But after the anger burned itself out, he would still keep Chase alive. Because his master would never imagine that, at this very moment, Chase had turned against him.
And that was enough.
So after weighing every possible choice, Chase decided to go back.
He would return to his master before suspicion could take root, accept the punishment with his head bowed and his teeth clenched, and let the bastard believe he had broken him completely.
If blood had to spill, Chase would let his own blood hit the floor.
If his back had to be torn open by the whip, he would endure that too.
As long as he walked away alive.
Because this time, Chase wasn't protecting himself.
He was buying Addison a pawn of her own with his own pain.
The moment they saw Chase dart into the bushes, Addison subtly tugged Zion's fur coat toward the opposite side, using the movement to turn herself away from the others.
