3. Safe Nowhere

The rain was coming down in buckets, turning the city into a swirly mess of neon lights and rushing water that just washed blood into the gutters like it was no big deal. Streetlights flickered through the downpour like dying stars, and every wet surface shimmered with crazy, broken colors – reds, blues, and sickly greens all bleeding into each other, like the city couldn’t make up its mind what it was.

Luna couldn’t stop shaking. It wasn’t just the cold, it was everything. She hugged herself, her nails digging into her arms, trying to trick her brain into believing none of this was real. That she hadn’t seen men turn into wolves. That she hadn’t watched golden eyes blaze in the dark like living fire. That she hadn’t felt something inside her just… switch on – something huge and wrong and powerful enough to make the air itself hum. Her wounds had healed like they were nothing. Power had exploded out of her like she wasn’t even in control. No way. It couldn’t be real. It shouldn’t be.

“You need to keep moving,” Darius said, his voice low and steady, his eyes sweeping the dark streets as if expecting something to pounce.

Luna shot him a glare, her face slick with rain-soaked hair. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“I always have a choice.”

His jaw tightened a fraction, like he was holding back something sharper. “You think those wolves are gone?”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to think about them.

“They’re regrouping,” he added.

A low howl, long and mournful, drifted through the city from somewhere in the distance. It was way too close for comfort. Then another answered it. Luna’s stomach plunged. Darius looked up towards the rooftops, rain beading on his dark hair. “They’re tracking your scent.”

“My scent?” she echoed, her voice cracking just a little.

“Since your power woke up, every supernatural thing within miles knows you’re here.”

She let out a bitter laugh that sounded more like disbelief than humor. “So my night just keeps getting better.”

His eyes met hers, and for a fleeting second, she saw something heavy there. “It hasn’t even hit the worst part yet.”

Before she could even ask what he meant, a sleek black SUV glided up and stopped at the curb without a sound, its tires hissing through puddles. The passenger door opened. A tall blonde woman stepped out. She was all black leather, with a sharp posture, like she owned the entire street. Rain seemed to slide off her coat as if refusing to touch her. Her bright blue eyes locked onto Luna first, then flickered to Darius with instant recognition.

“Alpha.”

Darius gave a short nod. “Report.”

“The eastern perimeter’s compromised. We lost two patrols.” Her gaze shifted back to Luna, openly curious now, sizing her up like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit the picture. “So…” she said slowly, “She’s the one.”

Luna frowned. “The one what?”

The woman didn’t even acknowledge the question. Instead, she looked at Darius. “She’s human.”

“No.” The answer was instant, sharp enough to cut through the rain.

The woman blinked. “Excuse me?”

“She only thinks she’s human.”

Luna threw her hands up, frustration finally cracking through her fear. “Can everyone please stop talking about me like I’m not standing right here?”

The blonde woman smiled a little, as if Luna’s outburst amused her more than it should have. “I like her.”

“I wasn’t trying to be likable,” Luna snapped.

“I know.” The woman stepped closer and held out a hand. “I’m Evelyn.”

Luna hesitated, then shook it. Evelyn’s grip was firm, warm despite the rain. “Luna.”

“I know.” Great. Apparently, everyone knew who she was except her.

Darius opened the SUV door. “Get in.”

“No.”

“Luna.”

“No.” His patience was clearly wearing thin, a dangerous glint appearing in his eyes. “We don’t have time for this.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“You shouldn’t.” That made her pause. He said it so casually, like it was obvious. Like trust wasn’t even a factor. “But trusting me is still safer than staying here.”

A sharp crash echoed from across the street. Glass exploded outwards. Three dark figures dropped onto the pavement as if they’d fallen from the night sky itself. Not wolves. Not exactly. They looked human… mostly. Too still. Too perfect. Like mannequins trying to act alive. Their eyes glowed red in the dark. Their smiles showed way too many sharp teeth. One of them inhaled slowly, tilting its head. “I found her.”

Darius’s expression instantly turned cold. “So did they.”

“What are they?” Luna whispered, stepping back without realizing it.

“They’re not werewolves.”

“They’re vampires.”

Luna just stared. For a moment, her brain refused to process the word. Then she actually laughed, a sharp, disbelieving sound, because what else could she do? “Vampires?”

One of them smiled wider, amused. “We prefer immortal.”

Luna looked at Darius. “This is officially the weirdest night of my life.”

“It gets worse.” Of course it does.

The vampire moved fast. Too fast. One second he was across the street. The next, he was right in front of her. Luna didn’t even have time to breathe. His hand shot towards her throat—and Darius was suddenly there. They slammed into each other, hard enough to crack the pavement beneath them, a shockwave rippling through the puddles. The vampire skidded back, then straightened like it was nothing, rolling his shoulders. He smiled. “So it’s true.”

Darius’s eyes were glowing gold now, brighter than before, a primal, controlled violence held on a razor’s edge. “Leave.”

“We’re under orders.”

“So am I.” The vampire’s gaze slid back to Luna, predatory and curious. “Our king would very much like to meet her.”

“I’m not interested,” Luna called out, her voice steadier than she felt.

He chuckled softly. “You won’t be asked.”

A faint but undeniable golden light flickered under Luna’s skin again. The mark on her wrist started glowing, burning as if it recognized them. Every supernatural being around them noticed. The vampire’s smile faltered slightly. “So the stories were true.”

Darius stepped in front of her without hesitation, blocking her completely. “You’ve seen enough.”

“I’ve seen history.” The vampire slowly backed away, his eyes never leaving Luna. “We won’t fight you tonight, Alpha.” His red gaze lingered on her like a promise. “But every kingdom is going to come for her now.”

Then he was gone. So were the others. Just like that. A heavy, unnatural silence fell over the street. Only the rain remained. Luna stared at the empty space where they’d been standing, her chest heaving too fast. “I think…” she said weakly, her voice barely holding together, “…I’m going to pass out.”

Before anyone could respond, the world tilted violently. The last thing she felt was Darius catching her before she hit the ground. As everything went dark, she heard his voice. Low. Protective. Worried in a way he clearly didn’t want anyone to notice. “I’ve got you.” And for the first time in years… Luna actually believed him.