CHAPTER 9 — BLOODLINE SECRETS
1049 Words
Annabelle felt as if someone had knocked the air from her lungs.
Her mother — dead?
Killed?
Protecting her?
“No,” she whispered, shaking her head violently.
“No, that’s not true. My mother died of an illness. My father told me—”
The stranger stepped forward, eyes filled with something that looked like sorrow.
“He lied to protect you.”
Lucien instantly blocked him, a snarl ripping through his chest.
“Take. One. More. Step,” Lucien growled, “and I will end you where you stand.”
The man lifted his hands in a gesture of peace.
“I’m not here to fight, Alpha.”
Annabelle pressed a hand to her chest, trying to breathe.
The stranger’s presence stirred something deep in her blood — not comfort, but familiarity, like a forgotten scent in a distant dream.
“My mother…”
Her voice trembled.
“What really happened to her?”
The stranger looked at her with unbearable sadness.
“She didn’t die from illness,” he said softly.
“She died from a curse. A curse cast by the same ones hunting you now.”
Annabelle felt her knees weaken.
Lucien caught her instantly, pulling her against him, one arm wrapping around her waist.
“Easy,” he whispered, his voice softer now — for her, not for the intruder.
The stranger continued, voice gentle but firm.
“You were born with dormant power — the last Descendant. Your mother hid you from your bloodline’s enemies. When they found her, she fought to keep them from finding you.”
Annabelle’s throat burned.
“So I’m the reason she died?”
“No,” the man said firmly.
“She chose to protect you. A mother’s choice—the oldest magic there is.”
Lucien tightened his grip on her.
“What’s your connection to her mother?” he demanded.
The stranger hesitated.
Annabelle forced herself to speak, voice cracking.
“Please. Tell me.”
He lowered his gaze.
“I was her mother’s guardian.”
Lucien stiffened.
“A guardian? That bloodline died out centuries ago.”
The stranger gave a faint, bitter smile.
“Almost. I survived.”
Annabelle wiped tears from her cheeks.
“If you were her guardian… why didn’t you protect her?”
Pain flickered across his features.
“I did,” he whispered.
“I fought beside her until her last breath. She made me promise one thing — to protect her daughter if her enemies ever resurfaced.”
Annabelle swallowed hard.
“Then why did you wait until now?”
The man’s expression hardened, shadows returning to his eyes.
“Because your power has begun to awaken. And that awakening… it sent out a signal.”
Lucien growled, low and lethal.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning every creature with darkness in their veins felt it,” he answered.
“Every rogue. Every shade. Every witch that wanted your bloodline dead.”
Annabelle trembled.
“Why do they want me dead?”
The stranger locked eyes with her.
“Because your blood can command what their magic cannot. The dead will always bow to your lineage — not theirs.”
Lucien snarled.
“You keep speaking in riddles. What exactly can she do?”
The man hesitated.
Annabelle’s heart thudded painfully.
“Tell me,” she demanded.
“I deserve to know.”
The stranger exhaled slowly.
“You can resurrect,” he said.
“Control. Command. Silence. Or summon.”
His eyes softened.
“Annabelle… your blood can bring back anything that dies.”
Silence fell like a blade.
Annabelle staggered, her hands trembling violently.
“No,” she whispered.
“No, that’s impossible—”
Lucien caught her again, pulling her into his chest.
“Easy,” he murmured, stroking her back.
“Breathe. I’ve got you.”
She buried her face against him, shaking.
The stranger continued.
“You haven’t manifested yet. But the second your blood awakens fully, you become the most powerful creature in the region.”
Lucien’s growl vibrated through her.
“So that’s why someone in my pack wants her gone,” he said.
“To stop her power from awakening.”
The stranger nodded.
“Or to use it.”
A cold shiver ran down Annabelle’s spine.
Lucien’s eyes flared silver.
“Over my dead body.”
The stranger studied them both thoughtfully.
“The bond between you two… it’s strong. Stronger than I expected.”
Lucien bared his teeth.
“She’s my mate.”
“Yes,” the stranger said softly.
“And that bond is the only reason her transformation hasn’t begun. Your blood stabilizes hers.”
Annabelle lifted her head from Lucien’s chest, eyes wide.
“My… transformation?”
Lucien tensed.
“What transformation?”
The stranger met his gaze evenly.
“If she awakens without guidance, without ancient protection…”
He inhaled slowly.
“She won’t survive the process.”
Annabelle’s blood turned to ice.
Lucien’s entire body went still.
Deadly.
Cold.
“What do you mean,” Lucien said softly — too softly — “she won’t survive?”
“She will burn alive from the inside out,” the man said.
“Her heart will fracture. Her body will tear.”
A pause.
“And her soul will be trapped between life and death.”
Annabelle’s knees buckled.
Lucien scooped her into his arms instantly, holding her against him like she was something fragile — something priceless — something he could not afford to lose.
“Enough,” Lucien snarled.
“You will tell me how to stop it.”
The stranger nodded.
“There is only one way.”
Annabelle looked up at him, fear choking her.
“What way?”
The stranger’s eyes darkened.
“You must complete the bond with your mate.”
Annabelle froze.
Lucien did too.
The air felt heavy.
Charged.
Loaded.
“Complete… the bond?” Annabelle whispered.
Lucien’s grip tightened around her waist.
The man lowered his voice.
“You must join your souls. Fully. Permanently. Mate in every sense of the word.”
A slow, dangerous silence filled the room.
Lucien’s breath hitched.
Annabelle’s heart hammered.
The stranger spoke the truth neither of them were ready for:
“Without the completed bond… she will die.”
- Writer
