The Bond

The scream didn't come from Lucien. It came from something that had been sleeping for centuries.

Every torch in the underground temple died at once plunging the chamber into total darkness. Cai began shaking hard in his cell voice breaking. "No no it is awake. I feel it in my bones. We need to run."

The Veiled Mother struggled to stand leaning against the wall. "Stay away from the pit. Do not go near the edge whatever you do."

Lucien heard whispers inside his head. Not clear words but fragments of memories. Familiar voices. Children laughing in the dark. Someone calling his name over and over. Then a faint silver light appeared far below in the pit glowing like a dying star.

Lucien strained against his chains. "What is that light? Tell me what is happening down there."

Cai whispered back. "It calls to us. The ones they broke. Do not listen Lucien. It lies."

Riven and his group reached the entrance of the ruins moments later. The drained bodies outside confirmed Lucien had been brought here. The bond suddenly exploded with fresh fear inside Riven's chest. He nearly collapsed against a stone wall.

"Lucien," Riven gasped clutching his mate mark. "He is down there and he is terrified."

Without waiting he jumped straight into the ruins sword drawn. Thorne cursed loudly. "Damn fool. Wait for us Riven."

Rowan and the other warriors rushed after him weapons ready. "Alpha slow down. We do not know what waits inside."

Lucien demanded answers in the dark temple. "Who are you really? Stop hiding behind that mask."

The woman removed her mask though shadows still hid most of her face. Lucien did not recognize her. Tears filled her eyes. "You were too young to remember me. I helped create the children in those labs."

Lucien backed away as far as the chains allowed. "You experimented on us? On me? All this time you were part of it?"

"No," she said voice cracking. "I tried to stop it. Many children died in those rooms. Only a few survived. Someone powerful financed everything. Someone who wanted weapons not people."

Riven finally reached the main chamber sword raised. He saw Lucien alive and chained. Relief flooded through him so strong it made his knees weak. Before thinking he grabbed Lucien pulling him close.

"Idiot," Riven muttered into his hair. "You scared me half to death."

Lucien stared at him eyes wide. "You crossed half the forest for me? For your prisoner?"

"Do not flatter yourself," Riven replied but he did not let go. His arms stayed tight around Lucien like he might disappear again.

Thorne noticed from the side and quietly looked away giving them the moment.

Rowan moved forward helping untie Lucien's chains. "Hold still. I will get these off."

Lucien thanked him softly. "Thank you Rowan. I owe you."

Riven immediately frowned watching them. "He is helping you not proposing marriage."

Rowan laughed under his breath. "Alpha are you jealous right now? In the middle of all this?"

Riven almost growled. "Just hurry up."

Lucien spent the next hour smiling about it every time he caught Riven's eye. "You really cannot hide it can you?"

Cai recognized the ring on Rowan's finger from across the cell. His face changed completely. "Where did you get that ring? Show it to me."

Rowan explained quickly. "It belonged to my father. He gave it to me before he died."

Cai became pale as death. "No. That is impossible. You should not have that."

Before he could explain further the entire temple shook violently. Stones cracked and dust fell from the ceiling.

The stone floor split apart with a loud groan. Black mist rose from the pit below. Strange creatures emerged from the darkness. They looked like twisted shapes neither wolves nor humans moving with unnatural speed.

The Veiled Mother whispered urgent. "The Hollow Moon feeds on fear. Do not listen to what it shows you."

Warriors began hearing voices in their heads. Dead loved ones. Lost memories. Deep regrets. Thorne heard his mother's voice calling him a failure. Rowan heard his dead brother begging for help. Riven heard his father clear and cold. "Weak son. You were never worthy."

The voice nearly broke Riven. Rage took over and his wolf began losing control. Eyes flashing he raised his sword ready to attack anything.

Lucien grabbed him hard by the shoulders. "Look at me Riven. Not them. Me. Stay with me."

Their bond calmed the madness almost instantly. Riven slowly returned to himself breathing hard. Everyone witnessed it. The Supreme Alpha only listened to one person now. Lucien.

As they retreated deeper into the ruins Cai suddenly stopped eyes full of fear. "No. He survived? This cannot be."

Everyone turned. A man stepped out of the shadows. Tall with silver hair and golden eyes. Scars identical to Lucien's marked his arms and neck.

The stranger smiled sadly. "Little brother."

Lucien froze in place. "I have been looking for you."

Riven immediately drew his sword stepping in front. "Get away from him. Now."

The stranger laughed softly eyes flicking to Riven. "Protective already? Interesting."

And around the stranger's neck burning beneath his collar was half of a mate mark glowing faintly in the dark