54

Ariana’s POV

The events that unfolded after Rennes' death had left an indelible mark on my heart.

After Lucas had taken Rennes' life in a bloody and brutal battle, the Black Moon Clan was left leaderless, their power broken, and their aggression quelled. The once fearsome werewolves now seemed like lost souls, seeking refuge in the shadows, no longer daring to initiate wars. Lucas carried the weight of guilt upon his broad shoulders. He couldn't forget the monstrous frenzy that had consumed him in the heat of battle, the very thing he had always feared becoming.

We had returned to the Blood Moon Clan, the place where Lucas had grown up, the place where he had once embraced his destiny as a warrior. But now, he couldn't face his past without seeing the reflection of a killer in his own eyes. His fears gnawed at him, worried that I would be frightened, repulsed even if I saw him for what he believed he had become.

I watched Lucas from a distance, his stormy eyes distant and troubled. Hi