Bloodlines and Betrayal

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Kai stood near the window, his golden eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. Damon leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Leah sat on the edge of the bed, her hands curled into the fabric of her sweater, still trying to process what was happening to her.

She wasn't human—not fully. The truth had always been buried inside her, waiting for the right moment to surface. And now that it had, there was no going back.

"The Elders won't wait," Kai said finally, his voice sharp. "They sent an envoy, but we both know it's just a formality. If they think Leah is a threat, they'll try to eliminate her."

Leah swallowed hard. "What exactly are they?"

Damon scoffed. "A bunch of power-hungry wolves who think they get to decide the fate of every supernatural being." He pushed off the wall, walking toward her. "And they don't like anything they can't control."

Kai shot him a look. "They were the first to establish order between the species. Without them, there would be chaos."

Damon rolled his eyes. "Spare me the history lesson. You know damn well they've become nothing more than paranoid rulers playing gods."

Leah looked between them, her head spinning. "So what do they want with me?"

Kai hesitated before answering. "You're something new. A crossbreed between human and…" He exhaled, as if trying to find the right words. "Something else."

Damon's crimson gaze darkened. "And that terrifies them."

A cold chill ran down Leah's spine. Something else. But what?

Kai turned to her fully. "The envoy is waiting. They want to see you."

Leah's fingers tightened on her knees. "And if I don't go?"

Kai's expression was grim. "Then they'll send hunters instead."

Damon let out a low, dark chuckle. "I'd love to see them try."

Kai shot him a glare. "We're trying to avoid a war, Damon."

Damon smirked. "Are we?"

Leah inhaled deeply, steadying herself. There was no point in hiding. The sooner she got answers, the better. "Fine. I'll meet them."

Kai nodded. "I'll be with you."

Damon's smirk faded. "Like hell you will." He turned to Leah, his eyes locked onto hers. "I'm going too."

Kai bristled. "That's not your call."

Leah stood, cutting between them before they could start another fight. "Enough. Both of you are coming, end of discussion."

Damon's lips twitched, amused by her sudden authority. Kai just sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Then let's not keep them waiting."

---

The meeting took place in the main hall of the estate, where the pack usually gathered for councils.

Leah walked in with Kai on one side and Damon on the other. Every instinct in her body screamed that she was walking into danger.

Three figures stood in the center of the room.

The first was an elderly man, his white beard neatly trimmed, his sharp blue eyes scanning Leah as if she were a specimen under a microscope. This had to be Elder Gregor, the most senior member of the council.

Beside him stood a woman in her forties, her posture rigid, her silver-streaked hair pulled into a tight braid. Her expression was unreadable, but the tension in her shoulders told Leah she was barely keeping her emotions in check.

The third figure was a young man, barely older than Leah. He had dark, shoulder-length hair, and his striking green eyes studied her with an intensity that sent a shiver through her. Unlike the others, there was no hostility in his gaze—only curiosity.

Gregor spoke first. "So, this is her."

His voice was rough, worn with age and authority.

Leah lifted her chin. "My name is Leah."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "Do you have any idea what you are?"

She hesitated. "No. But I'm hoping you do."

The woman stepped forward, her golden eyes narrowing. "We've encountered mixed breeds before—humans tainted by supernatural bloodlines. But you… You're different."

Leah clenched her fists. "Different how?"

The woman glanced at Gregor, as if asking permission to speak freely. When he gave a small nod, she turned back to Leah.

"You shouldn't exist."

The words sent a jolt through Leah's chest.

Damon growled, stepping forward aggressively. "Say that again, and we'll have a real problem."

Kai placed a firm hand on Damon's chest, holding him back. "Not now."

Gregor ignored the outburst. "Something awoke in you, didn't it?" His gaze was piercing. "Something powerful."

Leah hesitated, then nodded.

The younger man with green eyes finally spoke. "Then you felt it—the shift." His voice was quiet, but there was an intensity behind it. "Something ancient runs through you. Something older than any of us."

Leah's mouth went dry. "What does that mean?"

Gregor sighed. "It means we don't have time to play games." His expression darkened. "You are either an anomaly—or a weapon. And if it's the latter, we cannot allow you to live."

The words struck like ice.

Damon's jaw clenched. "You lay a hand on her, and we will have war."

Kai stiffened but said nothing.

Leah's pulse thundered. "You don't even know what I am, but you're already deciding whether I live or die?"

The woman with the braid stepped forward. "We do know what you are." She exhaled sharply. "You're the descendant of a forgotten bloodline."

Leah blinked. "What?"

Gregor's expression darkened. "You carry the blood of the Primordials."

Silence fell over the room.

Kai's entire body went rigid.

Damon's smirk disappeared.

Leah's breath hitched. "The what?"

The young man with green eyes studied her closely. "The firstborns. The original supernatural beings. They were thought to be extinct."

Gregor nodded grimly. "But somehow, their blood survived. In you."

Leah's mind reeled. This isn't real. This can't be real.

"I'm not some ancient force," she whispered.

Gregor's eyes softened, just for a moment. "No. But you are something the world hasn't seen in centuries. And that makes you dangerous."

Damon stepped between them. "Enough. If you think you can decide her fate, you're dead wrong."

Kai finally spoke, his voice steady. "She's under my protection."

Gregor met his gaze. "Then you'll stand with her, no matter the cost?"

Kai didn't hesitate. "Yes."

A heavy silence settled over them.

Leah took a deep breath. "Then I guess I don't have a choice."

She lifted her glowing silver-blue eyes.

"If the Elders want a fight, they'll get one."

Gregor held her gaze for a long moment. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"So be it."

---

The meeting ended with no resolution, only an unspoken understanding—Leah was now a target.

As the Elders left, the young man with green eyes lingered, watching her. Before disappearing into the night, he gave her a small, knowing smile.

Leah wasn't sure if it was meant to be reassuring or a warning.

Damon clenched his fists. "They'll come for you."

Kai exhaled. "We need a plan."

Leah squared her shoulders, a new fire burning in her veins.

"No," she said firmly.

"They need to prepare for me."