_Lisa’s POV_ 

Pain. 

It was the first thing I felt. 

A sharp, throbbing ache behind my eyes. My wrists burned. My ankles were stiff. My back screamed from being hunched over. I tried to move but realized I was tied to a chair. Thick 

ropes wrapped around my arms and legs, holding me in place. My skin was damp with sweat and the ropes had already cut into my wrists. 

My head pounded with every heartbeat. 

I slowly opened my eyes. 

The room was dim. The walls were made of stone. They were old and cracked. Cobwebs hung in the corners. The air was cold and damp, and it smelled like mold and blood. There was only one small torch on the wall, its flame was flickering weakly. Shadows danced around me, making the room feel even more haunted. 

Every breath felt heavy. 

“Sierra…” I whispered. 

“I’m here,” she answered weakly. “But my magic… it’s drained. I can’t reach the surface right now. Something is blocking me.” 

I blinked slowly, trying to make sense of where I was. I looked to my right, then to my left. 

And that’s when I saw him. 

Rylan. 

He was lying in the corner of the room. His wrists and ankles were bound with thick metal chains bolted to the stone walls. His body was limp. His head was hanging down. Blood was dried on his face, neck, and shirt. I could see bruises on his arms and cuts across his chest. The floor around him was stained dark. Some of the blood had splattered on the walls. 

He looked like he had been beaten badly. 

My heart stopped. Then it started beating fast. 

“Rylan!” I called, my voice hoarse. “Rylan! Please, wake up!” 

He didn’t move. 

I called his name again, louder this time. My throat burned but I didn’t stop. He had to wake up. He had to. 

And then he stirred. 

A low groan escaped his lips. He turned his head slightly. His face was twisted in pain. His eyes fluttered open. 

“Lisa…” he whispered. 

His voice was dry and cracked. But it was him. 

Tears filled my eyes. “I’m here. I’m right here.” 

He tried to lift his head, but it fell back. He winced. 

“Don’t move,” I said quickly. “You’re hurt. Just stay still.” 

“You… okay?” he asked slowly. 

I nodded even though he couldn’t see it clearly. “I’m okay. I’m tied up, but not hurt. Just sore.” 

“I tried… to fight,” he said. 

“I know. I saw you. You were brave. So brave.” 

Before I could say more, the door creaked open. 

My head snapped up. 

Fenric. 

He walked into the room. He was calm and collected, like he was walking into a dinner party. His long black coat flowed behind him. His eyes glowed faintly in the torchlight. And he smiled. That wicked and cold smile that made my skin crawl. 

“Ah,” he said, “you’re finally awake.” 

My hands curled into fists. “Why are you doing this? What do you want from me? I have nothing to give you! Let us go!” 

He chuckled. “Oh, Lisa. You still don’t understand, do you? You are more important than you realize. You are the key to all my goals.” 

He turned toward Rylan. 

Rylan glared at him, weakly but full of defiance. 

Fenric’s eyes narrowed. “But him? He is useless. He serves no purpose. So I think it’s time I get rid of him.” 

“No!” I shouted. “Let him go! He has done nothing wrong. Please, don’t hurt him.” 

Fenric tilted his head. “Why do you care so much for him? You should be focusing on yourself. You’re the star of the show, dear.” 

He lifted his hand. 

Rylan’s body jerked. His eyes widened. 

He gasped. He was choking. Invisible hands wrapped around his throat. He began to suffocate. 

“Stop!” I screamed. “Please, stop! You don’t need to do this!” 

Fenric looked at me. He was amused. “Why not? He’s in the way.” 

“Because I’ll cooperate! Just stop hurting him!” 

That made him pause. 

He lowered his hand. 

Rylan gasped loudly and collapsed against the wall. He was coughing. His face was pale and soaked with sweat. 

I couldn’t stop the tears now. 

“You monster,” I whispered. 

Fenric sighed. “You think you know everything. But you know nothing.” 

He stepped closer. “You’re confused. That’s normal. Let me explain.” 

He circled me slowly like a predator. 

“You asked why I went through such trouble to bring you here. Why I sent men in masks. Why 

I tried to control your mind. Why I tried to take you from the Frostbane Pack.” 

He leaned in close. 

“It’s because I’ve tried many times. But I failed.” 

I stared at him. “The masked man… that was you?” 

9 

“Not me. But my servant. He was supposed to bring you back to me. But he failed, like a 

fool.” 

My breath caught. “And the sleepwalking? That was your magic, too?” 

He smiled. “Yes. But your precious Alpha Rylan stopped it. His presence protected you.” 

I felt sick. 

All this time. All the strange feelings. The dreams. The man in the woods. That feeling of fear when we were travelling to Nightcrest. It had been him. Fenric. 

“Why?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Why go to such lengths? Why me?” 

His expression changed. For the first time, there was something more serious in his eyes. 

“Because you are very special, Lisa. You are the last piece of a puzzle I have spent decades trying to solve. Your blood. Your life. Your sacrifice will end the curse.” 

“What curse?” 

He smiled again. “You’ll understand everything soon. Rest for now. Savor your final hours. You will be sacrificed soon… dear daughter.” 

The words echoed in my head. 

Daughter? 

I blinked. 

“What… what did you just say?” 

“I said daughter,” he repeated. “You heard me.” 

“I’m not your daughter!” I shouted. 

He laughed. It was a loud and cruel laugh. 

“You are so naive. You really don’t know, do you?” 

I stared at him. My entire world was spinning. 

“That’s not true. Aaron was my father.” 

“Aaron?” he sneered. “Aaron was your mother’s mate, yes. But I tricked her. I made her fall for me. And when the time was right, I took what I needed.” 

I shook my head. “You’re lying.” 

Chapter 108 

Claim 

“Am I?” He leaned closer. “Ask Morana. She was the one who helped your mother run away. She was the one who saved you. But even she couldn’t hide you forever.” 

My whole body trembled. 

Sierra’s voice echoed in my head. “Lisa… this can’t be… but… something feels true. Too true.” 

“You’re insane,” I said while trying to breathe. “You’re not my father.” 

“I am,” he said. “And your blood will set me and my coven free.” 

He turned to go. “I’ll return soon. Rest, Lisa. It will all be over soon.” 

He opened the door. 

Before stepping out, he looked over his shoulder. 

“You should be proud. Your death will change the world.” 

The door slammed shut. 

And I was left in the dark. 

Tears streamed down my face. 

Rylan groaned softly from the corner. “Lisa… what did he say?” 

I shook my head. I was unable to speak. 

Because I didn’t know what to believe. 

Was Fenric really my father? 

Was everything I thought I knew a lie? 

I looked around the gloomy stone room, the torchlight flickering, the scent of blood and mold hanging in the air. 

I was trapped. But I had to find a way out. 

I had to save Rylan. 

And I had to learn the truth. 

Even if it destroyed me.