Chapter 31 The Proposal at the Foundry

Chapter 31 The Proposal at the Foundry
Rael’s low laugh in the cafeteria faded, but the defiance in his eyes remained. He turned to Selene, his expression softening for a moment, ignoring their cousins.
— I heard what Lucien told you — he said, his voice low and serious, meant only for her. — About the prince. About Ilyria. I’m not giving up on you, Selene. I’ll free you from this marriage. I promise.
Selene held her breath. The audacity of the promise, made in the heart of enemy territory, was madness. Lysandra looked shocked, but Lucien only smiled, delighted by the coming chaos.
Rael stood, gently taking Selene’s hand. — Let’s go.
He walked with firm steps toward the exit, never looking back. Selene followed instantly. Her loyalty was decided. Lysandra and Lucien exchanged a glance of panic and excitement, and followed at a safe distance, determined to see how it would end.
When Rael pushed open the university’s main doors, two men blocked his path. They weren’t the usual Darkblood Clan guards; they wore immaculate black suits with a military elegance. They were from Valerius’s clan.
— Your presence is not welcome here, wolf — said one of them, his voice emotionless, fists tightening.
— Get out of my way — Rael replied, not slowing down.
They attacked. They moved with the blurred speed of vampires — one from the front, one from the flank. It was a fatal mistake.
Rael moved in a burst of hybrid speed, faster than they expected. Before the first guard could close his fist, Rael slipped inside the attack and struck him in the throat with an open palm. The sound of cartilage snapping was sharp.
The second guard, instead of drawing a weapon, lashed out with extended claws, aiming for Rael’s eyes. Without turning, Rael caught the vampire’s wrist mid-swing. It wasn’t a twist — it was a crushing grip. The dry crack of breaking bones echoed. The guard howled, but before the sound could leave his lips, Rael drove an elbow into his face, slamming him unconscious against his partner.
In less than three seconds, both elite guards were on the ground, motionless.
Rael didn’t give them another glance. Halfway to his motorcycle, he looked up toward the hotel suite window where he knew they were watching, and shouted, his voice echoing through the campus:
— The abandoned foundry! One hour from now! — His gaze locked on the window. — Anyone who wants to settle this with me, come face me there!
He mounted the bike, started the engine, and roared off into the street, leaving behind a shocked and silent campus — and Selene, Lysandra, and Lucien frozen on the steps.
An hour later, Rael arrived at the abandoned foundry. The rusted steel structure rose against the night sky like the ribs of a dead giant. He wasn’t being cautious — he was inviting the confrontation.
He dismounted and stepped into the concrete arena. They were already there.
Victor, Gabriel, and Darius stood on one side, rage radiating from them. On the other, wrapped in an aura of ancient power, stood the two strangers — Lord Valerius, with his icy eyes, and his son, Prince Caspian, who regarded Rael with the disdain one reserves for an insect.
— The fool actually came into the trap! — snarled Gabriel, stepping forward. — Leave now, dog, or I’ll kill you myself!
— Silence, Gabriel — Valerius’s voice cut through the air, cold and absolute. Gabriel froze, stunned by the reprimand. Valerius stepped into the moonlight, his eyes fixed on Rael. — You have courage, wolf. Or immense stupidity.
Rael glanced around, counting the vampires. — Two entire clans — he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. — All here to fight a single werewolf. Where’s your honor? Or did you lose it when you started spying on a student from your hotel room?
A dangerous glint flared in Valerius’s eyes. — We’ve never been formally introduced. I am Lord Valerius. And you, whoever you are, will stay away from Selene. Forever.
— Or what? — Rael challenged.
Valerius smiled. — Or my son, her fiancé, will teach you a lesson in ownership.
— My Lord, we don’t need this spectacle! — Victor interrupted. — Let me kill him now and end this!
— No. — Caspian spoke for the first time, his voice smooth and arrogant. He stepped forward, adjusting his leather gloves. — She’s my fiancée. The honor of my house has been insulted. I’ll handle this myself.
— Perfect — said Rael, surprising them all. He looked straight at the only vampire that mattered — Valerius. — Then let’s make a deal, Lord. Since you love rules and power so much. Me against him. — He pointed at Caspian. — One on one. No interference.
— Ridiculous proposal! — spat Victor.
— I’m not finished — Rael silenced him. — If I lose, you kill me. Here and now. My pack won’t interfere. The war ends. But… — his voice dropped, turning deadly — if I win, I walk away free. And you all — he looked from Valerius to Victor — stop hunting me. You stop trying to kill me every time I go near Selene.
Caspian laughed, arrogant and sharp. — You think you can defeat me?
Rael ignored him, keeping his eyes locked on Valerius. — Do we have a deal?
Valerius considered it. It was a tempting offer. If Caspian won, the problem of the wolf would be solved without a war with Cedric’s pack. And if Caspian lost… well, that was unthinkable. Caspian was royalty, trained by the finest masters for decades.
— We have a deal — said Valerius.
Hidden atop a steel beam above, Lucien watched everything, a manic smile spreading across his face.
Caspian removed his expensive coat, revealing a silk shirt. He stepped into the center, moving light and graceful — a deadly dancer. Rael only watched, feet planted firmly, a predator waiting.
The fight began.
Caspian was a shadow. His speed was dazzling, far beyond Gabriel’s or Darius’s. He struck with a flurry of blows to Rael’s chest and face, moving in and out before Rael could retaliate. To Victor and Gabriel, the fight looked decided. The prince was humiliating the wolf.
The match seemed even, but Rael was only watching. He was taking the hits, learning the prince’s rhythm, feeling his strength.