Chapter 51 – Whispers of Defiance

The Echo’s eyes bored into me, twin infernos promising destruction. It stood there, motionless, watching—a predator savoring the fear it knew it could provoke. My wolf stirred, growling low and deep inside me, not from fear but from raw, primal fury. It wanted blood.

Me? I wanted answers.

“Speak!” I commanded, my voice laced with all the Alpha authority I could muster.

The Echo tilted its head, as if amused by my audacity. Its form wavered, a shadow barely tethered to this world, but its voice cut through the darkness like a blade.

“She’s closer than you think,” it said, each word sharp and deliberate. “But, Alpha, she’s no longer yours.”

My grip tightened around the hilt of my knife. Useless, I knew, but it gave me the illusion of control. “She’s not yours either, fucker!”

The Echo chuckled, the sound cold and hollow. “You don’t get it, do you? Quinn was never yours. She’s mine now. Forever.”

Ice crawled through my veins. “Bring her back!”

It stepped closer, its form rippling like smoke, but those burning eyes never wavered. “Oh, but it’s the truth. She’s changed, Alpha. You’ve been chasing a memory. The girl you knew? She no longer exists. You think you can save her, but all you’ll find is something broken and twisted. And it’s all your fault.”

Rage ignited in me, burning hotter than the Echo’s eyes. “Shut up! What have you done to her? I swear, if you’ve touched her—” The growl tore from my throat before I could stop it. My claws pierced my palms, drawing blood. Ethan took a cautious step back. I didn’t blame him. I was one wrong word away from snapping.

But the Echo wasn’t done.

“She missed the blood moon ritual, didn't she? She belongs to the curse now. To me. And there’s nothing you can do to change that. Keep searching, if you want, but every step will lead you closer to her destruction. And yours.”

Then it vanished, dissolving into the night like smoke on the wind.

Silence fell, heavy and suffocating. My breath came in ragged gasps, my wolf pacing inside me, desperate to lash out at something—anything.

Ethan broke the stillness. “Luca, we have to go.”

“I’m not leaving,” I snapped, my eyes scanning the darkness, hoping—praying—the Echo would return.

Ethan grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him. “It’s gone, man. And you know it’s just trying to fuck with your head. Don’t let it win.”

It took everything I had to nod and turn away. He was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. My wolf hated retreating—hell, I hated retreating—but there was nothing more we could do. Not tonight.

The walk back was silent, the Echo’s words a weight pressing down on my chest.

When we reached the house, the sleek black car parked out front made my stomach drop.

“Shit,” Ethan muttered.

Our father was home early.

The moment we stepped through my office door, his voice hit me like a slap.

“Luca!”

There he was, standing in the center of the room, towering and immovable. His presence filled the space, heavy with authority. His eyes—my eyes—were cold and calculating, always seeking weakness.

“Where have you been?” he demanded, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.

“Out,” I said, brushing past him.

“Don’t test me, boy.”

I clenched my jaw but didn’t respond. Ethan lingered behind me, clearly not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.

My father’s gaze landed on the table, where my notes were scattered. The ones I’d been using to track Quinn.

“What is this?” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. He picked up one of the pages, his eyes scanning it. “You’re still chasing that girl?”

“I’m looking for my mate,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

His laugh was cruel. “Your mate? That human is a weakness. A liability. And you’ve let her distract you from your duties. The clan is falling apart because of your obsession!”

I didn’t see it coming. His fist connected with my jaw, snapping my head to the side. Pain exploded, but it was nothing compared to the fire that ignited inside me.

My wolf surged forward, clawing at the surface. My vision blurred, tinged with red. Claws extended from my fingertips, and a growl rumbled deep in my chest.

“Luca, don’t!” Ethan’s voice cut through the haze, but I barely registered it.

Marcus stepped in, his massive frame blocking my father. “Enough!” he barked, his voice carrying the weight of command. “Not here. Not now.”

Marcus was the only one who dared stand up to my father. It was part of what made him a damn good Beta.

Ethan grabbed my arm, pulling me back. “He’s not worth it, Luca. You know what happened last time.”

I did. The last time I fought my father, it nearly tore the pack apart. We couldn’t survive another clash like that.

I forced myself to stand down, though every muscle in my body screamed to fight. My claws retracted, and my breathing slowed. But the anger didn’t fade. It simmered, hot and dangerous.

My father smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “That’s what I thought.”

“You’re a coward,” I spat.

His expression darkened. “Careful, boy. I’m still the true Alpha of this pack. And if you don’t start acting like one, I’ll take over until I find someone who will.”

My fists clenched at my sides, but I stayed silent.

“There’s a gala tomorrow night,” he continued. “You’ll attend, and you’ll choose a Luna. A wolf. Someone who can actually contribute to this pack. Not some fragile insect who will only drag us down.”

“I don’t need you to—”

“You’ll do as you’re told!” he roared, cutting me off. “Prove you’re finally worthy of leading this clan.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the room heavy with tension.

Ethan let out a long breath. “Well, that went about as well as expected.”

I didn’t respond. My mind was already racing, trying to figure out my next move. The Echo’s words echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

Quinn was closer than I thought. But she was slipping further away with every passing second.

And now I was supposed to pick a Luna?

I was totally fucked.