Chapter Nine
The forest seemed to pulse with the aftermath of Evie's power. The energy left the air charged, an unseen storm brewing between her and Lucian. He staggered back, fury twisted on his face, and for the first time, Evie sensed something she'd never thought she'd see in him—hesitation.
Gabriel moved closer to her side, his gaze unwavering as he studied Lucian. "Enough of this, Lucian. You know you can't win," he said his voice calm but edged with an undeniable authority.
Lucian scoffed, his arrogance fighting to resurface as he sneered at Gabriel. "You think you can just stand there and defy me?" His voice was brittle, the cracks in his confidence visible.
Evie held his gaze, her heart steady. "Yes, Lucian, that's exactly what we're doing. Your power only works when people fear you." She took a step forward, feeling the weight of her own strength, the quiet control she'd discovered within herself. "I'm not afraid anymore."
The words seemed to slice through the air, shattering whatever hold Lucian had thought he held over her. For a fleeting moment, his mask slipped, exposing something raw and unguarded. But as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating rage that simmered just beneath his surface.
He clenched his fists, his voice barely more than a hiss. "This isn't over, Evie."
Lucian's words hung in the air, a threat wrapped in bitter resentment. But instead of backing down, Evie felt a surge of defiance. She had endured his scorn, his rejection, and she was done letting him dictate her fate. This was her stand, and she refused to let him take it from her.
"You're the one who's finished, Lucian," she said, her voice steady, unwavering. "Your power doesn't control me, and it doesn't control the pack either. They're stronger than you think."
The subtle dig seemed to strike a nerve. Lucian's eyes flashed with fury, his composure unraveling. He stepped toward her, his movements tense, his anger radiating off him in waves. "You think you know them? They're loyal to me, Evie. To the pack's traditions."
"Not to you," Gabriel cut in, his tone sharp, final. "You're just a shadow, clinging to a power that was never yours. The pack deserves better than fear."
Lucian's mouth twisted into a bitter smile, his voice dripping with contempt. "And you think you can lead them? A traitor a
Evie met his gaze head-on, her own voice soft but laced with steel. "I think the pack is ready for a change. One you can't stop."
Lucian's jaw clenched and she knew her words had found their mark.
A tense silence settled between them, crackling with unspoken threats. Evie could feel the weight of everything she had endured building, ready to spill over. Lucian's hold on her, his control was breaking, and for the first time, she saw the fear he'd hidden behind his arrogant facade.
But as if to counter that fear, Lucian's gaze darkened, his mouth set in a grim line. "You think you've won something here, Evie? This is just the beginning. You don't know the first thing about survival."
Evie's expression hardened, refusing to be intimidated. "Survival is all I've known, Lucian. That's what you made sure of."
A muscle ticked in Lucian's jaw as her words hit home. But he wasn't finished. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the silent, watchful faces of his wolves, and then turned his gaze back to her, his voice colder than she'd ever heard it. "If you're so sure of yourself, then prove it."
He lifted his hand, signaling his wolves to close in. Her heart quickened as they moved forward, their gazes hostile, reflecting Lucian's fury. She tightened her grip on her dagger, steeling herself, feeling Gabriel's reassuring presence beside her. They were surrounded, outnumbered—but for the first time, she felt a spark of hope.
The wolves advanced, their footsteps slow and calculated, tightening the circle around Evie and Gabriel. The air grew thick, and her pulse quickened, each beat echoing in her ears like a drum. But fear didn't control her anymore. Her power hummed just beneath the surface, waiting for her command.
Lucian's voice broke through the silence, taunting. "What's wrong, Evie? No brave words left?" His sneer was back, but it was a weak attempt to mask his own uncertainty.
Gabriel's hand brushed against hers, a silent reassurance, grounding her. She didn't need to speak; the strength she felt coursing through her spoke for her. Lucian's grip over her had shattered, and he sensed it too, whether he admitted it or not.
One of the wolves lunged, and Evie reacted instantly, her instincts taking over. She sidestepped, using her dagger to deflect the attack, moving with a grace and confidence she hadn't known she possessed. Gabriel moved in tandem, fending off another attacker, their movements synchronized.
The fight broke out in a frenzy, a blur of snarls and sharp blows. Evie felt the pulse of her power, guiding her movements, sharpening her focus. She was no longer the girl they'd cast aside; she was a force they couldn't control. And she saw the realization dawning in Lucian's eyes, his confidence crumbling with every strike she landed.
Evie's vision sharpened, the world narrowing to the battle before her, each movement flowing with a precision that felt almost surreal. She and Gabriel fought side by side, an unspoken connection guiding them as they pushed back Lucian's wolves, each one a testament to the strength they had found together.
Lucian's frustration was palpable, his anger radiating off him like a storm. He was losing control, his power slipping through his fingers as Evie and Gabriel stood their ground. Evie felt a fierce satisfaction, a pride she had never thought she would experience.
With a snarl, Lucian finally lunged, his movements reckless, driven by desperation. Evie met his charge, their energies colliding in a clash of raw power. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze, the world holding its breath as they struggled, each refusing to yield.
And then, with a final, forceful push, Evie broke through, sending Lucian stumbling back, his expression one of shock and disbelief. He clutched his side, breathing heavily, his eyes blazing with hatred as he realized he had been defeated.
But Evie didn't lower her guard. She held her ground, her gaze steady, her voice calm yet firm. "This is over, Lucian. Leave, or you'll have nothing left."
For a brief, tense moment, he looked ready to retaliate, his pride demanding vengeance. But as he glanced around, seeing the faces of his followers wavering, his resolve faltered. His control was broken, and he knew it.
With one last venomous glare, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Evie and Gabriel standing victorious, the weight of her newfound power settling over her like a promise of the strength she had yet to claim.