Xanthe paced her private quarters, her mind replaying the night of the creature attack. The ferocity of its assault was unlike anything she'd encountered before, and the unnerving familiarity of its movements gnawed at her. It felt... summoned.
She ventured into the old Volturi estate library, dust gathering on the thick tomes her father once treasured. Hours of flipping through ancient texts and rituals led her to an old journal bound in cracked leather. Inside, she found cryptic notes on binding spells and rituals meant to disrupt Alpha Lunas.
Xanthe's pulse raced as she descended into the library's depths. The faded smell of leather-bound books and candle wax reminded her of her childhood, but there was no comfort in those memories now. With the recent attack on the pack, she knew she couldn't rely on anyone—not even Lynam.
She ran her fingers over a faded drawing of the creature, shock flooding her as she realized it matched her attacker. Beside it was a passage: "Summoned through blood and betrayal. Only a trusted hand can bring this terror forth."
Her breath hitched. Someone close to me is behind this.
Her hands trembled as she flipped through the pages of an ancient journal, each word sinking into her like cold steel. Blood magic. Betrayal. Summoned through someone trusted.
A chill ran down her spine. Could the threat be coming from inside the pack? Her mind darted to Elias, who had been distant and evasive lately. But the thought stung; he was her brother. He wouldn't... would he?
A sudden knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She hastily slid the journal into her bag and turned to find one of her pack members.
"Alpha Luna, there's unrest near the border," they reported. "The wolves are questioning your strength after the attack."
Her stomach sank. She couldn't afford to look weak now—not with everything falling apart.
Elias watched the pack wolves from the shadows, a smirk curling on his lips. His quiet whispers had already begun to take root.
"She's too distracted," he murmured to a young, impressionable wolf. "How can she protect us when her human life is falling apart? Look at the state of her marriage."
The wolf hesitated but nodded slowly, doubt flickering in his eyes. Satisfied, Elias retreated to his hidden alcove, where a small, enchanted bowl shimmered with dark energy. The creature he'd summoned earlier had failed to eliminate Xanthe, but he had a new plan in mind.
With careful precision, Elias dripped his blood into the bowl, chanting an incantation under his breath. The air thickened, and a low growl resonated from the shadows. Another creature emerged, more formidable than the last.
"Go," he commanded. "Make her look weak."
Michelle adjusted her sleek dress in the hotel mirror, ensuring everything was perfect for her plan. She had sent Lynam a message, pretending it was about urgent business. Knowing his vulnerability, she'd chosen a venue that screamed intimacy.
Meanwhile, Alex worked behind the scenes. He deliberately leaked a story to the tabloids, planting rumors of Lynam's alleged affair. "The scorned husband of a prestigious Alpha Luna," the headline teased.
When Lynam arrived at the suite, Michelle feigned distress, leaning heavily into his arms. She "accidentally" left the door ajar, ensuring paparazzi captured the moment. Michelle's heart raced as she imagined the chaos it would cause once Xanthe saw the photos.
The door slammed shut behind Xanthe, startling Lynam awake. He had been sitting in the dimly lit den, nursing a drink.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on, or are we just pretending everything's fine?" Xanthe's voice was sharp, her eyes blazing with anger.
Lynam set his glass down slowly, his jaw tightening. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb, Lynam! Your father, Michelle, the rumors—why won't you stand up for us? Or are you enjoying watching them tear me apart?"
His eyes darkened. "You think I'm not trying? I've been fighting battles on every front, but you're too busy with your pack to notice."
The tension snapped like a taut wire. "You've kept secrets from me, Lynam," Xanthe whispered, her voice trembling. "How can I fight for a marriage where I'm always left in the dark?"
Xanthe found herself drawn to the old ruins on the edge of the forest, a place she hadn't visited since childhood. A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, their aura calm but powerful.
"I've been watching you, Xanthe Redwood," the figure said in a raspy voice. "You stand on the precipice of a great decision."
"Who are you?" she asked warily, her fingers twitching near her dagger.
"An ally," they replied simply. "One who believes in the prophecy."
They handed her a scroll, the parchment brittle with age. "This contains the truth about the realms and the unifier meant to bridge them. But beware, Xanthe. Unity demands sacrifice."
The figure disappeared as quickly as they had appeared, leaving Xanthe clutching the scroll, her mind reeling with questions.
Xanthe stood on the balcony of the Morena's estate, the cool night air biting against her skin. She stared at the horizon, torn between her responsibilities and her heart.
Behind her, Lynam approached quietly, his usual confident demeanor replaced by hesitance. "Xanthe, I need to say something."
She turned slowly, her expression unreadable.
"I know I've failed you," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "But I need you to know that I've always loved you. Even when it felt like I couldn't reach you."
Xanthe's heart ached, but the wounds were too fresh. "Love isn't enough, Lynam," she said softly. "Not without trust. You need to decide if you're willing to let me in, or if we're just fooling ourselves."
She left him standing there, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.