CHAPTER 33

Darius's POV

The air was suffocating and thick, holding a piercing tension that sank into my bones. Under my skin, my wolf sulked as the masked man approached us with slow, methodical movements. Every motion was deliberate and measured as though the visitor understood the significance of their presence.

Although Maya's hand shook in mine, she did not back down. I stood guard before her, and her courage was a calm, steady force that mirrored mine.

The person then reached for the mask.

The room became quiet, and I felt my breath stop as it escaped, displaying the face I had never expect to see.

"Lucien?" I spoke softly, almost incredulously.

He smirked sharply and mockingly. With a suave and venomous tone, he said, "Darius. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Feeling betrayed, took a step forward. “What is this? Why are you here?”

Lucien tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Me? I’m just here to collect what’s owed.” His gaze drifted to Maya, lingering in a way that made my wolf snarl with possessiveness.

"You have no business here," I snarled.

"Do I not?" The menace in my voice did not deter him from taking another step. “You’ve always been blind, Darius. Blind to the truth. Blind to your own weakness. And now it’s caught up to you.”

"Lucien." I growled, my claws outstretched as my rage surged, "You can stop playing games. What on earth is this about?”

His eyes were bright with ill intent, and his sneer grew wider. “Darius, this has nothing to do with you. It's about her.” With a tone full of contempt, he gestured with his finger at Maya. “She is the weakness in your defenses and the reason you will fall. And that's what I plan to do.”

"If you touch her—"

"What will you do?" Sharp-tongued, Lucien broke in. Will you fight me? Kill me? He laughed. "Alpha, you've become softer. You are now paying the price for it.”

Before I could respond, the room erupted into chaos.

With waves of dark energy flowing through them, the intruders charged forward. With wolf-like ferocity, I charged at the assailants, confronting them head-on. However, something is off —these weren’t ordinary wolves. They moved nearly unearthly, and their strength was unnatural.

Each clash rocked my body, and their attacks drained me more quickly than I could recover. But I couldn't stop, I would not stop.

Lucien remained at the back, grinning as he observed the carnage, which made me angry.

“This is what happens when you let weakness into your life,” he yelled. "You lose everything."

A frantic and piercing cry cut through the chaos.

As I saw one of the assailants advancing on Maya, I snapped my head in the direction of the voice, fear coursing through my body. She fought bravely, but she was no match for their unnatural strength.

"No!" I roared, breaking free from the fray and rushing in her direction.

But before I could get to her, the air around her shifted.

Att first, it was faint—a glimmer, a flash of light. It then blew up.

Maya was enveloped by a dazzling glow, and I had never felt the power flowing from her body before. Her eyes shone with an unearthly brightness in place of their typical friendliness. A primal, violent growl emerged from her breast, deep and guttural.

Her wolf.

Not only was it waking, but it was unleashing.

Because of Maya's energy, the attackers staggered back, clearly terrified. This was the first time Lucien's confidence weakened.

"What is this?" he growled, his tone tinged with anxiety.

Maya took a step forward, her bright eyes focused on the intruders. "You want me?" she replied in a menacingly low voice. “Come get me."

The power surged with a real force that drove the attackers reeling. Their previous anger gave way to fear as they hesitated.

A look of anger contorted Lucien's face. With a trembling voice, he spat, "This isn't over. Darius, you cannot keep her safe forever. The Phantom Pack will come for her, and when they do, not even her newfound power will save her.”

He gestured the withdrawal quickly. The attackers disappeared into the darkness, leaving us in the battle's aftermath.

With my chest heaving, I turned to face Maya. She stumbled to her feet, the light in her eyes going out as fatigue took her.

She was about to fall, but I grabbed her and held her. "Maya?" My voice was full of worry as I spoke.

Her glance briefly met mine as her eyes flickered open. "Darius," she muttered, her voice steady yet faint.

I whispered to her, "I've got you," and held her tight. "Now you're safe."

But what had just transpired weighed heavily on me as I hugged her.

Lucien's betrayal

The Phantom Pack's unrelenting pursuit.

And Maya’s wolf awakening in a surge of power that defied explanation.

I brought her to the bed and laid her down gently. She touched me with her hand and stirred a little.

"Darius..." She could hardly be heard speaking.

I whispered, removing a lock of hair from her face, "I'm here. Rest now. You’re safe.”

She closed her eyes and let her breath out as she fell asleep.

I stood there observing her for a while, doubts, anxieties, and questions racing through my head.

My mind kept repeating Lucien's words: “You can't protect her forever.”

But I would die trying.

As I turned away, my thoughts were interrupted by the faintest whisper of movement. My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing something amiss.

My eyes narrowed as I looked toward the shadows.

I snarled in a menacingly low voice, "Show yourself."

A figure moved into the light, and shivers ran down my spine.

It was Lucien.

But this time, he wasn’t alone.

There was a shadowy figure behind him, their face hidden. They had a chilly, stifling air, unlike anything I had ever experienced.

"Darius," Lucien said, his smile reappearing. "This is not over, as I told you."

Stepping forward, the shrouded person spoke in a chilly whisper. "Alpha, your time is running out."

They vanished into the darkness again, leaving the weight of their words hanging in the air.

With a racing heart, I turned back to Maya. The battle had not ended. And it was only getting started.

And this time, the stakes were higher than ever.