Episode 5: The Alpha's Dead Brother
764 Words
Lucian Black.
The name alone was enough to make Zara's heart stop.
He was dead.
At least, that was what everyone believed.
For years, stories about Alpha Caden's older brother had circulated throughout the realm.
The future Alpha.
The golden son.
The strongest warrior Silverstone Pack had ever produced.
Then one day he disappeared.
The official story claimed he had died during a rogue attack against the northern territories.
Nobody was ever found.
No funeral was ever held.
Yet everyone accepted it.
Until now.
Because Lucian Black was standing ten feet away beneath the moonlight.
Alive.
And smiling.
"Impossible," Zara whispered.
Lucian's smile widened.
"I get that reaction often."
Valeria immediately moved in front of Zara.
Protective.
Dangerous.
"Leave."
Lucian laughed.
"Still as welcoming as ever, Valeria."
His silver eyes shifted toward Zara.
The moment they met hers, a strange expression crossed his face.
Recognition.
Interest.
Almost satisfaction.
"So she really is Aurora's daughter."
Zara stiffened.
"You knew my mother?"
"I knew of her."
Lucian took another step forward.
Valeria's eyes flashed dangerously.
"One more step and I will remove your head."
"Charming."
He stopped.
Not because he feared her.
Because he wanted something.
That much was obvious.
The air around him felt wrong.
Heavy.
Predatory.
Like a wolf patiently studying prey.
"What do you want?" Zara asked.
Lucian looked directly at her.
"You."
Silence.
The word hung in the air.
Valeria's body immediately tensed.
"Not happening."
Lucian sighed dramatically.
"You misunderstand."
"No," Valeria replied. "I understand perfectly."
For several seconds, neither moved.
The tension between them was frightening.
As though an old war existed beneath their words.
A war Zara knew nothing about.
Finally, Lucian spoke again.
"Tell me, Zara."
His gaze remained fixed on her.
"Have they told you why your mother was hunted?"
The question struck her like lightning.
"What?"
Valeria's face darkened.
"Enough."
But it was too late.
Zara's attention was locked entirely on Lucian.
"Hunted?"
Lucian nodded.
"Of course."
The casual way he said it made her stomach twist.
"Did you think the last Nightshade heir simply vanished?"
Fear crept into her chest.
Nobody had mentioned this.
Not Valeria.
Not her father.
Nobody.
Lucian chuckled.
"They are keeping secrets from you."
"Stop talking."
Valeria's voice carried a dangerous warning.
But Zara stepped forward.
"No."
Both turned toward her.
"I want answers."
Lucian smiled.
Exactly what he wanted.
"Good."
Valeria closed her eyes briefly.
Frustrated.
"Twenty years ago," Lucian continued, "the Nightshade family was nearly wiped out."
Zara's heart pounded.
"Why?"
"Because someone feared them."
The forest became silent.
Even the wind seemed to listen.
Lucian's expression hardened.
"The Nightshade bloodline was powerful enough to challenge every Alpha family in existence."
His eyes narrowed.
"Power like that creates enemies."
Zara felt cold.
Very cold.
"Who killed them?"
Lucian looked at her.
Then toward the distant moon.
Finally, he answered.
"The same people who will come for you."
A chill raced down her spine.
Before she could respond, a sudden howl echoed through the forest.
Long.
Loud.
Dangerous.
Valeria instantly turned.
"Run."
"What?"
"Run!"
The urgency in her voice shocked Zara.
Another howl answered.
Then another.
Then another.
Dozens.
Lucian's smile vanished.
For the first time, he looked serious.
"They found her."
The ground began shaking.
Branches snapped in the darkness.
Something was coming.
Something big.
Zara's enhanced senses suddenly exploded with information.
Heartbeats.
Many heartbeats.
Fast.
Closing in.
Her eyes widened.
"There are dozens of them."
"No," Lucian said grimly.
"Hundreds."
The color drained from Zara's face.
Hundreds?
That was impossible.
Valeria grabbed her arm.
"You have to leave now."
"What about you?"
"We will hold them off."
"We?"
Lucian stepped beside Valeria.
A surprising alliance.
"The hunters are not after us."
His silver eyes locked onto Zara.
"They are after the last Nightshade."
The last Nightshade.
Her.
A deafening roar suddenly erupted from the forest.
Trees crashed to the ground.
The earth trembled.
And then they appeared.
Massive wolves emerged from the darkness.
Black fur.
Glowing red eyes.
Far larger than normal werewolves.
Monsters.
Dozens of them.
Then dozens more.
An army.
Zara took a step back.
Fear gripped her heart.
She had never seen creatures like these before.
Valeria's expression turned grim.
"Blood Wolves."
Lucian cursed under his breath.
"They should not exist."
The largest wolf stepped forward.
Its glowing red eyes locked directly onto Zara.
A deep growl rumbled through the clearing.
Then a voice echoed inside her mind.
Cold.
Ancient.
Terrifying.
"We have found you, Princess."
Zara froze.
Princess?
The wolf lowered its massive head.
And smiled.
"We have been searching for a very long time."
- Writer
