Bloodline revealed

Bloodline revealed

Elena woke in the medical wing, her body aching like she'd been hit by a truck. Katherine stood at the foot of her bed, arms crossed, the binding runes glowing faintly.

"You've been unconscious for six hours," Katherine said. "The pack is in an uproar. Half think you're a savior who drove off the protesters. The other half think you're possessed."

"Where's Lucas?" Elena asked, struggling to sit up.

"Safe with Marcus. Harrison's still at the Council meeting." Katherine moved closer, her expression conflicted. "Elena, what you did out there—that wasn't normal Luna magic. That was something else entirely."

"I know what it was," Elena said. She met Katherine's eyes. "The First Luna spoke to me. She called me granddaughter."

Katherine's face went white. "That's impossible. The First Luna's bloodline was supposed to be extinct."

"Apparently not." Elena swung her legs off the bed, ignoring the dizziness. "My biological mother was Rachel Blackwood. Original Pack, Lunar Line. That makes me a direct descendant."

"Which means you're the First Luna's heir," Katherine breathed. The binding runes flared. "Elena, I have to tell you something. The compulsion is forcing me. Your mother didn't just hide you from the Moon Goddess. She was running from the First Luna."

Elena froze. "What?"

"Rachel Blackwood tried to free the First Luna twenty-three years ago," Katherine said, the words tumbling out against her will. "She found the seal, tried to break it. She believed the Moon Goddess had unjustly imprisoned her ancestor. But when she started the ritual, the First Luna reached through and tried to possess her. Rachel realized her mistake. She fled, pregnant with you, and gave you up to humans to break the bloodline connection. She died six months later. Suicide, according to records. But I think the First Luna killed her for refusing to complete the ritual."

"How do you know this?" Elena demanded.

"Because Rachel Blackwood was my aunt," Katherine said, and Elena saw tears in her eyes. "We're cousins, Elena. I joined the conspiracy three years ago when Victoria Lane told me my aunt's daughter was alive. She said you were in danger from the Moon Goddess. She said I could help protect you by feeding information about the Steele pack. I thought I was saving family."

Elena's world tilted again. "You're lying."

"I can't lie," Katherine reminded her, gesturing to the runes. "Every word is truth. We're blood relatives, Elena. And the First Luna wants you specifically because you're her most direct living descendant. You're the only one who can break the seal from the outside."

"I won't do it," Elena said. "I won't free a homicidal ancient wolf bent on destroying the mate bond system."

"You might not have a choice," Katherine said. "The magic that awakened in you today, it's not going away. It's going to keep growing, responding to the First Luna's call. Eventually, it'll overwhelm you, and she'll use you as a puppet to break herself free."

"Then we need to stop it," Elena said. "Bind the magic somehow. Seal it."

"The only person powerful enough to bind Original Pack magic is the Moon Goddess herself," Katherine said. "And she's not exactly taking your calls right now."

Elena thought fast. "Lucas. His visions come from Original Pack magic. Maybe he can help suppress mine."

"Or maybe being near him will amplify yours," Katherine warned. "Elena, you need to understand what you are now. You're not just a Luna. You're the First Luna's avatar in the mortal world. Every broken mate bond feeds magic directly into you. You're becoming a living crack in the seal."

"That's why I could command those protesters," Elena realized. "The First Luna's power is about domination. About forcing obedience."

"And it's going to get stronger," Katherine confirmed. "Especially as we get closer to day twenty-eight. If you fail the Moon Goddess's test, if your bond with Harrison doesn't restore, the surge of released energy will shatter the seal completely. The First Luna will use your body as a gateway into this world."

Elena felt sick. "So I'm damned no matter what I choose. If I restore the bond without genuine feeling, the seal cracks. If I don't restore it at all, the seal shatters. And either way, an ancient monster uses me as a meat puppet."

"There might be a fourth option," Katherine said hesitantly.

"What?"

"Kill yourself before day twenty-eight," Katherine said bluntly. "Break the bloodline connection before the First Luna can exploit it. It's what your mother should have done."

Elena stared at her cousin in horror. "You're suggesting I commit suicide?"

"I'm telling you what the binding runes are forcing me to say," Katherine replied, her voice breaking. "Elena, I don't want you to die. You're the only family I have left. But the truth is, your death might be the only way to stop what's coming."

"No," Elena said firmly. "I'm not dying. I'm not giving up. There has to be another way."

"Then you better find it fast," Katherine said. "Because in twenty-two days, you become a weapon aimed at everyone you love."

Elena pushed past her cousin and headed for Lucas's safe room. She needed to see her son, needed to ground herself in something real before the panic consumed her.

She found Marcus standing guard outside the reinforced door. He looked relieved when he saw her.

"Thank God you're awake," he said. "Lucas has been asking for you non-stop."

"Let me in," Elena said.

Marcus hesitated. "Elena, after what happened with the protesters, after that display of power... Are you sure it's safe for you to be near him?"

"He's my son," Elena said coldly. "Open the door or I'll open it myself."

Marcus wisely stepped aside. Elena entered to find Lucas sitting on a cot, looking small and scared. The moment he saw her, he launched himself into her arms.

"Mama! They wouldn't let me see you. Grandpa said you were sick."

"I'm okay now," Elena lied, holding him tight. "How are you feeling? Any more visions?"

"No," Lucas said. "But Mama, I felt it when you used the magic. It was like... like you were calling to something inside me. Something that wanted to answer."

Elena pulled back to look at his face. "Did you answer it?"

"No," Lucas said. "Because it felt wrong. Like something was trying to trick me."

Smart boy. Elena kissed his forehead. "Lucas, I need you to tell me everything you know about the First Luna. Everything you've seen in your visions."

Lucas nodded seriously. "She's trapped in a dark place. A prison made of moonlight and silver. She's angry all the time. Angry at the Moon Goddess for taking her mate. But Mama, she's also sad. Really, really sad. Like the kind of sad that makes you want to hurt everyone because you hurt so much."

"Has she spoken to you?" Elena asked.

"Once," Lucas admitted. "She said I was special. That I was the key to everything. She wanted me to help her, but I said no."

"Good boy," Elena said fiercely. "Lucas, no matter what happens, no matter what anyone promises you, you don't help the First Luna. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Lucas said. Then, quietly: "Mama, are you scared?"

Elena wanted to lie, but she'd never lied to her son before. "Yes, baby. I'm terrified."

"Me too," Lucas whispered. "Mama, what happens if you and Daddy fail the test? What happens to me?"

"Nothing will happen to you," Elena promised. "I'll make sure of it."