CHAPTER 15
The scent of smoke and blood tainted the air before I even saw them.
Damon and I stood on the edge of a clearing, hidden by the thick trees, but I felt his presence. Ivan.
He was here.
Damon stiffened beside me, his muscles tensed, his fists clenched at his sides. He knew it too.
A slow, mocking clap echoed through the stillness. My breath hitched
Then I saw him.8
Ivan stepped into the clearing like a king surveying his kingdom, his golden eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. Helena followed behind him, draped in black, her smirk sharper than any blade.
And then–my heart stopped.X
es, was Liam.!!
Because standing between them, his small hands bound in thick ropes, was
My baby brother&
A strangled sound left my throat. I took a step forward, but Damon grabbed my wrist, holding me back.
Ivan smirked. “Now, now, Cynthia. You wouldn’t want to make any mash decisions, would you?”!!
“Liam!” My voice cracked.
Liam’s blue eyes widened when he saw me. “C-Cynthia?” His voice was hoarse, terrified.
Rage burned through my veins. “Let him go!“}
Ivan tilted his head. “Now, why would I do that?” He ran his fingers through Liam’s dark curls, the same color as mine. The gesture made my stomach turn. “You see, I needed leverage. And nothing makes a woman more obedient than family,”
Damon growled, stepping forward, his body shielding me. “If you lay one more finger on him, Ivan, I’ll rip your throat out.”
Ivan’s smirk widened. “That’s what I love about you, Darnon. Always the hero. But heroes don’t win,”
Helena let out a laugh, her sharp green eyes flicking to me. “You know what to do, Cynthia. Come home like a good girl, and your brother stays breathing”
I felt sick?
My hands shook at my sides. I had no choice.
My legs felt like lead as I took a slow step forward. Damon’s grip on my wrist tightened.
“Cynthia, no,” he said through gritted teeth.
Tears burned my eyes. “I can’t let him die, Damon.“%
Damon turned to face me fully, his dark eyes filled with something raw Desperation. “And I can’t let you go back to that monster.” I swallowed hard. There was no winning here.X
little
Then–Damon’s gaze snapped back to Ivan, and a dark determination settled over his face. His next words sent my entire world
spinning.
“Then let’s settle this like Alphas.”
Silence
Ivan’s brow lifted, amused. “Are you challenging me?“)
Damon’s voice was like steel. “I am.”
A flicker of something dangerous passed through Ivan’s gaze. Then, he grinned. “Interesting.”
Helena’s smirk faltered. Ivan, don’t=“X
He held up a hand, cutting her off. “No, no. I like this.” His golden eyes gleamed as he turned back to Damon, “What are the terms?” Damon squared his shoulders. “If I win, you back off. You leave Cynthia and the child alone. Forever”
Ivan’s grin widened. “And if I win?“%
Damon didn’t hesitate. “Then you take Cynthia, But you let Liam go.”
Nox
My heart lurched. I spun to face Damon, grabbing his arm: “You can’t! Damon, he’ll-”
Damon cupped my face, his gentle touch despite the fire buming behind his eyes. “Trust me
I was shaking. “One of you will die.”
His jaw clenched. “I won’t lose.“X
I wanted to scream. I wanted to beg him not to do this. But deep down, I knew–Domon would never let me go. Not without a fight.
I forced myself to nod, my throat too tight to speak.
Ivan rolled his shoulders. “This should be fun.
They shifted at the same time X
Damon’s massive black wolf lunged, all muscle, and fury, his fangs flashing in the moming light. Ivan met him head–on, his golden fur a blur as they clashed &
12:14 PM D
fur a blur as they clashed
The sound of snapping jaws and snarling filled the air
I couldn’t watch. I tumed away, my chest heaving, my fingers clutching my stomach.
Liam whimpered from his spot, still bound, his eyes wide with fear “Cynthia=”
“I know,” I whispered. “I know“}
The fight was brutal
Ivan was strong. I had seen him tear through men like they were nothing. But Damon–Damon fought like a man with everything to lose.X
A yelp. A growl. A sickening crack
I whipped around just in time to see Damon’s jaws clamp around Ivan’s throat.
Ivan struggled, snarling, but Damon held him down.
For one agonizing second, I thought Damon would end him.
But he didn’t.
Damon slowly released his grip, stepping back, his body heaving with exhaustion.
Ivan lay on the ground, defeated.!!
Blood dripped from his fur, but his golden eyes were filled with rage. He had lost. He knew it.
Damon shifted back into his human form, standing over Ivan,2
He didn’t gloat. Didn’t smile.
Instead, he said, “Let us go.”
Silence.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, Ivan laughed…
It was a cruel, bitter sound.!!
“Fine” he rasped.
He turned his head, locking eyes with me. “Enjoy your freedom, Cynthia. It won’t last!!
A shiver ran down my spine
Damon untied Liam’s hands and pulled him into my arms. I held him tightly, breathing in his scent, my body shaking from relief.
We turned to leave.
Ivan and Helena watched us disappear into the forest.
But I knew–this wasn’t over. Not yet
For now, I would savor this small victory.
But Ivan never gave up what he thought belonged to him.
And deep down, I knew–He would come back for us.3
