Bound by Blood

 The battlefield was tense and still. Victor's words still very, heavy with unspoken meaning, echoed in Ariana's mind, "You're the reason this war started." It felt familiar, as if a long-dormant memory was stirring within her, struggling to surface. She felt a pull, a sense of connection to the chaos around her, not just as a participant, but as a catalyst.

Sebastian and Thorne were too caught up in their fight to notice. The energy around them was electric, lighting up the space. But it was a superficial display compared to the ancient power that was about to be unleashed. Darius, his stance still protective, shifted his gaze between Ariana and the two Alphas, his face a mask of conflicted emotions. He had betrayed her, that much was clear. Yet, his actions now spoke of a desperate need to protect her, a contradiction that twisted in Ariana's gut.

Victor kept his eyes on Ariana. He was a mystery. "Tell me, Ariana—how much do you know about your past?" he asked, his voice low and resonant.

Ariana tensed. "Enough," she shot back, defiant.

Victor smiled but it wasn't kind. "No. You know nothing."

Before she could argue, a loud roar shattered the silence. Sebastian finally released his rage and charged at Thorne. They collided violently. The ground shook as claws and teeth clashed. The rogues, following Thorne's wordless orders, rushed at Sebastian's pack. The sounds of growling and fighting filled the air, mixing with the smell of blood.

Ariana felt panic rising. But beneath that, something else sparked – a spark of defiance, a refusal to be a victim. She wouldn't be a pawn in their games. She wouldn't be defined by a past she didn't understand.

Suddenly, Victor was right in front of her. His presence felt old and powerful, making her heart race.a chilling familiarity that resonated deep within Ariana's soul. It was a recognition that transcended fear, a sense of being known, understood on a level she hadn't realized existed.

 "Your family's legacy is a curse Ariana," he said softly.

Ariana's body went rigid. The words triggered memories – secret conversations, her mom's worried looks. A sense of cold dread settled in her bones expecting something terrible about to unfold.

Victor didn't let up. "You're running out of time to fix this."

Darius reacted instinctively, stepping between Ariana and Victor, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Back off," he snarled, his eyes flashing with a fierce protectiveness.

Victor stayed calm.He simply looked at Darius, his expression unreadable. "You're a fool if you think protecting her changes what's coming."

"Cut the riddles!" Ariana yelled, shaking with frustration and fear. "If you know something, just say it!"

Victor bowed his head like he was considering her words. Then he leaned in closer, and said. "You think fate has wronged you? don't you? That your mate left you for no reason?"

Ariana's heart dropped. The wound of Darius's betrayal was still raw, a constant ache in her heart. "He did leave me," she replied, anger spilling out bitterly.

Victor laughed dryly. "No. He was forced to."

The words landed like a physical blow hitting her hard. "What?" 

"Darius never had a choice," Victor said, looking at Darius, who looked pained and frozen. "Did you?"

Ariana turned to Darius, her heart pounding in her chest. His eyes, when they met hers, were filled with a deep, agonizing regret.

"Tell her," Victor pushed, his voice relentless. "Or I will."

Darius swallowed hard, his gaze locked on Ariana's. "Ariana… it was never just about us."

The truth, or a version of it, was about to be revealed. A flood of memories, previously dismissed as insignificant, rushed to the forefront of Ariana's mind. Whispers behind closed doors, hushed conversations between her parents, the constant feeling of being watched, protected. A sense of being different, set apart.

"What are you saying?" she whispered, struggling to understand.

Her legs felt weak, as if the weight of the past was suddenly too much to bear. 

Darius gulped. "I left you because of who you are."

Victor nodded grimly. "And because of a deal your family made."

Ariana's head spun. "Deal?"

Victor's expression darkened. "Your birthright came with a costs. A price every wolf in this war is ready to pay."

The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fit together, forming a picture that was both terrifying and incomprehensible. She was caught between Thorne's chilling claim, Sebastian's silent intensity, and the crushing weight of a past that had been deliberately hidden from her. She wasn't just a wolf. She was something unique. Something that put her in danger.

A loud snarl snapped her back to reality. Sebastian had Thorne pinned down, teeth inches from his throat. Yet Thorne grinned, a creepy smile that sent chills down her spine.

"You still don't get it?" do you? Thorne sneered. "She doesn't belong to you."

Sebastian growled, his grip tightening. "She doesn't belong to you either."

Thorne smirked wider. "Who said anything about me?"

Suddenly, a wild energy filled the air raw and untamed. Every wolf, every fighter, froze, sensing a shift in the balance of power. Ariana felt it too, a pull in her chest, a sense of recognition, as if something inside her was awakening.

Then, the trees behind them exploded, sending splinters flying everywhere. Figures emerged from the chaos, their eyes glowing an unnatural silver, their presence radiating a strong, cold energy. They weren't just wolves. They were something... else entirely.

Ariana's blood ran cold. These beings meant serious trouble.

They were something ancient, something powerful, and something utterly alien.

Victor's quiet voice sliced through the chaos. "Your real enemies have arrived." They're here...

The silver-eyed figures moved smoothly, adding to the tension. The rogues sensed the threat and shrank back in fear. Even Thorne's confident grin faltered.

Then, chaos erupted. It wasn't just another wolf fight. It was a clash of ancient powers, a battle for survival against something that could destroy them all.