“His heart? You know, all my life, all I ever prayed for was to strip Orion of everything he has. First, I got his daughter, and now you. Miranda was so easy to get. All I had to do was to send her pictures of you and Orion on his yacht. Trust me, Miranda felt hurt, and as the good man I am, I took advantage of it.”

“You are anything but good.”

“Well, that’s your own perspective.”

Marcosias’ grin lingered, but there was something darker behind it now—something calculating. His eyes locked onto mine, sending a new wave of dread crashing over me. I tugged helplessly at the ropes binding my wrists, but they didn’t give. I was trapped.

Marcosias chuckled, the sound grating against my nerves. “Luna the seer, you have no idea how powerful you are, do you? With you by my side, I could rule the werewolves. I could foresee every move my enemies make. Every betrayal, every threat. I would be unstoppable.”

I shook my head, my chest tightening with panic. “You’re wrong. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, but I do.” He leaned even closer, his eyes gleaming with twisted excitement. “You see, I didn’t just kidnap you to use your powers, Luna. That’s only half of the plan.”

I could barely breathe, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Then why ... why did you take me?”

He smiled, a sinister, knowing look in his eyes. “You’re Orion’s greatest weakness. Miranda was just the beginning—his first weak spot. But you - you’re his next one. And I’m going to use that against him.”

My blood ran cold as his words sank in.

“You’re bait,” he continued, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “Orion will come for you. He’ll come running, blinded by his need to protect you. He’ll walk right into my trap. And when he does …” Marcosias paused, leaning back in his chair, as though savoring the moment. “He’ll die. Exactly like I planned.”

“No,” I breathed, shaking my head in disbelief. “You’re using me to kill him.”

“Smart girl,” he sneered. “I’ve been waiting for this. And you, my dear, are the perfect tool to bring him down.”

Tears stung my eyes, and I fought to keep my voice steady. “You don’t know him. He’s stronger than you think. He’ll stop you.”

Marcosias laughed, the sound echoing coldly in the room.

“I’m counting on him coming for you. That’s exactly what I want.”

I felt the full weight of his plan settle on my chest like a vice. He wasn’t just after me—he wanted Orion dead, and I was the bait to make it happen. I had to get out. I had to warn him before it was too late.

“You’re never going to win,” I spat, my voice shaking with fear and anger. “Orion will see right through you.”

“We’ll see about that,” Marcosias said, standing up. “But for now, Luna, you’re mine.”

As he turned to leave the room, I struggled against the ropes again, panic clawing at me. I had to get out of here — had to stop this before it was too late.

My wrists were raw from struggling against the ropes, my mind racing, desperately trying to figure out a way to escape. But nothing worked.

I was still tied to the chair, helpless, waiting for something - anything - to happen.

Then, I heard it. Footsteps.

My heart leapt into my throat.Orion?

The door to the room burst open, and there he was. Orion. His eyes were wild, frantic, searching for me. The moment they landed on mine, his entire face softened with a mixture of relief and rage.

“Luna!” He rushed over to me, his large hands quickly working at the knots around my wrists. His touch, so familiar, so comforting, made the fear ease just for a moment.

“You came,” I whispered, my voice hoarse from all the screaming I had done.

“I promised you, didn’t I?” His voice was low, tight with emotion, as he focused on freeing me. “I’ll always come for you.”

Tears welled in my eyes as the ropes around my wrists loosened, and I felt his strong arms around me, pulling me up from the chair. My legs were weak, shaking from fear and exhaustion, but I clung to him, drawing in the safety that his presence brought.

“We have to get out of here,” I breathed, my voice barely audible. “It’s a trap, Orion. He—”