My mind was racing, trying to piece everything together. Before I could respond, a sharp pain shot through my head, and my vision blurred. It was happening again.
I stumbled, grasping the edge of the table, as the room around me faded, replaced by the haunting images of another vision.
I saw the battlefield, the clans clashing in a storm of violence and blood. In the middle of it all stood Orion, gravely injured, struggling to stay on his feet. Blood poured from his wounds as he fought off attackers, but I could see it in his eyes—he was losing.
And then, standing above him, victorious, was Marcosias. A cruel smile spread across his face as he raised his arms, claiming his twisted victory.
I gasped, snapping back to reality, my body shaking. Miranda rushed to my side, her face filled with concern.
“What did you see?” she asked, her voice frantic.
I looked at her, the weight of the vision still heavy on my chest. “If we don’t stop Marcosias, Orion will die.”
“What?! What do we do? I can’t lose my father.”
“Why don’t you reconcile with your father? Our crime was just falling in love with each other and … I know how much it hurts you. I never wanted to betray you, trust me. I … I tried …stopping myself, but I couldn’t. We just couldn’t let go of each other. I’m so sorry. I’m-”
Before I could finish my statement, Miranda hugged me. “I know you didn’t want things to be like this, and I’m sorry for how I handled things. I was just angry at everyone and everything, and Marcosias took advantage of that.”
“So come with me. Let’s meet your father,” I said, holding her hands.
“I need to be with Marcosias. That’s the only way I can know what he’s planning. It’s best to keep your enemies closer.”
“But not like this. You are risking your life being with him.”
“I don’t have a choice, Luna.”
Miranda glanced nervously at the clock on the wall, her anxiety almost palpable. She shifted from foot to foot, wringing her hands as if she were itching to flee.
"I need to go back," she whispered, her voice barely steady. "If I stay too long, Marcosias will suspect something. I can’t let him know I was here."
I took a step forward, placing a hand on her arm. "Wait," I urged softly. "Jake’s waiting for me outside. If he sees you leaving before me, he’ll start asking questions. Let me leave first. After we’ve left you can go"
She bit her lip, clearly torn, before finally nodding. "Alright. But hurry."
I glanced at the door, feeling the weight of the situation pressing on my chest. "Just stay calm," I told her, hoping to reassure her, even though my own nerves were frayed.
She gave me a small, reluctant nod, and I quickly turned to leave.
When I returned to the condo, I was surprised to see more wolves, with Orion pacing around, as he pressed his phone tightly to his ear and barked orders to his most trusted men. His voice was sharp, full of barely contained fury as he rallied them, preparing for the inevitable confrontation with Marcosias’ clan.
“They’re closing in. I want every wolf ready,” he growled into the phone, his expression a mix of determination and cold fury. “We can’t afford any slip-ups. This has to be precise.
He glanced up when I walked out, but his focus remained on the call. His eyes briefly met mine—full of an intensity that told me just how serious things were. It felt like the calm before a storm. The pressure of the brewing war weighed heavily on his shoulders, and I could see the burden he was carrying for both of us. For the entire clan.
“I have to meet with a few key people tonight,” he said, ending the call. “This meeting will determine our next move. Stay here. Jake will keep watch.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument, but there was an undercurrent of worry in his tone.
I nodded, though unease churned in my stomach. “Please be careful, Orion.”
He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead, his lips soft but his expression hard. “I will. Just stay here and don’t leave the condo.”
As he left, the condo felt colder, emptier, without his presence. I wandered around restlessly, trying to shake the gnawing feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. I didn’t trust this situation—Marcosias was too cunning, too unpredictable.
“I just hope this meeting goes well. I don’t know why I am anxious.”
Suddenly, there was a sound—a soft creak near the back entrance. My instincts flared. Before I could react, rough hands grabbed me from behind, yanking me backward into the darkness. I tried to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries. When they dragged me out, I saw Jake and the other men unconscious. Panic surged through me as I struggled, but my captors were too strong, their movements quick and coordinated.
They dragged me into a waiting van, and I saw the emblem of Marcosias’ clan stitched onto the sleeves of their jackets. My heart pounded in my chest.