Chapter 246

Chapter 246
Lucas

A black-clad figure stepped forward, his weapon trained on my chest.

"Your time has come," he announced with cold finality.

I couldn't help but let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Take a number," I replied, my voice equally cold. "There's a long line of people wanting me dead."

The emergency lights cast eerie shadows across the lobby as I surveyed the chaos around me. Civilians huddled near the walls, their faces etched with terror. Military personnel stood at attention, weapons ready, while the black-clad hunters moved with calculated precision.

"So, this is your plan?" I called out, my voice echoing through the hall. "Kill all these innocent people and blame it on me? Typical hunter style."

A soldier near the front shifted uncomfortably. "That's not true," he protested, lowering his weapon slightly. "Stand down! We're here to protect these people!"

The sergeant in charge immediately turned on him. "Shut up, soldier. Follow orders."

I locked eyes with the sergeant, noting the conflict in his expression. "But you know your man is telling the truth, don't you?"

For a fraction of a second, doubt flickered across his face. That was all I needed to see.

Gunfire erupted around me. I feigned weakness, staggering as if hit, then dove behind the reception desk as bullets splintered the wood around me. I needed to buy time, to assess the situation fully before making my move.

The emergency lights suddenly flickered on, bathing the room in harsh white light. 'Vivian did it,' I thought with pride.

From my position behind the desk, I called out to the sergeant. "Really? You think these innocent people are safe?"

"I don't believe your bullshit," the sergeant responded, but his voice lacked conviction.

More bullets slammed into the reception desk, sending splinters flying. I pressed myself lower, mind racing through possible scenarios. There were too many civilians at risk, and I couldn't protect them all conventionally.

"Enough!" Harlan shouted from across the room. "Lights or no lights, it doesn't matter. No one leaves alive!"

Philip's voice joined in. "I agree. End this now!"

The black-clad hunters turned their weapons toward the civilians huddled by the entrance. Screams and cries filled the air as people realized what was happening.

The soldiers hesitated, caught between their commanding officer and the hunters they'd been ordered to assist.

The sergeant's face hardened with sudden resolve. "Take them down!" he ordered, pointing toward Harlan.

In that instant, Philip fired. The sergeant clutched his chest as blood bloomed across his uniform, his hand still reaching for his radio.

"You've served your purpose, Sergeant," Philip said coldly. "Now let us handle the rest."

The soldiers, seeing their leader fall, formed a human shield in front of the civilians. Their faces showed determination despite their fear.

'Vivian was right,' I thought. 'They're not all hunters, just like we're not all monsters.'

Kate edged toward a soldier. "We need help. This isn't right!" she whispered before backing away.

Harlan raised his hand, signaling his men. "Fire!"

Time seemed to slow down. I studied the faces around me—the soldiers' determination, honor, and confidence mixed with fear in some; the civilians' panic, terror, anger, and disbelief.

'That's what they think. But not on my watch.'

I leaped from behind my cover, my body shifting mid-air. The change rippled through me as I embraced my wolf form completely, channeling every ounce of power I possessed.

An energy field expanded from my body like a shield, stopping the hail of bullets meant for the innocent people.

Maintaining the barrier drained me rapidly. Sweat beaded on my fur as I held the shield, watching for my opportunity. The hunters would need to reload eventually, and that would be my chance.

The moment came when the first magazines ran empty. I lunged forward with primal ferocity just as the soldiers opened fire on the hunters. The synchronized attack caught our enemies off guard.

I tore through the black-clad figures, ripping throats and severing arteries. I didn't kill them quickly—these monsters didn't deserve a merciful death. Instead, I left them critically wounded, ensuring they'd suffer before the end.

'They don't deserve a quick death.'

When the immediate threat was neutralized, I shifted back to human form, tearing a coat from a fallen hunter to wrap around my waist.

I stalked toward Philip, who was trying to crawl away. Grabbing him by the collar, I smashed his head against the marble floor, savoring the sound of his skull fracturing.

"He won't last long," I announced to no one in particular. "Brain hemorrhages are excruciating. Trust me, I've experienced one."

I turned my attention to Harlan, ripping off his mask and shoving him to the ground before the crowd.

He lay exposed, his identity no longer hidden.

"This is a setup!" Harlan snarled. "Captain Beckett! You have your orders."

Captain Beckett, clutching his bleeding shoulder, hissed back, "I serve civilians—werewolf or human—as long as they're good people. Not you."

Harlan turned around, and a wave of shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd as people recognized the man before them.

I pointed my gun at his cock. "Give me names," I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Or I swear... I'll kill everyone you care about."

Harlan spat at me, hatred burning in his eyes. "They'll kill me anyway!"

I noticed Kate watching and smirked. "You really should look away," I told her. Her face flushed crimson as she turned her head.

Leaning close to Harlan, I whispered, "So, are you going to talk, or am I going to castrate you?"

Harlan clenched his jaw, struggling to remain defiant. "The... P—" he began, then shook his head, eyes closing.

I yanked his hair harder, forcing his head back. "Three... two..."

"The President!" Harlan screamed in agony. "It was the President!"

I lowered my voice so only he could hear. "Too late... too many werewolves murdered. If we were alone, I'd do much worse..."

With a savage motion, I ripped away his genitals.

Harlan's agonized scream echoed through the hall as blood sprayed everywhere. He collapsed, body convulsing.

The main doors burst open, and Vivian rushed in with Archer and Vortend, their entourages following behind. I scanned Vivian quickly, confirming she was unharmed.

Vivian ran to me, and I caught her in my arms, kissing her passionately. "Good girl," I murmured against her lips. "You did well."

Vortend sneered at the scene. "Seriously? You're standing in the middle of corpses..."

I shrugged. "So what? This doesn't scare me."

Vivian noticed Philip on the floor, blood trickling from his mouth. She shook her head slightly.

"Are you hurt?" she asked.

I gave her a suggestive look. "If I said yes, would you take care of me?" I glanced down at the coat barely covering my lower half.

Vivian blushed, leaning closer. Her hand moved dangerously lower as she whispered in my ear, "Of course."

I gently pulled her hair, bringing her mouth back to mine for another kiss. "I fucking missed you."

When we separated, Vivian went to tend to the wounded.

Grace rushed toward me from the entrance. "Lucas!" she called. "The signal's back... should I release the footage?"

"Did you blur me out?" I asked.

Grace grinned proudly. "Of course. I figured Vivian wouldn't want the whole world seeing you naked on screen."

"Good... do it. I'll handle the fallout."

After Grace nodded and hurried away, ignoring Archer completely.

Kate embraced Vivian and began talking rapidly.

"What the fuck is this..." Vortend cursed suddenly.

I realized Grace had executed my order perfectly: all major news channels had been interrupted, replaced with footage of what had just happened here. 'Let the world see the damn truth.'

Selene walked in, her face ashen. "Lucas, what is this?" Medical personnel and police began flooding in.

I raised an eyebrow, shrugging. "What is this?"

Selene stared at me in disbelief. "This is..."

"Karma," I finished for her. Taking Vivian's hand, I led her toward the exit. "We've been in this hellhole long enough."

'Now... I have one last stop before I finish this job,' I thought grimly.

"I don't care," Vivian said, cradling my face in her hands. "You did the right thing. It's really enough."

I nodded. 'Yeah... it really is enough.'