BBB-CHAP 3- SHADOWS AND CHOICES

SELENE’S POV

The Battlefield froze as his word a cold in the air, cold and unyielding. even the Wolves, Ferocious and unrelenting moments ago, hesitated. the figures standing at the edge of the chaos was no Ordinary enemy. His aura radiated power, a suffocating Force the same to weigh down on every living being within the courtyard.

Lucian's grip on my arm tightened, pulling me slightly behind him. "don't listen to him,” he growled, his voice barely audible over the distant clashes of Steel and growls.

but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the shadowed figure. He knew my name. he knew

and he wasn't here to kill me- not yet.

“Selene,”          the figure called again, stepping closer. the operates seem to part for him, they movements fluid and almost inhuman. "you have been running for so long, hiding behind lies and wolves. but it ends here.”

"I don't even know who you are!” I snapped, frustration and fear lacing my voice. "if you want me so badly, why not come closer and take me yourself?”

lucian's body tensed, his stance shifting into a defensive position. "don't provoke him,” he

muttered harshly, His eyes darting between the figure and the operatives surrounding us.

The figure chuckled, a deep, menacing sound That sent chills racing down my spine. "oh,

you’ll remember soon enough, Selene. blood has a way of calling to blood.”

"what does that mean?” I demanded, my voice breaking slightly despite my efforts to stay composed.

Before he could answer, Lucian's patients snapped. with the feral snarl, he surged

forward, claws extending mid-motion. he was a blur of speed and fury, a testament to his alpha strength.

But the figure didn't flinch. Instead, he raised a hand, is a simple gesture that sent Lucian

flying backwards as if struck by an invisible Force.

Lucian hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop with a pained growl. I rushed to him

instinctively, ignoring the operatives that cycle us like vultures.

"step back!” Lucian barked, his voice raw with Fury and frustration.

The figure tilted his head, almost amused. "you're loyalty is admirable, Alpha, but ultimately futile. you know you can protect her.”

"protect me?” I whispered, staring down at Lucian, whose breathing was laboured but steady. "why would you protect me?’

Lucian didn't answer. Instead, he pushed himself to his feet, his piercing blue eyes looking onto the figure. "you won't take her,” he said, his voice steady despite the blood trickling down the side of his face.

The figure ignored him, his gaze returning to me. " Selene, this doesn't have to be difficult.

Surrender, and I will spare the rest. refuse, And they will die- all of them.”

I clenched to my fists, my mind racing. there was no doubt in my mind that he was serious. The operatives had the upper hand, then weapons and numbers overwhelmed the Wolves. Every instinct screamed at me to fight and to run, but there was nowhere to go.

Before I could speak, Lucian stepped in front of me again, he’s broad shoulders blocking my view of the figure. "we don't bargain with murderers,” he spat.

The figure’s smile faltered, Replaced by a cold, calculating expression. "so be it.” he raised his hand again, and this time the operatives surged forward with deadly intent.

Lucian moved like lightning, meeting the first wave head-on. his claws tore through armor and flesh alike, but the sheer number of enemies began to overwhelm him.

I couldn't just stand there. my grip tightened Around The Dagger Lucian had given me, and I threw myself into the fray, adrenaline drowning out the fear.

my first target was an operative who had managed to flank Lucian. the dagger’s blade found its mark in his Side, but not before he turned on slammed me into the ground. pain exploded through my shoulder, but I refused to let go of the weapon.

another operating loomed over me, his blade poised to strike. before he could bring it

down, Lucian was there, ripping him away and snapping his neck with a single motion.

"stay close, dammit!” he shouted, pulling me to my feet.

but the figure was done. he raised both hands now, and the air seemed to ripple with

raw Energy. away of power exploded outward, knocking wolves and operatives alike to the ground.

Lucian shielded me with his body, but the force sent us sprawling.My vision blurred as I hit the ground, the taste of blood filling my mouth.

when I managed to focus again, the figure was standing over me. his face was still

obscured, but his eyes-glowing a brilliant, other-wordly gold- bold into me.

"it's over,” he said simply. "you can't fight Fate, Selene.”

Lucian lunged at him from behind, but the figure moved faster than I thought possible, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground with terrifying ease.

"I could kill him,” the figure said, his voice calm despite the struggle in Lucian’s eyes. "but

I won't- if you come with me now.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding. I could see the strain in Lucian's face, the desperation in his eyes as his struggled against the figure’s grip.

"Don't,” Lucian choked out, his voice barely a whisper. "don't go with him.”

tears blurred my vision as I stared at the figure and then back at Lucian. my mind screamed at

me, to fight, but my body refused to move.

"Make your choice,” if you go said,his grip tightening around Lucian’s throat. and then, against all reason, I made my decision.

I couldn't stand watching Lucian struggle. his body was limp in the figure's iron grip, his breathing strained, eyes locked with mine in a silent plea. something deep inside me snapped. the figure was throwing with him- no, join with both of us. and I had reached the end of my limits. the fear that gripped me for so long, the uncertainty, the chains that held me back….I could feel them all breaking.

The powers within me surged, bubbling up from an unfamiliar place. it flooded through me

like a tidal wave,Raw in untamed. I felt the chains shatter.

"let him go,” I hissed, my voice sharper, colder. it was a command, not a plea.

the figure looked down at me, he's golden eyes flashing with amusement. " you have no

idea what you're dealing with, Selene.”

but I wasn't listening. I wasn't going to be afraid anymore. not now, not when Lucian's life

was hanging in the balance.

without thinking, I reached out with every ounce of strength I had left. my body trembled

with the force of it, but I didn't care. the energy I had long forgotten so my hands, and a brilliant blue light erupted from my Palms. the air hummed as my energy collided with the figure’s, an explosion of force that sensed a shockwave through the courtyard.

the figure stumbled back, his grip loosening on Lucian's just enough for him to gasp for air. I surged forward, pushed by a Fury I hadn't known existed within me. the energy wrapped around the figure, coiling around him like a vice, and with one Swift motion, I hurled him backwards.

the figures but convulsed under the pressure, his mouth opening the Silent scream as

the light from the Hands grew brighter. I could feel his resistance, but it wasn't enough. he's figured began to dissipate into the air, as if my power was tearing him apart, bit by bit. I wasn't sure how I was doing that- I had no control, no time to think. I just knew I had to finish it.

these eyes burned into my one last time before his body finally disintegrated, leaving nothing

but smoke in the air.

I stood there, my chest heaving with exhaustion, the shock of the battle still ripping through my limbs. but the moment I thought it was over, the power that had caused through me like fire suddenly burned out. my knees buckled, and the world around me spun. my vision blurred, and I barely managed to stay on my feet.

"Lucian….” by whispered, my voice barely audible.

I stumbled forward, but before I could reach him, everything went black.