QUEEN OF THE LYCANS

The shadow

The Shadow*

Nina's mind reeled as Sophia's words hung in the air. What did she mean? What was she? The questions swirled in her head, a maelstrom of confusion and fear.

Sophia's eyes, filled with a deep sadness, met hers. "Nina, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to be the one to tell you. But you're in danger, and I need to protect you."

Lucas, his expression unreadable, watched the exchange, his eyes never leaving Sophia's face. "Sophia, perhaps this is too much. We should take this somewhere else."

Sophia's gaze snapped to Lucas, a flash of anger in her eyes. "No, Lucas. She needs to know. She needs to understand what's coming."

The café's sounds and smells faded into the background as Nina's focus narrowed to Sophia's words. "What's coming? What's happening to me?"

Sophia took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring. "You're a lycanthrope, Nina. A werewolf. And there are those who will hunt you, try to control you, because of what you are."

The words hit Nina like a sledgehammer, knocking the breath from her lungs. Lycanthrope? Werewolf? No, that was impossible. She was just a normal person.

But the dreams, the strange occurrences, the feeling of being watched...it all made sense now.

A chill ran down her spine as she remembered the ritual, the Blood Moon, and the shadows that had seemed to move of their own accord. The memories flooded back, a tidal wave of fear and confusion.

Sophia's hand closed over hers, warm and reassuring. "You're not alone, Nina. I'm here. We'll protect you."

But as Nina looked up, she saw a figure standing in the shadows, watching her. Tall, dark, and menacing, its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light.

The figure took a step forward, its presence filling the café. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with an unseen force. Nina's heart pounded in her chest as the figure spoke, its voice low and gravelly.

"You don't understand, Sophia. You're playing with fire. And Nina's the gasoline."

The figure's eyes locked onto Nina's, and she felt a jolt of recognition. She knew those eyes.

The figure took another step forward, its face coming into the light. Nina's breath caught in her throat as she saw the scar above its left eyebrow, the piercing green eye.

It was Lucas.

But...how? He was sitting right next to her.

The world tilted, and Nina's vision blurred. The last thing she saw was Sophia's shocked expression before everything went black.