Chapter 20

The tension in the corridor was suffocating as Dexter stood in front of Elena, his sharp gray eyes filled with a mix of regret and frustration. Stacy leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her wary gaze shifting between Trevor, Ragnar, and Dexter.

"Talk," Elena demanded, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside her. "No more secrets, Dex. Who is he? And why didn't I know about him?"

Dexter exhaled deeply, his broad shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of her demand. "Trevor is your brother. My brother. The eldest of us."

Elena's eyes widened, but she said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"When our parents were murdered, I thought it was just the work of the exiled Legions. An act of vengeance for the Reinhardts turning against their kind." Dexter's voice was heavy with bitterness. "But Trevor believed it was something bigger. He said it was tied to the prophecy of the Three Dark Hunters."

Elena frowned. "The prophecy? You mean the one about a vampire, a wolf, and a human with no Mana?"

Dexter nodded. "Yes. Our parents believed in it. They spent years searching for signs, trying to prepare for Behemoth's eventual return. But after their deaths... I couldn't bring myself to believe in it. I thought it was just a story they told themselves to justify the risks they took."

Trevor smirked faintly, crossing his arms. "And you called me the idealist."

Dexter shot him a glare before continuing. "Trevor left us. Abandoned us to chase the prophecy. He said it was the only way to stop Behemoth and protect the family, but I saw it for what it was—an obsession. While I stayed behind to raise you, Elena, and rebuild the Society, he went off chasing myths."

"It wasn't a myth," Trevor interjected, his tone calm but firm. "The prophecy is real, Dexter. You know that now. You've seen the signs, just like I have."

Dexter ignored him, focusing on Elena. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you caught up in his madness. I wanted you to have a chance at a normal life."

Elena's jaw tightened. "Normal? You call this normal? Fighting vampires and necromancers, dying over and over again in some cursed loop? If you'd told me the truth, maybe I'd have been better prepared for all of this."

Dexter flinched but said nothing.

"I get why you're angry," Trevor said, stepping forward. "But I didn't leave for nothing, Elena. I've spent decades following the threads of the prophecy, finding the wolf and the human who will stand with you against Behemoth. Ragnar here is proof that my journey wasn't in vain."

Ragnar's golden eyes locked onto Elena, his voice steady. "Liam is one of the Three. He has Behemoth's blood, and his power will be crucial in the battle ahead."

"Is all that necessary after everything that has happened to him?"Elena whispered, her heart sinking.

"Yes," Ragnar replied firmly. "Together, you're destined to face Behemoth and stop its resurrection."

Dexter ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement. "Even if that's true, we don't have the human. Without the third, the prophecy is meaningless."

"Then we find them," Trevor said simply. "But first, we train them.

***

The sound of metal grating against stone echoed through the holding chamber as the door creaked open. Liam looked up from where he sat on the cold floor, his golden eyes narrowing as the two strangers entered.

He recognized the wolf immediately. Ragnar's features were sharper now, more lined with age, but the resemblance was unmistakable.

"Dad," Liam said, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. "What are you doing here?"

Ragnar stepped forward, his broad shoulders casting a long shadow over his son. "I came because you need me, Liam. Whether you like it or not."

"I don't need you," Liam snapped, rising to his feet. "You left. You turned your back on us. On the pack."

"I left because I had no choice," Ragnar growled, his tone hard. "I did what I had to do to protect you. To protect the world."

Liam scoffed, his claws extending slightly as his frustration boiled over. "And what does that mean, huh? That you're some kind of hero now? Spare me."

Trevor stepped forward, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're as fiery as he described. I can see why you're one of the Three."

Liam's gaze snapped to Trevor, his growl deepening. "And who the hell are you?"

"Trevor Reinhardt," he said smoothly. "Your companion in destiny, it seems."

Liam sneered. "Companion? I don't even know you."

"You will," Trevor replied, his tone unbothered by Liam's hostility. "Because whether you like it or not, we're in this together. The prophecy has chosen you, and the clock is ticking."

Before Liam could respond, Elena stepped forward, her expression filled with pain and regret. "Liam," she said softly.

He turned to her, his golden eyes narrowing. "What?"

She hesitated, her heart breaking at what she had to say. "Your pack... they're gone."

Liam froze, his entire body tensing. "What are you talking about?"

"Baxter's men," Elena said, her voice trembling. "An archer led the attack. They killed everyone. Faye, and the others... they didn't make it and according to Korrin….. Faye was holding your child."

For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Then, with a roar of pure anguish, Liam lashed out, slamming his fist into the wall.

"No," he growled, his voice breaking. "You're lying. They can't be gone."

Elena stepped closer, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry, Liam. I wish it wasn't true."

Ragnar placed a hand on Liam's shoulder, his grip firm but comforting. "We'll make them pay, son. But first, we need to be strong enough to do it."

Liam turned away, his chest heaving as he struggled to control his emotions.

Trevor watched him closely, his expression unreadable. "You'll need that anger, Liam. Use it. Let it drive you. But don't let it control you."

Liam didn't respond, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.