Chapter <b>62 </b>Nadia and Lucien
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“There is safety in the very heart of danger.“–Vincent van Gogh
Lucien
Running-
Running to keep myself and Nadia safe from Osiris‘ <b>insanity</b>. The maniac had eyes and ears everywhere. If we moved, he knew. Privacy was nothing more but an illusion in the grand scheme of things; he took that from us. We couldn’t rest because we weren’t allowed to rest. After all, Nadia and I had a bounty on our heads.
Standing up against a tyrant grants you an endless list of enemies.
Run to Ga Moon was all I heard through the wild journey. Those who risked themselves to keep us safe- the wolves, fairies, and other creatures all said the same thing. The Warrior Pack of California was a <b>haven </b>for those running from danger. A diverse pack dedicated to keeping their members safe. I had doubts, I couldn’t diminish the hope in Nadia’s eyes. Full of desperation and fear, she needed–no, deserved a safe ce to stay. After all that Osiris had put her through; his supposed mate. She deserves better.
And here we are, handcuffed like animals under the annoying, blistering sun. I’m disappointed, but not surprised. Many eyes are on us, burning with untold fury and scrutiny. Nadia shrunk under their gaze, scooting her body close to mine. Her exhaustion is present on her face and I want nothing more than for her to get some sleep. However, one pair of eyes didn’t hold red–fiery rage, but concern. Mystical purple glittered with tears. I recognize the woman who possesses them as one of the many captives all those weeks ago.
I recognize all those who Osiris puts through hell with his ever–evolving ns.
“Asylum?” The auburn hair man, who I assume is the Alpha of Ga Moon, spoke. “You’re withholding vital information by forcing me to grant you asylum?”
“We don’t have a choice.” I countered, gritting my teeth. “Our lives are in danger. My offer is non–negotiable; you must guarantee that Nadia and I will be protected. If not, we’re not saying shit.”
“That’ll depend on the type of information you give about Osiris. I’m not in the mood for games.” The Alpha warned with an <b>added </b>growl. “What is your rtion to him?”
“I am–well, was his <b>good </b>friend.”
“<b>And </b>I was his mate.” Nadia added<b>, </b>earning widened eyes at her response. Her blue eyes and head lowered as if she was begging. “Please, just promise us we’ll be safe here. We’ll tell you everything! I’m tired<b>, </b>hungry and…please…” Stray tears rained on herp. My heart twisted in agony. I <b>wanted </b>tofort Nadia as I’ve been doing the entirety of our escape, but the cuffs aren’t doing me any favors. When she <b>rested </b><b>her </b>head on my shoulder, I rested mine on top of hers as she sniffled. Already, I can feel her palpitating heart slowing
down.
“They’re telling the truth, Anthony.” The woman with purple <b>eyes </b><b>revealed</b>. “Nadia <b>and </b>Lucien helped Kiya, Violetta, and I escape the facility. Without them, we’d still be there<b>. </b>I sense no malice or deceit. You can trust them.”
Alpha Anthony regarded us with a heavy look for a moment longer, <b>soaking </b>in the words of the witch. The man standing next to him <b>with </b>an owl on <b>his </b>shoulder shook with withheld rage. He then took <b>a </b>deep breath and ran his hand through his long hair. Whoever he is, I can tell he wanted to strangle me. Not a moment after, the cuffs around my wrists were removed and my arms immediately wrapped around <b>Nadia</b>, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
“Nadia, Lucien…” The purple–eyed woman <b>walked </b>around and kneeled in front of us with a dazzling, warm smile. “Do you remember me?”Material ? N?velDrama.Org.
“Phoebe?” <b>Nadia </b>asked confidently, earning a nod and a smile.
“I’m d you
you both are okay. I <b>thought</b>…” She hesitated. “I thought <b>you </b>both perished in the mes<b>.</b>”
“No…sometimes, I wish we were.” Nadia replied in sadness, sighing heavily. “Lucien and I have been on the run from Osiris for over a month now. He wants us dead because we <b>betrayed </b>him. We ruined his ns, so he had to make new ones from scratch–a task he hates to <b>do</b><b>.</b>”
“How were you able to elude him for so long?”
“We kept moving. Every day, we found a new ce to hide out–either in in sight or hidden in the woods<b>. </b>We tried our best to find a ce to sleep and eat, but when the enemy has eyes and ears on you, the danger just heightens.”
A month full of hell and <b>looking </b>over our shoulders. It has been so long that I forgot what peace felt like.
“Okay, so you both betrayed the big dude, and he wants your asses on a silver tter.” Another woman with braids in <b>her </b>hair spoke, almost indifferently. It angered me. “Nadia, right? How the hell did you have the misfortune of bing his mate? Do vampires even <b>have </b>mates?”
“From what Lucien told me, they <b>do</b>, but it’s different from a mate bond with a werewolf. Osiris is a hybrid- both vampire and werewolf.” Nadia exined. “The bond was from his werewolf side, but it is no more. He killed his wolf, <b>Set</b>. Don’t <b>ask </b>me how because it <b>is </b>something I don’t want to know.”
I heard a collection of gasps around us. Killing your bonded wolf must be unheard of around these parts. <b>I </b><b>resisted </b>the urge to scoff.
“Love isn’t supposed to be possessive.” Nadia continued, squeezing my pale hand forfort. “I don’t think he ever loved me. He just strung me along because he knew I’d wouldn’t leave him. Osiris never hesitated to remind me that my life is worth nothing without him in it. For a moment, I thought it was true; I have no family or friends–just him. I guess it’s my fault for not stopping him sooner.”
“Osiris‘ descent into madness is not your fault, Nana.” Her sweet smile graced her lips when I called her by her nickname. It made my world shine brighter. “<b>You’ve </b>done what you could. His maniption runs deep. He <b>doesn’t </b><b>care </b>about anyone but himself.”
“You were his friend.” The man next to Alpha Anthony spoke. “Why didn’t you try to stop him?”
“Believe me, I tried.” I retorted, balling my free hand into a fist. Memories of Osiris and I before the madness settled in gued my mind like a disease. “He wasn’t always like this, or perhaps<b>, </b>I was too blind to his true identity, Osiris‘ hatred for this world is <b>immense</b>! My voice, in a sea full of red–hot vehemence, holds no
Chapter 62–Nadu and Lucien
weight and being the avatar of an evil god made nothing easier. Unfortunately…” I sighed heavily. “He roped me into his ns. I was weak. I’ve known him for a while–damn near a century, but Osiris is an enigmatic
man.”
“He must have told either of you something.” Phoebe spoke, biting her lip. “Osiris took Kiya and we have to get her back. Please, if either of you know something, no matter how insignificant it is, we can use to take him down…”
Nadia and I nced at <b>each </b>other for a moment, our eyes shining with the same type of fear. My heart dropped and dread filled my mind. His insanity filled rambles of ‘capturing the light‘ all made sense now, and I fear for not just our safety, but the entire world.
Η
…I don’t like the looks in your <b>eyes</b>,” Alpha Anthony pointed out.
<b>“</b>He got Kiy
Kiya…” Nadia sighed, rubbing her cheek. “This is <b>bad</b>. How long has it <b>been</b>?”
“Approximately a week, now.” An older version of the Alpha replied.
“Then none of you are safe.” I said. “In fact, you all might as well count your blessings because it is going to
be <b>a </b>shit storm from here on out.”
“Then talk.” The long–haired man retorted with a deep <b>growl</b>. “What the f*ck does he n to do with my
mate?”
“Kiya is your <b>mate</b>?” I arch an eyebrow in shock. When he nods, I closed my eyes to gather my words without sounding like aplete asshole. “You might have to prepare losing her for good.”
“Over my dead body.”
“Might as well be. From what I can recall from Osiris‘ talks, he <b>hates </b>werewolves more than anything on this. He disclosed to me that they are the <b>reason </b>behind his abusive past and that bitterness settled and
grew <b>for </b>over a century.”
“He lost someone.” Nadia revealed. “When we <b>were </b>in bed one night, he was calling out to someone in his sleep. He sounded sad and distraught. Whoever that person was, they were significant to him. I tried talking to him about it the following morning, but he shut me out and shoved me to the side. Maybe <b>his </b>hatred and this. mysterious person are <b>linked</b><b>, </b>somehow.”
“Okay, this is a good start. He <b>is </b>motivated by revenge.” Phoebe pondered. “Then, why take Kiya?”
“He hates werewolves, and Kiya is the avatar of Selene, the wolves‘ matron goddess, Just as Lady Nyx is the matron to vampires. <b>Kiya </b>has the power and the ability to shape the future of all werewolves as their salvation or the cause of their destruction. He can’t kill <b>you </b><b>all</b>, so why not get Selene’s avatar to do it?”
“Kiya wouldn’t do <b>as </b>he says.” The woman with braids retorts. “She is not evil.”
“If Osiris could manipte Nadia and I into his ns, don’t you think he’d do the same thing to her? If her willpower is strong, as you’re implying, she’ll be okay. But Osiris is cunning and perverse; he can find a weakness and use it to his benefit. That is how he could get dark witches and tormented hybrids on his side, thus, making <b>them </b>his army.”
Chapter 62 Nadia and Lucien
“Great. We’re dealing with a motherf*cker with a godplex.”
“And an ego too big for this world.” I snorted. “When you prey on the desperation of someone and feed them false hope and happiness, they’ll bend to do whatever you want. If Osiris found Kiya’s weakness, he will use it to get her on his <b>side</b><b>.</b>”
“Oh, dios mio.” An older woman muttered, covering her mouth. “I’m worried Osiris might have gotten to her because I’ve seen her and-”
“You saw her?!” The long–haired man bellowed in shock.
“I did as well, Neron. It happened during our searches, but she never stayed.” Phoebe sighed wistfully. “We… might be toote. I think he got to her. When I saw her, her aura altogether has changed from what is normal. Dark, yet incredibly powerful.”
Nadia dosed off on my shoulder in urgent need of sleep. Her eyes drooped and her breathing slowed. Keeping a protective arm around her shoulders, I did my best to make this woman asfortable <b>as </b>possible while the wolves are in conversation. Thinking back, I wished I could have done more to stop Osiris, but how does one stop hatred? If felt as its purest state, the victim bes reluctant to let go of what provided them strength. Nadia’s love wasn’t enough. Mypanionship wasn’t enough.
What would be enough <b>to </b>stop a man hellbent on destruction?
Now, he has lured Kiya into his thralls. If these wolves have as much faith as they do in her survival, I can’t be the one to disappoint them. Osiris is a venomous snake and with a single strike of his fangs, he cripples his victims. Exhaustion creeps in like a thief in the night, demanding that I surrender to sleep. Like Nadia, I haven’t slept in several days nor have my regr supply of blood. My growling stomach says so.
“This is progress. It is better than what we had before, which was nothing.” Alpha Anthony showed me onest look. “Lucien, in your opinion, what should we <b>do </b>now?”
“Toughen up security and prepare for anything and everything.” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Osiris covers his track and will strike when least expected. If he ns to use Kiya, which he will, prepare for the fight of your lives because he will <b>leave </b>no one alive.”
A wave of silence washed over everyone as I noticed some of their eyes zing over. Communicating through their mind–link, it appears. After a minute, Alpha Anthony expelled a hefty sigh.
“I’ve allowed you and Nadia to stay out of concern for your safety. You’ve provided us with significant information that will aid us in our investigation. There are a couple of furnished houses unupied on the south–east part of my territory. My Omegas will lead you both there for rest and food. If either of you can remember anything you believe can help, tell us.”
“Thank you.” A gasp exited Nadia’s lips, relief running through her in waves. Finally, she can get some rest. That mattered the most. Expressing my gratitude to Ga Moon’s Alpha, I carried Nadia in my arms as the Omegas led us to our new home.
Nadia and I <b>are </b>safe. But I’m still worried. Osiris will know we’re here and won’t hesitate to attack this pack to kill us both. Have we made the right decision? I watched Nadia’s chest rise and fall as she submitted <b>to </b>a much–needed sleep on a soft bed, pulling <b>a </b>nket over her<b>. </b>I pressed my lips against her forehead gingerly,