Chapter 1: Chapter 57: A Shadow in the Dark
That night, Bella barely made it to her room before exhaustion hit her like a wave.
Her body was sore, her muscles tight.
But she felt stronger.
She was winning.
She collapsed onto the bed, letting herself breathe.
Then—
A sound.
A whisper of movement outside her window.
Bella's eyes snapped open.
She was on her feet instantly, reaching for the dagger under her pillow.
Slowly, she moved to the window, her pulse steady, controlled.
Then—
She saw it.
A figure in the trees.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her grip tightened on the blade.
And when the moonlight hit their face—
Her breath caught.
Because it wasn't Mikhail.
It was someone else.
Someone she had never seen before.
But the look in their eyes?
It was a warning.
And just before they disappeared into the shadows—
Bella swore she heard them whisper.
"He's not the only one coming for you."