Unforeseen Entanglements

Chapter 100: Chapter 100

Vanessa’s POV

I crouched in my hidden camp, binoculars pressed to my eyes, watching *her*.

Sophie Knight. The precious Luna. Walking through Shadow Ridge like she owned the place.

Because she did. She’d taken everything that should have been destroyed.

My camp was fifteen miles from Shadow Ridge borders—close enough to watch, far enough to avoid detection. I’d been here for a week, living on stolen supplies and whatever I could hunt.

My so-called allies? Gone. The rogues scattered after the failed attack. Harold was dead. Tom was imprisoned.

I was alone.

But that was fine. I worked better alone anyway.

Through the binoculars, I watched Christian walking with Sophie’s support. He was healing. Getting stronger. And she was right there beside him, pumping him full of Luna energy.

They looked happy.

My hands tightened on the binoculars until my knuckles went white.

I set the binoculars down and pulled out the photo I always carried.

My father. Strong. Proud. Alpha of his pack.

Until Christian’s grandfather killed him.

I was twelve years old when I watched it happen. I watched my father beg for mercy. Watched Christian’s grandfather humiliate him in front of everyone before ripping out his throat.

Then we were banished. Stripped of our pack status. Made into rogues.

My mother died within a year. Shame killed her faster than any disease could.

And I spent the next eighteen years planning revenge.

Eighteen years of infiltrating packs. Gathering intelligence. Learning the Knight family’s weaknesses.

I’d finally had my chance. Harold’s hatred. Tom’s obsession. My tactical planning.

And we’d *failed*.

Because of her. Because Sophie’s Luna abilities turned the tide. Because Christian fought harder with her by his side.

Their bond made them stronger.

Which meant their bond was also their weakness.

I’d spent three days watching Sophie’s routine.

Every afternoon, she visited the sanctuary refugees. Every evening, she walked the compound grounds before dinner. Her guard detail rotated shifts at 5 PM and 8 PM.

There was a fifteen-minute window at 7:45 PM when her protection was minimal.

Fifteen minutes was all I needed.

I’d mapped every security camera. Every patrol route. Every blind spot in Shadow Ridge’s defenses.

My military training wasn’t just for show. I knew how to infiltrate enemy territory.

And tonight, I was going in.

My supplies were laid out on a flat rock.

Dark clothing. Scent-masking oil. Silver-tipped claws that would prevent werewolf healing.

And a small explosive device—nothing lethal, just enough to create a distraction.

I attached the silver claws to my hands, testing their weight. Perfect.

I’d considered killing Christian directly. Quick. Simple. Effective.

But that wouldn’t be enough.

I wanted him to *suffer*. The way I suffered watching my father die. The way I suffered losing everything.

Killing Sophie in front of him would destroy Christian more completely than death ever could.

The mate bond would shatter. His spirit would break. He’d spend the rest of his life as a hollow shell.

That was justice.

That was what the Knight family deserved.

I sat alone as the sun set, talking to my father’s photo.

"Tonight," I whispered. "Tonight I finally avenge you."

Through the trees, I could see Shadow Ridge’s lights coming on.

I watched Christian and Sophie through my binoculars one last time. They were on their balcony, Christian’s arm around Sophie’s waist. She was laughing at something he said.

Happy. In love. Everything I’d lost.

My hatred burned hotter than any fire.

They had no right to be happy while my family was destroyed.

But soon, Christian would understand what loss really meant.

I applied the scent-masking oil to every inch of exposed skin. It smelled terrible but would hide me from werewolf senses.

The silver claws went on next. Cold metal that would cut through flesh and prevent healing.

I strapped a knife to my thigh. Backup weapon.

The explosive device had a fifteen-minute timer. I’d plant it near the western guard station, then move into position.

I reviewed my route one final time. Eastern forest. Blind spot near the wall. Shadow path to the main compound.

Simple. Clean. Effective.

As darkness fell completely, I began moving.

The forest was silent except for my footsteps.

I avoided the patrol routes I’d memorized. Stayed low. Moved fast.

Shadow Ridge’s perimeter came into view. Lights. Fences. Guards.

I found the surveillance blind spot—a gap between two cameras that lasted exactly eight seconds.

I counted. One. Two. Three.

On seven, I moved.

I was over the wall before the cameras rotated back.

Inside Shadow Ridge territory.

My heart pounded with anticipation. Years of planning. Weeks of watching. Hours of preparation.

All coming down to this moment.

The western guard station was my first stop.

I planted the explosive device behind a dumpster. Set the timer. Fifteen minutes.

Then I moved toward the main compound, staying in the shadows.

Sophie would exit the building soon. I’d watched her routine enough to know.

7:43 PM. She’d walk to the medical facility with supplies for Diana.

7:45 PM. Her guard detail would be changing shifts.

That was my window.

I pressed myself against the wall and waited.

The door opened.

Sophie stepped out, carrying a box of medical supplies.

She looked tired but content. Her dark hair was pulled back. She wore comfortable clothes.

She had no idea I was ten feet away.

Her guard detail followed her out—but then the explosion went off.

The western guard station erupted in flames and sound.

Alarms blared. People screamed.

Sophie’s guards immediately ran toward the explosion.

And Sophie was alone.

I stepped out of the shadows.