17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Luna
T he moment we got dressed and left the rooftop, the tension between Orion and me shifted from the intimacy we’d just shared to the gravity of the message I’d received. My phone screen stared back at me with those words, chilling my spine.
Marcosias wants to use you for a ritual. You’re not safe.
As the elevator descended to Orion’s condo, I couldn’t shake the dread building inside me. Orion’s hand rested protectively on my lower back, but even his touch couldn’t calm the storm brewing in my chest.
“Let me see it again,” he said, his voice laced with controlled anger.
I handed him my phone, and he read the message with a deepening frown. His jaw tightened as he pulled out his own phone.
“I’ll have Jake find out who this is,” he muttered. Without hesitation, he dialed.
“Jake, I need you to trace a number for me—ASAP. Luna just got a text from an unknown source, and I want everything on the owner of that number. No detail is too small.”
I could hear Jake’s voice on the other end, but the words were muffled, distant. All I could think about was Marcosias - his dark, malevolent presence looming over us like a shadow we couldn’t escape. Orion then put the call on speaker.
“And … Miranda?” His voice softened when he spoke her name, a note of vulnerability breaking through his usual control.
Jake’s voice was clearer this time when he responded. “She’s still staying at one of Marcosias’ properties. No movement.”
Orion rubbed his temples, his worry evident. “Make sure she’s safe, Jake. I don’t want to force her to come home, but I want eyes on her. If anything happens to her …”
“I’ve got it covered, Alpha,” Jake assured him. “We’ll keep her safe.”
“Good. Protect her with your life.” Orion hung up.
“He’ll trace it,” Orion said, his voice rough with frustration. “But until we know who sent it, you’re staying by my side. Always.”
I nodded, but fear gnawed at the edges of my mind. “Orion, you know Marcosias won’t stop, right? He’s relentless. If he really wants to use me in some ritual, I don’t know how we’re going to stop him.”
Orion’s expression softened, and he reached for me, pulling me into his arms.
“We will find him and make him pay. I promise you that.” His voice was firm, but I could sense the flicker of worry he tried to hide. “Jake is on it. We’ll find out who sent that message, and then we’ll deal with Marcosias.”
I wanted to believe him, but something deep inside me warned that this was far from over. “Have you found anything new on Marcosias?” I asked, feeling my pulse quicken.
Orion sighed and shook his head. “No. He’s gone off the grid. My men are looking for him, but it’s like Marcosias just vanished. We’ve got no leads.”
The frustration in his voice was palpable, and it only made my anxiety worse. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Marcosias was watching us. Planning, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I’d been holding back something for a while now, but with everything escalating, I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.
“Orion,” I began cautiously. “There’s something you should know about Miranda.”
“What is it?” His eyes snapped to mine, a mixture of curiosity and concern on his face.
“She told me that she’s staying with Marcosias because she’s trying to gather information on him. She wants to get as much as she can before …” My voice trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.
Orion’s eyes widened slightly, but then a glimmer of relief crossed his features.
“She’s … she’s working against him?” He let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Thank Goodness. I was worried she was still caught up in his manipulation.”
“She’s realized her mistake, but it’s dangerous, Orion. I’m scared for her.”
“So am I.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “But I trust her. She’s smart, and she knows what’s at stake. We’ll protect her, Luna. I won’t let Marcosias take anything more from us.”
I nodded, but before I could say anything else, dizziness washed over me again. My vision blurred, and I swayed slightly on my feet.
“Luna!” Orion’s hand shot out, steadying me. “What’s wrong? Is it stress? Do we need to call a doctor?”
I shook my head, forcing a weak smile. “I’m fine … really. It’s probably just stress. Everything with Marcosias, and now Miranda. It’s just a lot to take in.”
“I don’t like this. I’m calling the doctor.” Orion’s brows furrowed.
“No,” I insisted, holding up a hand. “I don’t need a doctor, Orion. I’ll be okay. I just need to rest.”
He still looked unconvinced, but he didn’t press the issue further. I appreciated that, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
The next morning, I made a decision to go to the pharmacy, without telling Orion.
“I’m heading out for a bit,” I said casually, trying to keep my voice steady.
He looked up from his laptop. “Where are you going?”
“Just to run some errands,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Nothing major.”
"Take Jake with you," Orion says.
"I don't need a babysitter for a few errands," I say, trying to stay calm. He gave me a nod, still distracted by the work in front of him. I knew if I told him the truth, he’d want to come with me, or worse—stop me. I couldn’t risk that.
The moment I stepped into the pharmacy close to Orion’s condo, I felt like everyone could see right through me. I kept my head down, walking quickly through the aisles until I found what I was looking for. Pregnancy tests. My eyes scanned the shelf nervously.
"There it is," I whispered under my breath, reaching for the kit. My hand hovered for a moment, my heart pounding. "Okay, just grab it, Luna. No turning back now."
I picked it up and walked to the counter, trying to keep my face neutral. The cashier, a girl around my age with a bright smile, greeted me.
"Just this today?" she asked, scanning the box without missing a beat.
I nodded quickly, feeling my throat tighten. “Yeah, just this.”
She handed me the bag, still smiling like this was a normal purchase for me, like my whole world wasn’t about to change. "Good luck," she said casually, her voice friendly.
"Thanks," I mumbled, clutching the bag like it was the most fragile thing in the world. I walked straight to the bathroom at the back of the store, my legs shaky.
Once inside, I locked the door and leaned against it, staring at the bag in my hand. My mind raced.
“Alright, Luna,” I whispered to myself, pulling the test from the box. "You’ve got this. It’s just a test. No big deal, right?" My hands trembled as I read the instructions.
I did what I needed to do, then placed the test on the counter. My eyes stayed glued to it as if willing it to change. The waiting felt like forever.
“Come on, come on,” I muttered under my breath, pacing the small bathroom. My heart was beating so fast I could hear it in my ears. "What if it’s positive? What if it’s not? What if—”
I glanced down at the test, and there they were—two pink lines.
My breath caught in my throat. “Oh my God. No way.”
I grabbed the test, staring at it, as if it would change. "I’m pregnant," I said, the words sounding strange coming from my own mouth.
I sank down onto the cold floor, my back against the door, gripping the test tightly in my hands. “I’m really pregnant.”
Tears stung my eyes, a mixture of joy, fear, and pure shock. “What do I do now? What do I even say to Orion?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady my breath. "Okay, first things first," I whispered to myself. "You tell him, that’s what you do. But not yet."
The thought of telling him now, with everything going on with Marcosias, made my stomach twist. How would he take it? Would he be happy? Worried? Both?
I stood up, wiping my eyes and taking a deep breath. “I have to tell him. But when the time’s right.”
A woman suddenly walked into the restroom. “Luna, we need to talk.”
I tensed, instinctively taking a step back. “Who are you?”
“I’m Elena,” she said, her voice low, urgent. “I’m from Marcosias’ clan.”
My heart raced. A member of Marcosias’ clan? Here? But before I could react, she raised her hands in a gesture of peace.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” she said quickly. “I’m the one who sent you the text last night.”
My eyes widened. “You sent the text?”
“Yes. Marcosias is planning something. Something dark, and you’re at the center of it. But I can help you.”
“Why would you help me?” I asked, my voice sharp with suspicion. “You’re part of his clan.”
Elena’s expression darkened. “I am a member of his clan. But things have changed. I fell in love with a human, and Marcosias killed him. He believes werewolf blood should never mix with human blood. He’s a purist, and he’s willing to kill anyone who defies him.”
I blinked, caught off guard by her vulnerability. “So, you’re … you’re doing this for revenge?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice filled with pain. “I want revenge for what he did to the man I loved. I’ll help you, but I need protection. If Marcosias finds out, he’ll kill me, too.”
I studied her, unsure of whether to trust her. Her pain was real, but this could all be a trap.
“What do you know about Marcosias’ plans?”
Elena hesitated, glancing around as if she feared someone might be watching. “He’s planning a ritual, a dark one. It involves ancient magic and blood sacrifices. If he succeeds, he’ll become nearly invincible. You’re a key part of it, Luna. He needs you for the ritual.”
I swallowed hard, fear twisting in my gut. “And you’re sure this isn’t a trap? How do I know I can trust you?”
“I understand your hesitation,” she said quietly. “But I’m risking everything by being here. Marcosias killed the only person I ever loved. I’m not asking you to trust me blindly. I’m asking you to give me a chance to prove myself.”
I bit my lip, torn. If what she said was true, she could be a valuable ally. But I couldn’t ignore the possibility that this was a ploy, a way to get me closer to Marcosias.
“I need time to think,” I said, my voice trembling.
Elena nodded. “I understand. But don’t take too long. Marcosias is moving fast, and we’re running out of time. I’ll find you when the time is right. Don’t look for me.”
Without another word, she left the restroom and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing there, reeling from the weight of everything she’d just told me.
I returned to the condo, my mind spinning. The moment I stepped through the door, the visions hit me like a wave, more intense than ever before.
I stood in a clearing, the smell of blood thick in the air, the ground beneath me pulsing with dark energy. Ahead, Marcosias stood at a blood-soaked altar, his eyes glowing, lips chanting ancient words. Hooded figures surrounded him, worshipping the dark magic swirling like a storm.
The altar dripped with fresh blood, the bodies of his victims lying lifeless at its base. My heart pounded, but it was Marcosias who sent true fear through me. He was stronger, more monstrous than before, his power growing with every chant. The earth cracked beneath me, blood tendrils creeping toward my feet, pulling me closer to him. I gasped for air, the stench of death suffocating me.
In the distance, I saw it—a glowing artifact buried in the mountains, the only thing that could stop him. But it was so far away.
Marcosias’ voice boomed. "You cannot stop me, Luna. You were always meant to be a part of this." I froze. He could see me. This wasn’t just a vision—I was there . Panic surged, as the blood dragged me closer to the altar.
Suddenly, white-hot pain tore through me, and the vision warped into flashing images: Marcosias’ bloody hands reaching for me, the artifact glowing brighter, Orion’s broken body, Miranda screaming. Then I saw it clearly—my own sacrifice.
I was the final piece of his ritual.
He needed me to complete his transformation. My soul was the key to his dark power. The vision faded, but not before I saw Marcosias standing victorious, his enemies dead, and me … gone.
The vision snapped back to the present, and I found myself gasping for air, my hands shaking uncontrollably. I stumbled back, collapsing onto the cold floor of Orion’s apartment. My heart pounded in my chest as the weight of the vision settled in. Sweat dripped down my forehead, and I could barely breathe.
Orion rushed over, kneeling beside me, his eyes filled with panic. “Luna! What happened? Are you okay?”
I shook my head, struggling to find the words. “I—I saw him … Marcosias … the ritual …” My voice cracked as the images flooded back. “He’s going to use me. He’s going to sacrifice me to complete the ritual.”
“That will never happen!” Orion’s face darkened, his fists clenching.
“I saw the artifact,” I whispered, trying to steady my breath. “It’s hidden in the mountains. It’s the only thing that can stop him, Orion. We have to find it.”
“What are you talking about? What artifact?”