Chapter 5 Danger Looms

Serena's heart raced as a familiar, disturbing sensation rose up her spine. The wind wasn't the only thing that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Not this, though. This was something much worse. Lucien's being there.

At first, it was simply a flicker in the air, a prick of awareness, but it got stronger every day. The feeling gnawed at her, making her think that someone was continually watching her. She kept traveling across Riven's region to keep herself busy, but she couldn't get away from it. Lucien was close.

"Riven," she whispered one night, her voice low but full of the stress she couldn't hide anymore. "He is coming for me."

Riven didn't look up from the fire he was making. "He always does."

"Why didn't you tell me?" As Serena went forward, her voice shook. "Why didn't you tell me Lucien was looking for me?"

Riven's eyes darted to hers, but his face was hard to decipher. "Because you had to see for yourself."

Serena felt a cold run through her body, and she looked away, her mind racing. Lucien's pack was getting closer, and it was only a matter of time before they found her. She wasn't ready for the past to come back to her present.

There were footsteps echoing in the distance. The quest was on.

The next morning, the air was thick with tension, and Serena couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking a tightrope. She felt like every second she spent in Riven's domain may be her last.

Riven came to the door when she was standing by the window, looking out at the darkening sky. His presence was like a shadow, always there, and for the first time, Serena felt how heavy it was.

She turned to look at him and said, "I need to know." "What do you have to do with Lucien? Why are you assisting me?

Riven walked into the room, and his eyes were icy but also soft in a way that Serena couldn't quite place. "My pack is where my loyalty lies." But I also owe Lucien something.

Serena's stomach turned. "What do you mean?"

Riven's jaw was tight. "We have a past together. A loan. But that doesn't mean I'll turn on you.

"Do you want me to trust you?" She yelled back, her voice getting louder. "After all you've said? "After all he's done?"

Riven's look softened, but only for a short while. "You don't have a choice." You are now a part of this. You and your son.

Serena's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't just running away from Lucien anymore. She was running from something much worse, and she couldn't stay hidden forever.

Serena had been feeling the silent tension in the cabin for days. Now, standing in front of Riven, she felt the weight of her own hesitation.

Her past, including Lucien's rejection and the prophesy that tied her to this hazardous realm, hovered over her like a fog. There was no way out. It would follow her no matter how far she ran.

Riven's voice pierced through her thoughts. "You know what you need to do."

"I'm not ready," Serena said quietly, looking down.

Riven said, "You'll never be ready." "But you have to make a choice."

She clinched her fists and felt the panic swelling inside her. "What do you want me to do?"

Riven moved closer, and his eyes stayed the same. "You can stay here." Come with me. And we'll all work together to keep you safe from Lucien. Or you could run again, this time by yourself.

Serena's breath caught. It scared her to think about facing Lucien and everything she had left behind. But there was no denying the want to stay and confront whatever was ahead.

"I..." she began, but she couldn't get the words out. She couldn't make up her mind. Not yet.

Riven's eyes got darker, and there was a flash of something in them. "You can choose. But there's no way to go back.

With each step, Serena's feet hit the ground harder, as if she were trying to escape. The wild, untamed forests spread out in front of her, but the fear that was stalking her felt even wilder. She could feel Lucien's trackers. They were getting closer.

Her wolf, which had been so quiet for so long, sprang up inside her. But this time, she didn't feel frightened. There was something else, a strong, magnetic pull that made me have to do something. She had to look him in the eye. She had to visit Lucien and face the guy who had hurt her so badly.

"Come on, damn it," she said, her breath coming in short bursts. "Not yet."

She could hear the leaves rustling in the distance and the sound of a twig snapping underfoot. She knew they were getting closer. There was nothing she could do. Her heart raced as adrenaline coursed through her veins. She had been running for a long time, but suddenly she couldn't help herself from wanting to turn around and confront the past. Her history. Lucien's presence was like a shadow that was too close.

Then, through the trees, the smell of Lucien's pack hit her like a sharp, tantalizing wave. Her wolf howled, and the sound filled her mind. She froze, her breath stuck in her chest.

It was time.

The air surrounding Serena got thicker, and her body froze. Lucien was standing there between the trees, his gaze steely and angry, just like always. She felt like she was stuck in place because of how powerful he was. Her instincts told her to either run or fight.

"You didn't think you could get away from me forever, did you?" Lucien's voice was low and heavy with things that had not been said. He went forward with purpose and care, never taking his eyes off of her.

Serena's breath caught. There he was, the man who had ruined her life with one harsh rejection. The one who had thrown her away and never looked back.

"What do you want?" Serena's voice shook, but she stood upright and didn't let him know how scared she was.

Lucien's eyes softened for a second, but then they hardened again. "What do I want?" You, Serena. You were always my.

His words hit her like a physical blow, and she felt a cold run down her spine. He had come for her. And this time, he wouldn't let her go.