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CHAPTER 4 I Will Convince Her

Lana lay on the sterile infirmary bed, her eyes squinting in pain, as the pack doctor, Brian, probed her stomach wounds as he pulled out more pieces of metal from the car crash. Ethan paced the room, his agitation clear as he stared down at her.

"Damn it, Lana, what else are you hiding from me?" Ethan snapped.

"I am not hiding anything. I told you everything I know," Lana defended herself, but Ethan wasn't hearing it.

"How could you be so reckless?" Ethan continued, his voice laced with anger.

"My King, can we refrain from having this conversation now? I need to tend to my patient," Brian interjected, earning a glare from Ethan as if daring Brian to say another word. Brian quickly diverted his gaze and continued to work on stitching Lana's wound.

"You put yourself in danger and endangered the whole pack," Ethan growled. "I should throw you back into that dungeon for a few months as punishment for your recklessness."

Lana winced at his harsh words, gripping the edge of the bed. "You were reckless yourself, my king! If you hadn't flipped the car, I would be lying in this bed right now," Lana shot back. "Like I told you, I didn't know who would show up. I made them believe that I wanted to do the mission to move up the ranks. I didn't plan for Kasia to come for me. How could I have known that?"

Ethan's voice remained stern as he countered, but there was a flicker of understanding. "Because she's your sister, Lana. You never even mentioned you had a sister! Of course, she'd come for you. Siblings protect each other."

"I know," Lana replied with a sigh, her frustration still lingering. "But Kasia's different. We've grown apart. Since we joined the Hunters, she's been a changed person. Consumed by revenge. I wasn't sure if she cared enough to save me."

Ethan's features softened, and he exhaled heavily. "Revenge for what?"

Lana's response was low and defeated. "I didn't see what happened, and so I wasn't scarred by it like she was." Lana paused for a moment before shaking her head. "Kasia should be the one to tell you, if she chooses. I promised never to speak of it, and I intend to keep that promise."

"What I can tell you is that I could never heal that wound for her. I couldn't understand the rage in her, and so we drifted apart. Kasia always wanted to fight, make sure that no one ever took advantage of her again, and I just wanted to survive."

Taken advantage of? What had caused Kasia to be so bitter? His heart ached for her, but then Ethan beat his feelings down. How many innocent lives had she killed by being a hunter?

Curiosity burned in Ethan's eyes as he leaned closer to her. "What could the Hunters have offered to entice you both to join?"

"The ability to defend ourselves from anything that thrives in the dark," Lana responded.

Ethan wanted to argue that humans also thrived in the darkness, but this was not the time to strike up that debate. "So, power. The Hunters have found a way to grant supernatural abilities to one another now." If this were true, it would have a serious and deadly impact.

Lana hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. "It's not a power, Ethan. It's a drug. The Hunters created it. They called it 'Project Lycan's Venom.'"

Ethan's brows furrowed as he processed this information. "What does it do?"

"Are you really asking me that? You've seen it for yourself when you fought Kasia," Lana answered, causing Brian to look up in shock. A human matching the strength of the Alpha King was unheard of.

"So, it must be magic. Is she a witch?" Ethan asked.

"No, it's not that. I told you it was a drug. It enhances human abilities and makes them compatible with Lycans. It boosts strength, speed, and regenerative capabilities," Lana explained.

"It sounds impossible. Rewiring genetic codes, extensive testing—it's highly dangerous," Brian interjected, his voice trailing off. "It's like anyone who takes it becomes a living experiment."

"That's why I tried to get Kasia to stop using it. She wouldn't listen," Lana added.

Ethan's eyes widened, a mix of concern and intrigue playing across his features. "Do you know how it works?"

"I don't. We were never told. They kept it a closely guarded secret," Lana affirmed.

Ethan opened his telepathic link to Brian and inquired, "Do you think this is why they abducted as many of us as they could when they attacked?"

"Absolutely. They need blood and tissue for their experiments," Brian responded. "I secured some of the drugs when you brought Lana in. I can analyze them to find out what they're made of."

Lana, unable to hear their silent conversation, cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "It's rather rude to have secret conversations in front of a patient, you know."

Ethan returned to spoken words: "Brian, we need a blood test on the woman. We have to understand the long-term effects of the drug on the human body."

Brian nodded, his professionalism unwavering. "Of course, my king. I'll start the tests right away."

As Brian prepared his equipment, Ethan's mind raced. The Hunters had found a way to artificially elevate human abilities, making them compatible with Lycans. But what were the long-term consequences? Were there dangerous side effects to consider?

"You must come clean with your sister, Lana. Until you do, she'll be determined to escape, and that's not an option. We can't risk the Hunters discovering our sanctuary," Ethan asserted.

"What makes you think that I can? I haven't been able to get anything through to her for years." Lana asked.

"You don't have a choice. If anyone finds out that she is a hunter, I will have no choice but to kill her. No one will believe our excuse for you twice," Ethan explained.

"I will convince her. I'll make her understand," Lana said firmly.

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