Free Web NovelChapter 72: Chapter 72
Riley’s POV
I froze when I heard his voice because it was loud and deep, and it carried so much power that it felt like it pushed the air out of my lungs.
Everything around me seemed to stop at that moment. Even the guards who had been moving suddenly stood still, and the tension in the area grew so heavy that I could almost feel it pressing down on my shoulders.
My fingers curled tightly into the fabric of my dress as I slowly turned to look at him.
Sebastian was already walking toward us, and the closer he came, the more my body reacted in ways I could not control.
My heart began to beat faster, and my stomach twisted with unease. I had seen him before, but standing this close to him made me understand why everyone feared and respected him so much.
There was something cold in his eyes, something that made me feel like he was looking straight through me instead of at me.
Cane and Caden moved slightly closer to me without saying anything, but I noticed the way their shoulders became stiff, and the way their eyes stayed fixed on him. They were alert and tense, and that made me even more nervous because if they were even cautious around him, then I had every reason to be afraid.
Sebastian stopped a few steps in front of me, and for a moment he did not say anything. He just looked at me in a way that made my skin recoil.
His gaze moved slowly from my face down to my hands, and I tried to stop myself from pulling my wrists behind my back. I was suddenly very aware of the place where the mark had been. Even though it was no longer visible, I felt like he could still see it. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Then he began to walk around me in a slow circle, and I had to fight the urge to turn and keep him in my sight because something about having him behind me made me uncomfortable.
My breathing became shallow, and I could feel sweat forming in my palms.
"So you’re really determined to do this?" he asked, his voice calm but sharp at the same time.
I swallowed, and my throat felt dry. I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out at first.
"Yes," I finally said, even though my voice was not as steady as I wanted it to be.
He stopped behind me, and I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. The silence stretched, and it made my nerves worse.
"Do you even know what you are walking into?" he asked.
I turned slowly to face him again. "I do."
His lips curved slightly, but it was not a kind smile. It looked more like he found something amusing.
"No," he said quietly. "You do not know enough. They have told you only what they want you to hear because they need you to go."
I felt something twist in my chest at his words. I looked at Cane and Caden, but they said nothing. Their silence made doubt creep into my mind, and I hated that it did.
Sebastian stepped closer, and I had to stop myself from stepping back.
"The Rite of the Borrowed Moon is not a test of courage," he continued. "It is a place where most people lose their lives. Even strong wolves hesitate when they hear about it, yet here you are, a girl who only recently learned about this world, preparing to face things that have killed trained fighters."
My heart pounded harder, and my hands began to shake slightly.
"I am not going back still," I said, but it sounded weak.
He leaned a little closer. "That is because you do not understand. Let me explain it to you properly."
Caden’s jaw tightened. "That is enough." freewēbnoveℓ.com
Sebastian did not even look at him. "No, it is not enough. She deserves to know the truth."
His eyes returned to me, and I felt trapped.
"In that place, there are creatures that do not think, do not feel, and do not stop. They tear apart anyone they catch. They do not give second chances. They do not show mercy. Your senses will confuse you. You will not know what is real and what is not."
My breath hitched.
"You will hear voices calling your name. You will see people you trust. You will feel pain that is not there. And if you hesitate even for a moment, you will die."
The way he spoke was slow and clear, and every word made my fear grow.
I looked at Cane. "Is that true?"
He did not answer immediately, and that scared me more than anything.
"Riley," he said gently, "you only need to focus on surviving. Do not let his words disturb you."
But that was not enough. I could see something in his eyes, and it made my chest tighten.
Sebastian noticed my reaction, and his smile grew.
"Look at you," he said. "They are sending you to face death, yet they cannot even promise you that you will return."
My vision blurred slightly, and I clenched my fists.
"I can do it," I said, but my voice trembled.
"Can you?" he asked. "Or are you simply trying to prove something to people who do not value your life?"
"That is not true," I said quickly, but doubt had already entered my mind.
He stepped even closer, and I could feel the pressure of his presence.
"Why do you think they are so calm?" he asked softly. "Why do you think they are not afraid for you? Because if you fail, nothing changes for them. They lose nothing."
"That is not true!" I repeated, louder this time.
But the words felt hollow, and I hated that he could see it.
"You are alone in this," he said. "And when the time comes, no one will be there to save you."
My heart hurt, and I felt tears gather in my eyes.
His words struck me like a slap. Memories I had tried to forget rushed back, and my chest tightened painfully.
Silence filled the space, and Sebastian watched us with satisfaction.
"You see?" he said. "You are just a pawn in their plans."
"And after the Rite, if you survive, they will continue to use you until you have nothing left."
My hands shook badly now, and I felt my courage slipping away.
"I... I don’t know if I can do this," I admitted.
The moment the words left my mouth, I felt ashamed, but the fear was too strong.
Sebastian’s expression softened slightly, and his voice became almost gentle.
"It is not too late to refuse," he said. "You can walk away now. No one can force you. You deserve a normal life. You deserve peace. Go back to being Riley Grayson CEO"
For a moment, his words sounded comforting, and I almost believed him.
I looked down, my chest rising and falling quickly.
"I don’t want to die," I said.
The silence that followed was heavy.
Then suddenly, Caden stepped forward, and his voice cut through everything.
"We will not allow you to discourage her, Sebastian."
I looked up in surprise.
Sebastian’s eyes darkened. "Discourage? I am telling her the truth."
"You are manipulating her," Caden replied coldly.
"Am I?" Sebastian asked. "Or are you sending her to her death because it benefits you?"
Cane moved beside Caden, his expression hard.
"That is enough Father"
Sebastian laughed quietly. "You are sending her to face death. Do you desperately want to get rid of her that much?"
"No," Caden said firmly. "We want her to become strong."
"And if she dies?" Sebastian pressed.
Caden did not hesitate. "She will not."
The confidence in his voice shocked me, and something inside me went down into chilling calm.
Sebastian turned to me again. "Listen carefully. Their confidence will not protect you. Only your choice will. Decide now. Do you want to live, or do you want to risk everything for people who may not deserve your loyalty Riley Grayson?"
