chapter twelve

Liam's POV

I stared at my phone, rereading my mom's message for the third time.

I'll be visiting next month.

A part of me was happy my mom didn't visit often. But another part of me? Dread.

I wasn't ready for this. For her questions. For the way she could see right through me.

With a sigh, I grabbed my jacket and stepped out of the packhouse. I needed air. I needed to clear my head before I drowned in all of this.

I had barely taken a few steps when my phone buzzed again.

> Unknown Number: Come to the abandoned warehouse by the river. Alone.

I frowned. What the hell?

Everything about this screamed trap. I should tell Axel. I should tell someone.

But I didn't.

Maybe it was because my head was already a mess. Maybe I just needed something else to focus on.

So, like an idiot, I went.

---

The streets were too quiet.

The farther I walked, the more my wolf paced in my mind, uneasy. Something wasn't right.

By the time I reached the warehouse, my instincts were screaming at me to turn back.

Too late.

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

A vampire.

My body tensed. Why the hell was a vampire here?

"Didn't think you'd actually show up," the leech sneered, tilting his head. "Guess that makes this easier."

I didn't even get the chance to respond before he attacked.

I barely dodged in time, his claws slicing through my sleeve. Snarling, I shifted partially, extending my claws as I fought back.

I aimed for his throat, but he was fast. Too fast.

"Not bad, wolf," he chuckled, dodging my strike. "Let's see if your blood is worth the rumors."

Rumors?

I didn't get the chance to ask.

He lunged again, forcing me on the defensive. He wasn't trying to kill me outright—he was playing with me. Testing me.

That realization made my stomach turn.

Then, just as I was about to strike again, a deep snarl tore through the air.

Before I could react, a blur of movement—and the vampire was ripped away from me.

Blood splattered.

A body hit the ground.

And standing there, looking like pure death, was Ralph.

His eyes burned with fury, his chest heaving. "The fuck do you think you're doing?"

I scowled. "Handling my own damn problems—"

I didn't get to finish.

Because suddenly, two more vampires stepped out of the darkness.

I tensed. Shit.

One vampire was bad enough. But three?

I glanced at Ralph. He didn't look surprised. Like he expected this.

The two vampires studied me with an eerie kind of interest.

"You're more valuable than I thought," one of them murmured, eyes gleaming unnaturally.

A chill ran down my spine.

Why the hell were they after me?

Ralph stepped in front of me protectively. "Liam, stay back."

"Like hell," I growled. "I can handle myself."

One of the vampires smirked. "We'll see about that."

Then they lunged.

The fight was brutal.

I barely dodged in time, slashing at one while Ralph tore through the other. But these vampires weren't fighting like rogues.

They were pushing me. Testing me.

Then—sharp pain.

One of them got past my defense, claws raking down my arm.

Blood splattered.

And then—

They froze.

The vampires stared at the blood dripping from my wound, nostrils flaring.

Their eyes dilated.

Something changed.

Like they recognized something.

My chest heaved. My mind screamed.

Ralph didn't hesitate. He ripped through the last one, his movements swift and merciless.

And then—silence.

Just the sound of my ragged breathing.

Ralph turned to me, his gaze dark, unreadable. "Liam."

I could still feel the sting of my wound. But that wasn't what scared me.

What scared me was the look in those vampires' eyes.

Because it meant one thing.

They weren't just after me.

They knew something about me that I didn't.

My breath was still ragged, my arm stinging from the vampire's claws. But none of that mattered.

Not compared to the way they looked at me.

Like they knew something. Like my blood meant more than I understood.

Ralph wiped the blood from his hands, his expression dark. "We need answers."

I swallowed hard. "Answers?"

He turned to me, jaw tight. "This wasn't random, Liam. They were testing you. That means someone sent them. Someone who wants you for a reason."

I shook my head, taking a step back. No. No, this doesn't make sense.

Ralph exhaled sharply, like he was forcing himself to stay calm. "There's someone who can help us. A woman. She's part witch, part dragon. She'll know what to do."

I scoffed. "A witch-dragon? Seriously?"

"Do you have a better idea?"

I clenched my fists. My whole body was still wired from the fight, from the way my blood made them stop.

I didn't like this. I didn't like any of this.

"I don't need your help," I snapped, taking another step back. "I can handle myself."

Ralph's eyes darkened, his shoulders tensing. "Liam—"

But I was already moving.

I turned on my heel, walking away, ignoring the way my heart pounded. Ignoring the way my instincts screamed that this wasn't over.

That more would come.

That whatever the hell this was…

It was only just beginning.

I clenched my jaw, my breath coming in sharp exhales as I met Ralph's unwavering stare.

He wasn't backing down

"I don't need help," I muttered, stepping back.

Ralph growled. "Stop being so damn stubborn, Liam! This isn't just about you anymore. If vampires are after you, they won't stop. Not until they get what they want."

His words settled deep in my chest, pressing down like a weight I couldn't shake.

He was right.

As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn't keep ignoring this.

I exhaled sharply. "Where is she?"

Ralph's lips twitched, like he wanted to smirk at my surrender, but thought better of it. "A few hours from here, deep in neutral territory. It's risky, but it's our best shot at getting real answers."

I crossed my arms, staring down the empty street, then back at him.

"...Fine."

A flicker of relief crossed his face before he masked it. "Then let's move. We don't have time to waste."

And just like that, I found myself following him into the unknown, hoping that whatever answers we found wouldn't change everything.

But deep down...

I already knew they would.

The drive was long, the tension thick.

Ralph drove in silence, his hands gripping the wheel like he was barely keeping himself in check. I sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring out at the passing trees. The farther we went, the more the road twisted into unfamiliar territory.

Neutral land.

A place where no pack ruled, where creatures of all kinds could exist without an Alpha's command.

The thought unsettled me.

"We're close," Ralph said, breaking the silence.

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to focus. "What's her name?"

"Lysara."

I frowned. "Never heard of her."

"You wouldn't have. She doesn't deal with wolves unless she has to."

That didn't exactly make me feel better.

The car slowed as we approached a secluded cabin deep in the woods. The structure was old, the wooden walls covered in twisting vines. Strange symbols were carved into the door, pulsing faintly in the moonlight.

Magic.

I swallowed hard. This was a bad idea.

Ralph cut the engine. "Let me do the talking."

I scowled. "Like hell."

He shot me a look but didn't argue.

We stepped out, the cool night air wrapping around us. The moment we reached the porch, the door swung open—on its own.

My wolf bristled.

Then, a voice drifted out. Low, smooth, almost amused.

"I was wondering when you'd come."

A woman stepped into view.

She was tall, her dark red hair falling in waves down her back. Her golden eyes glowed, slitted like a serpent's. Power radiated from her, ancient and untamed.

Not just a witch.

Not just a dragon.

Something more.

She tilted her head, gaze landing on me. A slow smile curved her lips.

"Ah," she murmured. "So you're the wolf they're hunting."

Her words sent a chill through me.

Because she didn't sound surprised.

She sounded like she already knew why.