Elena’s POV

I woke up with my hands tied above my head. My heart slammed hard. My legs were tied too. I struggled against the ropes.

“Where am I?” I shouted. “Who tied me up? Let me go!”

The room was too quiet. I could hear my own breathing echoing. Then the door creaked open.

A tall man stepped inside. He looked calm but dangerous. His eyes scanned me slowly.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said quietly. “You’re safe here.”

“Safe?” I hissed. “I’m tied up like a prisoner! Untie me right now.”

He walked closer and placed a glass of water on the table near me. “You must be thirsty. Drink.”

I glared. “I’m not drinking anything from you. Just tell me why I’m here.”

He sighed. “Still stubborn. You haven’t changed.”

My jaw tightened. “Changed? I don’t even know you. Who are you? Why did you abduct me? Are you Cassian? The murderer?”

His eyes softened in a way I didn’t understand. He came closer, knelt beside me, and reached for my bound hands.

“Look how grown my little sister has become,” he whispered.

My entire body froze. “What did you just call me?”

He gave me a small, almost broken smile. “Sister. My Elena.”

“No.” My chest heaved. “No, that’s not possible. My brother is dead.”

He pulled something out from under his shirt. A small silver locket. My breath stopped. I had the same locket. Father gave us each one when we were children.

“See for yourself,” he said and opened it. Inside was our family picture. His younger self. Me. Our parents.

Tears flooded my eyes. “It can’t be…”

“It is,” he said firmly. He untied my hands.

The ropes fell off and before I could think, I threw myself at him. I hugged him so tightly my whole body shook.

“Brother… You’re alive… Where have you been? Do you know what I’ve been through? All these years…”

“I know,” he murmured and stroked my hair.

I pulled back, my tears rolling. “Why didn’t you come back? Why let me suffer?”

He looked at me with guilt but also with something cold.

“Because I was building something. And now we are together again. That’s all that matters. From today, you will stay with me. You’ll be treated like a Queen. Not like how those wolves used you. You belong with me, Elena.”

My face twisted in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

He stood tall and his eyes darkened. “You are not who you think you are. You’re no Omega. That was a lie to protect you.”

“What?”

“Our parents weren’t simple Omegas pretending to be weak. They were powerful hybrids hiding under masks of Omegas. They wanted to protect us, but the wolves found them and killed them brutally because they thought they were a threat to the pack.”

My mouth dropped. “That’s… that’s not true. You’re lying.”

“I will never lie to you,” he said sharply. “The wolves murdered them. That’s why I kill wolves now. That’s why I built an army—demons, witches, hybrids, even wolves loyal to me. You’ll join me and rule beside me.”

I shook my head violently. “No. The wolves you’re killing now had nothing to do with what happened to our parents. Stop this. Please.”

His eyes immediately changed. They darkened into something terrifying.

“So you’ve become one of them.”

“I haven’t…”

He cut me off. His voice was filled with rage. “This is how my own sister welcomes me? After everything I’ve done? After everything I built?”

“Elijah, please…”

He stepped closer, towering over me.

“Half a moon cycle. Fourteen nights. That’s all I will give you. If you don’t join me, the next time we meet, you’ll be with them. And I’ll kill you myself.”

I stumbled backward, my heart breaking. “You wouldn’t…”

“I will,” he said coldly. He turned to the guards. “Let her go.”

The gates opened. My body trembled as I walked out.

When I looked back—the entire building had vanished like it never existed.

Alone in the dark, I hugged myself. Tears spilled nonstop. “My brother… my only family…” My sobs echoed. “Why?”

I walked weakly. Step after step until I saw torches ahead. Wolves.

“Elena!” Leon’s voice boomed.

I froze as he ran toward me. His face was full of panic.

I shook my head. “Don’t touch me…” My voice broke.

But he ignored me and pulled me into his chest. His arms locked around me tightly.

I cried hard, so hard my body shook against him. He just held me. He didn’t say anything. He just held me like he would never let go.

Minutes passed. I had no strength left. My tears soaked his shirt. I heard his heart beating.

Through half-closed eyes, I saw Kael. His eyes looked torn between concern and jealousy. I saw Ethan and Zane behind him, both filled with concern and something more.

My body gave up. My eyes closed. Darkness swallowed me again.

Leon’s POV

I carried her in my arms. She was so light, so fragile.

I laid her on the bed gently and sat beside her. I brushed her hair back from her damp face.

“I was so worried,” I whispered. “Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel like I can’t breathe when you’re in pain?”

She stirred in her sleep, a small frown on her forehead.

“If only I hadn’t pushed you away… If only I had held onto you from the beginning…” My thumb stroked her cheek. “I’m sorry, Elena.”

Tears slipped from her closed eyes. I quickly wiped them away.

Then suddenly she grabbed my hand in her sleep. “Don’t leave… please… please…”

My heart broke. I held her hand tight. “Never. I’ll never leave you again.”

Her face softened. Her lips trembled.

I leaned down slowly. Our faces were only inches apart. I pressed my lips to hers softly. Just one kiss. But then it deepened. I couldn’t stop.

Her lips were warm. Sweet. I kissed her again and again. My heart was on fire.

Then her eyes shot open. Wide. Terrified. Confused.

“Elena…” I whispered.

Her hand flew across my face.

PAMMMM.

The slap echoed through the room.