MONLIT VENDETTA

stood tall and silent around them, like old guards hiding secrets in their shadows. Every step was a fight, but she

re closed, and his breathing was weak, but she could feel the faint rise a

cret area surrounded by thick bushes and trees. A stream bubbled softly nearby, its clear water mirroring the pale light

e deep gash in his chest. Elara's hands shook as she reached for the small pouch she always carried. In

barely more than a whisper. "I can't lose you n

care so much? Luca was a hunter, an enemy, someone she should have left behind. But something deep inside her wou

ld her that some ties were made by fate, unbreakable and unexplained. Was this one of those bonds? W

weak. She watched him, trying to make sense of the storm of feelings swirling inside her.

g at his face. "Why do I feel like I

ustle of leaves in the wind. Elara closed her eyes, trying to block out the questi

first light of dawn began to filter through the trees, Luca stirred.

red, leaning close

used, his gaze darting around the strange surroundings. Then his e

ice was hoarse,

through her. "You're safe. We're in

pain shot through him. Elara gently pushed him back do

re wrapped tightly around his wound. "You... you save

ettled for the truth. "I don't know," she admitted, h

thin her. "I've been searching for answers," he finally said, his voice shaking slightly

rprise. "Your mother's

ve me a pendant and told me it was connected to the Blackwood family. She said

a beat. "The Blackwo

k she was trying to protect me. She said that I needed to find y

nd secrets their bloodline held. But she had never mentioned anything about a human woman related

ame?" Elara asked, her vo

id, his voice shaki

ar. Her mother had spoken of an Isabella, a woman who had been a close

shards of her memories. "She was... she was a friend of my mother's. B

ieve she was trying to protect us both. From what, I'm not sure. B

made her freeze. Her senses went on high alert as she t

" Luca whispered,

ver was coming. The refuge had always been safe, hidden from nosy ey

le. Elara's heart sank as she recognized the leader-Alpha Marcus Gray. His cold,

mockery. "If it isn't the last Blackwood and h

eing him here, in her refuge, sent a wave of fear through her. "Wh

lways wanted, Elara. Power. Control.

as he did. "Leave her alone, Marcus," h

don't worry, human. I have no plan of killing h

rowed. "What kin

and I'll give you the power you crave. Together, we can take pa

pting-too tempting. But something about Marcus's tone

she said, her voice strong. "And I certain

u see, I know more about your family's death than

in her throat. "What

purpose. "Join me, and I'll tell you everything. Or ref

ght of the choice pressing down on her. Betray Luca and join Marcus, or s

oughts, his tone begging. "Elara.

decision before her. She could see the despair in his eyes

he saw the cruel glint in his eyes, the b

s hurt gaze, was someone she had sworn to protect, even if she didn't fully understand why. Marcus, on t