Chapter 3
"Esperanza!"
Her father's voice echoed through the mansion like thunder. Deep. Sharp. Too close.
Lucius's body went stiff.
Esperanza stood frozen by the bed, her fingers still lightly touching the edge of his bandage. Her eyes were wide. Not with fear—she didn't scare easy—but something heavier. Something more dangerous.
"Don't move," she whispered.
Lucius clenched his jaw.
"I'm a werewolf, not an idiot."
She rushed to the door and clicked it shut—gently, like it made a difference.
"Esperanza?" the voice boomed again.
"Coming!" she called out, voice tight.
Lucius pushed himself up on his elbows. The pain burned through his chest, but he ignored it.
"Let me go. Now."
"You can't walk."
"I'll crawl if I have to."
"He'll smell the blood," she snapped. "He'll know."
Lucius stared at her.
"And if he finds me in here? What then? You think he'll forgive you because you're his daughter?"
"He won't find you," she whispered. "Trust me."
He gave a sharp laugh.
"That's funny, coming from a vampire."
Her eyes flared.
"You saved me, Lucius. Now let me save you."
Before he could argue again, she grabbed a large throw blanket and tossed it over him, covering his body and the blood-soaked bandages.
"Don't. Make. A. Sound."
Then she walked out, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
Lucius's heart pounded so loud he was sure the whole house could hear it.
He couldn't believe this was happening.
Alpha Kael was going to kill him.
If her father didn't get to him first.
Downstairs, Esperanza moved through the hallway with calm steps.
Her father was standing by the grand piano, arms behind his back. His black suit was perfect. Not a wrinkle. Not a single hair out of place. But his eyes were already narrowed.
"Where were you?" he asked.
"In my room."
"Alone?"
"Yes," she lied.
He studied her face like he could peel it open with his gaze.
"You didn't answer your messages last night."
"My phone died."
"And tonight? You just happened to come home injured, smelling like ash and wolf blood?"
"I wasn't injured."
"Don't lie to me."
His voice was soft now, but dangerous. Like a knife resting on velvet.
Esperanza took a breath.
"Something went wrong. Rogues attacked the meeting. I barely made it out. Uncle is still unconscious."
"And the wolves?"
"Gone."
"Any survivors?"
She paused.
"Remi. Lucius… I'm not sure."
Her father watched her.
"You saw Lucius?"
"Briefly."
"Then where is he now?"
"I don't know."
"You let him live?"
"He saved me," she said. "If he hadn't stepped in
"He's a wolf," her father snapped. "They don't save. They bite. They kill."
"He didn't."
There was silence.
Then her father exhaled, slow and cold.
"If you ever see him again," he said, "you kill him. Understand?"
She didn't answer.
"Esperanza."
"Yes, Father."
He nodded, as if that settled it.
"Your room will be guarded for the next few nights," he said. "I don't trust your instincts."
Then he turned and disappeared down the hall.
Back in the room, Lucius had heard everything.
Every word.
Every threat.
And now he knew—he wasn't just the enemy.
He was the target.
A few hours passed. Midnight came and went.
Lucius stayed still, even when the blood dried and the pain came in waves. But he didn't sleep. He couldn't.
The door creaked open again. Esperanza slipped inside, locking it behind her.
He sat up the second she approached.
"I'm leaving."
"You can't," she said, kneeling beside the bed. "He posted guards outside."
"Good. I'll take one down and run."
"That'll start a war."
"There already is a war," Lucius growled. "This is just the part where I die in the enemy's sheets."
She gave him a look.
"Can you stop being dramatic?"
"You want dramatic? I'm bleeding out in your bedroom while your father's planning my death."
She touched his chest—fast and firm.
"You're not bleeding out," she said. "I fixed you."
He paused.
Then his hand caught hers. Their eyes locked.
"Why are you doing this?"
She didn't pull away.
"Because I don't hate you," she whispered. "Not like I'm supposed to."
The silence stretched between them. Long. Breathless.
"And if I told you I feel the same?" he said, voice low.
"Then I'd say we're both in deep trouble."
They were still holding each other's gaze. The tension was thick again. His breathing slowed. Hers did too.
And then
She leaned in. Just a little.
"Esperanza," he whispered.
"I shouldn't Then don't.
But she didn't stop.
Her lips brushed his,Soft,Quick,Dangerous.
She pulled back fast, her eyes wide like she didn't believe she'd actually done it.
He stared at her.
Then slowly, he leaned forward again.
"Do it properly this time."
Their lips met again—hotter now. Slower. Her fingers tangled in his hair, and he pulled her closer, ignoring the pain in his side.
It was wrong,It was reckless,It felt perfect.
Until
BANG!
The window shattered.
A silver dart flew through the air and hit Lucius in the chest.
He gasped. Eyes wide.
"Lucius!" Esperanza screamed.
She caught him before he collapsed.
Outside the window, a black shadow disappeared into the trees.
Assassins.
Someone knew.
Someone wanted him dead before morning.