The world was a haze of pain and shadows as Amara's eyes fluttered open. Her body ached, every muscle screaming in protest, and the faint metallic taste of blood lingered on her tongue. The moonlight streaming through the trees above cast fragmented patterns on the ground, and the faint echo of Lucian's roar reverberated in her ears.
She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt like lead, refusing to cooperate. A cold, mocking laugh cut through the silence, drawing her attention.
"Ah, the fragile little human awakens," Selene said, her voice dripping with malice. She stood a few feet away, her silver eyes gleaming like daggers in the night. "You really shouldn't have come outside, darling. Now look at you—broken and helpless."
Amara's heart pounded in her chest, fear clawing at her insides. She forced herself to sit up, her hands digging into the dirt for support. "Why are you doing this?" she demanded, her voice shaky but defiant. "What do you want from me?"
Selene tilted her head, her dark hair cascading over one shoulder. "What I want?" she repeated, her tone almost amused. "It's not about what I want. It's about what you are."
"What I am?" Amara echoed, confusion clouding her thoughts.
Selene crouched down, her face mere inches from Amara's. The proximity made Amara's skin crawl, but she refused to flinch. "You're the Alpha's mate," Selene said softly, her voice like a venomous whisper. "Do you have any idea how much power that gives you? How much power it gives him?"
Amara shook her head, the words not making sense. "I'm just a human. I don't have any power."
Selene's laughter rang out again, sharp and cruel. "Oh, sweet girl, you really are clueless, aren't you? The bond between a werewolf and their mate isn't just emotional—it's magical. It strengthens the Alpha, makes him nearly unstoppable. But if that bond is broken…" She trailed off, her lips curling into a wicked smile.
Amara's stomach churned as the realization hit her. Selene didn't just want to hurt Lucian—she wanted to destroy him. And the easiest way to do that was through her.
"You're insane," Amara said, her voice trembling. "You'll never win. Lucian won't let you."
Selene's smile faltered for a moment, her expression darkening. "Lucian won't have a choice," she said coldly. "Not when I have you."
Before Amara could react, Selene raised her hand, and a wave of dark energy surged toward her. Pain shot through her body, searing and relentless, as if her very soul was being torn apart. She screamed, the sound ripping through the night, but it was drowned out by another roar—this one filled with rage and desperation.
Lucian.
Amara's vision blurred, but she caught a glimpse of him charging toward them, his massive form a blur of black and gold in the moonlight. The rogues tried to intercept him, but he tore through them like a storm, his claws and teeth leaving carnage in his wake.
"Selene!" Lucian's voice boomed, raw and furious. "Let her go!"
Selene turned to face him, her expression one of smug satisfaction. "Ah, there you are, Alpha. Took you long enough."
Lucian's golden eyes burned with an intensity that made even the bravest rogue hesitate. "I'll give you one chance to leave," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Take your rogues and go, or I'll end you right here."
Selene laughed, the sound grating and filled with malice. "You think you can threaten me? You're barely standing, Lucian. Your precious mate has weakened you."
Lucian took a step forward, his claws flexing. "She's not weak," he said, his voice steady despite the storm raging within him. "And neither am I."
The air crackled with tension as the two alphas faced off, their power radiating like waves of heat. Amara struggled to move, to speak, but her body refused to cooperate. She could only watch as the battle began.
Selene struck first, her hands glowing with dark energy as she launched an attack. Lucian dodged, his movements fluid despite the wounds on his body. He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, his claws swiping at her with deadly precision.
Selene countered, her magic clashing against his strength in a violent explosion of light and shadow. The force of their battle shook the ground, sending shockwaves through the clearing. The remaining rogues retreated, their loyalty to Selene not strong enough to outweigh their fear of the Alpha.
Amara's heart raced as she watched Lucian fight. He was a force of nature, his every movement calculated and powerful. But Selene was relentless, her magic giving her an edge that even Lucian's strength couldn't entirely counter.
As the fight raged on, Amara's gaze shifted to the surrounding forest. She spotted the bodies of the fallen rogues, their weapons scattered across the ground. Among them was a silver-tipped dagger, its blade glinting in the moonlight.
Summoning every ounce of strength she had, Amara crawled toward the weapon. Her body screamed in protest, but she pushed through the pain, her determination outweighing her fear. If she could just reach the dagger…
Selene and Lucian's battle grew more intense, their attacks lighting up the night like a violent storm. Selene's laughter echoed through the chaos, her confidence unwavering.
"You can't win, Lucian," she taunted. "Not while I have her."
Lucian growled, his claws slashing through the air. "You'll regret ever touching her."
Amara's fingers closed around the hilt of the dagger, and a surge of resolve filled her. She didn't know what she was doing or if it would even work, but she couldn't just sit back and watch. Selene had underestimated her, dismissed her as nothing more than a weak human. That would be her mistake.
With a cry of defiance, Amara pushed herself to her feet and hurled the dagger toward Selene. The blade sliced through the air, its silver edge glinting as it embedded itself in Selene's shoulder.
Selene screamed, her magic faltering as she staggered back. The dark energy surrounding her dissipated, and for the first time, she looked vulnerable.
Lucian didn't waste the opportunity. He lunged at her, his claws slashing across her chest in a move so fast it was almost invisible. Selene collapsed to the ground, her silver eyes wide with shock and fury.
"This isn't over," she hissed, blood trickling from her lips. "You can't protect her forever."
Lucian stood over her, his expression cold and unyielding. "If you ever come near her again, I'll make sure you don't leave alive."
Selene's lips curled into a weak smile. "We'll see, Alpha. We'll see."
With a final surge of magic, Selene vanished, her body dissolving into shadows. The clearing fell silent, the tension in the air dissipating as the battle came to an end.
Lucian turned to Amara, his golden eyes filled with a mixture of relief and anger. He rushed to her side, his hands gentle as he lifted her into his arms.
"You're insane," he muttered, his voice shaking. "Do you have any idea what could've happened to you?"
Amara managed a weak smile. "I couldn't just let her win."
Lucian shook his head, his expression softening. "You're going to be the death of me, Amara."
As exhaustion pulled her into unconsciousness, she felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her cheek and the warmth of his embrace. For the first time since this nightmare began, she felt safe.
But deep down, she knew this was far from over. The battle had been won, but the war was only beginning.