Page 8

Luca

Luca’s heart pounded in his chest as he raced through the forest, his breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the trees, mingling with the distant howls and snarls of the ongoing battle behind him. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to turn back, to stand beside his brother and betas as they bravely fought against the Silverfang pack. But he knew he couldn’t, not with the precious cargo he held in his arms.

As he ran, Luca’s mind raced with questions and worries. What could have motivated the Silverfang pack to launch such a bold and calculated attack? He knew there had been tension between the two packs in the past, disputes over territory and resources that had sometimes escalated into brief skirmishes. But this was different. This was a blatant act of aggression, a direct challenge to the Wolfheart pack’s strength and unity.

Luca couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. The Silverfang pack’s actions seemed too deliberate, too well-planned to be a mere coincidence. It was as if they had been waiting for this moment, biding their time until the perfect opportunity presented itself.

But why? What could they possibly hope to gain by attacking now, when the Wolfheart pack was at its strongest? And why were they so intent on capturing the man in Luca’s arms?

Luca’s gaze drifted down to the man’s face, taking in his peaceful, almost serene expression. Despite the chaos and danger that surrounded them, the man looked as if he were merely sleeping, lost in a dream world far away from the troubles of the waking world.

“Who are you?” Luca whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heart. “What secrets do you hold?”

As he ran, Luca’s thoughts drifted to the vision he had seen in the silver tree, the image of the man’s face that had been burned into his mind. He had looked so peaceful then, so content in Luca’s arms.

As he neared the edge of the forest, Luca’s keen ears picked up the sound of footsteps ahead of him. His heart leapt into his throat, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the man in his arms.

“Luca!” a familiar voice called out, and Luca felt a wave of relief wash over him as he recognized the sound of his packmate’s voice.

He slowed his pace, coming to a stop as two of his fellow betas emerged from the trees, their faces etched with worry and concern.

“Thank the moon you’re safe,” one of them said, his eyes widening as he caught sight of the man in Luca’s arms. “We heard the howls and came as quickly as we could.”

Luca nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude for his packmates’ support. He knew that the Wolfheart pack would do whatever it took to protect their own, to stand together in the face of any threat.

“The Silverfang pack, they attacked us,” Luca explained, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. “Gareth and the others stayed behind to fight them off.”

The betas exchanged a worried glance, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. “We have to go back,” one of them said, his hand already reaching for the sword at his hip. “We can’t leave them to face the Silverfang pack alone.”

But Luca shook his head, his grip tightening on the man in his arms. “No,” he said, his voice firm and unyielding. “Gareth and the others are buying us time. We have to get back to the village and regroup, figure out our next move.”

The betas hesitated, their loyalty to their packmates warring with their sense of duty to their pack as a whole. But finally, they nodded, their faces set with grim determination.

“You’re right,” one of them said, his eyes fixed on the man in Luca’s arms. “We have to prioritize his safety, figure out what the Silverfang pack wants with him.”

Luca nodded, his heart swelling with pride at his packmates’ unwavering support. He knew that the road ahead would be long and treacherous, filled with dangers and challenges they could scarcely imagine.

As Luca approached his house, his steps heavy with exhaustion and worry, he was surprised to find the Elder waiting for him at the doorstep. The old wolf’s face was etched with concern, his eyes filled with a wisdom and understanding that seemed to pierce straight through to Luca’s soul.

“Elder,” Luca said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The Elder’s gaze drifted to the man in Luca’s arms, and his expression grew even more somber. “I sensed that something was amiss,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “Come, we must get him inside quickly.”

Luca nodded, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and trepidation. He had always trusted the Elder’s judgment, but the old wolf’s presence here, now, suggested that the situation was even more serious than he had initially realized.

As they stepped inside the house, Luca was immediately struck by the heavy scent of herbs and incense that hung in the air. It was clear that the Elder had been preparing for this moment, warding the space with protective spells and charms.

“Take him to your bedroom,” the Elder instructed, his movements swift and purposeful. “I have already warded it with the strongest protections I know.”

Luca obeyed without question, carefully navigating the narrow hallways and steep stairs that led to his private quarters. As he laid the man gently on the bed, he couldn’t help but take a moment to study his peaceful features, the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Even in sleep, the man was breathtakingly beautiful, his golden hair fanned out across the pillow like a halo of light. Luca felt a surge of protectiveness and affection wash over him, a deep and primal need to keep this man safe from harm.

Almost without thinking, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from the man’s forehead, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. The man’s skin was soft and warm beneath his fingertips, and Luca felt a shiver of something he couldn’t quite name run down his spine.

“Luca,” the Elder’s voice broke through his reverie, and Luca turned to face the old wolf, his eyes filled with questions and worry.

“What’s wrong with him, Elder?” he asked, his voice tight with emotion. “Why won’t he wake up?”

The Elder’s expression was grave, his eyes filled with a deep and ancient sadness. “I can sense a powerful curse within him,” he said, his voice low and solemn. “One that has trapped him in a deep, unnatural sleep.”

Luca’s heart sank at the news, his worst fears confirmed. “Can you break it?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Elder shook his head, his expression apologetic. “I’m afraid not,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “This curse is ancient and complex, woven with dark magic that I have never encountered before. It will require knowledge and power far beyond my own to break its hold.”

Luca felt a wave of desperation and determination wash over him, a fierce and unyielding need to do whatever it took to save the man from the curse’s grasp. “Then I’ll find a way,” he said, his voice ringing with conviction.

The Elder studied him for a long moment, his eyes searching Luca’s face for something only he could see. “You care for him,” he said, his voice soft with understanding. “More than you even realize.”

Luca felt a flush of heat rise to his cheeks, but he didn’t deny the Elder’s words. “I don’t know how to explain it,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “But from the moment I saw him, I felt a connection, a pull towards him that I can’t ignore. It’s like he’s a part of me, a piece of my soul that I never even knew was missing.”

The Elder’s eyes softened with understanding, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “That connection you feel, Luca,” he said, his voice low and gentle, “it’s not just a fleeting emotion or a passing attraction. It’s the bond of fated mates, the sacred tie that binds two souls together for all eternity.”

Luca’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as the weight of the Elder’s words sank in. “Fated mates?” he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “You mean, he and I… we’re meant to be together?”

The Elder nodded, his expression solemn but filled with a quiet joy. “Yes, Luca,” he said, his voice ringing with certainty. “The intense feelings and connection you’ve been experiencing are the result of the sacred bond you share. Fated mates are rare and cherished among our kind, and their love is said to be unbreakable, transcending even death itself.”

Luca felt a wave of emotion wash over him, a mix of shock, wonder, and overwhelming love. He looked down at the man on the bed, seeing him in a new light, with a newfound understanding and adoration. This wasn’t just a mysterious stranger he had stumbled upon in the forest. This was his soulmate, the one he was destined to be with for all eternity.

“I can’t believe it,” Luca murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “All my life, I’ve felt like something was missing, like there was a part of me that I couldn’t quite reach. And now, knowing that he’s been out there all along, waiting for me…”

He trailed off, his heart swelling with a fierce protectiveness and determination. If this man was truly his fated mate, then Luca knew he would stop at nothing to save him, to break the curse that held him in its thrall and bring him back to the world of the living.

The Elder watched him closely, his eyes glinting with a mixture of pride and understanding. “I know it’s a lot to take in, Luca,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “But you must understand the gravity of the situation. Your mate is in danger, trapped by a curse that even I cannot fully comprehend. It will take all of your strength, all of your courage, to find a way to break its hold and bring him back to you.”

Luca nodded, his jaw clenching with resolve. “I understand, Elder,” he said, his voice steady and strong. “And I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I won’t let him suffer like this, not when I have the power to help him.”

The Elder smiled, his eyes crinkling with a mixture of affection and respect. “I have no doubt that you will succeed, Luca,” he said, his voice filled with quiet conviction. “But before you embark on this journey, there is something else you must know, a story that may shed some light on the mystery surrounding your mate.”

Luca leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity and apprehension. “What is it, Elder?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Elder settled back in his chair, his eyes taking on a faraway look as he began to weave the tale. “In a realm far beyond our own, there once lived a fae prince, beloved by all who knew him. He was kind and just, with a heart full of compassion and a soul that shone with the light of a thousand stars.”

Luca leaned forward, his eyes wide with wonder as he listened to the Elder’s words. He had always been fascinated by the stories of the fae, the mysterious and powerful beings who lived in the shadows of the world, hidden from mortal eyes.

“The prince was gifted with extraordinary magic,” the Elder continued, his voice low and reverent. “He could heal the sick with a touch, bring life to barren lands, and even bend the elements to his will. His people adored him, and his kingdom prospered under his wise and benevolent rule.”

Luca nodded, his heart swelling with admiration for the fae prince. He could almost picture him in his mind’s eye, a figure of grace and beauty, with eyes that sparkled like stars and a smile that could light up the darkest of nights.

“But then, one day, the prince vanished without a trace,” the Elder said, his voice growing somber. “He disappeared from his castle in the middle of the night, leaving no clues as to his whereabouts. His family was devastated, and his kingdom fell into turmoil as they searched for their beloved ruler.”

Luca’s brow furrowed with concern, his heart aching for the prince and his people. “What happened to him?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Elder shook his head, his eyes filled with a deep and ancient sadness. “No one knows for certain,” he said, his voice heavy with the weight of centuries. “Many searched for him, scouring every corner of the realm and beyond. But no one could find any trace of the prince, no clue as to where he might have gone or why he had left.”

Luca’s mind raced with possibilities, his thoughts turning to the man lying on the bed beside him. Could it be possible? Could this sleeping stranger, this fated mate of his, be the missing fae prince?

“Elder,” he said, his voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear. “Do you think… could it be? Could my mate be the lost prince?”

The Elder’s expression grew thoughtful, his eyes searching Luca’s face with a piercing intensity. “It’s possible,” he said, his voice low and measured. “The prince was said to possess a beauty beyond compare, a grace and elegance that could only be described as otherworldly. And the magic that surrounds your mate, the curse that holds him in its thrall… it reeks of fae influence.”

Luca’s heart skipped a beat, his breath catching in his throat as he considered the implications. If his mate truly was the missing fae prince, then what did that mean for their future, for their love? Would he even want to be with a mortal wolf, once he was freed from the curse’s hold?

“But Elder,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “If he is the prince, shouldn’t we be able to sense his magic, his power? I feel nothing from him, no hint of the extraordinary abilities you described.”

The Elder nodded, his expression grave. “The curse may be suppressing his magic,” he said, his voice low and thoughtful. “It’s possible that the prince’s true nature, his very essence, has been locked away by the dark magic that binds him. Until we can break the curse and free him from its grasp, we may never know the truth of his identity.”

Luca’s jaw clenched with determination, his eyes blazing with a fierce and unshakable resolve. “Then that’s what we need to focus on,” he said, his voice ringing with conviction. “Breaking the curse, freeing my mate from its hold. Everything else can wait until he’s safe and awake again.”

The Elder smiled, his eyes crinkling with a mixture of pride and affection. “You’re right, Luca,” he said, his voice warm and reassuring. “The curse is the key to unlocking the mysteries surrounding your mate, and it must be our top priority. But I warn you, the path ahead will not be easy.”

Luca nodded, his heart swelling with a fierce and unshakable determination. “I’m ready, Elder,” he said, his voice steady and strong. “I won’t let anything stand in my way, not even my own doubts and fears. I will save him, no matter what it takes.”

The Elder placed a hand on Luca’s shoulder, his touch warm and comforting. “I have faith in you, Luca,” he said, his voice filled with quiet encouragement.