Auren POV


    Vivi''s eyes widened when she saw me. "Luna, I''m making your favorite red velvet cake. Give me twenty minutes and it''ll be ready. In the meantime I have blueberry pie that Tom has prepared." She took my hand and guided me to the ind table.


    "I know how to make red velvet cake," I whispered, my mind still hazy. "Let me help you." Despite Vivi stopping me, I went to the counter where the batter was and began adding ingredients. I ended up adding twice the amount of sugar and then messed up with vegetable stir fry. In the end, the food tasted like poison. Vivi and Tom didn''t say a word as other omegas only looked at me curiously. I forced some juice down my throat, but it revolted in my stomach. Wiping my face, 1 said. "Im going to the training arena."


    "But Luna, you can''t!" Vivi protested.


    I didn''t pay heed to her and walked out into the corridor toward the arena. Every sound outside-the rustling of leaves, the distantughter-it all felt like it belonged to another world, one 1 wasn''t a part of The idea of carrying on with life felt exhausting. Internally I hoped that the day ended


    fast


    see me in the training arena. “Luna, you shouldn''t be here," he said as he came to stand next to me, scanning me. "You are


    Tarian was not happy to s pale and fragile"


    gulped, looking away, wrapping my arms around my body. "I need a distraction. So just let me train."


    He pursed his Lips, But he couldn''t deny me. He looked around to find a suitable candidate for me. I realized that Max hadn''te. I didn''t ask about him but I was curious as to why he didn''te. My gaze drifted to Sable who stood on the side, talking to two girls showing them some weapons. As if on cue, she turned, a smile curving her lips before the bowed. She walked over to us with the two girls following closely. "I can help her train," she offered.


    There was something sinister in her eyes. And I felt like she was thr gauntlet toward me. I wanted to pick it up, but Tarian growled. "No, not you. You are too advanced for Luna But you" He looked at her right. "Julie is at beginner level. You will train with Luna. And you better go easy." hemanded. "Show her the basic moves and make sure that she isn''t injured."


    As Sable shrugged. Julie grinned. She bowed to me. "I''ll be a pleasure"


    Fighting with Julie was anything but pleasure. She also came from the long line of my haters


    In the ring. Julie circled me like a predator, her eyes glinting with arrogance. She came closer to me and smirked, "An omega in the training arena. Cute" She whirled to stand in front of me as I watched her movemenis. "From serving tea to the warmors to training with them-quite a raise, isn''t


    Clenching my fists, I said, “Let''s just get over


    "Oh, I''d love to?" She lunged first, mming her fist into my ribs. Pain exploded through me, and I staggered. But this pain was better than the internal one. Another blow came to my arm, knocking me back. It was clear that she was attacking. Just like Max.


    She chuckled "Rx Luna'' This is how you learn. Then she swept my legs out from under me. I hit the ground hard, air whooshing from my lungs. Before I had a change to get up, her feet connected with my stomach, making me hasp.


    "Enough!" Tarian shouted.


    I shot a re at him and shook my head once. He stopped near the ring with his fists clenched ughtly. Sable, on the other hand, was grinning, like she was enjoying it


    "You need to toughen up, Luna," Julie said and kneed me in the side, sending me skidding across the floor. "This is for your own good." She let out a lowugh.


    Blood dripped from my lips and my vision blurred. She kneeled, and leaning over, hissed, "Now you know your position, omega?"


    rned red. With a


    Something inside me snapped. Was it Sienna My vision guttural growl, I got up. Surprised, she swung her fist at me, but I ducked. Twisting my body, I mmed my elbow into her ribs. She gasped, her eyes going wide. I followed up with a kick to her knee, forcing her down. The world blurred as I moved on instinct, striking, dodging, retaliating. Lake I was moving in darkness to chase the demons


    "Luna" Tarian''s voice rang from somewhere. You need to stop!" A firm grip seized my wrists, yanking them back and holding them in a tight Kasp


    When my vision cleared, Juliey sprawled on the ground, bloodied and unmoving. I swayed on my feet as my own blood dripped onto the floor.


    1 heard Sable screaming for help. Did I kill her? No, I could still hear her faint heartbeat.


    "You need medical attention, Tarian said.


    I barely registered the fact that I had won when darknes swallowed me whole. Chapter 60


    Lucien POV


    The High Council library''s archivesy buried three floors below, rarely visited. They were protected withyers of dark magic which shielded the forbidden knowledge. Unlike others, Alphas could get inside without permission from the Elders of the Council


    The librarian, a witch called Samantha, gave me an indifferent look. "I won''t be responsible for the oues. What you need may be avable in row ten" She gave me a bell. "For emergencies." Achill ran down my spine.


    The descent into the archives was suffocating With each step I took down the spiral staircase, the air grew heavier, pressing against my skin like invisible hands. Dark magic thrummed around me, humming through the cold stone walls. It felt ancient, alive and watching.


    When I stepped onto the third basement, Remus growled low in warning. The magic slithered against my skin and whispered. "Turn back. Leave


    Determined, I opened the massive tron door with unfamiliar runes. The runes pulsed, daring me to go inside, but I stepped in. Lights flickered on by themselves one by one as I walked in.


    The icy tendrils of dark magic clung to me, trying to prate my mind and body. Sweat beads formed on my forehead, I gritted my teeth. Every step was heavier than thest. Pain grew in my heart and when the magic seeped into the weakest part of my mind, my head exploded in pain. I winced, stumbling and clutching the racks in front of me. "Focus Remus, uid. "We are in this together. For our mate. But Remus remained quiet.


    The magic constantly invaded my mind, trying to break me, shing images of painful memories. It was li


    It was like having nightmares repeatedly.


    Breathe in. Breathe out I focused to keep my mind strong with Remus''s help, and walked ahead until I reached my destination.


    But the library''s magic was too powerful for even an Alpha like me. I couldn''t take it anymore and huddled on the floor. "Rensus, you can do it, I grined. I knew Remus was the most unhinged woll ever born. He hadn''t shown his worst yet. His true powers were hidden. If unleashed, he could alone create a ruthless bloodbath. He was born out of centuries of curse and darkness.


    "Think of a happy memory. Remus advised quietly.


    Happiness! My mind went back to the moment when I saw Auren in her wedding dress.