The Truth Hidden In Blood
609 Words
# Chapter 10: The Truth Hidden in Blood
The bakery was unusually quiet.
Most of the customers had gone home before sunset after hearing about the attack in the town square. The cheerful atmosphere that once filled the shop had vanished, replaced by an uneasy silence.
Upstairs, Damon sat on the edge of the bed, his injured shoulder tightly wrapped in clean bandages.
Mrs. Margaret had insisted he stay the night.
"You've lost too much blood," she had said. "You won't make it far in your condition."
For once, Damon didn't argue.
He wasn't staying because of his injury.
He was staying because Elena was here.
---
In the kitchen, Elena quietly washed the last of the dishes.
She could feel his eyes on her even though he wasn't in the room.
"You're staring again," she said without looking up.
"I just wanted to make sure you're alright."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
She stopped washing the plate.
Slowly, she turned to face him.
"You don't get to worry about me anymore."
Damon lowered his head.
"I know."
The guilt in his voice was real.
For the first time since their reunion, Elena saw the proud Alpha looking... broken.
---
A knock interrupted the silence.
Ryan stepped inside carrying a stack of documents.
"Alpha."
"What is it?"
"I questioned one of the attackers before he escaped."
Damon's expression hardened.
"Did he say who sent them?"
Ryan nodded.
"He refused to reveal his Alpha's name."
"But he kept repeating one sentence."
Ryan unfolded the paper.
**'The child belongs to him.'**
Elena's face drained of color.
"The child?"
Ryan looked between Elena and Damon.
"It sounds like whoever is hunting you already knows you're pregnant."
Instinctively, Elena placed a protective hand over her stomach.
Fear gripped her heart.
She had hidden her pregnancy from everyone.
So how did they know?
---
That night...
Unable to sleep, Elena quietly stepped onto the small balcony outside her room.
The cool breeze brushed against her face.
The moon hung high above the sleeping town.
A moment later, the balcony door opened behind her.
"You always loved looking at the moon," Damon said softly.
She didn't answer.
He walked beside her, leaving enough space so she wouldn't feel trapped.
"I remember the first night we met," he continued.
"You told me the moon made you feel safe."
Elena smiled sadly.
"It used to."
Silence settled between them.
Finally, Damon spoke again.
"I never stopped loving you."
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
"Don't."
"I'm telling the truth."
"The truth?" she whispered, turning to face him.
"Then tell me why."
"Why did you reject me?"
Damon's jaw tightened.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
"I can't."
Her expression fell.
"So there really is no reason."
"There is," Damon replied quickly.
"But if I tell you now..."
"It will put you in even greater danger."
Elena stepped back.
"I've had enough of secrets."
Without another word, she returned inside, leaving Damon standing alone beneath the moonlight.
---
Far from the peaceful town...
Inside a fortress hidden deep within the mountains...
The mysterious Alpha stood before an ancient stone altar.
An elderly seer bowed respectfully.
"My Alpha..."
"The prophecy has begun."
The Alpha's crimson eyes narrowed.
"And the child?"
The old woman closed her eyes.
"The heir carries a power that hasn't been seen for generations."
"If the child lives..."
"Every pack on the continent will fight to claim them."
A slow, dangerous smile spread across the Alpha's face.
"Then Elena must never be allowed to escape again."
Lightning flashed across the dark sky.
A new war was no longer coming.
It had already begun.
**End of Chapter 10**
- Writer
