Blood between us

The man calling himself Lucien's brother smiled while monsters crawled out of the darkness.

The black creatures continued pouring from the pit in waves of twisted shapes and snapping teeth. Warriors shouted and swung their blades trying to hold the line. Thorne shouted over the chaos. "Forget the reunion. Kill those things before they overwhelm us."

The silver-haired stranger named Orion did not move at first. He simply watched Lucien with calm golden eyes. "You have grown little brother. Stronger than I expected."

Riven stepped between them immediately sword raised. "Take one more step toward him and I will cut you down right here."

Orion chuckled low. "Relax Supreme Alpha. You sound jealous already. I have not even said hello properly."

The creatures overwhelmed the group forcing everyone into tight formation. Riven and Lucien naturally fell back to back their movements syncing without a word. "Left," Lucien called out sharp.

"Already saw it," Riven answered swinging his blade.

"Duck," Riven warned next.

"I know," Lucien replied dodging low and striking upward.

Even in the middle of battle they argued between strikes. "You are too reckless," Riven growled cutting down another creature.

"Funny coming from you," Lucien shot back slamming his elbow into one that got too close.

Rowan laughed while fighting nearby. "Do they always flirt while killing things? I cannot tell if they hate each other or want each other."

Thorne nearly got stabbed because he was laughing so hard. "Focus Rowan. This is not the time."

One creature slipped past the line and clawed deep into Lucien's side. Blood poured fast. Riven saw it and everything stopped for him. His wolf exploded with fury. "No."

He tore through three creatures in a blind rage claws and sword flashing. Lucien grabbed him hard before he fully lost control. "Riven. Look at me. Right now."

Riven's eyes glowed wild. "You are bleeding. I cannot lose you again."

"It is just a scratch," Lucien said through gritted teeth still holding him steady.

"It is not just a scratch," Riven replied voice cracking with real fear. Everyone fell silent. Nobody had ever heard the Supreme Alpha sound so afraid for someone.

The silver-haired man joined the fight effortlessly after that cutting down creatures with precise strikes. After they retreated temporarily he bowed slightly. "Name is Orion. And yes Lucien. I am your brother."

Lucien stared at him breathing hard. "No. I would have remembered. You cannot just appear and claim that."

Orion's smile faded. "They made sure you would not remember. The experiments took a lot from both of us."

The temple started collapsing around them with stones falling and dust choking the air. They took shelter in an old side chamber while the fight paused. Lucien's wound needed treatment fast. Rowan offered to help. "Let me see that side. I can bind it quick."

Riven growled low. "Move."

Rowan smirked. "Possessive much Alpha?"

Riven ignored him and carefully cleaned Lucien's wound himself with steady hands. "Hold still."

"You know you are terrible at this," Lucien said wincing but smiling a little.

"Keep talking and I will make it worse," Riven replied but his touch stayed gentle.

Lucien laughed. A real laugh that filled the small chamber. Riven froze for a moment. He realized it was the first time he had heard that sound from Lucien. And somehow he liked it more than he wanted to admit.

They ended up sitting very close while the others watched the entrance. Lucien noticed blood on Riven's cheek. He reached up and wiped it away with his thumb. Both went still. The bond hummed warmly between them.

Riven whispered low. "Why do you always scare me like this?"

Lucien smiled softly. "Did not know you cared so much."

"I do not," Riven said but his eyes said otherwise.

"Liar," Lucien replied. Neither looked away. Just before their lips could meet Thorne walked in.

"Seriously? The cave is collapsing and you two pick now for this?"

Lucien burst out laughing. Riven looked murderous but pulled back.

Deeper inside the ruins Thorne found ancient carvings on the wall. He went pale. Mara saw them too and both hid their reactions fast. One carving showed two wolves under a shattered moon. Another showed black veins spreading through a king. But the third picture froze Mara completely. It showed children strapped down for experiments. And standing beside them a much younger Mara.

More creatures attacked suddenly forcing the group to run through collapsing tunnels. Orion fought beside Lucien striking with ease. Riven did not trust him one bit. Orion noticed and grinned. "Still worried I will steal him away brother?"

"Try it," Riven snapped.

"Definitely jealous," Orion said laughing.

Lucien nearly smiled despite the chaos around them. "Both of you focus before we all die down here."

They reached the surface at last and froze in place. Hundreds of warriors surrounded the ruins. Three pack banners waved in the night wind. Sable stood at the front looking triumphant. Beside her a chained and beaten Elder Kael stood alive but barely.

Everyone stared in shock. Riven whispered. "Impossible. We saw him die."

Sable smiled wide. "Looking for answers Supreme Alpha? I brought you a ghost."

Kael lifted his bruised head with effort. His eyes locked onto Lucien. Then he said weakly. "Run. She is already here."

Behind Sable a woman with silver eyes smiled coldly. Mara dropped to her knees in horror. "No. Selene."