LUCAS'S POV
I wasn't fully healed yet. My limbs still ached, the deep gashes from the fight throbbing with every movement. My body begged for rest, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to see her.
Elena.
I had replayed the events of the previous night a hundred times in my mind—the way she looked at me, the fear, the shock, the confusion. And yet, she didn't run. Even after everything she had seen, she didn't abandoned me... she stayed with me. That meant something.
The morning sunlight broke through the dense canopy of trees as I made my way toward her grandmother's house. Every step felt heavier than the last, but I pushed through the pain. I needed to know if she was doing okay.
When I reached the house, I hesitated. The door was closed, the curtains drawn. It looked quiet, too quiet. My chest tightened with a mix of apprehension and guilt. This mess, everything she was going through, it was because of me.
I knocked lightly on the door, unsure if she would even want to see me. For a moment, there was no sound, and I thought she might not be home. But then I heard faint footsteps approaching.
The door creaked open, and there she was.
Her eyes met mine, and I saw the weight she carried in them. She looked tired, as if she had not slept at all. But what surprised me most was that she didn't glare at me or slam the door in my face this time. Instead, she stepped aside and motioned for me to come in.
I entered cautiously, unsure of what to expect. The house was eerily quiet, and I noticed the mess. Broken furniture, overturned objects, it was clear someone had torn through the place.
"Elena..." I began carefully, but she shook her head. I could tell that she was also physically weak.
"Sit." She said softly, gesturing to the couch.
I did as she asked, watching as she lowered herself into the chair across from me. She didn't say anything at first, just stared at her hands as if searching for the right words.
"What's wrong?" I finally asked, leaning forward. Her silence was unnerving.
She looked up at me, and the anguish in her eyes made my stomach twist. I did not like seeing her like that.
"They took her." She whispered, her voice breaking.
"Took who?" I asked, though I already had a sinking feeling I knew the answer.
"My grandmother." She said, her voice trembling. "I came home yesterday, and the house was like this. I searched for her but she was gone."
I clenched my fists, anger and guilt bubbling inside me. Viktor. I knew he would strike soon, but I had not expected him to move this quickly. My heart sank at the thought of what Elena must have gone through, finding the house like this, knowing her grandmother was gone.
But at the same time, relief washed over me. She hadn't been home when they came. If she had been...
"Did you see anything? Anyone?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She shook her head. "No. Just a note. It said... it said, 'Come get her.'"
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Viktor was taunting her, luring her into his trap.
"Elena," I said carefully, "I'm so sorry this happened."
She looked at me, her eyes brimming with desperation. "Lucas, I don't know what to do. I can't lose her. She's all I have left."
Her words tore through me, and I felt an ache in my chest that had nothing to do with my injuries. I hated seeing her like this, so lost and vulnerable.
"Please." She continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need your help."
Her plea was like a dagger to my heart. I didn't deserve her trust, not after everything I had done, but I couldn't say no to her.
"I'll help you." I said firmly, meeting her gaze. "We'll get her back."
A glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes, and she nodded, though her expression remained tense.
I leaned back, running a hand through my hair as I tried to think. Viktor had her grandmother, and he was undoubtedly using her as bait to lure Elena out. The question was, where was he holding her? And how could we get to her without putting Elena in even more danger?
"Elena," I said after a moment, "I need you to stay here. It's not safe for you to go out there, especially now."
Her brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms. "You can't expect me to just sit here while my grandmother is out there, scared and alone."
"I don't." I said quickly. "But Viktor wants you. If you go out there, you're giving him exactly what he wants. We need to be smart about this."
She hesitated, clearly torn, but finally nodded.
"Do you have any idea where they might have taken her?" She asked.
"Not yet." I admitted. "But I'll find out."
The truth was, I had a pretty good idea. Viktor had a few hideouts in the area, places he used for operations like this. But finding the exact location would take time, and time wasn't something we had.
I stood, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through my side. "I'll start looking today. I'll come back as soon as I know something."
She stood too, her eyes searching mine. "Be careful, Lucas."
I nodded, though I couldn't promise her anything. This was dangerous territory, and we were walking a fine line.
As I left the house, I couldn't shake the image of her standing there out of my head, looking at me with hope and fear in equal measure. I had to make this right. For her, and for the grandmother who has been taken because of me.
This wasn't just about protecting Elena anymore. It was about redemption. This was my chance to right my wrongs.