XIV

"Family."The word hung in the air like a death sentence. Alex's eyes narrowed, his body stiffening at Davina's casual completion of the strange man's statement. It wasn't just the word; it was the presence of this man—this intruder. The aura radiating from him wasn't just powerful, it was oppressive, suffocating, like a shadow of doom pressing down on Alex's chest. He felt threatened in a way that made his skin prickle with an unfamiliar sense of vulnerability."Family?" Alex's voice dripped with suspicion as he questioned the man standing behind Davina. His tone wasn't just inquisitive; it was a challenge. Before Lucifer could respond, Davina cut him off, her voice shaky but resolute."He's... uhm—my uncle."Lucifer's lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. An emotion—something dark and unexpected—flashed in his eyes. He stifled a laugh, barely containing the mockery threatening to burst forth. Uncle? Really? The absurdity of the lie was almost entertaining to him. Alex wasn't buying it, either—Lucifer could see that much in the wolf's hardened gaze—but, strangely, Alex chose to play along, his words dripping with an odd, unsettling undertone."Davina's family is my guest too," Alex said, his voice laced with an eerie calm that sent chills down Davina's spine. "Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll see you around." The emphasis on the last part was unmistakable, a promise more than a parting. It felt like a warning, a slow, simmering threat.Only a fool—or the blind—would miss the tension sparking between the two men.Lucifer's eyes gleamed as he gave a slow, deliberate nod. "I'll take my kid from here," he replied, his voice cold, mocking. "I look forward to seeing you." There was a weight to his words, a menacing undercurrent. Without another glance, Lucifer seized Davina's hand, his grip like iron, and led her away from the Alpha's territory, leaving Alex standing dumbstruck in their wake.Once they were far from prying eyes, Davina finally had enough. She twisted her wrist, attempting to free herself from his grasp. "Why are you here?" she demanded, her voice sharp, cutting through the thick tension.Lucifer's grip tightened painfully. "Shh," he hissed, his voice low and venomous. "That's not how you speak to your uncle, kid." The word was spat out like a curse, his anger barely held in check. His golden eyes burned with an intensity that sent a shiver crawling up her spine."Don't—"But Lucifer's hand shot out, silencing her with a single movement. "I'm here for business, and when it's done, I'll be gone. You can relax," he sneered, the lie evident in his tone. "I have no interest in you or your precious little wolf."A blatant falsehood. The darkness in his gaze told her the truth: he was here for her, and for her alone.Davina's throat tightened as her wolf stirred restlessly within her, sensing the danger. "What business?" she pressed, her voice brittle.Lucifer's lips curled into a smirk. "Don't concern yourself with the affairs of elders, kiddo." His voice was cold, dismissive, and it grated on her nerves.With a resigned sigh, Davina turned, leading the way to the guest house, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Her wolf, Daeliah, snarled in her head, reminding her of the flicker of doubt in Alex's eyes. He hadn't believed her lie, and Daeliah made sure she didn't forget it.When they arrived, Austin was waiting, but the moment his eyes fell on Lucifer, he dropped to his knees, bowing his head in deference.Davina froze, her heart pounding as the realization dawned on her. Vampires, though a separate species, fell under Lucifer's dominion. The dark lord. She had never fully grasped the gravity of his title until this moment. And now, a chilling question clawed at her thoughts—how did Austin know him?Lucifer's voice broke the silence, calm and measured. "We met due to some... unavoidable circumstances," he said, answering her unspoken question as he walked past her without sparing her a glance. His nod toward Austin was casual, but it held the weight of authority.Austin rose to his feet, his eyes avoiding Davina. He didn't dare look at her."Privacy, kid," Lucifer murmured, his tone mocking, loving the twisted role he was playing. But beneath the sarcasm, there was a darker intent in his voice, something important brewing in his mind that only Austin was privy to.As Davina left, the two of them vanished, dissolving into the shadows like they had never existed. The old magic—Lucifer's signature. She muttered under her breath, her mind racing as she headed to check on Ethan, her heart heavy with unresolved tension.The run did little to clear her head. By the time she returned to the house, the sky was beginning to lighten. The first hues of dawn stretched across the horizon, but they brought her no comfort. Instead, an ominous feeling crept over her as she approached Ethan's room.She froze at the door. The scent of blood hit her like a punch to the gut—thick, metallic, unmistakable. Her stomach twisted violently.Ethan's room was empty.Her breath hitched, her mind reeling. The blood... it wasn't Ethan's, but that did nothing to quell the panic roaring inside her. Rage and fear twisted together, her demon and wolf howling in unison as she stormed outside, following the faint trail of blood that led her beyond the pack's borders.The forest loomed dark and ominous, the trees whispering ghostly secrets as she ran, her senses heightened, every nerve in her body alert. The smell of blood grew stronger with every step, and dread gnawed at her insides.Then she saw it—the clearing. And in the center... Ethan.His small body lay motionless on the ground, pale, lifeless. Davina's vision blurred as she approached, her heart pounding so hard it hurt. The world around her seemed to tilt and spin as she knelt beside him, her trembling hands brushing against his clothes, recognizing them instantly."No..." Her voice broke, barely a whisper. Her throat tightened as tears spilled down her face. She let out a howl of anguish, her wolf and demon both writhing in torment inside her. The forest echoed her cry—a sound of pure, unrelenting grief.