“Well, your wolf is locked,” Luca said, his voice calm but firm, as if he was revealing a truth that she wasn’t yet prepared to accept.“Whoa…” Catherine gasped, her heart skipping a beat. Her face flushed with surprise as the weight of Luca’s words settled in. This wasn’t what she had expected to hear. Not today, not ever. She blinked, trying to clear her thoughts, but the panic bubbling inside her only grew stronger. “How do you know that?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly, betraying the anxiety that was creeping up on her.Luca didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stared at her, a small, almost cryptic smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You really have a lot to learn,” he said, his tone soft yet tinged with something else—mystery, perhaps. “By the way, I won’t tell you how I know. Not yet. But you need to understand something important.” Catherine’s breath caught in her throat as she listened, her heart pounding harder with each word. “When you see your wolf,” Lu
It felt like she was now inside an ocean. The cold water pressed in on her from every side, thick and suffocating. Everywhere was dark and isolated, an endless expanse with no beginning or end. There was no creature in sight, no fish, no life—just a vast, eerie emptiness that swallowed everything.The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of her own breathing, uneven and panicked. She couldn’t see where she was going, but something deep inside her told her to swim upward. Her arms pushed through the water, slow and heavy, every stroke a struggle against the suffocating stillness.She swam for what felt like hours, her muscles aching, until finally, she broke through the surface. The air hit her face like a rush of reality. She gasped, drawing in a deep breath. But as she looked around, her heart sank. This wasn’t the world she knew.The surface was still—too still. The sky above was a strange, muted color, neither day nor night, but something in between. The landscape around
I jolted awake, my entire body drenched in sweat as though I had been submerged in water. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and vivid flashes of the dream I'd had moments before relentlessly replayed in my mind. Each scene clung to my consciousness, haunting me until, at last, it faded away. The fever that had gripped me was gone, the trembling ceased, and the disturbing flashes stilled. It was then that I noticed my surroundings. I was no longer in the woods."Where am I?" I whispered, my voice barely audible as panic gnawed at the edges of my thoughts.I slowly rose from the mat beneath me, and to my surprise, I felt stronger and better than I had in a long time. The weakness that had weighed me down was gone, and with a newfound sense of clarity, I stepped outside, hoping to find Luca.But he wasn’t there."Where would Luca be?" I murmured, scanning the surroundings for any sign of him.Panic gnawed at me as I rushed back inside, calling his name. "Luca!" My voice echoed off the w
“You, you monster,” Cathrine said, her voice trembling with rage. “You killed my mom.”“Ooh, someone is angry,” the man replied, smirking. “Yes, I killed your mom,” he continued, his tone dripping with malice. “And I’ll do the same with you.”Cathrine's eyes glowed brighter as she shot back, “I’d like to see you try.” This time, she was no longer the meek mommy's girl he had encountered years ago; she was something else—something he would regret challenging.No longer acting on her own accord, it was her powers that surged within her. The man smiled, leaning into the tension. “I won’t fight you first,” he said. “Your boyfriend will.”She turned to Luca, who stood frozen in shock. His beautiful green eyes suddenly turned red, mirroring hers as he morphed into the terrifying werewolf he had become. It was as if he were charmed, and he lunged at her with a ferocity that sent chills down her spine.He charged toward her, leaping to strike, but she dodged the first attack. “Luca, don’t do
"You don't understand, Catherine! You can't take them all alone. They're too strong," Luca said, his voice laced with frustration. "I once thought I could, but it turns out I couldn't. What I'm saying is in your best interest.""I do understand, Luca, but there's no harm in trying," Cathrine replied, her voice steady but determined.Luca heaved a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. After a brief pause, he finally said, "Okay, but if you're going to face them, you need to train to your fullest potential. And you won’t do it alone.""Fine. I’m ready. Let’s begin," she said without hesitation."It’s too late. We’ll start tomorrow morning," Luca said, turning his back on her as he began to walk away.Cathrine stood there for a moment, her mind drifting back to what the creature had told her earlier. The words echoed in her thoughts, chilling her to the bone. She quickly pushed those thoughts aside and hurried to catch up with Luca. Together, they entered the small, worn-out hut."Ge
"Who's this Luca?" Catherine asked, her mind swirling with worry.Luca smiled, a knowing grin that softened the tension in the room. "You won't believe this, Catherine," he said, his voice light and teasing.I felt a surge of curiosity and nervousness. Luca was always calm, but this...this felt different."It's my father's friend," he began, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Since I was little, both he and my dad taught me everything I know. They raised me, made me who I am today."I watched as Luca’s eyes grew misty, emotion tugging at the edges of his usually controlled demeanor. He pulled the man standing before us into a warm embrace, holding him like he hadn’t seen him in years. My own unease began to dissipate, but a question lingered in the back of my mind: Why now?The man had a presence that was hard to describe. He radiated authority, and yet there was something guarded, even suspicious, about him. His sharp gaze flicked to me. I didn't know what to do, so I managed a sma
As I walked toward the bathroom, a faint dripping sound echoed through the room. The cold air brushed against my skin, making the silence feel even more unsettling. I pushed the door open slowly, holding my breath as if expecting something—or someone—to leap out at me. But there was nothing. Only the steady drip of water from the faucet, each drop hitting the porcelain sink in rhythmic beats.I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Never mind, Luca. It's nothing," I called out, shaking my head as I turned back toward the room.Luca was sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes downcast, clearly weighed down by something. As I began pulling on my shirt, his voice broke the silence."I'm... I'm sorry, Cathrine. I got out of control," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.I stared at him for a moment, seeing the tension in his posture, the regret in his eyes. "It's alright," I said softly, trying to reassure him. "Don't beat yourself up too much."I moved across the ro
"Hello, Cathrin."His voice slithered through the air like poison, sending an icy chill down my spine. He stood across from us, his form cloaked in shadows, but his presence felt like a tangible weight pressing against me. "What do you want?" I shot back, forcing myself to meet his gaze. My heart pounded in my chest, the blood rushing to my ears so loudly I could barely hear my own words. But I couldn't show fear. Not now. Not with Luca beside me, too weak to fight.The man laughed, his voice dripping with cold amusement. The sound was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade. "Nothing much," he said, his lips curling into a cruel grin that sent a shudder down my spine. "Just your life."The words hung in the air, sinking deep into my chest. My life.Luca, who had been beside me, stirred. His breathing was labored, and I could feel his body trembling from exhaustion. He shouldn’t have been standing, let alone preparing to fight. Still, he pushed himself up, using every last bit o
A howl erupted, echoing in the distance. My chest pushed forward involuntarily, and I felt my bones shatter into a million pieces.Pain radiated through me as my hands twisted unnaturally, bones protruding through my skin. A scream escaped my lips as my structure began to change."It's going to be okay," I heard Luca’s voice behind me, but it sounded distant and muffled.Hairs sprouted from my skin, and before I could process it, everything changed. I stood shakily on my feet, feeling a strange, primal energy coursing through me.I glanced at the priest, noticing the fear in his eyes. Why was he so scared? Turning around, I faced Luca, and even he looked shocked.Why were they all staring like that? Confused, I stepped toward the mirror with trembling legs. What I saw made my heart pound.Standing before me was a massive, furry wolf. Its presence sent chills through me—until I realized it was me. My wolf.Its eyes glowed red, and its fur was a striking mixture of black and brown. I to
My eyes widened in shock, heart pounding as I saw Kieran lift his hand, aiming for Luca’s neck. I’d always known Kieran was a man without dignity or integrity, but to stoop so low? This was beyond anything I could have imagined.Adrenaline surged through me as I launched myself at him. My shoulder collided with his side just as his hand began its descent. The impact sent both of us crashing to the ground, a sharp gasp escaping my lips. The metallic scent of dirt and sweat filled the air as I scrambled to regain my footing.The heavy thud of our fall drew Luca's attention. He turned toward us, his face frozen in shock. For a moment, the battleground fell silent. The crowd that had been roaring moments before now held their breaths, their collective tension thick in the air.I glanced up at Luca and saw the disbelief in his eyes. It was as if he couldn’t reconcile the betrayal he had just witnessed—the man he had spared trying to stab him in the back.I pushed myself off the ground, bru
Luca raised the sword high, his muscles taut with tension. The crowd held its breath, the arena falling deathly silent. All eyes were on him as the blade glinted in the moonlight.With a guttural roar, Luca brought the sword down.Gasps rippled through the crowd. But instead of piercing Kieran, the blade slammed into the dirt, embedding itself mere inches from his face.Kieran froze. His heart thundered in his chest as the dust from the impact clouded the air around him. Slowly, his trembling body gave way, and he collapsed backward, his arms weak beneath him.A moment passed before Kieran squeezed his eyes shut, his breath coming in rapid, shallow bursts. His body shook uncontrollably, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop the tremors. Fear gripped him, cold and unrelenting, like chains pulling him down into the abyss.The metallic tang of sweat filled his mouth as he forced himself to open his eyes. His gaze landed on the sword, its edge still gleaming dangerously close
Bang! The swords met with a deafening clash, sparks flying as the blades collided. Luca’s arms trembled from the force of the strike, his body slick with sweat. He had been fighting Kieran for over an hour, yet the man showed no sign of tiring. This can’t be right, Luca thought, his muscles screaming, but Kieran still fought with the same unyielding strength.Luca’s legs wobbled as he dodged another strike, the weight of his sword growing heavier with each swing. His breathing was labored, his chest rising and falling in quick bursts, yet Kieran didn’t seem to be slowing down. The smirk on Kieran’s face only seemed to grow, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that sent a chill down Luca’s spine. He shouldn’t be able to do this. I’m stronger than him. But something was wrong. Something Luca couldn’t explain.Cathrine watched from the sidelines, her eyes narrowed in disbelief. Her heart pounded in her chest, but it wasn’t just from the intensity of the fight. It was Kieran. His energy w
"Fine, it’s a deal. If you accept it, then I’ll give you the support you need," Maximoff said firmly, his voice echoing across the tense room."Dad, how can you? You’re practically sending people to die!" Kieran cut in, his tone sharp with disbelief."He’s someone with sense, Kieran," Luca replied before Maximoff could respond. "He’s not like you. He pictures a better future, not one destroyed by Damian’s chaos.""Shut up, Luca! You’re nothing. You have no right to decide what happens here," Kieran shot back, his eyes blazing with anger. "You’re not even worthy of the position given to you. That’s why I, Kieran Maximoff, challenge you to a showdown at sunset. A battle to the death. The winner keeps the throne.""Kieran, are you out of your mind?" Maximoff exclaimed, his face tightening in shock.Before he could say more, Luca raised a hand, signaling him to stop. "You want to fight, huh?" Luca said, his voice calm yet menacing. "Fine. I accept your challenge. If you’re man enough to f
Luca Maximoff.The atmosphere of the pack shifted as Maximoff announced his decision. A murmur rippled through the crowd, spreading like wildfire, voices hushed but thick with shock. No one had expected this—least of all the people who had devoted their lives to Kieran, believing he would be Maximoff’s successor.Kieran’s expression was unreadable at first, but his eyes soon betrayed him. Shock, anger, and disbelief flashed across his face, each emotion sharper than the last. He had grown up his whole life believing this role would one day be his. Now, to hear that the title would go to someone else—someone he barely knew as a brother—was a blow he could hardly comprehend.Even Cathrine, standing off to the side, was stunned. She could hardly believe it. Luca is Maximoff’s son? she thought, her heart pounding as her mind raced through the implications. She hadn’t known. None of them had.Kieran’s eyes burned as he stared at Luca, his once-familiar gaze turning hostile and venomous. Th
Luca stared at Maximoff for a moment, letting the silence linger between them. He finally cracked a smile, though there was no humor in it. Shaking his head, he muttered, “That’s a really nice coincidence.”“I’m not sure that’s a coincidence, Luca,” Maximoff replied, his voice unusually serious. “What if—”“It can’t be,” Luca snapped, cutting him off, a defensive edge creeping into his voice.“You have to face the truth, Luca. I’m your father.” Maximoff’s tone was steady but filled with something deeper, something almost…regretful.“No.” Luca’s voice was barely a whisper, but each word carried an undeniable force. “You’re not. You’re Kieran’s father. My real father…he died a long time ago. He fell in a battle I led.” The memory of that day flickered in Luca’s mind—a day filled with blood, loss, and the pride of knowing he’d avenged his fallen father.Maximoff shook his head slowly, his gaze unwavering. “He wasn’t your real father, Luca. I am. The man you called ‘father’…he only took
“Answer me, Luca. Did you look her in the eye?” the priest yelled, his voice echoing sharply against the chamber walls. The room was tense, shadows flickering in the dim candlelight that seemed to dance in his eyes.“Yes, I did,” Luca shot back, his tone laced with a mix of defiance and regret. “There was no other way! She told me that if I wanted to save Cathrine, I’d have to lose my wolf.”His fists clenched as he took a steadying breath, struggling to keep his emotions in check. “I did it. I did it for Cath… for everyone. Cathrine is the only one who can stop Damian. She can’t die, not now—not when we need her the most.”The priest’s face softened, his anger fading into something like sympathy. He let out a long, heavy sigh, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t have done that, Luca. That’s a heavy price to pay. You should have tried to convince her, or looked for another way.”Luca’s face twisted with frustration, his voice breaking slightly as he spoke. “I tried. She was persistent, a
“What brings you before the Moon Goddess?” The voice echoed through the dark void, deep and calm yet carrying a strange weight that pressed against Luca’s chest.Luca, on his knees with his head bowed, felt the pull of her presence and took a steadying breath. He had prepared himself for this moment, yet now that he was here, his voice wavered. “Dear Goddess of the Moon,” he began, forcing himself to speak clearly, “I have come to ask something of you.”Silence stretched, thick and tense. Then, after a pause that seemed to last forever, the voice answered, cool and almost amused, “And what is that?”Luca’s throat tightened as he fought to keep his composure. “I have come to plead… to save the one I care about.”A low, mocking hum filled the air, almost like a bitter laugh. “Ooh, I see. So, you’re here to save your love. But what makes you think you’ll convince me to spare her when you are not worthy of her?”The accusation stung. Luca flinched, and his heart ached as her words landed