CHAPTER 6: Brother

Nyxia's POV:

Before I could even process what was happening, the man stepped into the cell and grabbed my arm, pulling me out with a force that left no room for protest.

The darkness in the cell had masked his features, but now, standing in the dimly lit corridor, I could see him more clearly. My heart skipped a beat, and my voice cracked as I whispered, "Nikolai?"

Before I could say another word, his hand clamped over my mouth, his touch both urgent and gentle. I nodded quickly, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. His presence was a small comfort in this nightmare.

Nikolai, my brother by bond, had once been shorter than me, but now stood taller by at least a foot, his lanky build making him seem awkward to most, but I knew better. His curly brown hair and brown eyes, though familiar, looked different now—harder, more intense, like he'd been through something I couldn't quite grasp. As we hurried down the narrow corridor, I could see the tension in his every step, his eyes constantly scanning for any movement, any sign of danger.

"Where are we going?" I asked, keeping my voice low as he led me deeper into the underground passages. "Shouldn't we be heading upstairs?"

"You're getting out another way," Nikolai replied, his voice barely more than a whisper, but the urgency in his tone made me pause.

I pulled against his grip, making us both come to a halt. "What do you mean 'you'? We're both getting out, right?"

Nikolai's eyes softened, pleading with me in a way that made my stomach twist. "We don't have time for this, Nyx," he urged, pulling me forward again.

I let him guide me, my mind racing. We reached the last cell at the far end of the corridor. Nikolai opened the door to reveal a small, forgotten room, the walls crumbling with age. A rusty sink sat in one corner, and an old bunk bed leaned against the wall.

"Come on," Nikolai said, his voice quiet but firm as he motioned for me to climb the bed. Confused, I obeyed, watching as he reached up and pressed against a barely visible outline on the ceiling. A trapdoor.

It opened with a creak, revealing the dark sky above. Before I could climb through, Nikolai pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me with a desperation I hadn't felt from him before. My stomach dropped, and I instinctively hugged him back.

"Desmond is planning something. Something bad," he whispered, his voice shaking. "You need to get out now. Go to this address." He slipped a small, folded paper into my hand.

"Niko, where were you all these months?" I started, my voice trembling. "No wait, how did you know Desmond is planning to marry me off—"

"That's not what I mean." His interruption was sharp, and I could see the fear in his eyes. "I can't explain right now, Nyx. Just trust me." He pushed the trapdoor wider and motioned for me to climb through.

"Okay, but why aren't you coming with me?" My voice wavered, my heart hammering in my chest.

"I need to grab something first. It's important, and I—" He cut himself off as the sound of heavy boots echoed down the corridor. We both froze.

Nikolai's eyes locked onto mine, full of panic. "Go. Now. And don't come back," he whispered harshly, shoving me toward the opening.

"Niko—!" I began, but before I could say anything more, he slammed the trapdoor shut, locking it from the inside.

I stood there, heart pounding, staring at the ground where he had disappeared. I knew Nikolai could handle himself—he always did—but that didn't make this any easier. I pressed my hands to the cold stone, willing myself to trust him. I had to. He wouldn't leave me alone unless there was no other choice.

Taking a deep breath, I turned and found myself standing in the dense forest, the trees casting long shadows around me. The backside of the Hunter mansion loomed just beyond the trees, its towering structure both familiar and menacing.

I unfolded the paper in my hand. The address was scrawled hastily across it, a place I had never been to before. But if Nikolai said I should go there, I had to trust him.

Still, a strange urge tugged at me. Ethan. It had been days since I spoke to him. He would probably be worried. Could I see him before I left? Was it even safe?

A low, dangerous howl cut through the night air, sending a shiver down my spine. My instincts flared. I had to move, and fast. I couldn't stay here, not with wolves prowling the forest.

But I would have to shift.

The thought made my stomach churn. Shifting had always been excruciating for me. Most wolves embraced the transformation, felt at one with their wolf. But I had rejected that part of myself for so long that it had become a foreign, painful process. My bond with my wolf was fragile, almost broken, and every transformation felt like it was tearing me apart.

I closed my eyes, trying to focus. My wolf was there, somewhere deep inside, but she didn't stir. She hadn't for years. It was as though she had given up on me, just as I had given up on her.

Another howl echoed through the trees, closer this time. I didn't have a choice.

Gritting my teeth, I forced the transformation to begin. Pain surged through my body, sharp and relentless, as my bones shifted and my muscles contorted. I bit down hard on my lip, trying to stifle the scream that threatened to escape. My vision blurred as my hands hit the forest floor, claws sprouting from my fingertips.

When it was over, I stood in my wolf form, panting heavily. My fur was thick and white, the color of freshly fallen snow. Every part of me ached, but I couldn't stop now. I had to move.

I had to leave.