I was in your place now. In my hands was the decision that would change the lives of our clan for generations, and I hated myself for knowing what I should choose but not having the strength to decide. Life. Or I allowed everyone to die because of me, including my own family to pay for my choices, and I still stood a good chance of dying at Lucian's hand.
The time to make my decision was coming, I knew what I had to do, but I was a coward and didn't have the courage to say goodbye to my family.
My attention was drawn to a small black box that had just appeared on the pillow beside my head. I frowned, lifting myself up on the mattress and picking up the box, turning it over in my hand, looking for some hint as to who had sent it, but found nothing. With trembling fingers, I opened it and felt every cell in my body go cold.
I covered my mouth, preventing a scream of despair from escaping my lips and drawing attention, the box fell from my hands and the hot blood that was there stained my whole body and my bed. My wide eyes filled with tears and my heart raced inside me.
— By the moon!— I gasped, feeling my chest tighten tightly. A few strands of blonde hair were mixed with the blood, and a flood of tears escaped my eyes as I recognized those strands—Chloe!
In the lid of the box there was a paper stuck, crushing my lips tightly to contain my tears, I pulled out the note that was meant for me.
My sweet Zoe, we have matters to discuss, don't you think?
I'm sure your friend Chloe won't like it if you don't come and meet me, she's cute, unconscious. You have one hour, sweet Zoe, or the blonde will lose her mind.
Who else will die for you to be mine?
— He's with Chloe — I whispered scared, shaking from head to toe — He's going to kill the only friend I have left, I can't allow it — I said, getting up from my bed, desperate. I looked at my bloodstained clothes and quickly changed them into something comfortable for the race ahead.
Lucian had killed Jony, Will and Holly. All the innocent people who died because of me, I wouldn't let Chloe pay for my actions. I would save her and then, I would protect the people I love.
(....)
— Lucian?— I yelled his name as I entered the dark, cold shed, the place I knew they were, the result of a locator spell made with Chloe's blond hair. — I am here! Where are you? Show up!
The familiar icy sensation shot through my body and I sucked in a sharp breath, knowing he was close. The shed lights came on, and I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them again, my heart skipped a beat as I saw Chloe hanging from chains that bound her hands and were attached to the metal roof of the shed. She was full of dirt, unconscious, but I didn't see any signs of injury, no smell of blood. I tried to run towards her to release her, but I was stopped by an invisible barrier, a spell.
— Not so fast, honey.— I squeezed my eyes shut when his voice rang out from behind me.
I summoned up all the courage and determination that had brought me there and turned around, mentally cursing myself as I shuddered at the sight of Lucian in front of me, dark— suited, cold— faced and at the same time, firm and centered. His blue— green eyes carried something, a mystery that stiffened my body, it was like an icy and turbulent sea.
— I'm here, let go — a.
— You don't call the shots here, — he replied, and I crossed my arms, lifting my chin.
— Let Chloe go, she's innocent, — I snapped.
— Do you think I care? — he mocked — The only thing that interests me here is you!
— I'm here, happy?— I raised my arms. — What do you want from me, Lucian?
— It is not obvious? I want you!
— Let — me kill — him now, Zoe. Release me! — Shut up!
— Why?— I wanted to know, and he approached where I was, I arched my back, tense with his approach.
— I don't owe you an explanation, — he replied, and I rolled my eyes.
— It's because I'm a Labonair witch, isn't it?— And I have something you want but don't have, arcane magic!
— You're smart, — he murmured, stopping in front of me, inches away.
— What makes you think I would agree to marry you?— I asked, swallowing hard. — I can kill you easily, I'm a hybrid and I have more magic than you.
He let out a mocking laugh, and that sound reverberated through my mind and made my heart race.
— You've already tried once and failed, — he released and I clenched my jaw. — Do you want to lose again?
— Let Chloe go, please, — I asked in a tired voice, averting my eyes from him.
— Accept my proposal and your friend will be free.
I turned my body towards the unconscious blonde, she was still alive, I could hear her heart beating and the sound of her breathing. Chloe was weak but alive.
— How can I trust your word? What guarantees that she'll make it out alive, and you won't touch a hair in my family?
— Marriage requires trust, don't you think?
— You cretin! — I spat the words angrily, and he smirked, incredulous with my words.
— The kitten is finally showing her claws.
— Blood pact!
His gaze hardened.
— No.
— I will only accept your proposal if we carry out the Blood Pact.— He walked away, irritated by my words. — I promise to marry you and in return, you promise to release Chloe and never hurt anyone I love again.
— I will not perform the Blood Pact, — he stated through clenched teeth.
I whispered an incantation and at the same moment a ball of fire appeared in my hands and I didn't wait a second, I attacked it. Lucian dodged quickly, the fire passed through his arm, burning him in the process and being extinguished by the same.
— What does that mean, Zoe?— he snarled like an animal.
— Wasn't that sweet Zoe?— I smiled at his annoyance and formed another fireball in my hands, attacking him. — If you will not perform the Blood Pact, I will not accept the marriage and I will release Chloe alone.
— Do you want to play, sweet Zoe?— His eyes darkened and turned night— black, my body froze.
I rubbed my hands together, forming a sphere of magic, and glared at him.
— I want to save my friend, and I will give my life for her to live if necessary.
— Are you willing to die for some witch?
— I'm willing to die for the one I love, — I answered his question, turning the sphere in my hands. — That's called loyalty and love, something you're unlikely to know.
— Loyalty? Love? Is that what you care about?
I shrugged.
— The only thing I care about is my family.
He stopped and I stopped, involuntarily. We stared at each other for a few moments, a tension hovered around us, it was intense and overwhelming, it tingled my skin and made my blood run quickly through my veins, hot as embers.
— What are you doing? — I asked confused when I saw him pick up a nail on the floor and pierce his own hand, without showing any reaction.
— Performing the Blood Pact.
— What?— I snarled, the orb of magic losing power and disappearing from my hands. — You accept?
— I swear under the Blood Pact that I won't hurt the people you love.— My breath hitched. — In return, you must accept the marriage and, above all, grant me an heir, without hesitation. Swear!
The air fled my lungs, my heart broke inside my chest. A child, he wanted a child and I would be forced to accept it to save my parents, my brothers and uncles.
Fear coursed through my body and against my will, I walked towards him in slow, weak— legged steps. I bit my lip hard, feeling my eyes sting as I reached my decision and hating myself for being so weak. The taste of blood invaded my mouth, the result of the force I had put into my bites. I was condemning myself and my future child to a life of suffering and pain. It wasn't right, but it was the only solution and I had no options.
— Don't do that!
My wolf screamed in my mind and my body froze in place.
— I need to do this, — I whispered to her. — Is required.
— You will destroy our lives and I will never forgive you for that.
— I'm so sorry.— A tear trickled down my face. — I've already made my decision.
She was reluctant for a few more minutes, but my wolf was trapped in my mind, I dominated her and when I managed to win her, I felt her pain. I rejected my own wolf, and the rejection hit me hard. I sucked in a breath, dragging myself to Lucian and unable to face him, I dug my claws into the palm of my right hand and when my blood began to drip, I grabbed his hand. She was stretched out, and I stared into her cold eyes, stifling my emotions.
— I swear on my blood that if the pact is broken, my blood will be spilled.
— And—I swear…on my blood—— another tear trickled down my face. — That if the pact is broken, my blood will be shed.
Lucian smiled victoriously, his eyes glistening with euphoria, and something inside me cracked. He'd gotten what he'd always wanted, but that didn't mean I'd given up the fight. That damn witch had won a battle, but not the war.
— I hate you.— The smug smile faded from his face. — I may have agreed to marry you and bear you a child, but I will never be yours, Lucian. I hate you, and I guarantee you will regret having appeared in our lives.
— You've always been mine, sweet Zoe.
—Okay, I'll marry you...enough, I surrender!
Some years later...
The castle was full due to the celebration of the twins' birthday. Lucian and I had agreed to invite only those closest to us, our friends and family.
I grinned at the sight of Athena's orange hair as she walked in beside Matt, and their two children, the fussy Apollo and the beautiful Lucy. The girl needed to jump out of her father's arms in excitement to play with her friends, Athena held her son by the hand, so he wouldn't run under the tables.
— Zoe, — he said my name as I approached.
I hugged Athena and soon after I kissed the adorable faces of their children, greeting Matt next. The years went by, and they didn't change at all. Apollo tugged at the hem of my dress, drawing my attention.