The Barter Novel Sierra and Xavier

---- Chapter 488 And then, a gunshot rang out.

The deafening crack shattered the monster's growl mid-lunge.

Its massive, grotesque head snapped back as a second shot tore through its skull, followed by a third.

Blood and viscous matter sprayed across the dungeon, staining the air with the stench of decay.

The beast staggered, its red-rimmed eyes locking onto the figure that had appeared in the corridor.

Through its fading vision, it saw a mantall, imposing, and breathing heavily.

Damien.

He stood like a storm personified, a clutch in one hand to balance his missing leg, and a smoking gun in the other.

His cold, unflinching gaze locked onto the creature.

The beast roared, lunging at him in a final, desperate ---- Chapter 488 attack, but Damien didn't flinch.

Ie pulled the trigger again and again, each shot splintering the monster into chunks of flesh and bone that splattered against the dungeon walls.

When it finally crumpled, lifeless and dismembered, the dungeon fell silent save for the drip of blood pooling beneath its remains.

Damiens icy stare shifted to Alex.

Her hazel eyes, glistening with tears and teetering on the edge of consciousness, met his.

Dam...

Damien...

she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

His jaw tightened.

He took a step forward, his eyes tracing every brutal wound on her bodyevery claw mark and every bruise.

Stalker, he murmured, the word laced with something between anger and anguish He moved closer, each step deliberate while she also took a step closer.

Her bloody fingers lifted to touch him...

to see if he was real this time.

When behind him, others poured into the dungeonguards, ---- medics, and soldiersall stopping dead at the sight Gasps filled the air, their whispers like needles against Alecias fragile state.

What is Commander doing? She's infected.

The monster clawed her.

Stay back! No one touches her! Alecias gaze dropped along with her hand.

The weight of their words crushed her as surely as the chains.

She curled into herself, hugging her trembling body as though she could shield it from their judgment.

She took a step back, retreating from Damien's reach.

But he didnt let her go.

Before she could withdraw completely, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into the warmth of his embrace.

The world seemed to stop.

---- Gasps of horror echoed through the dungeon, but Damien didnt care.

Their protests fell away as he whispered into her ear, his voice low and filled with relief.

You stupid woman, he murmured, his breath brushing against her hair.

What am I going to do with you? Tears slipped down her cheeks, soaking into his shirt as she pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.

Didn't I tell you? she whispered, her voice trembling.

[never abandon the people I love.

The words hit him like a punch to the chest.noveldrama

For a moment, his expression cracked, the mask of control giving way to something raw and vulnerable.

But then, her body slumped against him: Alex? His voice sharpened with panic.

Hey.

You need to stay with me.

She mumbled something incoherent, her strength fading fast.

He tightened his grip, his frustration