<b>Chapter </b><b>60 </b>
Third Person Point of View
Lucaran…
His breath came out in shallow, rapped gasps as he pushed himself harder through the dense forest lining the outskirts of the Italian territory. The night was thick with mist, the scent of blood st lingering in the air. Behind him, silence stretched endlessly, but he didn’t dare believe he was safe. Hot yet. Not until he was far away from Francesco’s <b>reach </b>
He couldn’t afford to be followed. Not now.
The route was familiar–an ancient, winding path known only to him. It led to a ce even the most desperate rogues feared to tread, a ce hidden for Over a century, Luca’s sanctuary. His true fortress. The cradle of darkness he had built with his own hands when the world turned its back on him. A base for rogues, murderers, exiles-a monument to vengrance
“Damn it!” he growled under his breath, punching a tree trunk in rage as he passed it
They had failed. Worse, they had underestimated Francesco.
The warriors Luca sent were the best of his forces, killers forged in the darkest pits of the rogue world. And yet, they had fallen, One by one. ughtered.
He had trusted that his n has works. He had believed the Alpha was still weak at heart, because of the poison he gave. It could turn back him like he is ence, long time <b>ago </b>Francesco had been like him–ruthless<b>, </b>drunk on power, drowning in bloodlust. But something had changed<b>. </b><b>Luca </b>had watched in disbelief as that very man, his once–equal, turned merciful. Soft
“Damn it!” he shouted again, this time louder, starting nearby crows into flight
Francesco’s strength was unmatched. He was thest of the pure Lycans, born under a blood moon with powers not seen in centuries. It was that strength, that terrifying ferocity, that made <b>Luca </b>once loyal to him. But now, all of it had been twisted, tamed by love and kindness.
“Stupid Lycan,” Luca spat <b>as </b>he came to a halt at the <b>edge </b><b>of </b><b>a </b>cut. Below, hidden behind thick vines and an ancient illusion spell, was the entrance to his hideaway.
He thought he <b>had </b>a <b>n</b>.
He thought <b>Anastasia</b>–the woman who once held Francesco’s heart–would lead him back into the dark. He had hoped her presence would fracture Francesco’s <b>resolve</b>. And for a moment, <b>it </b>almost worked. But love ruined everything.
Francesco fell in love with her. And <b>worse</b>–<b>she </b>loved him too.
“But she betrayed me Luca whispered<b>, </b>voice shaking. “She was supposed to help me.”
But in the end, Anastasia had protected Francesco. She gave him strength, perhaps even left him secrets he wasn’t meant to
As he entered the underground hideout, brushing past the curious stares <b>of </b>his subordinates, he didn’t stop to exin. They could feel his Bury. They knew better than to question it. They <b>had </b><b>seen </b>the casualties. The best of them were dead, lost to Francesco’s wrath…
Luca mmed the door to his private study and grabbed the worn leather–bound book from a hiddenpartment behind the shelves. Anastasia’s grimoire. The one filled with her poisons, spells, enchantments–magic forbidden even by the oldest covers.
He fipped through the pages in <b>a </b>frenzy.
“How did <b>he </b>recover so quickly? He should have been crippled for weeks!”
His eyes scanned every ingredient, every ritual. Then a thought struck him like lightning.
“Could it be…she left another book with <b>him</b>? Or worse… To his new mate..
They said her name Eine…. The new mate of hin
Luca froze
There was something different about her. He had sensed it. Not just her connection to Francesco, but her power. She radiated something ancient, something familiar,
Was she… truly like Anastasia?
Was she connected to her?
He mmed the book shut, pacing the room like a caged animal
“If she has inherited Anastasia’s abilitie
then she is the one aiding him now. She’s the <b>reason </b>he’s not falling”
He clenched his fists.
“She’s his weakness.”
He turned and roared, “KELLAN!”
Within seconds, a tall, the man with sharp features entered the room. His eyes gleamed with cunning, and a grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Yes, Leader Luca<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>Luca </b>finally allowed himself a small smile. “I need every piece of information on the girl. I want to know where she sleeps, who she speaks to, what she eats. I want to know <b>her </b>nightmares. Check the human we send to spy on her, where is he now?”
Ken bowed. “Consider it done”
Luca returned to his desk,his expression cold.
<b>“</b>Just wait<b>, </b>Francesco, he whispered. “This time I will make sure you’re lose
Back <b>at </b>Francesco’s Alpha Manor
Eine’s Point of View
I wasn’t used to this.
The warmth. The kindness. The attention.
<b>Maria</b><b>, </b>Audrey, and Monica <b>had </b>turned into mother hens the moment I stepped into the dining hall. A feast fit for royalty had beenid out, all of it for me. Fresh bread, seasoned meats, roasted vegetables<b>, </b>warm soup, cakes, and a giant bowl of strawberry pie–apparently my favorite now.
“Don’t even think about protesting.” Maria warned, her eyes narrowing when I opened my mouth.
Audrey raised a brow. “After everything you’ve done for <b>us</b><b>, </b>let us <b>take </b>care of you now.”
Francesco just chuckled beside me, leaning back in his chair like a king watching the chaos unfold.
I sighed in defeat, shaking my head as I reached for a <b>spoon</b>.
Thad never known this kind of care. Where I came from, I was invisible. An obligation. Here…I was someone
I sniffled unconsciously, the emotions rising too fast to hide.
They all froze
“ine?” Monica rushed forward. “Did we do something wrong?”
Maria put down the bowl she was carrying. Even Francesco leaned closer, his hand hovering
“No,” I said quickly, wiping my eyes. “No, it’s not that. I just…”.
Hooked around at their worried faces<b>, </b>at the warmth in their eyes.
“You’re all just so kind to me.”
Maria’s lips parted in a a tender smile as she ced another slice of strawberry pie in front of me.
“Then don’t make us worry again, dear,” she said, patting my hand.
I nodded, managing a smallugh. “Not promise”
Francesco finally reached out and took my left hand in his. His touch <b>was </b>soft, reverent.
“You don’t have to fight alone anymore,” he said.
The words sank deep into my heart.
mine
This man. He had changed everything. This ce. These people, He had opened a door to a new world, one where I was not just surviving I was living
I looked up at him, unable to contain the emotion in my chest.
“I am so happy because of you, you know that, right?”
He squeezed my hand gently.
“And I will do everything to keep it that way!”
As we shared a quiet moment in the middle of the bustling dining room, I didn’t know that far away, deep in the shadows, someone was watching.
Plotting.
e storm was brewing.
The
But for now, in this sanctuary, I felt safe. Helt loved.