Lucas's POV
The scent of blood hung thick in the air, sharp and cloying. It wasn't just any blood—it was laced with dark magic, the kind that made my wolf bristle and snarl inside me.
I sprinted through the forest, my senses sharp, following the trail left by the intruder. The howl that had shattered the night was a warning, a call from one of my sentries. Something—or someone—had breached our territory.
As I approached the clearing, I saw Finn standing in the middle, his arms crossed, his smirk infuriatingly smug. Around him were two of my warriors, both lying unconscious on the ground, their bodies twitching slightly as if under some lingering spell.
"Finn," I growled, my voice rough as I shifted seamlessly into Alpha mode. "You've gone too far this time."
He tilted his head, his golden hair catching the moonlight. "Far? No, Lucas, I'm just getting started."
"What do you want?" I demanded, my fists clenched.
Finn's smirk widened. "Oh, you already know. Her."
The rage that bubbled up in me was nearly uncontrollable. My wolf clawed at the surface, desperate to tear into him, to end this once and for all.
"You stay away from her," I warned, my voice low and deadly.
Finn chuckled, a sound that grated on my nerves. "You think you can protect her from me? From the truth?"
"You don't know anything about the truth," I snapped, stepping closer.
"Oh, but I do," Finn countered, his voice dripping with mockery. "I know about the curse, Lucas. I know what you did. And I know what it's going to cost you."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I took another step forward, my posture rigid. "You don't belong here. Leave before I make you."
Finn's grin faded, his expression hardening. "You can't stop what's coming. You're already too late."
Before I could respond, he raised his hand, and a pulse of dark energy shot out from his palm. I barely had time to react, dodging to the side as it slammed into the tree behind me, splitting it in two.
"You're going to regret this," I growled, my voice filled with venom.
Finn didn't answer. He simply turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone in the clearing with my unconscious warriors and the growing sense of dread that had been gnawing at me for days.
I crouched down beside the nearest warrior, pressing two fingers to his neck. His pulse was steady, but his breathing was shallow. Whatever spell Finn had used, it was strong. Too strong.
I reached for the bond, the faint thread that connected me to Aria, and felt it hum in response. She was awake, alert, and—
Close.
My heart sank as I realized the bond wasn't just humming; it was growing stronger. She was near the forest, near me, when she should have been safe in the packhouse.
Damn it, Aria.
I bolted back toward the packhouse, my wolf howling inside me.
When I reached the edge of the forest, I saw her standing there with Eleanor, the faint glow of moonlight illuminating her pale face. She clutched a book to her chest, her wide eyes locking onto mine the moment I stepped into view.
"Lucas!" she called, her voice shaky but determined. "What's going on?"
I wanted to yell at her, to tell her she shouldn't have left the safety of her room, but the relief of seeing her unharmed took precedence.
"Get back inside," I said, my voice harsher than I intended.
She shook her head, her grip on the book tightening. "No. I'm not hiding anymore."
"Aria," I began, but Eleanor stepped between us.
"She's not wrong," Eleanor said, her tone firm. "You can't keep her in the dark forever, Lucas. She deserves to know what she's up against."
"What she's up against is me losing my mind because she doesn't listen," I growled.
"I'm right here," Aria interjected, her eyes narrowing. "Stop talking about me like I'm not."
Her defiance sent a mix of emotions rushing through me—frustration, admiration, and something deeper, something primal.
Before I could respond, the faint sound of footsteps reached my ears, followed by a low, menacing growl.
I turned, my senses on high alert, and saw a pair of glowing eyes watching us from the shadows. My wolf surged forward, ready to protect, ready to kill.
"Get behind me," I ordered, stepping in front of Aria and Eleanor.
The figure stepped into the light, revealing not another wolf but a man with a scar running down the side of his face. His eyes glinted with malice, and his lips curved into a cruel smile.
"Alpha Lucas," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Long time no see."
"Who the hell are you?" I demanded, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.
The man chuckled. "Names aren't important. What matters is the message I bring."
He held up a small vial, the liquid inside swirling with an unnatural red glow.
"This," he said, shaking the vial slightly, "is a gift from Finn. For Aria."
The mention of her name sent a wave of possessiveness crashing over me. My wolf roared, and I moved to lunge at him, but he was faster than I anticipated.
He threw the vial to the ground, shattering it, and a thick red mist began to spread, curling around our feet.
"Lucas!" Aria cried, and I turned to see her stumbling back, the mist creeping toward her.
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing her arm and pulling her away.
Eleanor was already moving, her sharp commands cutting through the chaos as she signaled for reinforcements.
The mist swirled around us, alive and relentless. My wolf growled, the bond between Aria and me flaring to life as I felt her fear, her confusion, and her pain.
I didn't know what the mist would do, but I couldn't let it touch her.
"Hold on to me," I ordered, pulling her close.
Her hands gripped my shirt, her breathing ragged. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," I admitted, my voice low and urgent. "But I'll protect you. I swear it."
The mist thickened, and for a moment, I thought it would consume us. But then it stopped, receding as quickly as it had
appeared, leaving the forest eerily quiet once more.
The man was gone.
But his message was clear.