Chapter 3 3

The storm outside had moved inland, but thunder still rumbled over Silverhaven like a warning. Rain lashed against the shattered windows of Raymond's penthouse, carried on a cold wind that swept through the devastated room. Angela wiped blood- some of it hers, most of it not- from her face. She stood beside Raymond, who was breathing hard, eyes still glowing faintly gold.

They were alone again, the last Nightfang bodies cooling among the wreckage of broken glass and splintered marble floors.

Raymond staggered, leaning heavily on the kitchen counter. Angela rushed to his side, slipping under his arm to help him upright. His wounds were healing- she could see the slow knitting of torn skin- but he looked beyond exhausted.

"We can't stay here," he rasped.

Angela looked around at the penthouse. The destruction was total: furniture reduced to kindling, priceless paintings torn to shreds, bullet holes pocking the walls. The once-pristine space looked like a war zone.

"Where can we go?" she asked.

He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. "The Pride Pack's safe house. It's underground, outside city limits. They won't find us there."

A sharp banging came from the elevator doors. Angela's heart jumped. Raymond's eyes flew open, wild and fierce again.

"More of them?" she whispered, raising her gun.

Raymond shook his head. "No. It's my people."

The doors slid open with a hiss, revealing three figures in black tactical gear with wolf insignias on their shoulders. The tallest man stepped out first-gray hair cropped close to his head, blue eyes sharp as ice.

"Alpha," he said, voice firm but respectful. "We came as soon as we got word. Are you hurt?"

Raymond straightened. His entire posture shifted: from the man she'd been fighting beside moments ago to something colder, more regal, as if a mantle had settled on his shoulders.

"I'll heal," he said curtly. He gestured to Angela. "She comes with us."

The man's eyes flicked to her, assessing. "Understood."

They hustled Angela and Raymond into the private freight elevator at the end of the hall. The lights flickered ominously as they descended into the tower's underground levels. Angela's nerves thrummed, but Raymond kept a reassuring hand on her lower back, his touch grounding even in the chaos.

As they reached the garage, a black armored SUV waited with doors open. Two more pack warriors stood guard, scanning the darkness beyond the garage entrance.

They climbed inside. Raymond sank into the leather seat, head resting against the window, eyes half-lidded. Angela sat beside him, feeling the warmth of his body despite the cold air sweeping in through the bullet-shattered garage doors.

One of the warriors took the driver's seat. Tires screeched as the SUV accelerated, roaring into the night.

Angela watched the skyline of Silverhaven recede through the rain-streaked window. Her mind churned: the Nightfangs, the curse, the Pride Pack-pieces of a dark puzzle falling into place.

"You okay?" she asked softly, turning to Raymond.

He opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. "I should be asking you that."

"I'm not the one with claw marks all over me," she shot back.

A ghost of a smile curved his lips. "I'm serious, Angela. You saved me back there. You could have run. Most would."

She exhaled shakily. "I'm not most."

"No," he agreed, voice low. His hand brushed hers where it rested on the seat between them. The heat of his skin sent a shiver through her. "You're not."

The SUV sped through deserted industrial streets, weaving between warehouses and shipping yards until they turned onto a private road leading out of the city. The concrete jungle gave way to dark woods stretching for miles, trees swaying under the storm's dying winds.

After what felt like an hour, they reached a heavy steel gate hidden among tall pines. A warrior in the front passenger seat tapped a code into a panel. The gate creaked open, revealing a winding driveway leading to a sprawling compound of stone and timber, lights glowing warm in the mist.

Angela's eyes widened. "What is this place?"

"Our sanctuary," Raymond said softly. "The Pride Pack's heart."

The SUV rolled to a stop near the main lodge, a massive building with a steep slate roof and thick stone walls. Warriors appeared from the shadows, armed and watchful. Angela shivered under their intense gazes as they stepped out of the vehicle.

Raymond swayed as he stood. Angela caught his arm, glaring up at him. "You're not as healed as you think."

He chuckled, the sound low and rough. "You're stubborn."

"Deal with it."

They crossed the lodge's threshold into a grand hall warmed by a roaring fireplace. The scent of cedar smoke mingled with the faint iron tang of blood. Angela took in the space: vaulted ceilings, a massive stone hearth, rows of old hunting trophies, and polished wood floors. It felt both ancient and alive.

Pack members gathered in the shadows, eyes following Raymond and Angela. Murmurs rose like a tide. A young woman stepped forward, her dark hair tied back, eyes like polished obsidian.

"Alpha," she said, voice musical but laced with steel. "We feared the worst."

Raymond inclined his head. "I'm here. Thanks to Angela."

All eyes turned to her. Angela shifted uncomfortably under the weight of their scrutiny.

The woman stepped closer. "You saved our Alpha. You have our gratitude... and our protection."

Angela nodded, unsure what to say. A healer was summoned-a tall woman with silver hair and kind eyes. She guided Raymond to a nearby room, promising to tend to his injuries. Before following, Raymond looked back at Angela.

"Stay close," he ordered softly, voice carrying an edge of concern. "Don't leave this building. Not until I return."

She nodded. The healer ushered him away, leaving Angela alone in the grand hall.

Angela wandered to the massive windows, staring out at the moonlit forest. The storm had finally passed, leaving a hush over the world. Silver mist curled among the trees, beautiful and eerie.

A creak of wood behind her made her turn. The dark-haired woman stood at the edge of the hearth, studying her with an unreadable expression.

"I'm Selena," she said after a moment. "Beta of the Pride Pack."

"Angela," she replied. "I guess you know who I am."

Selena's lips quirked. "The human who saved our Alpha. You're already a legend."

Angela huffed a humorless laugh. "That's... not something I ever planned."

Selena's eyes softened slightly. "None of us plan for this life. But we live it. And now you're part of it, whether you like it or not."

Angela hugged herself. "He said the Nightfangs will come for me."

"They will," Selena said bluntly. "But they'll have to go through us first."

Angela sank onto a wooden bench by the fire, heat soaking into her chilled bones. Selena sat across from her, fingers drumming a restless rhythm on her knee.

"Raymond trusts you," Selena said quietly. "That's rare."

Angela looked up. "Why?"

"Because he's lost everyone he's ever trusted," Selena replied, eyes shadowed. "The curse doesn't just threaten his life-it destroys anyone he loves."

Angela swallowed hard. "He told me about the curse."

"Then you know why the Nightfangs want him dead," Selena continued. "Their Alpha believes if Raymond dies under the Blood Moon, our pack will collapse. That's why they struck tonight. They know the Blood Moon's final eclipse is days away."

Angela's stomach twisted. "Days?"

"Yes," Selena said grimly. "The prophecy ends-or is fulfilled-by the third eclipse. And we're running out of time."

Footsteps approached. Raymond emerged from the hall's far end, a fresh bandage wrapping his side, shirt unbuttoned at his collar. His eyes found Angela instantly. Relief flashed across his face.

"Are you okay?" he asked, voice low.

She stood, crossing the room to meet him. "I should be asking you that."

He reached out, brushing damp hair from her cheek. His hand lingered, warm and calloused. "You're incredible," he murmured.

Heat spread through her chest. "You don't know me."

"I know enough," he said, eyes searching hers. "You risked everything for me. That's more than anyone's done in a long time."

A bell tolled outside, low and resonant. Warriors in the shadows stiffened. Selena rose, eyes narrowing. "Scouts report Nightfangs gathering at the city's edge," she said sharply. "They're regrouping."

Raymond's expression hardened, eyes flashing gold. "They won't wait until the eclipse. They'll try again tonight."

Angela stepped forward, fists clenched. "What can I do to help?"

Raymond's gaze burned into hers. "Stay with me. I won't risk you out there."

She hesitated, heart pounding. "I can fight. You saw that."

He cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her skin. "You're brave, but you're human. And you're... important to me."

The weight of his words settled between them like a storm about to break. Angela's breath hitched. His eyes fell to her lips, hunger and fear warring in his gaze.

Selena cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "Alpha, the pack awaits your orders."

Raymond's face shuttered, the Alpha returning in full force. He turned to Selena. "Double the perimeter guards. Evacuate the younglings to the mountain safeholds. Prepare the warriors-we'll move at dawn if they attack again."

Selena inclined her head and disappeared into the shadows, barking orders.

Raymond looked back at Angela. "You'll stay in my quarters tonight. No arguments."

She started to protest, but his eyes-fierce yet vulnerable-stopped her.

"Okay," she said softly.

He guided her up a grand staircase to a wing at the back of the lodge. His suite was warm and elegant, with dark wood paneling and thick rugs muffling their steps. A massive bed dominated the room, flanked by bookshelves crammed with leather-bound volumes and old artifacts.

Angela sat on the edge of the bed as Raymond checked the windows and locked the doors. He finally slumped into a chair near her, exhaustion radiating from every line of his powerful frame.

Neither of them spoke for a long time. Rain pattered on the roof overhead, and the fire crackled in the hearth.

Finally, Angela broke the silence. "Tell me about your curse."

Raymond's eyes flicked up, golden and haunted. "It started centuries ago," he began quietly. "My ancestor betrayed the Moon Goddess, breaking an ancient oath. She cursed our bloodline: every Alpha of the Pride Pack would face a Blood Moon prophecy- a chance at salvation or damnation. Most... died trying to escape it."

Angela listened, enthralled and horrified. "And you?"

"I tried to avoid love," he admitted bitterly. "I thought if I kept everyone at arm's length, the curse couldn't touch them. But I was wrong. The prophecy doesn't just feed on love-it demands it."

She reached out, taking his hand. "You're not alone anymore."

His breath hitched, fingers tightening around hers. "I don't want you to die because of me."