LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The forest surrounding Grovefarm smelled of damp earth, pine, and an undercurrent of something bitter—magic. The scents swirled and grew stronger as I led my pack closer to the borders. Ares growled in anticipation, pacing within me, itching to break free and tear through whatever dared to harm my family while Raivo was just happy for the thrill of promised deaths.
We stopped at the edge of a clearing, the trees thinning enough for the moonlight to spill onto the figures waiting for us. Among them was Juliette, Her sleek brown fur bristled with tension. Her head was low, her body tense, and as I approached, she shifted back to her human form. Her eyes met mine, guilt etched into every tired line of her face.
I shifted into human form as well, the transformation seamless as my pack surrounded me.
"Lucian," she began, voice cracking, "this is Thaddeus territory. The witches have protective spells everywhere. I—I didn’t see this coming. I’m sorry I failed you, Alpha. I should’ve protected Teresa and the twins. I underestimated them. I was so focused on Adrian, I didn’t think to question our so-called allies."
Her words pierced through me like a blade. I clenched my fists, forcing Ares’ growls into submission. "Enough," I said sharply, but not unkindly. "We don’t have time for apologies, Juliette. Focus on getting Mai back. That’s all that matters now."
Juliette nodded solemnly, shifting back into her wolf form. I barked out orders. "Take five enforcers and scout the perimeter. Look for any weaknesses in their defenses."
"Yes, Alpha," she barked softly. Her fur bristled as she turned, five enforcers falling in line behind her as they melted into the shadows of the trees.
The rest of my wolves waited, their muscles taut, ready for my command. "Tear down those barriers!" I growled through the mind link. "Or die trying!"
The pack charged toward the invisible boundary, their snarls echoing through the forest, but before they could attack, a chilling voice interrupted the chaos.
"Always so dramatic, Lucian," Adrian drawled, stepping out from the shadows. His polished demeanor was infuriating, as always. His coven flanked him like an ominous tide, their pale faces glowing eerily in the moonlight. His midnight hair glistened in the moonlight, and beside him stood a witch with fiery red hair, her amber eyes gleaming with a confidence that only irritated me further.
My pack growled, snapping their teeth at the vampires, but Adrian remained unfazed. He had that effect: the ability to command attention without trying.
"Silence!" I barked through the mind link, and my wolves obeyed instantly, their eyes flickering between me and the vampires.
"Adrian," I said, shifting to a private mental link between us, my voice laced with frustration. "The lead you mentioned earlier—did it bring you here?"
Adrian’s jaw twitched, a rare crack in his usual calm. "No, Lucian," he said in that maddeningly slow tone. "I’ve been gathering information. You should thank me. I’ve saved you from wasting your energy on brute force when finesse is what’s required."
I narrowed my eyes, shifting back into human form. "What do you mean, finesse? And what are you doing with a witch? Especially when witches are the ones who took Mai?" I shot a glare at the woman beside him.
Adrian smirked. "This is Elizabeth. She’s under my protection. Unlike the witches I am totally going to animate later, she’s been helpful."
Elizabeth inclined her head respectfully, her fiery hair catching the moonlight, her presence as delicate as it was bold. "Alpha Blackwood," she greeted softly, ignoring my glare. "I understand your anger, but you need to hear this."
"Speak quickly," I snapped.
"There’s an ancient prophecy," she began, her words slow and deliberate. "It speaks of a female, beloved of an alpha, who will bring chaos and annihilation to witches and humans alike. The only way to stop it is to bind her under the Order of the Golden Triangle."
My stomach twisted at her words. "And Thaddeus thinks that female is my daughter?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Or your mate. The witches don’t know which, but when you invited Raivo’s spirit into you—"
"That was Serena’s suggestion," I snapped.
Elizabeth’s amber eyes softened, almost pitying. "Serena knew about the prophecy, every witch does; so it means she had other plans of her own. When you agreed to the summoning, Thaddeus automatically assumed the prophecy pointed to you. It looks like during the fight with your wolves, he didn’t have the strength to take both females, so he took the baby. They’re planning to bind her, Alpha. The ritual happens at three a.m. We have thirty minutes to stop it before they brand her with the mark of the Golden Triangle."
I felt my knees weaken for the first time in years. My baby girl—innocent, defenseless—being branded like some sacrificial lamb. Ares howled in fury, his rage blending with mine.
I turned to Elizabeth. "Break the barriers now! Lead the way!"
Adrian placed a steady hand on my shoulder. "Calm down, Lucian. We need to be smart about this."
"Calm down?" I barked. "That’s my child they’re about to mutilate!"
Adrian tilted his head, his tone frustratingly measured. "I love her just as much as you do—maybe more. And I won’t let her get marked; but losing control won’t help her. It’ll only make things worse."
I hated that he was right—about the losing control part not the love part—but I bit back my retort. Turning to Elizabeth, I growled, "If you betray us—"
"I won’t," she interrupted, her tone firm. "Let’s move."
Adrian smirked. "See, Lucian? Teamwork. Isn’t it refreshing?"
"Shut up, Adrian," I muttered, shifting back into my wolf form.
The pack surged forward, following Elizabeth’s lead. Despite the looming danger, Adrian’s infuriating calm and my own pack’s occasional comedic barks brought a strange, fleeting sense of normalcy.
Inside, Ares roared, his rage barely contained. I clenched my fists, the image of my tiny daughter in the hands of those witches fueling every step I took.
"Hold on, Mai," I whispered to the night. "Daddy’s coming."