Episode One : the revelation
"Lucian Montgomery, do you remember me?"
The commanding voice cut through the hum of the upscale bar, freezing Lucian mid-sip. He turned, his emerald eyes meeting the stormy blue gaze of the woman he had long thought lost. Kara. The savior from his past, the ghost of a fleeting yet unforgettable night. The memory of her had been a whisper in his mind, a regret that lingered in the shadows.
"Kara," he murmured, masking his shock with a carefully composed expression. "What are you doing here?"
She stepped closer, her presence commanding and urgent. "We need to talk, Lucian. Now."
He gestured towards a dimly lit booth in the corner, away from prying eyes. As they settled into the booth, the weight of unspoken words pressed down on them. Lucian could sense the gravity of her presence. This was no casual encounter.
"Out with it, then," he said, his voice a low rumble. "What’s so urgent that you had to seek me out after all this time?"
Kara's eyes flickered with a mix of anger and desperation. "I have a son. Our son."
The words hit him like a physical blow, knocking the breath from his lungs. "Our son?" he echoed, disbelief and confusion mingling in his voice.
"His name is Ethan," Kara continued, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "He's three years old, and he's starting to show signs of his heritage."
Lucian's shock quickly morphed into anger, then suspicion. "And you didn’t think to tell me sooner?" he snapped, his green eyes flashing dangerously. "You kept my son a secret for three years?"
Kara's eyes blazed with her own fury. "I tried to find you, Lucian," she shot back. "But you vanished. By the time I realized I was pregnant, it was too late. I had no way to reach you. I had to protect him."
Lucian narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. "How do I even know you're telling the truth? How do I know he's mine?"
Kara's face contorted with a mix of hurt and anger. "You think I would lie about something like this?" she spat. "I have no reason to make this up, Lucian. Look at this." She pulled out a photo from her bag and shoved it towards him.
Lucian took the photo reluctantly, his breath catching as he saw the young boy with piercing green eyes and a mischievous smile. Ethan. But his suspicion lingered. "A photo proves nothing," he said coldly. "It could be anyone's child."
Kara's expression hardened, her voice trembling with rage. "Do you really think so little of me? Do you think I’d fabricate a story about having your child just to get your attention?"
Lucian’s silence was answer enough. Kara's eyes filled with tears of frustration and anger. "You arrogant bastard," she hissed. "Believe what you want, Lucian. But know this: the rogues are coming for Ethan. And whether you believe me or not, he's in danger."
Lucian opened his mouth to respond, but Kara was already standing. "I thought you were different," she said, her voice shaking. "I thought you cared. But you're just like all the others. Selfish, arrogant, and blind."
By now, their heated exchange had drawn the attention of everyone in the bar. Conversations hushed, and curious eyes turned their way. Lucian felt the weight of their stares, a mix of curiosity and judgment.
"Mind your own business!" Lucian’s voice thundered through the room, silencing the murmur of onlookers. His gaze, sharp and commanding, swept across the bar. The patrons, cowed by his authoritative presence, quickly turned away, returning to their drinks and hushed conversations.
With a final, furious glance, Kara turned on her heel and stormed out of the bar. Lucian watched her go, his mind a maelstrom of doubt and anger. Was she telling the truth? He closed his eyes, trying to recall the night they had shared. The passion, the connection. It had felt real, but had it been enough to create a life?
Lucian’s thoughts were interrupted by the crash of the bar door. The sudden noise brought him back to the present, and he realized the rogues Kara had warned about might already be here. He stood, tossing a few bills on the table, and headed for the exit.
Outside, the cool night air did little to calm his racing mind. He scanned the darkened street, his Alpha senses on high alert. Then he saw it: traces of a struggle. Footprints and drag marks led away from the bar, towards the shadowy alley. His heart pounded as he followed the trail, his senses sharpening.
"Kara?" he called out, his voice low but urgent. There was no response, but the signs of struggle grew more evident. Lucian quickened his pace, his fear mounting.
Then he heard it. Faint, desperate cries for help. "Lucian! Help!"
Kara’s voice. She was in trouble. Lucian’s heart raced as he sprinted towards the sound, his mind filled with fear and determination. The trail led him deeper into the alley, the darkness closing in around him.
The cries grew louder, more frantic. "Lucian!"
Lucian burst into the clearing, his Alpha vision cutting through the gloom. He saw Kara, surrounded by rogues, her face pale with terror. Rogues, the outcasts of their world. Men and women stripped of their pack affiliations, living on the fringes of society. Dangerous, desperate, and driven by primal instincts. They were known for their ruthlessness, their ability to blend into the shadows, and their relentless pursuit of power.
The leader of the rogues turned to him, a sinister smile playing on his lips. His eyes, cold and calculating, reflected a lifetime of cruelty. His presence alone was enough to send shivers down Lucian’s spine.
"Hand over the boy," the rogue demanded, his voice dripping with malice. "And no one gets hurt."
Lucian’s eyes blazed with fury as he stepped forward, ready to fight. "Over my dead body," he snarled.
The leader laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Lucian’s spine. "That can be arranged," he sneered.
As the first rogue lunged at him, Lucian met him with a powerful blow. The fight was on, and the fate of their son hung in the balance. The night was far from over, and the true test of their strength and resolve had only just begun.
Lucian fought with everything he had, but the rogue leader’s words echoed in his mind, planting seeds of doubt and fear. As he delivered another crushing blow, he couldn’t shake the feeling of confusion and shame. What if Kara was right? What if Ethan was his son?
In the chaos, he saw Malek, the rogue leader, pull out a knife and approach Kara. Panic surged through Lucian as he fought to reach her. But it was too late. Malek plunged the knife into Kara’s side, a cruel smile on his lips.
"No!" Lucian roared, his heart shattering. He fought his way through the remaining rogues, desperation fueling his every move. By the time he reached Kara, Malek had retreated, his laughter echoing in the night.
Lucian dropped to his knees beside Kara, his hands trembling as he pressed them to her wound. "Kara, stay with me," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "Don't leave me."
Kara's eyes fluttered open, pain and fear reflected in their depths. "Lucian... Ethan," she gasped, clutching at his shirt with weak fingers. "You have to find him... protect him."
"I will," he vowed, his heart shattering. "I swear to you, I will."
But as Kara’s eyes began to close, her strength fading fast, Lucian knew their nightmare was far from over. The rogues were still out there, and Ethan was in danger. He had to act fast as Kara's blood stained his hands
