Dreven bent down slightly so he could look clearly at Serene's face. "Because you are valuable, Serene. More valuable than you imagine. You are not just the Luna of the agreement. But you are the key!"

Those words made Serene shiver. She knew Dreven wasn't helping her out of pity. There was some dark reason behind the actions of this fearless man and his rules.

Caelan tried to approach. He wanted to fight, but his advisor forbade him from doing so. Even so, he didn't want to stand by silently while the Lycan took Luna.

"If you take Serene, that means you are challenging the entire Council here!" Caelan said firmly.

Dreven turned and growled. His voice cut through the air with a vibration that shook the bones. "You dare challenge me?"

In an instant, his shadow grew larger. Thick black fur appeared, along with elongated jaws. The sound of cracking bones could be heard as he transformed into part Lycan, part human. The wild energy emanating from him caused the floor to crack.

Even the courageous Caelan could do little. He knew that Dreven was extremely dangerous to everyone there. He might be able to fight the Lycan, but in his heart, he was very concerned for their safety.

Finally, the Council leader raised his hand. "Take Serene. But remember! If you fail to restrain her, your own blood will be paid!"

Dreven only snorted, but his grip was too firm, cold, and binding for Serene to escape. Once outside the hall, Serene stopped in her tracks. She forced the man who had turned into a human to release his grip.

"I will not be yours! You may have saved me from them. However, that does not mean I will submit to you," Serene attacked without fear.

Dreven approached, the distance between them only an inch. His hot breath touched Serene's skin. It made Luna almost retreat, but she held back.

"I don't need you to submit now," Dreven whispered. "I just want you to stay alive. Long enough for you to come begging me yourself," he continued in a threatening, lyrical voice.

Serene froze. There was something in the man's words that made her sick and afraid. Dreven then pulled Serene's hand roughly.

"I'd rather die fighting you than live in your trap," Serene replied.

Dreven smiled faintly, a smile more frightening than anger. "We'll see. How far can you run from your own blood?"

Dreven's red eyes glinted in the moonlight. It was as if to signify that even though Serene was free from the chains of the Council, she was now caught in a far more dangerous trap. From a distance, atop the stone tower, a pair of piercing eyes watched. Caelan grinned coldly as he watched them leave.

"Let the Lycan play," he muttered. "In the end, all roads will still lead Luna to me!"

The night air pierced her bones as Serene stood on the balcony of the stone room where Dreven was holding her. From a distance, the sea of forest stretched out, dimly lit by the moonlight. The scent of damp earth mixed with fog filled her senses. Her hands gripped the iron railing. Ever since Dreven had dragged her out of the Council hall, her mind had never stopped searching for a way to escape.

"I have to get out tonight," she whispered to herself.

Carefully, she unfolded the piece of paper her father had slipped her before she was taken away. A map of the underground city, with a small red mark near the ruins of an old temple. The place where her mother's informant used to gather. Serene took a deep breath. It was her only lead and clue.

However, before she could decide what to do, her door creaked open. Dreven stood in the doorway, his body dark against the light from the hallway. His eyes glowed, as if he knew what Serene was thinking.

"Don't even try to run, Serene." Dreven's voice was cold. "The world outside is more bloodthirsty than I am."

Serene spun around quickly, holding back her anger. "Then what's the difference between staying under your shadow? I'm still imprisoned in an environment I don't want at all!"

Dreven simply approached, bending down to Luna's level. "The difference is that I won't let you die. Not out of pity. But because you're mine."

Serene fought the urge to vomit. She took a step back, then smiled thinly. "Mine? We'll see who tames whom."

Dreven didn't reply, only grinned a smile sharper than a knife. He turned, walked out, and left the door open. Whether it was intentional or not, he left it open for Serene to escape. Without thinking twice, Serene grabbed a thin cloak, slipped the map inside, and sneaked out a few minutes after Lycan left.

Meanwhile, at the Aerndor family's main house, Lord Aldren sat restlessly in his study. He was still staring at the war map spread out on the table. The door opened without a knock. Caelan entered, his hair wet with the night dew. His blue eyes flashed with cold confidence.

"Nice to see you here," Caelan greeted him flatly, without preamble.

Lord Aldren stood up quickly. "Caelan? You shouldn't be here."

Caelan smiled thinly. "No one can stop me. Besides, I bring news and an offer for you."

Aldren's gaze hardened. "What do you mean?"

Caelan approached, carrying a scroll from the table. "Serene is in Dreven's hands now. Do you know what that means? You will lose your daughter, and your family will be further destroyed."

Aldren's voice trembled. "I don't agree with the Council's way of punishing Luna. But I also can't oppose Dreven. No one can."

Caelan grinned. "Wrong. There is one." He patted his own chest. "I can take Serene from Dreven. But I need your blessing. I need you to stand by my side."

Aldren fell silent. The offer was dangerous. Caelan might be the only one ruthless and cunning enough to fight Dreven. But the Alpha was not a trustworthy ally either.

"What if I refuse?" Aldren asked cautiously.

Caelan lowered his head, whispering words that froze the air. "If you refuse. Serena will be destroyed faster than you can imagine. I will make Dreven believe that your own family has betrayed him."

Aldren froze. He was caught between two monsters. The invincible Lycan and the heartless Alpha.

"Choose me, or lose everything?" Caelan exclaimed.

***

Serene successfully navigated the rugged forest surrounding the Metalt region. She lowered her face into her cloak as she entered the border of the lower city. The wanderers stared blankly, and street wizards whispered as they sold foul-smelling potions. Their whispers seemed to follow her.

"Luna's blood. I smell Luna's blood," they whispered.

"If it's true, then the old agreement can be broken."

Serene quickened her pace. But suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. She turned, and her eyes widened.

"Lyra?" thought Serene.

Lyra stood gracefully despite being in the middle of the lower city's filth. Her black hair was perfect, contrasting with the black dress as she stood in the torchlight. Her sweet smile looked very poisonous.

"It's a pity that stubborn Luna ran away alone," said Lyra softly but piercingly. "Have you forgotten? Dreven's spies are everywhere."

Serene narrowed her eyes. "What do you want, Lyra? I've never done anything bad to you. But why do you always interfere in my affairs?"

Lyra stepped slowly, circling her prey like a predator. "Don't worry. I just want to help you in a different way. You will never be free from Dreven. But there is another way. A way that will make you kneel, not because of chains, but because of your own choice."

"I will never kneel to anyone," Serene hissed.

Lyra approached, almost touching her face. "Oh, you'll do it quickly. I'll make everyone you love turn against you."

Those words made Serene freeze. Before she could respond, Lyra snapped her fingers. Several men with fierce expressions emerged from the darkness and immediately surrounded her. Serene took a step back, her eyes darting wildly around for an escape route.