I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 298: 298:Home.

Mallory held Ravenna for several moments without asking another question. She simply let her cry, one hand resting gently against the back of Ravenna’s head while the other rubbed her shoulder.

The reunion that should have been filled with relief and excited questions had immediately turned into something else, and Mallory understood enough about Ravenna to know that whatever had happened on the journey was serious.

Ravenna was not someone who cried easily in front of strangers. If she had broken down the moment Mallory asked about Silver, then whatever had happened to him had affected her far more deeply than she was willing to admit.

"You’re here now," Mallory whispered. "Just breathe."

Ravenna tried, she really did.

But the moment she heard Mallory’s familiar voice, all the restraint she had maintained throughout the journey simply disappeared.

She had spent days surrounded by strangers, powerful Contractors, military personnel, and people who had treated her situation as another unfortunate incident in the wilderness. She had forced herself to remain composed while travelling. She had listened to people tell her that Silver was probably dead. She had stared at a tracker that refused to give her any indication that he was alive.

Now she was standing in front of someone who knew her. Someone who had been waiting for her. Someone who wouldn’t tell her to simply accept Silver’s death. That was enough to break her.

"He’s gone," Ravenna finally whispered.

Mallory’s expression froze.

"What?"

"Silver." Ravenna pulled back slightly, her eyes red and swollen. "He’s still there."

Mallory immediately understood that something terrible had happened.

"Where?"

"Death Row Valley."

Mallory’s eyes widened. Ravenna wiped her face with the back of her hand, but another tear immediately rolled down her cheek.

"We went there with a group. We thought it was just another hunting mission, but there was something in the caves. The worms... they were worse than we thought."

Mallory listened silently.

"There was a queen." Ravenna’s voice trembled. "It was supposed to be Teir four, five at most."

Mallory’s eyes narrowed.

"But it wasn’t."

Ravenna shook her head.

"It had suddenly become Teir Six."

Mallory’s face became pale. Ravenna continued, telling her everything.

She explained how the group had entered the cave, how the tunnels had become increasingly dangerous, how they had eventually reached the queen, and how they had discovered that it was far stronger than expected. She told Mallory about the first person who died, about their attempt to escape, and how Larry had used them as bait.

She told her about Antony carrying her away, then she reached the part she hated the most.

"Silver stayed behind."

Mallory’s eyes became moist.

"What?"

"He wanted us to escape." Ravenna’s voice cracked. "He used himself as bait."

Mallory immediately pulled her back into an embrace.

"No..."

"He told me not to worry." Ravenna laughed bitterly through her tears. "Can you believe him?"

Mallory held her tighter.

"That idiot."

Ravenna nodded against her shoulder.

"He always does that."

"He always does."

"He told me he would teleport out."

Mallory’s hand paused.

"But..." Ravenna closed her eyes. "He was already badly injured."

Mallory didn’t ask what happened next. She could tell from Ravenna’s expression.

"I don’t know what happened after that."

Ravenna’s voice became almost inaudible.

"The cave closed."

Mallory hugged her tighter.

"I couldn’t go back."

"I know."

"I wanted to."

"I know."

"I tried."

"I know you did."

Ravenna pulled away again.

"I couldn’t even get to him."

Mallory gently wiped the tears from her face.

"You did what you could."

"No."

Ravenna shook her head.

"I left him."

"You survived."

"I left him."

"Because he wanted you to."

Ravenna stared at her. Mallory held her gaze.

"Ravenna, listen to me. If Silver sacrificed himself so you could escape, then leaving wasn’t abandoning him. You survived because he wanted you to survive."

Ravenna’s lips trembled.

"But he’s alone."

"We don’t know that."

"The tracker is dead."

"That doesn’t mean he is."

Ravenna looked down. Mallory gently lifted her chin.

"Has anyone confirmed his death?"

"No."

"Did anyone see his body?"

"No."

"Then don’t bury him yet."

Ravenna stared at her. Mallory smiled faintly.

"You know Silver better than anyone here."

Ravenna’s eyes softened.

"He’s stubborn."

"Very."

"He’s reckless."

"Sometimes."

"He thinks he’s smarter than everyone."

Mallory laughed softly.

"Definitely."

Ravenna almost smiled. Mallory continued.

"And he’s very difficult to kill."

Ravenna let out a small laugh through her tears.

"That’s true."

"There you go." Mallory squeezed her shoulders. "Then have a little faith in him."

Ravenna looked away.

"I want to."

"Then do it."

Ravenna remained silent. After a few moments, Mallory looked toward Antony. He had been standing near the vehicle, giving them space.

"Don’t tell me you replaced Silver already."

Ravenna’s face went through a thousand emotions once.

"No, of course not. His name is Antony, he’s our new teammate. He’s the one who knocked me out."

Everyone could hear the anger in that tone.

Antony nodded.

"Unfortunately."

Mallory raised an eyebrow.

Ravenna wiped her face.

"He joined us in Delta two."

Mallory looked between them.

"Joined you?"

Antony smiled.

"Long story."

Mallory sighed.

"I have a feeling I’ll be hearing several of those."

"You definitely will."

Ravenna shook her head.

"He’s annoying."

Antony placed a hand against his chest.

"That’s hurtful."

Mallory smiled.

"At least you’re making her talk."

Antony nodded.

"That’s my job."

Ravenna gave him a look.

"Nobody gave you that job."

"I gave myself the job."

Mallory laughed.

For a brief moment, the heaviness in the air lifted,then Mallory remembered something.

"You haven’t eaten properly, have you?"

Ravenna looked away. Mallory immediately knew the answer.

"Ravenna."

"I’m not hungry."

"That wasn’t the question."

Ravenna sighed. Mallory turned toward Antony.

"Has she been eating?"

Antony hesitated.

"Technically."

Ravenna glared at him.

"You’re supposed to be on my side."

"I’m on the side of honesty."

Mallory shook her head.

"Both of you, inside."

Ravenna blinked.

"Mallory..."

"No."

"But..."

"You’re crying, exhausted, probably hungry, and you’ve just travelled through dangerous territory."

She pointed toward the house.

"Inside."

Ravenna sighed.

"You’re bossy."

Mallory smiled.

"Someone has to be."

They entered the house together. The moment Ravenna stepped inside, she was surprised by how comfortable it felt. Mallory had clearly spent considerable effort preparing everything.

The living room was spacious but warm, with comfortable furniture and large windows overlooking the quiet neighborhood. There were several rooms leading from the main hall, and everything looked freshly arranged.

Ravenna slowly looked around.

"You did all this?"

Mallory smiled.

"I had a week."

"You didn’t have to."

"I know."

Ravenna looked at her.

"Thank you."

Mallory walked over and hugged her again.

"You’re welcome."

Antony entered behind them and looked around.

"This is actually pretty nice."

Mallory smiled.

"I made sure it was."

Ravenna sat down. She felt like she was somewhere safe, although not completely safe since she knew Silver was still missing. But safe enough to breathe.

Mallory sat beside her.

"How was your journey?"

"Smooth." Mallory smiled. "Nothing happened after the first delay. I arrived exactly when I expected to."

Ravenna sighed.

"You’re lucky."

"I suppose." Mallory looked at her carefully.

Ravenna leaned back.

"We lost a lot of time because of Death Row Valley."

Mallory nodded.

"Then you need rest."

Ravenna looked down.

"I can’t sleep."

"Why?"

"What if Silver gets out?"

Mallory smiled.

"Then he’ll need you awake and tired?"

Ravenna frowned.

"No."

"Exactly."

Ravenna looked at her.

Mallory’s smile widened.

"Rest."

Ravenna sighed.

"You sound like him."

"That’s the whole point."

Ravenna’s expression softened. Mallory reached over and took her hand.

"Ravenna."

"Yes?"

"Don’t beat yourself too much, there is still hope."

Ravenna stared at her hand. The words were simple but they mattered.

"I’ll find Shawn."

Mallory nodded.

"Who?"

"Silver’s cousin."

"The talented one?"

Ravenna looked surprised.

"You know about him?"

"Silver mentioned him once."

Ravenna smiled faintly.

"Of course he did."

"Do you think he’ll help?"

"I hope so."

Mallory squeezed her hand.

"Then lets start there."

Ravenna nodded.

She looked toward the window.

Outside, Alpha Three continued functioning as though nothing had happened. Somewhere far away, the academy was preparing for its admission period.

She finally had something she had been missing since the cave collapsed.

Hope.

It was fragile and uncertain but it was enough. Mallory stood and offered her a hand.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Your room."

Ravenna stared at her.

"I don’t want to sleep."

"I didn’t say you had to sleep."

Mallory smiled.

"You can lie down and stare at the ceiling if you want."

Ravenna laughed softly.

"That’s not very helpful."

"It’s better than crying outside."

Ravenna stood.

Mallory wrapped an arm around her shoulders. As they walked toward the stairs, Ravenna glanced back toward Antony.

"You’re coming?"

Antony shrugged.

"I have nowhere else to go."

Mallory looked at him.

"Then you’re staying here too."

Antony blinked.

"Really?"

"You’re part of the group now, aren’t you?"

He smiled.

"Apparently."

Ravenna shook her head.

"You really are annoying."

Antony grinned.

"I’ve been told."

For the first time in several days, Ravenna smiled without forcing it. It didn’t erase the fear or make Silver’s disappearance hurt any less. But as Mallory led her upstairs, Ravenna allowed herself to believe one thing.

Silver was stubborn and resourceful. He had survived impossible situations before, and until someone showed her his body, she would refuse to believe that he was dead.

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