chapter 17

I have always known that Lycans were capable of despicable things. They were monsters, destroying everything in their path. It was a lesson ingrained in us since childhood.

But it seemed there were secrets kept from the public—abilities that Lycans harnessed, hidden from view.

My eyes widened as I watched Lucas press his open wound to Sabrina’s mouth, letting his blood drip into her. It wasn’t a pretty sight, especially considering the last time he held her like that, she had her tongue torn out. There was still so much I needed to learn about this family—about my mate—about what it meant to be part of their world. I knew I was despised, not only by Sabrina and her father but by Lucas's mother as well.

Suddenly, I saw Sabrina's body begin to twitch. Her fingers, trapped beneath her brother's knees, started fidgeting, as if life was being pumped back into her. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. No creature, human or beast, should have the power to do that. Watching this, I wondered how many more things had been kept hidden from us.

“Don’t overfeed her!” his mother warned, stepping forward to watch closely. Their interactions were strange. They seemed like strangers to one another. Everyone tiptoed around Lucas, their fear palpable. I realized I had greatly underestimated my mate. He wasn’t just feared by those who knew little about him—he was feared even more by those who knew him too well.

Suddenly, a gasp for air followed by a guttural scream filled the room. Sabrina—who had been a lifeless corpse moments ago—folded her knees and stood up, shoving her brother away. Lucas didn’t even lose his balance. He remained steady, placing a hand in front of her to ensure she wouldn’t fall. How was this even possible? How could she survive without a tongue, and how had it grown back?

“You killed me!” Sabrina yelled, clenching her fists as she turned to Lucas. She was alive and fine. But how? How had her tongue just grown back?

“I won’t hesitate to kill you again. Don’t touch her,” Lucas said, his voice full of dominance as he pointed directly at me. I hated being the focus of attention, especially in this room. Their powerful auras suffocated me. Sabrina glared at me with pure hatred in her eyes. I didn’t know what to say or do. It was my fault she had been killed, and I wished there were a way to atone for what her brother had done.

“But you—” she started.

“Sabrina, not another word!” her father commanded, his voice swift and authoritative. Sabrina, as if under a spell, bowed her head and walked toward her mother by the door.

“Thank you, son,” her father said, extending his hand to shake Lucas’. The Lycan King, however, merely stared at him before walking away to stand beside me.

“She’s the one you should be thanking. I wouldn’t have brought Sabrina back if it weren’t for her,” Lucas revealed.

His words were like a damning confession. He had killed his own sister—not as a Lycan, but by his own choice. Whether or not he was in his Lycan form, Lucas was a monster, his instincts always aligned with violence and bloodshed.

“Thank you,” his father choked out, struggling to say the words. I bowed my head in acknowledgment, praying he would leave. The Moon Goddess must have heard my plea, because he turned and left, taking Sabrina and his wife with him. I had never felt so relieved. They were like a shadow of doom lurking in the room.

“Come here,” Lucas commanded softly, his tone gentle and welcoming. He seemed relieved, even happy—a rare emotion for him. I walked toward him, feeling secure in his arms as he pulled me close, his embrace tight around my waist. I could feel the steady beat of his heart as he guided me toward the bed. Gently, he laid me down, and as we pulled apart, I found myself wanting to kiss him—to lose myself in him.

“I meant it when I said I’d never let you go,” he said with a stern expression, his eyes locked on mine as I tucked myself under the covers. He remained focused on me, and though I wasn’t sure what was going on in his mind, I no longer felt afraid.

“When you called me weak, it hurt,” I confessed, my voice trembling. “It made me feel like I’ll never be good enough for you. That’s why—”

Before I could finish, he kissed me, his lips crashing onto mine with such intensity that I barely had time to process it. Just as quickly, he pulled away, leaving me longing for more of his warmth. A smile tugged at my lips as his hand possessively gripped my ankle. I had missed him, even though he had been right beside me all along. Is this what it feels like to have a mate? How could I survive if he ever rejected me?

A soft click drew my attention, and I looked down, horrified to see a chain—disguised as a bracelet—wrapped around my ankle. He moved swiftly, grabbing my other foot and locking another chain around it.

“Lucas… What are you doing?” I stammered, panic rising in my voice.

“You belong to me, Elara Moore,” he said firmly, his eyes dark and possessive. “And you’re not going anywhere.”