BBB-CHAP 2-BLOODLINES AND BETRAYALS

SELENE’S POV

The silence indicated was oppressive, pressing against my chest like a weight I couldn't Shake. defense sons of wolves moving beyond the stone walls only heightened the dread pulling in my stomach. I had tried to peace together while Lucian despised me so much, why he's angry seemed deeper than a power struggle.

it wasn't just because I was even vampire.

there was something more something in the way he's voice had cracked ever so slightly

when he said, “you always have.”

the iron doors groaned open again; this sounded like news on the chalkboard. Lucian stood

in, his presence feeling the room like his stormcloud. he's expression was unreadable, but his stance radiated fury in check.

“ have you decided to gloat some more?” I asked Coolly though my throat was dry.

Lucian ignored me, pacing like a predator trapped in a cage of his own. "I should kill you,” he said finally, his voice low and sharp. "and this here and now. "

"but you won't," I replied, testing the chains binding my wrist. "if you were going to, you wouldn't have bothered with the cage. "

his eyes snapped to my, icy and unforgiving. "don't mistake hesitation for Mercy, vampire.

you are alive because it's convenient for now. "

I leaned back against the cold bars, forcing a smirk despite the knot my gut. "convenient? that's new. usually, i’m just called a monster.”

"you are a monster,” he snared, stepping closer. was unmistakable. "your kind takes and destroys without a second thought. you are parasites, feeding on the lives of Others. you think I don't remember what you did?”

"what I did?” my smirk vanished as anger flared. "don't pin your grudge against vampires on me. I don't even know you his!”

Lucian laughed, but there was no humour in it. "oh, you know me, Selene. even if you don't

realize it yet.”

he didn't answer, his jaw tightened as if the words would burn him to speak. Instead, he

grabbed a chair, pulling it up close to the cage. he sat down, leaning forward, his piercing blue eyes locked on mine.

"I did 't want to waste time explaining,” he said, his voice calm now, which was somehow worse. "but it seems you more stubborn than I anticipated. so let me make this clear, you are a liability. A threat to Everything I protect. but killing you isn't an option anymore.”

"why not?” I spat. "you seem to hate me in enough.”

Lucian’s lip curled into a snarl. "because they want you alive. and if the veil get their hands on you it's over. for all of us.”

"The veil,” I said flatly, the name unfamiliar. "what is that, some bed time story you tell your pups?”

"it's very real, vampire,” he hissed. "and you are their price. your bloodline is rare, powerful enough to unmake the supernatural balance if the use it right.that’s why they have been hunting you for years.”

a cold dread coiled in my stomach. my bloodline. My family had whispered of ancient

enemies when I was a child, but I had never believed those stories. not until now.

"let me guess,” I said, forcing sarcasm into my voice. "you are the noble Hero trying to save the world from me. how touching.”

Lucian stood abruptly, His chair scraping against the floor. "save the world? don't flatter

yourself. if I could end you and stop this Madness, I would have done it the moment I found you. but killing you would only make things worse. the veil needs you dead or alive, it doesn't matter to them. but it does to me.”

his words he like a blow, and for a moment,I couldn't breathe. "if if that is true,” I said

quietly, "then why not let me go? let them take me. isn't that what you want?”

Lucian's eyes darkened, his fist clenching. "no. because letting you fall into their hands

would doom everyone. my pack, my people… even your precious vampires would not survive what comes next.”

I stared at him, trying to gauge if this was some elaborate manipulation. But the steel in his voice, the flicker of something almost like fear in his expression, made my blood run cold.

before I could respond, the door burst open, and one of Lucian’s wolves rushed in, panting heavily.

"Alpha,” the Wolf said, his voice tight with urgency. "we have got movement. scouts spotted

operative at the perimeter.”

Lucian cursed under his breath. "how many?” "at least a dozen. Armed and advancing fast.” my pulse quickened. whoever these operatives were, they didn't waste time.

Lucia    turned to me, he's Jaw tightening. "you are coming with me.”

I took it step back instinctively, though the chains made it pointless. "you must be joking. you expect me to go anywhere with you after all these?”

His eyes were born with Fury. "this isn't about trust. it is about survival. you don't have a

choice.”

the wolf at the door spoke up again. " Alpha, they breach the gates within minutes. We need

to move now.”

Lucian didn't hesitate. he reached into his pockets, pulling out a key and unlocking the cage door.

"let me make one thing clear,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I don't want you here. I don't care about your life. but if you die, we all lose. so you are coming with me, and you are going to do exactly what I say. got it?”

I stared at him, my instincts screaming to run, to fight, to do anything but follow him. but this sound of distance gunfire shattered any illusion of choice.

"Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. "but I am not doing this for you.”

"Good,” he replied coldly. "I don't want your loyalty.”

Lucian yanked the chains off my wrists, and the moment I was free, I grabbed The Dagger he offered me. the weight of the blade felt strange in my hand, a reminder that my powers were still muted.

"stay close,” he ordered, leading me out of the room.

the Halls we are a maze of Stone and Shadow, and detention in the air was palpable. the

sounds of battle grew louder with every step, the mental tang of blood already thickening the air.

when we emerged into the courtyard, chaos greeted us. wolves in human and beast forms

fought against dark cloud-clad operatives wielding glowing weapons. the air crackled with unnatural energy, and my stomach churned at the site of it.

"don't get yourself killed,” Lucian barked before diving into the fray.

I didn't have time to respond. one of the operatives spotted me and lunged, his blade slashing through the air. I barely dodged, the dagger in my hand coming up instinctively.

the fight was brutal and fast, my every move driven by desperation. The operative was

stronger and faster than any human should be, and I realized with horror that they were using enhancements, magic, technology, or both.

I managed to drive my dagger into his side, and he crumpled with a grunt. but there were more, too many to count, swarming The courtyard like a tide of death.

And then I saw him.

a figure stood at the edge of the battlefield, cloaked in shadows. he's phase was obscured,

but his presence was unmistakable- Powerful, commanding, and cold as death itself.

Lucian saw Him Too. He froze mid-battle, his eyes narrowing. "You,” he growled, his voice filled with Venom.

the figure stepped forward, he's gaze landing on me. even from a distance, I could feel the

weight of his stare- piercing and unrelenting.

"Selene Nightshade,” he called, his voice calm but chilling. “ Did you really think you could hide from us?” the blood drained from my face. he knew my name. he knew who I was.

Before I could react, the figure raised a hand, and the operatives surged forward with renowned ferocity.

Lucian grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. "stay behind me” he growled. but the figure’s gaze didn't waver and his next words struck me like a dagger to the heart.

"come willingly,” he said, "or watch everyone here die because of you.”