15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Luna

S ix hours earlier…

My heart pounded wildly in my chest, my breaths ragged, as I struggled against the rough hands that dragged me out of Orion’s apartment.

"Where are you taking me?!" I shouted, my voice trembling. "Let me go!"

“Stay quiet, seer,” one of them hissed in my ear. “We’ve got plans for you. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

I felt the car move, each bump in the road making my pulse race faster.

"Please. Why are you doing this?" My words fell on deaf ears. No one answered. Only the rumble of the engine and the sound of my frantic breathing accompanied me.

Minutes felt like hours, and the tension in my body tightened with every passing second. I was helpless, trapped in my own fear.

Suddenly, the van stopped. I heard doors open, and hands grabbed me again, yanking me from the seat. My legs were shaking as they forced me out, guiding me roughly along what felt like uneven ground. I stumbled, trying to make sense of my surroundings, but the blindfold made it impossible.

“Please,” I whispered. “Please don’t hurt me.”

No response. Just a harsh tug on my arm.

We entered a building, the air colder, staler. I could feel it—a shift, a sense of danger that seemed to seep from the walls. They shoved me into a chair, the rough wood digging into my back. Before I could react, I felt ropes tightening around my wrists, binding me to the chair.

“No! Stop!” I screamed, thrashing against the restraints.

“Help! Somebody help me!” My voice echoed in the room, hollow, unanswered.

I could hear footsteps—someone was there. Panic surged in me, overwhelming every other thought.

“Please, I don’t know what you want! Just let me go, I won’t say anything, I swear!”

Laughter. Low, cold, and utterly chilling. It filled the air, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

“You think I’m going to let you go that easily, Luna?”

I froze. I knew that voice. Marcosias.

I couldn’t see him, but his presence filled the room like a looming shadow. My breath caught in my throat as his footsteps drew closer, each step deliberate and mocking.

“You’re ... you’re making a mistake. Orion will come for me,” I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady, but the fear betrayed me. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. “But you … you’re far more valuable to me than you could ever imagine.”

“Please,” I begged, my voice cracking. “Whatever you think I can do, you’re wrong. Just let me go.”

He laughed again, the sound sharp and cruel. Then I felt his hand brush my cheek, and I flinched, trying to pull away, but the ropes held me in place.

“You’re the key to my success.”

“What are you talking about?” I whimpered. “What do you want from me?”

There was a pause, and then I felt him lean close. His breath was hot against my skin. “I’m never going to let you go.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "No ... No, please …"

With a sharp tug, the blindfold was ripped off, and harsh light flooded my eyes. I blinked, disoriented, as my vision cleared, and there he was—Marcosias—sitting across from me, a sickening grin twisting his features.

His eyes glinted with dangerous satisfaction.

"Welcome to your new home," he sneered, reclining in his chair like he owned the world. “I hope you get comfortable, Luna. You’re not going anywhere.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as the reality of my situation hit me.

"You can’t do this. Orion will come. He'll find me. He'll kill you for this," I whispered, my voice shaking.

Marcosias’s grin widened, a menacing glint in his eyes.

“Orion ... Orion … Orion … the love of your life. Out of curiosity, what do you see in him? I mean he’s old enough to be your father. He is your best friend’s father, for crying out loud. What’s so special about him?”

I ignored his question.

“Answer me when I ask you a question, dammit!”

I trembled as he moved closer.

“I fell in love with his heart.”

“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—”

I didn’t have time to finish before a cold, mocking voice cut through the air.

“Well, well, Alpha,” he sneered. “You finally made it. I was beginning to think you didn’t care about your precious seer. You just walked into my trap.”

I froze, terror clawing its way back into my chest, as I recognized the voice. Marcosias.

Orion whipped around, putting me behind him, his body tensing, as he faced Marcosias. I could feel the raw anger radiating off of him, a fury I had only seen once before.

Orion’s grip on me tightened, his body going rigid. I could feel his muscles coiled, ready to strike at any moment. “You think you can use her against me? You’ll never win.”

Marcosias laughed, the sound chilling and cold. “Oh, I already have. You’re here, aren’t you? All it took was a little bait, and here you are, right where I want you.”

“Stay behind me, Luna,” Orion whispered, his voice urgent but steady. He kept his eyes locked on Marcosias, his posture protective.

I did as he told me, but the fear was making it hard to breathe. My heart pounded in my ears as Marcosias stepped closer, his predatory gaze shifting between us.

“You think you can protect her?” Marcosias sneered, eyes narrowing at Orion. “She’s mine.”

“Shut up!” Orion roared, lunging forward, but Marcosias held up his hand, and two of his men appeared behind him.

“No, no,” Marcosias tutted, shaking his head with a wicked grin. “You wouldn’t want to make a mistake, would you? Not when she’s watching.”

Orion stopped, breathing heavily, his eyes blazing with fury. I could see the conflict in his gaze—his need to protect me battling with the danger Marcosias posed.

“Let her go, and I’ll finish this with you,” Orion said, his voice deadly calm. “One-on-one. No more games.”

Marcosias’ smile widened. “Oh, I like the sound of that. But who said I play fair?”

I tightened my grip on Orion’s arm, fear curling its way into my chest. I knew what Marcosias was doing, how he was pushing Orion toward a breaking point. But even worse, I knew that I was part of this twisted plan—and that made me feel utterly powerless.

“Orion, please,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Don’t do this.”

Orion turned slightly, his eyes softening for just a moment as he looked at me. “I won’t let him take you, Luna. I promise.”

Marcosias's laughter filled the air again, cruel and sharp.

"Oh, this is touching. But in the end, promises mean nothing. She belongs to me now.”

The air was charged with tension as I felt the shift in Orion. His muscles tensed, and a low, guttural growl escaped his throat as his eyes locked onto Marcosias, burning with fury. In an instant, his body began to contort, bones snapping and shifting as dark fur erupted across his skin. His face elongated into a powerful snout, his hands morphing into lethal claws. In mere moments, Orion had transformed into a massive black wolf, towering over Marcosias, his amber eyes glowing with deadly intent. The sheer power radiating from him was terrifying and breathtaking all at once.

“Orion …” I whispered in shock. Orion then howled, and in a matter of seconds chaos erupted as more wolves poured into the warehouse, and Orion lunged at Marcosias. The warehouse filled with the thunderous sounds of growls, snapping jaws, and tearing flesh as wolves clashed around us. My heart raced as I watched Orion, now in his massive black wolf form, charge headfirst into the fight, locking eyes with Marcosias, whose dark wolf was equally terrifying.

"Orion, no!" I screamed, but it was too late. Their wolves collided, snarling and biting, each determined to rip the other apart.

I tried to focus, tried to find that part of me that could help him. I couldn’t just stand there while they tore each other to pieces. The air around me felt thick, the violence suffocating.

"Get her out!" Orion's voice boomed in my mind, through the bond, his command clear, as one of Marcosias' wolves circled toward me.

"I’m not leaving you!" I shot back, my pulse pounding in my ears. I backed away from the fighting, trying to find an opening. But wolves from both packs were everywhere, tearing at each other with savage intensity.

Orion’s wolf growled in my head, “Luna, you can’t protect me if you’re dead. Get out!”

I watched as he dodged a swipe from Marcosias, his massive form barely missing a set of deadly claws.

"No!" I shouted again, my voice barely cutting through the noise. My hands trembled as I felt the energy inside me build. I had to help him. I had to do something.

With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and reached out with my powers, feeling the energy surge through my veins. I focused on Orion, trying to send him some kind of protection, something to shield him from the onslaught.

I opened my eyes just in time to see Marcosias slam into him again. Blood splattered the ground, and a growl ripped from Orion’s throat as he staggered but didn’t fall.

"Luna, go!" Orion’s voice was strained, full of desperation.

I clenched my fists, feeling the energy swirl inside me. "I’m not leaving you!" I screamed again, my heart hammering in my chest. I wasn’t going to lose him. Not like this.

Marcosias, now in his wolf form, sneered through the link, his voice slithering into my mind. “She’s watching you fail, Alpha. Look at her, powerless to save you. You’ve already lost.”

"Shut up!" I screamed, my voice raw, as I pushed more energy toward Orion, willing him to stay on his feet.

"You won’t touch her, Marcosias!" Orion growled, through our bond, lunging at him again. The two wolves collided with brutal force, snapping jaws and tearing claws.

But there were too many. Marcosias’s wolves were closing in, surrounding us, and for every one of Orion’s pack that fought them off, two more appeared.

Orion glanced back at me, desperation flashing in his eyes. "Luna, you have to get out of here."

"I can help! Just … let me …"

Before I could finish, a wolf from Marcosias’s pack slammed into me, knocking me to the ground. Pain shot through my side as I hit the concrete hard, my vision blurring from the impact.

"Luna!" Orion’s voice roared in my head, filled with panic.