HE WANT ME BACK

CLARK POV

The grand hall of Red Moon Manor felt suffocating, the air thick with tension. I faced Lucian, who was stiff, his shoulders in a frozen position. Lorenzo clung to my side, his little body trembling.

Clark, he went on, in a calm and quiet voice, "I am trying to do what is right for my pack. My mother is—”

“Your mother is a schemer and a liar, Lucian,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “Just like you. You know, you think I'm just going to heal her and then hand her off carelessly, right? This is just the beginning.”

“Enough of this,” Sarah spat, scrambling to her feet. Can you walk inside and do your job? “She snapped, her voice dripping with contempt “You’re nothing without your healing abilities.”

I met her gaze, my eyes narrowing. “And you’re nothing without your husband’s protection, Sarah. That’s why you’re scared—because deep down, you know I’m stronger than you, even without my powers.”

“Stronger?” Sarah laughed, her tone dripping with venom. “You’re a shadow of your former self, Clark. You’re nothing but a bitter woman clinging to the past.

“Bitter?” I echoed, . “You think I’m bitter? No, darling. I’m just getting started.”

Lucian stepped forward, trying to mediate. “Let’s not turn this into a fight. Clark, please. My mother needs help.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “Help? Or do you want me to resurrect her? Because I am not a miracle worker.”

“Do as much as you can," Lucian begged, his voice cracking with pain. “For the sake of our shared memories together.”

The mention of our memories made my heart clench. “You think of our memories? You abandoned me, Lucian. You left me for her," I pointed out, my eyes fixed on him as a smug glint flashed in Sarah's eyes as she smiled.

“No, I didn’t!” Lucian’s voice rose, frustration evident in his tone. “You betrayed me! Remember what you did; I am not the one at fault here.”

“For real,” I shot back. “You still believe I did that to you, you know how I loved you.”

“Enough!” Lucian cut in, his eyes flashing with anger. “I'm done with your little trick, let's go back to the real work", he said. My mother needs you, Clark. Or do you want her to die?”

“I’ll help your mother, but only if you promise to remove the threat you pose against me and my son," I replied, determination rising within me. “I won’t be your pawn anymore.”

“Pawn?” Sarah scoffed. “It's a fools' game; hoping something can be negotiated here.”

“You’re a fool, Sarah, " I said with a smirk, “because I know something you don’t.

“What could you possibly know that I don’t? She challenged, crossing her arms in her chest in defense.

“Your bloodline,” I stated, relishing the moment. “You’re not truly one of us, are you? You are merely one part of a game that you just can't comprehend.

“What are you talking about? Lucian asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Sarah’s heritage is a mess,” I stated. Her father was a spy, a puppeteer. You just feed into it, Lucian, and you don’t even get it.

Sarah’s face paled. “Stop. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” I pressed, stepping closer.“ Raphel mother, the one who’s sick? She’s the one who orchestrated your rise to power. “She's the reason you are no longer around your dad, and she's been the reason you ended up marrying Lucian.”

“Lies!” Sarah yelled, but I saw the damage to her personality already starting to form.

“Is it?” I challenged myself. “What If I showed you the truth? Her plots are much darker than you know. If you don't believe it, just wait and see. The same group that you assume already exists on your border will crush you.”

“Enough!” Lucian shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. “Clark, we need to focus. You need to help my mother right now.”

I looked at him, studying his face. “And what will you give me in return? Your loyalty? Your trust? I’ve learned not to trust you, Lucian.”

I’ll stop at nothing to keep my family safe, he said, and his eyes burned into his audience. “Even if it means going against Sarah.”

Sarah’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can’t be serious!”

“Watch me,” Lucian said, his voice full of totality. “I won’t let you manipulate me any longer, Sarah. This ends now.”

Can you afford to leave me? She hissed, stepping forward. “I'm Luna. I have my power.”

“Not anymore,” I said, stepping between them. “Power that's based on deception and that's about to be revealed.”

“Stop all of this charade! Sarah circled, lifting her arm to hit me.

Don't you even try it!" Lucian shrieked, holding Sarah back.

“Why do you care?” she spat, glaring at him. “She’s nothing but a threat to our family.”

“Family?” I echoed, my tone dripping with disdain. “You wouldn’t know what family means if it hit you. You’ve destroyed everything good in your wake.”

Sarah’s eyes blazed with fury. “I will not let you take my place. You’re just a bitter woman with nothing to lose.”

“Funny,” I replied, unfazed. Given all the facts taken into account, I am willing to fight for it and shall do so.”

“Fight?” Lucian interjected, his voice low and tense. “Clark, you don’t have to do this. We can work together.”

“Together?” I scoffed. “You’ve made your bed, Lucian. Now lie in it.”

“Clark, stop!” He screamed, and I turned, chastising myself for not sharing my vulnerability.

Nevertheless, I did not, and the weight of my anger and pain consumed me. “You think you can control me? It sounds like you both think it's a walk in the park to jump back in, and it'll be all fixed, right? You destroyed everything. I have to do this on my own.”

“Clark,” he pleaded, his voice softer now. “Please, don’t shut me out.”

“Shut you out?” I sneered, disgust filling my tone. “You’re the one who shut me out five years ago. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

The tension between us was palpable, leaving my words hanging in the air, memories of the past flooding into my mind, but a sudden loud noise broke the stillness. We turned, startled.

“What was that?” Lorenzo whispered, clutching my leg tighter.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, my instincts kicking in. “But we need to be ready.”