Sasha’s heels clicked softly against the polished marble floors as she followed Luca to a secluded corner of the ballroom. The opulence of the room seemed to dim, the glittering chandeliers and elegant music fading into the background as the tension between them thickened. She kept her expression composed, but every fiber of her being was on high alert. There was something unsettling about Luca—something that made her skin crawl—but she needed answers, and he was the key to unlocking Dominic’s secrets.Luca led her toward a narrow hallway, away from the crowd, and stopped beside a tall, intricately carved door. He pushed it open, revealing a lavish private lounge beyond. Dim lighting cast shadows over velvet armchairs, a fireplace crackling softly in the corner. It was intimate, almost too intimate, and Sasha’s pulse quickened as she stepped inside, acutely aware of the danger.“Much better,” Luca said with a smirk, closing the door behind him. The click of the latch sent a chill down
Sasha’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood frozen in front of Luca, his eyes locked on hers with a predatory gleam. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, as the seconds stretched into what felt like hours. Every instinct told her to run, to escape the dark web that was closing in around her, but she forced herself to stay calm.This was a dangerous game, one she had been thrust into without a choice. Now, more than ever, she had to be smart. She had to survive.Luca took a step closer, his smile widening into something more sinister. “You seem a little on edge, Sasha. Should I be worried?”Her breath caught in her throat, but she quickly masked her fear. She knew Luca was testing her, watching for any sign of weakness. If he sensed even a hint of hesitation, he’d pounce. She couldn’t let him see her sweat.“I was just surprised to see you here,” Sasha said, her voice steady as she met his gaze. “You seemed to disappear from the ballroom so quickly.”Luca c
Pain. That was the first thing Sasha registered as she slowly came to. Her body throbbed with it—sharp stabs in her side, a dull ache in her head, and a deep, pulsing bruise on her arm where the man had gripped her. She groaned softly, the sound barely audible in the cold, dark space surrounding her. Every muscle screamed in protest as she tried to shift, the memories of what had happened rushing back like a flood.Luca’s betrayal. Dominic’s fury. The man’s rough hands dragging her away, then the fall.She opened her eyes, blinking against the darkness. Her head spun, disorienting her for a moment as she tried to focus. Where was she? What had happened after she’d fallen?Her heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to sit up, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her ribs. The floor beneath her was hard and cold, and as her vision adjusted to the dim light, she realized she was in some kind of underground room. There were no windows, only the faintest sliver of light seeping
Dominic’s gaze flicked over Sasha, chained and bloodied, his jaw tightening as rage simmered beneath his cold exterior. His dark, calculating eyes were locked onto Luca, whose smug smile wavered ever so slightly. Luca’s men shifted uneasily, glancing at each other, sensing the silent storm gathering in the air.Dominic took a deliberate step forward, his entire frame radiating a quiet, controlled fury. The room was dead silent, except for the muffled sound of Sasha’s labored breathing as she sat restrained in the chair, her wrists bound, her face pale and drawn.“What’s the matter, Dom?” Luca sneered, his bravado returning as he leaned back, folding his arms. “Upset I found your weakness?”Dominic’s mouth twisted into a humorless smile, his eyes never leaving Luca. “You’ve made a grave mistake, Luca,” he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Touching what’s mine? I won’t forgive that.”Luca scoffed, dismissing the threat with a wave of his hand. “You’ve gone soft, Dominic. Everyone
The city lights glowed through the tinted car windows as Dominic and Sasha sat in tense silence. The adrenaline from their escape had barely faded, and the charged silence between them was thick with unspoken words. Dominic’s hand lingered on Sasha’s knee, firm and steady, grounding her through the swirl of emotions she couldn’t contain. They had barely escaped Luca’s grip, and yet, somehow, she still felt the looming presence of his threat.Dominic’s phone buzzed again, and he clenched his jaw, ignoring it this time as he looked out the window. Sasha watched him, her own pulse quickening as she took in his profile—the controlled fury simmering beneath his calm exterior, his protectiveness hidden under his usual impassive demeanor. The lines in his face told a story of a man who had fought for everything he had, who had been ruthless when he needed to be, yet the way he looked at her told a different story—a gentler, conflicted one that she didn’t fully understand.“Dominic,” she fina
The morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of Dominic’s penthouse, casting long shadows across the floor. Sasha stood in the middle of the vast living room, feeling dwarfed by its emptiness. She had barely slept, haunted by Alistair’s revelation, and the painful reminder that danger was never far from Dominic—or from her. She hadn’t yet shared her thoughts with Dominic, but she could feel a shift between them, a silent weight hanging in the air.Dominic entered the room, his expression shadowed, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he spoke. “We need to prepare,” he said, voice steady but lacking his usual warmth. He glanced away, rubbing the back of his neck. “There are places to go, people to talk to. This… alliance my father’s built with Luca, it’s been under my nose, right where I never thought to look.”Sasha moved closer, her voice soft. “Dom, I can’t imagine how hard it is to hear that he’s alive—and worse, working against you. But you’re not alone in this.
The early morning light cast a pale glow over the city as Sasha lay beside Dominic, her head resting on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. The events of the night before lingered in her mind—the weight of Dominic’s past, the terrible revelation about his father’s betrayal, and Luca’s ominous threats. She had promised Dominic she wouldn’t leave him, but a gnawing doubt had settled deep within her. Would she be strong enough to face the demons from his past, or was she only adding to the risk he already faced?Dominic stirred, his arm instinctively pulling her closer. “You’re up early,” he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.Sasha smiled softly, tracing patterns along his chest. “Couldn’t sleep. Just… thinking.” Her tone was light, but she felt the tension in his body, sensed his hesitancy.He tilted her chin up, his gaze searching her face. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.She hesitated, uncertain how to voice the tangle of emotions chur
Sasha sat in the dimly lit kitchen of Dominic’s penthouse, replaying Luca’s words over and over. “Dominic sacrificed his own brother for power.” It felt impossible to believe, but the way Luca had said it left a gnawing feeling in her stomach that she couldn’t shake. Her hands trembled as she wrapped them around a mug of tea, her mind racing. If there was even a shred of truth in Luca’s words, it meant she’d built her love on a foundation of secrets. Could she trust Dominic?The sound of the elevator doors opening snapped her back to the present. She watched as Dominic strode into the room, his face hard, his eyes unreadable. He stopped when he saw her sitting there, his expression softening.“You’re still up,” he said quietly, setting down his keys.Sasha forced a smile, though she felt her heart pound painfully in her chest. “I couldn’t sleep.”Dominic frowned, sensing her hesitation. He crossed the room and reached for her hand. “Something’s wrong. I can see it in your eyes. Talk t
The air outside the cavern was thick with the scent of rain. Dark clouds loomed above the treetops, casting long shadows across the forest. The storm wasn’t here yet, but Sasha could feel it in the wind, the pressure shifting like an unspoken warning.Kai hadn’t said a word since they left the cavern. His jaw was clenched, his hands tense at his sides. Every step he took was purposeful, his body thrumming with barely restrained aggression.Sasha knew he was furious.Not just at Dorian, but at the entire situation spiraling out of their control.She wanted to say something—anything—to break the silence. But before she could, Kai suddenly stopped.His golden eyes flashed as he turned to her. “We need to leave the forest. Now.”Sasha frowned. “What? Why?”Kai’s muscles were tight, his shoulders tense. “That thing—whatever it was—it’s not done with us. And if Dorian is right, it’s only going to get worse.”Sasha swallowed. “So, what do we do?”Kai’s gaze darkened. “We go to the pack.”The
Sasha’s fingers trembled around the hilt of her dagger, her mind racing. Kai stood before her, his golden eyes now eclipsed by the abyss that had swallowed him whole. The shadowy figure loomed nearby, a dark presence that pulsed with power, its voice a whispered taunt in her ears.“There is only one way to free him… and it will cost you everything.”Her chest tightened. “What do you mean?” she demanded, keeping her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her insides.The figure stepped forward, its form shifting like black smoke. “His soul is bound to me now. You can break the bond, but to do so…” A pause. A cruel smirk. “You must take his place.”Sasha’s breath caught. “You’re lying.”“Am I?” The creature tilted its head, amused. “Feel free to test it. Strike me down, if you dare. Watch what happens to your precious mate.”Her grip on the dagger faltered. The cavern felt suffocating, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. If she killed this thing, Kai would die. If she too
Sasha’s breathing was ragged as she stood in the silent clearing, her fingers tightening around the dagger. The absence of Kai was a gaping wound in her chest, and the sinister laughter that had echoed through the forest still rang in her ears. The figure—whoever or whatever it was—had taken him.Her pulse pounded as she scanned the darkness, searching for any sign of where they had gone. The vortex that had swallowed the figure and Kai had vanished, leaving no trace behind. She clenched her jaw. I won’t lose him.The moment of stunned fear passed, replaced by a simmering determination. She forced herself to move, heading in the direction she had last seen the figure standing. The ground was disturbed, an unnatural chill lingering in the air. She pressed a hand against a nearby tree for balance, her body still aching from the blast of dark energy.A rustling noise made her snap around, dagger raised. Her heart leaped when she saw Ethan stumbling toward her, his face pale, his blue eye
Chapter 47: The Shadows StrikeThe air outside the collapsing chamber was heavy and damp, yet Sasha had never felt such a rush of relief. She and Ethan leaned against a jagged rock wall, their breaths ragged and labored. For a brief moment, the world around them was silent, save for the distant rumble of the collapsing ruins behind them.Sasha turned to Ethan, cupping his face with trembling hands. His skin was pale, his lips cracked, but his eyes were open—and alive. “We made it,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “You’re safe now.”Ethan gave a weak smile, brushing a strand of her hair from her face. “Thanks to you,” he said, his voice hoarse.But before they could savor their reunion, a chilling howl echoed through the forest surrounding them. Sasha froze, her heart sinking. That howl wasn’t human—or animal. It was something else entirely, and it was close.Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes darkening with recognition. “We have to move,” he said, urgency returning to his
Sasha’s consciousness returned in fragments—flashes of searing heat, whispers in a language she didn’t understand, and the bone-deep sensation of being watched. Her body ached as if she’d been crushed under the weight of a mountain, and her head pounded in rhythm with a distant, echoing heartbeat.When her vision finally cleared, she found herself lying on a cold, blackened ground. Shadows danced around her, alive and shifting, their shapes ever-changing. The air was thick and suffocating, carrying the faint metallic tang of blood and fire.“Where… am I?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the strange, haunting hum that filled the space.“You’re in its domain now,” a familiar voice answered.Sasha turned sharply, her heart leaping as she saw Solara standing a few feet away. The Guardian’s golden glow was dimmed, her once-brilliant form now muted and frail. She looked like a ghost of herself, her shoulders hunched and her eyes filled with weariness.“Solara!” Sasha scrambled
The passage narrowed with every step, its walls pressing in until they were forced to walk single file. The glow of the Heart lit their way, but its warmth felt faint compared to the oppressive cold that seemed to seep from the stone. The air was thick and damp, laced with an earthy, metallic tang that made Sasha’s skin crawl.“Stay close,” Alaric said, his voice low and cautious. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his eyes darting to every shadow that shifted along the walls.“I don’t think we’re alone down here,” Ethan muttered, his voice echoing ominously.Sasha’s grip on the Heart tightened. She could feel its power vibrating through her fingers, as though it were alive and aware of the danger surrounding them.“Is Lilith okay?” Sasha asked, glancing back.Ethan carried Lilith in his arms, her head resting limply against his shoulder. She hadn’t stirred since their fall into the abyss.“She’s breathing,” Ethan said, though his voice was tinged with worry. “But she’s not wak
The descent felt endless. The darkness swallowed them whole, disorienting and absolute. Sasha’s screams were ripped from her throat, lost to the roaring wind as they plummeted deeper into the void. The golden light of the Heart flickered in her grasp, struggling to pierce the oppressive black.Then, as suddenly as the fall began, it ended.Sasha hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud. Pain exploded through her body as the air was knocked from her lungs. She gasped, clutching her ribs, and looked around in panic. The ground beneath her was damp and cold, its surface slick like wet stone.“Ethan?” she croaked, her voice echoing eerily in the cavernous space. “Alaric? Lilith?”A groan came from somewhere to her left. Ethan staggered to his feet, shaking his head in confusion. His wolf form had receded, leaving him human again, his hair disheveled and his shirt torn.“I’m here,” he said, his voice hoarse. He moved toward Sasha, his eyes scanning their surroundings warily.Alaric was next
Lilith lay on the floor of Sasha’s small cabin, her breathing shallow, her face pale as moonlight. The room was deathly quiet, save for the faint crackle of the fire in the hearth. Sasha hovered over her, her trembling hands brushing damp strands of hair away from Lilith’s face.“Is she going to be okay?” Ethan asked, his voice low, though the tension in it was unmistakable. He stood in the corner of the room, still in his wolf form, pacing in short, restless circles.“I don’t know,” Sasha admitted. The Heart sat on the table beside her, dim and lifeless now, as though it had given everything it had in the confrontation.Alaric leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his jaw clenched. He had barely spoken since they returned, his eyes fixed on Lilith’s motionless form.“She’s strong,” Alaric said at last, his voice quiet but firm. “She’ll fight her way back.”Sasha wanted to believe him, but the shadowy figure who had appeared just before they escaped the square haun
Sasha knelt on the cold, dust-covered floor of the now-silent library, the Heart of Eldara glowing faintly in her trembling hand. Her vision blurred, and a sharp pain throbbed at the base of her skull, as if the artifact itself was tearing into her soul. The room around her flickered, unstable, as though reality itself had been fractured by the ritual.“Alaric? Ethan?” she called out, her voice trembling.No answer.The stillness was suffocating, broken only by the faint hum of the Heart. She turned her head sharply at the sound of movement, only to see her reflection shimmering in the broken glass of the ritual bowl. But it wasn’t just her reflection—her eyes glowed faintly gold, mirroring the artifact’s light.Panic bubbled in her chest. Where were the others? What had she done?A faint, cruel laugh echoed in her ears again, making her heart pound.“I told you, Sasha,” Lilith’s voice cooed, disembodied and mocking. “You’ve made your choice. And now, so have I.”Sasha pushed to her f