Chapter 54

Archer.

Years rotting in prison had changed me. The first week tasted like hell. I’d heard the rumors—living with real criminals wouldn’t be easy, and they were right.

The moment they found out my sentence had been reduced to ten years, it became a game of survival.

They didn’t like it. They didn’t like me.

I was always trapped in some dark, secluded corner. The punches came in waves, followed by bruises so deep they felt permanent. My body almost gave out after my regular trips in and out of the prison clinic. That was the first few weeks, though—back when I still cared about my fate.

But now? Now they treated me like a king.

After I killed their Alpha in a duel, no one dared to touch me. Respect came swift, like blood flowing from a fresh wound.

No one visited me, though. Not once. Trial after trial, I waited, hoping—maybe—Alpha Steven or Damien would come, give me a chance to break their faces, even for a moment. Just once.

So when the guard stopped by, face hidden under his robe