WHEN THE PAST CATCHES UP

"He’s here."

I could barely breathe as I saw him. Lucian. Standing in the middle of the battlefield, blood smeared across his jaw, his sharp blue eyes locked onto mine. His chest rose and fell, his fists clenched, his whole body tense like he was ready to tear the world apart.

"Selena!" Raiden’s voice snapped me out of my trance. "Move!"

But I couldn’t. My feet felt rooted to the ground. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Lucian. Deep down, I knew he would come. But seeing him now—his rage, his desperation—it made something deep inside me tremble.

"You!" A thunderous roar shattered the air. My stomach twisted as I turned and saw him. Alpha Adrian. His red-stained claws gleamed under the moonlight, his face contorted with pure hatred.

"You think you can destroy me?" Adrian’s voice was like ice. "You think you can defy me and live?"

"Stay away from her!" Lucian growled, stepping forward. His body was tense, his muscles coiled like he was ready to pounce. "She was never yours!"

Adrian let out a harsh laugh. "Oh, but she was mine. I have owned her since the day she was born. She’s nothing without me. Just a pathetic, weak little—"

"No!” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. My fists clenched at my sides. "I was never yours. And I never will be."

Adrian’s smile twisted into something cruel. "Then you die here. Or…" He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with malice. "You come home with me. Now."

My stomach lurched.

"You have no choice, Selena. You step toward me, or I end your miserable life right here." He extended a hand, his claws still slick with blood. "Choose."

"She already belongs to me," Lucian snapped, stepping between us. "You gave her to me, Adrian. Or have you forgotten?"

Adrian’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "That was a trick. A game. You were never meant to keep her."

Lucian let out a low, dangerous growl. "And yet, here she stands. You lost the right to claim her the moment you handed her over. You don’t get to take her back now."

Adrian’s nostrils flared. "I decide what is mine!" His voice thundered across the battlefield. "You think you can keep her? Do you think she actually wants you?"

Lucian’s fists tightened at his sides, but his voice remained steady, unwavering. "That’s not for you to decide."

Adrian scoffed, turning his gaze to me. "Come, Selena. Before I kill everyone here just to take you myself."

His hand reached for me.

Lucian moved like lightning, his arm shooting out, blocking Adrian’s path before his claws could touch me. Their eyes locked, the tension between them thick like smoke.

"Touch her," Lucian said, voice deadly quiet, "and I’ll rip your throat out."

Adrian smirked. "I’d like to see you try."

Without another word, Adrian struck. Lucian countered instantly, their bodies colliding with bone-crushing force. The ground trembled beneath them as they tore into each other, claws slashing, fangs bared. Blood splattered across the battlefield as their snarls echoed through the night.

"Selena!" Raiden’s voice rang out again. "Go! Now!"

I spun around, and my heart sank. Raiden’s warriors were struggling. Adrian’s men were stronger, faster. They were gaining ground, pushing Nightshade’s forces back. Bodies littered the ground, the air thick with the scent of blood and death.

"Raiden—" I started, but he cut me off.

"Run, Selena!" He blocked a strike from an opposing warrior, his eyes filled with urgency. "They’re here for you! If they take you, we’re all dead!"

I hesitated. I didn’t want to leave them. I didn’t want to run. But deep inside, I knew he was right. If Adrian got his hands on me again, he wouldn’t just kill me. He would make sure I suffered first.

With one last glance at the battlefield, I turned and ran.

My legs pounded against the dirt as I sprinted toward the trees, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I could still hear the clashes of battle behind me, the growls, the screams. My heart hammered against my ribs.

Just keep running. Don’t stop. Don’t—

Pain exploded through my leg. A sharp, searing sting. I gasped as I stumbled, my foot twisting beneath me. I barely had time to register the blade lodged deep in my calf before my body hit the ground hard.

The world tilted. My vision blurred.

I tried to move, tried to push myself up, but my limbs wouldn’t listen. The pain spread through me like fire, burning, throbbing. My breath came in short, shallow bursts.

A shadow loomed over me. A boot pressed against my shoulder, pinning me down. A deep chuckle sent a shiver down my spine.

"Foolish girl," Adrian murmured, his voice thick with triumph. "You really thought you could escape me?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but the darkness swallowed me whole.