Nathaniel's perspective
The night was chilly and filled with hidden truths, a darkness that didn't only conceal but engulfed everything. Nathaniel positioned himself at the perimeter of the historic stone temple, his gaze sweeping the horizon in search of answers. It never happened, yet he had already come to rely on the quiet. It said a lot if you had the patience to listen.
The temple, an artifact from a different era, was deeply buried within the mountains, concealed from curious onlookers. A place where only a brave few ventured. However, this evening, his worry was not about the temple itself. The wolves and vampires coming together within its walls marked the formation of an uneasy alliance that had the potential to change the balance of power unexpectedly.
As a senior vampire, Nathaniel had witnessed centuries of these delicate agreements, often based on ambition and the hope for something better. And they consistently fell apart. However, this occasion seemed unique. The Alpha King was advocating for something greater. A potential hazard.
He sensed the tension, the silent competitions, the thirst for power lingering in the atmosphere. Angela was in the midst of everything.
A wolf shunned by her pack, pursued by the Alpha King, and about to stumble into a dangerous situation. Nathaniel had always respected true strength and saw the potential for danger in Angela . Not only towards those who oppose her, but also towards her own self.
He had to check if she was prepared.
An individual approached from behind, gliding with a grace that only a vampire could possess. Nathaniel sensed Lucien, his second in command, without looking back.
"Everything is ready," Lucien whispered softly, his voice as calm as the night. "The wolves will arrive in less than an hour."
Nathaniel gave a nod of approval while keeping his gaze fixed on the faraway mountains. "Well done." What about the betrayers?
A smirk formed on Lucien's lips. "They are unaware, but they are about to fall into a trap."
The term "trap" lingered in the space between them, filled with significant meaning. Nathaniel did not have an interest in betrayal just for the sake of it; he had larger plans in progress. However, this evening did not revolve around those plans. Tonight was all about putting Angela to the test.
"I'll handle the traitors," Nathaniel stated, his voice turning colder. "I'm focused on our wolf."
Lucien arched an eyebrow, his eyes flickering with a spark of curiosity. "Do you believe she will arrive?"
Nathaniel responded confidently that she would. "She lacks options."
Lucien didn't ask any more questions about it. He was wise enough not to question Nathaniel's instincts.
While the minutes passed, Nathaniel gave himself a unique opportunity to contemplate. He had met Angela before, a long time ago, but she was unaware of it then. At that time, she was changed, still in a vulnerable and damaged state, struggling to maintain composure following the painful rejection that destroyed her reality. However, now she had transformed into something greater. More powerful, more focused, yet still susceptible.
He had to find out the limits of her actions. To what extent could she be tested before she reached a breaking point or transformed into something genuinely perilous.
The temple reverberated with the sound of footsteps, indicating the wolves' presence. Nathaniel's lips formed a smile, but it was devoid of any warmth. The time had come.
The massive stone doors of the temple were pushed open, unveiling the shadowy chamber inside. The coldness indoors penetrated deep into your bones, causing you to ponder your own mortality. Kael led the wolves in first, his eyes shimmering with suspicion. Alec and Lia followed behind him cautiously, staying vigilant and alert.
Nathaniel remained motionless, his eyes shining in the darkness as he observed their approach. He could sense the tension emanating from them, their lack of trust easily felt. However, they were not his focus for the evening.
Angela existed.
As if her mere thought called for her, she showed up at the doorway, her figure outlined by the moonlight. Her dark hair flowed down her shoulders, and her cold, piercing eyes quickly met his gaze.
Nathaniel briefly allowed himself to feel pleased. She arrived, exactly as he expected she would.
"Welcome," he greeted, his voice reverberating within the chamber.
Angela 's gaze remained steadfast as she advanced, moving with purpose as though she was already expecting the trap ahead.
"Why are we in this place, Nathaniel?" she inquired, maintaining a steady voice despite being aware of the peril around her.
Nathaniel descended from the platform, his boots making a clicking sound on the stone surface. "Testing you."
Angela 's gaze narrowed while her body became tense. "What are you testing me for?"
"For the impending conflict," he answered plainly. "The Alpha King has already initiated his plan." The question is, where do you belong in this situation?"
Angela held her fists tightly by her side. "I refuse to participate in your games."
Nathaniel's smile grew larger. "This is not a game." "It's a matter of surviving."
Kael advanced, his muscles tense with anticipation. "Nathaniel, you're causing us to lose time. We didn't come here to be played with.
"Your reason for coming here is incorrect," Nathaniel replied calmly. He looked back at Angela . "Kael, this isn't concerning you. This concerns her.
Angela felt her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She sensed the intensity of everyone's stares - the wolves, the vampires, and especially Nathaniel's penetrating gaze. It was clear that whatever he had in mind was not going to be simple. However, she had already reached a point where it was too late to go back.
Nathaniel lifted his hand, and suddenly, the temple doors closed abruptly, trapping them inside. The noise echoed around the room like a last cautionary message.
Angela 's intuition told her to get ready for a battle.
Nathaniel advanced further, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous intent. "The Alpha King will go to any lengths to dominate you, Angela . He is scared of your power. I have no interest in exerting control over you.
With no reply, her muscles tensed in anticipation of what was to follow.
Nathaniel went on to say, "I'm curious to see your full potential." "Tonight, you will get the opportunity to demonstrate to me."
Before she had a chance to respond, the torches along the walls suddenly burst into flames, illuminating the chamber with a spooky light. The noise of nails dragging on the stone reverberated from the opposite side of the room.
Angela felt a chill in her blood as a silhouette emerged from the darkness.
She was with her partner.
The person who had turned her down. The person who ruined her entire existence.
His eyes were devoid of warmth, displaying the Alpha King's symbol burned into his skin. His presence was not solely to unsettle her memories. He was present for something much more severe.
"He is for you to deal with," whispered Nathaniel as he retreated into the darkness. "Let's find out if you can make it through him."
Angela felt her heart pounding in her chest as she gazed at the man who had once been everything to her.
The war had only just started.