LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The darkness lingered, coiling around like a snake waiting to strike. Raivo had settled into my mind with a smug confidence that was both infuriating and disconcerting. He was there, at the edge, watching, calculating. Ares, had grown silent, retreating into the furthest corners of my consciousness.
"Serena," I barked, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "What’s next?"
She hesitated, her usually composed deanor faltering. Her witches exchanged glances, their wariness transparent. "We prepare for Adrian," she finally said, her tone careful.
Adrian Daegon. Just the na alone was enough to make my skin crawl. The tales about him were enough to keep anyone awake at night. My mate, my Teresa, and my twins were the only things keeping sane now; and I didn’t want to think on the fact that Ares was now too scared to give his usual comforting words or even his sarcasm. I could only hope this was a temporary thing.
As if sensing my thoughts, Serena continued, "We’ve set a trap."
My eyebrows shot up. "A trap? For him?"
"Don’t underestimate us," she replied sharply, though there was an edge of fear in her voice. "Lucian," she said, her voice beca low, "My witches have inford that Adrian and his coven are on their way to Redfield as we speak, it’s no longer a speculation. We’ve created a diversion to keep them away from the human population, but they’ll arrive before nightfall like we predicted. You need to prepare yourself. While you were unconscious, your Beta helped us get the scent of Teresa and the babies, stolen from their clothes, we will lure..."
The ntion of Teresa’s na made my chest tighten. I balled my fists, the dark power inside threatening to flare. "You dared to use my mate and children as bait?"
"It was necessary," Rylan interjected, stepping forward. His tone was unapologetic, his expression calm but firm. "If we want to save them, we need to play Adrian’s ga—on our terms. And besides, it’s just a piece of their clothing not them."
Serena hesitated, her gaze flickering away for the briefest mont as she continued. "With Teresa’s scarf, the twins’ blankets, my witches have crafted a scent trail. It will lured Adrian and his vampires to the designed battlefield."
Rage surged through , hot and blinding. My hands trembled as claws threatened to extend.
"Lucian," Serena said sharply, looking straight in the eyes, "It was the only way to ensure Adrian would follow the path we needed him to take. This is the only chance we have to confront him away from innocent lives. You’ve heard what his coven can do. If they enter Redfield unchecked..."
I took a deep breath, trying to rein in the storm within . My skin still buzzed with the aftermath of the ritual, and Raivo’s presence didn’t make controlling my emotions any easier.
"Oh, this is going to be good," Raivo purred in my head. "Vampires. Wolves. Witches. Your mate and children in danger. Just the kind of chaos I thrive on."
"Shut up," I snapped aloud before realizing my mistake. Serena’s eyes widened slightly, but she said nothing, her face carefully neutral.
"We’ll need to move fast," she continued, pretending not to notice. "The witches have already ford a fighting axis in the forest outside Redfield. It’s far enough from the human population to minimize risks. We’ll need you to head there as soon as possible." I nodded and she went on, "During your absence, High Priest Thaddeus, Alpha Manuel, and your Beta will rally their forces to secure the pack grounds—just in case the plan falls through." I didn’t like it. Leaving Teresa and my babies alone even with soone as capable as Rylan still made feel uneasy but what choice did I have? I had to go so they could be safe.
"Fine." I said. And with that, everyone cleared the room as they all went to take their battle stations. "You’ve got this." Edmond said before leaving the door.
***********
By the ti we reached the edge of the forest, the air was thick with tension. Serena’s witches were already in place, their positions forming a wide periter. They had carved intricate runes into the ground, glowing faintly under the light of the rising sun. The faint hum of magic buzzed in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of damp soil and pine; also, the forest surrounding us was shrouded in thick fog and eerie silence.
"They’ll follow the scent," Serena explained as she walked beside , her pace brisk. "Teresa’s and the babies scent made it easier to cave out this trail. From what I’ve heard, Adrian’s too cunning to fall for just anything, but this—this should work."
I scanned the forest, my heightened senses picking up every rustle of leaves, every distant chirp of birds. Despite the witches’ best efforts, I couldn’t shake the gnawing unease in my chest.
I walked forward, my steps heavier than usual, the dark energy in my veins simring like a storm waiting to break. "This better work," I growled.
"It will," she replied curtly. "Adrian is predictable in one sense—he doesn’t take kindly to being taunted. The scent will draw him in, and once he’s here..." She trailed off, her expression darkening.
"He’ll destroy everything in sight," I finished, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Great plan."
Her lips twitched, but she didn’t respond.
The witches, my enforcer and others provided by the Alphas, Edmond, Kelvin, and many more spread out, forming a loose circle around the axis. The air grew colder, the tension mounting with every passing second.
How much longer?" I demanded.
"Not long," Serena replied. "Adrian and his coven are fast, but we’ve accounted for that."
As the sun began its slow descent, a chill settled over the forest. The birds fell silent, the air growing heavier with an oppressive stillness. I didn’t need heightened senses to know what it ant. They were close.
"Lucian," Serena said sharply, her voice low.
I felt it too. A presence, dark and suffocating, creeping closer like a predator stalking its prey.
"They’re here," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Ready yourselves!" Serena barked, her voice carrying authority. The witches responded instantly, their spells humming to life as glowing runes lit up the ground in intricate patterns.
I stood at the center of the axis, the power thrumming beneath my feet like a living thing. My body felt like a coiled spring, every muscle tensed, every sense heightened.
"Great," Raivo muttered in my head. "Let’s go play hero. Or villain. Honestly, I’m good with either."
I ignored him, focusing instead on the threat ahead.
The first figure to erge from the shadows was Adrian himself, his steps asured, his posture relaxed as though he were taking a casual stroll. His black hair was slicked back, his pale, flawless face frad by the dark collar of his coat. His eyes, deep and calculating, swept over the scene with an unsettling calm.
Behind him, his coven followed—silent, predatory figures that moved with a grace that belied their deadly nature.
"Well," Adrian drawled, his voice smooth as silk. "What a warm welco."
I stepped forward, my body thrumming with energy, but Serena shot a warning look.
Adrian’s gaze landed on , his lips curving into a slow, almost amused smile. "And you must be the infamous wolf my Teresa ran away from." He inclined his head slightly. "A pleasure, I’m sure."
The witches began their incantations, the air around the axis shimring as the runes flared brighter. Adrian’s expression shifted, his smile fading into sothing colder, sharper.
"Interesting," he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can trap ?"
Before anyone could respond, he moved—so fast that it was like he’d blurred out of existence. The air where he’d stood monts ago crackled with the force of his departure, and chaos erupted.
"Hold the line!" Serena shouted, her voice rising above the noise.
Adrian’s coven descended on the wolves and witches, their movents fluid and deadly. I lunged forward, my body transforming to my second form, responded with a speed and strength that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Adrian reappeared before , his eyes gleaming with sothing like curiosity. "You’re different from the normal wolf," he said, his tone still infuriatingly calm.
"I’m better," I snarled into his mind, the dark power surging as I struck out.
He dodged effortlessly, his smile returning. "We’ll see about that."
I lunged forward again, my claws itching to tear sothing. "Adrian," I replied, my tone cold. "You’ve co a long way to chase a trail of lies."
Adrian’s lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile. "Lies?" he echoed, tilting his head slightly. "We’ll see about that."
Adrian’s gaze t mine, and for a mont, it was just the two of us—predator against predator, each sizing up the other.
And then, all hell broke loose.
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