I look at Natasha, Jacob, and her mother, who are all looking at me expectantly. "I'd like to tell you a story," I say, my voice calm and measured. "A story about how I came to be the man I am today." They all nod, leaning in to listen. I clear my throat, and begin. "I was born into a family of myth and power...""My father and mother were the rulers of a powerful pack of werewolves," I say. "They were the alpha and Luna, and their rule was unquestioned. But their power made them enemies, and one day, their own comrades turned against them. They were betrayed, and they were killed." I pause, my heart heavy at the memory. "My sister, Lauren, and I were banished from the pack. We were left to fend for ourselves, and we struggled to survive." I feel my anger rising, but I keep my voice even. "It was then that I vowed to never be weak again. "I turned away from all emotions and friendships," I continue. "I focused only on gaining power and strength. I worked hard, took risks, and did thi

A devious smile spreads across my face as a brilliant idea forms in my mind. I look around, taking in my companions: a single witch, a werewolf, and myself. "This will have to do," I say, my voice low and dangerous. Sam and Jacob exchange a wary glance, as if they can sense the dark thoughts churning in my mind. I can see the fear in their eyes, but I know they're with me to the end, not entirely sure about Sam though. I turn to Sam, an expectant look on my face. "Can you clone yourself?" I ask, hoping for a positive answer. His expression falters, and he shakes his head. "I can't," he says, sounding a little embarrassed. I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that I'm asking more of him than he's capable of. Suddenly, we hear a voice from the kitchen area, as if from a great distance. "Cloning spells are one of the easiest ancient spells a witch should know," it says, its tone full of knowledge and experience.We turn, and there's Alphana, Natasha's mother. She's an enigmatic figure, shrou

There's a shortcut to the temple, and I know it like the back of my hand. It's a winding path that few know about, and it's shrouded in mystery. As we run, our speed increases, until we're moving at the maximum speed that a werewolf can travel. The air rushes past us, and I feel like I could run forever. But there's no time for that now. We need to reach the temple before Aurora does.We're stopped in our tracks by a huge crack in the earth. It's as if an earthquake has split the land in two. I'm about to jump across when Sam appears, teleporting in a flash of light. "This is the advantage of being a witch," he says, a smug grin on his face. "I can just teleport across." I feel a surge of annoyance, but I know he's right. I grin, and I leap into the air with all the strength I have. I feel the wind rushing past me, and for a moment, I feel weightless. Then I land on the other side, my feet hitting the ground with a thud. Jacob is still on the other side, looking at me in disbelief.

I try to push myself to my feet, but it's like my body has given up on me. I feel like I'm going to pass out, but then I feel a warm touch on my shoulders. "Lucien," a familiar voice says. I look up, and I see Natasha, standing over me. I'm surprised to see her here, but I'm also relieved. "What are you doing here?" I ask. "I can't just stay home while everyone else is fighting," she says, her eyes determined. "This is my mess too." Natasha helps me to my feet, and I feel a little better. Then she takes out a knife and slits her wrist, offering me the blood that flows from the wound. I know that drinking her blood will make me stronger, so I take a drop. But as soon as I do, the strength rushes through me so fast that I lose my balance and crash into the stone floor of the temple. It's a jarring blow, but I feel my strength returning. I look up at Natasha, and I see a determined look on her face. "We have to stop them," she says.Before I can even get to my feet, I'm kicked in the sid

We both stand panting in the middle of the forest, surrounded by broken trees and torn-up road. The air is charged with tension, and it's clear that neither of us is backing down. "You're a strong old man," I say, my voice tight. Raphael laughs, but there's a hint of bitterness in his laugh. "And you're a persistent young fella," he says. I can tell that he's getting tired, but so am I. This battle could go on for hours, and I'm not sure how much longer I can last.Raphael launches at me, his fist colliding with my face. I fly backwards, crashing into a tree. I try to stand up, but my body feels heavy and sluggish. My vision is blurry, and I can barely make out Raphael's figure through the haze. He walks towards me, his face cold and expressionless. I know he's about to deliver the final blow, and I can't do anything to stop him.As I stand there, resigned to my fate, I hear a voice calling my name. I try to focus, but my vision is still blurry. Then, I hear it again, and I realize it