A reckoning of blood

Still shackled in silver, her body remained weak, but her mind was sharp. Every instinct screamed at her that whatever was out there wasn’t friendly.

heavy silence filled the underground chamber, the weight of it pressing against Raven’s chest as she remained shackled to the iron post. Her wrists burned from the silver, and exhaustion clung to her like a second skin. But none of that mattered now.

Something was coming.

She had heard it—the unnatural stillness before the sound of movement beyond the cavern walls. It wasn’t Luca or his wolves. The air felt wrong, thick with something foreign.

A low growl rumbled outside the chamber door.

Raven’s heart pounded as her instincts screamed at her. Danger.

The door burst open with a violent crash.

Three figures stormed inside, their movements swift and deadly. They weren’t Luca’s wolves—she could tell instantly. Their scent was all wrong. Metallic, tainted with the unmistakable stench of blood magic.

These wolves… they weren’t just here to fight.

They were here for something else.

For her.

A figure emerged from the chaos, his eyes locking onto her with cold familiarity.

Her stomach twisted.

She knew him.

And he was supposed to be dead.

Rogues.

The tallest of the three, a man with jagged scars running down his face, stepped forward with a smirk. His eyes—completely black, void of any humanity—locked onto Raven’s shackled form.

“Well, well,” he drawled, voice laced with amusement. “Looks like we found ourselves a little prize.”

Raven bared her teeth, ignoring the weakness in her limbs. “If you think I’m going anywhere with you, you’re dumber than you look.”

The rogue chuckled. “Feisty.” He nodded to one of his men. “Unchain her.”

The second rogue approached with a blade, eyes flicking between her and the door. He was nervous. Good.

The moment the silver cuffs loosened, Raven moved.

She struck fast, elbowing the man in the throat before twisting, using the last of her strength to kick him into the wall. He crumpled with a strangled gasp.

But the leader was faster.

Before she could take another breath, a crushing grip closed around her throat, slamming her back against the cold stone.

“Enough of that,” the rogue snarled. “We don’t have time for games.”

Raven clawed at his wrist, her vision blurring. The pressure tightened—

Then suddenly, the rogue let go.

Or rather, he was forced to.

A deep, menacing growl filled the chamber, one that sent a shiver down Raven’s spine.

Luca.

He stood in the doorway, golden eyes burning with fury, his presence like a storm barely held back. His wolves flanked him, the air around them crackling with restrained violence.

The rogue leader stumbled backward, his confidence faltering for the first time. “Luca…”

Luca tilted his head, slow and deliberate. Dangerous. “You have three seconds to explain why you’re in my territory.”

The rogue leader straightened, his bravado returning. “We came for her.” He motioned to Raven. “She’s Moonborn, isn’t she? You know what that means.”

Luca didn’t blink. “I do.”

“Then you know we can’t allow her to live.”

Silence.

A terrifying silence.

Then, Luca smiled.

It was the kind of smile that promised bloodshed.

“You made a mistake coming here.”

Luca was a force of destruction, tearing through the intruders with brutal efficiency. His wolves—late to the fight—finally stormed in, filling the space with chaos.

The chamber erupted into chaos.

Wolves lunged, bodies colliding in a violent clash of claws and fangs. Raven barely had time to react before she was pulled aside—by Luca. His grip was firm, but not painful, as he shoved her behind him.

“Stay,” he ordered.

Raven bristled. “I’m not a damn pet.”

Luca didn’t turn. “Then don’t die.”

Before she could snap back, he was already moving, launching himself at the rogue leader.

It was over in seconds.

Luca didn’t fight. He ended things.

The rogue leader barely had time to raise his blade before Luca’s claws slashed across his throat. Blood sprayed against the stone walls as the body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The remaining rogues hesitated. Then—panic. They turned to flee.

They never made it past the doorway.

Luca’s wolves were relentless.

When the last body hit the floor, silence returned.

Raven’s breath came in sharp, uneven gasps as she took in the carnage.

Luca exhaled, running a hand through his blood-splattered hair before turning to face her.

“You’re more trouble than you’re worth,” he muttered.

Raven scowled. “You’re the one who kept me here.”

Luca’s gaze darkened. “And I’m starting to regret it.”

She lifted her chin. “Then let me go.”

He stepped closer, and for the first time, she saw something unreadable flicker in his expression.

“No.”

Raven’s stomach twisted. “Why not?”

Luca held her gaze. “Because you’re mine now.”