for a second. But I see it.

Doubt.

Regret.

Guilt.

Then, just as quickly, it's gone.

Cassian straightens, expression hardening. "You're letting your emotions get in the way, Adrian." His voice lowers, almost mocking. "Or is this really about the rebellion? Because from where I'm standing, you're thinking more with your dick than your head."

The words hit. My hands clench so hard my nails dig into my palms.

This isn't just about me. Or Elara.

This is about everything.

And Cassian just drew a line between us.

By the time I return to the base, dawn is creeping over the horizon, casting long shadows through the crumbling walls. The air is thick with the lingering scent of smoke and blood, but there's something else now—something stronger. Determination.

The rebels move with purpose, reinforcing weak points, treating the wounded, strategizing. The Council tried to break us, but all they did was forge something stronger.

And at the center of it all is Elara.

She stands atop a stack of crates, speaking to the gathered rebels, her voice carrying through the ruins like fire on the wind.

"They think we're beaten," she says, gaze sharp, shoulders squared. "They think this was enough to break us—to scare us into submission. But they don't understand what we've built here."

A murmur of agreement spreads through the crowd.

"They don't understand that every time they try to crush us, we only rise stronger." Her eyes sweep across the rebels, meeting each of them with unwavering conviction. "We are still here. We are still fighting. And I promise you—we will win."

A chorus of voices erupts in response.

Fists raised. Eyes burning with the same fire she carries.

Even after everything—the attack, the losses, the doubt—she still stands tall, unshaken.

She is the rebellion.

I grip the intercepted intelligence tighter in my hand. The documents we stole hold answers—secrets the Council never wanted us to see. And somewhere in the middle of it all, Cassian's betrayal lurks like a shadow.

I don't know what his endgame is. Not yet. But I do know this:

The rebellion's future, Elara's safety, everything we've fought for—they rest on the truth.

And I'll burn through whoever I have to in order to find it.

CHAPTER 26

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