Jake's POV
The forest had become a maze of shadows.
For hours, my pack had searched every trail, every clearing, every ravine beyond the waterfall.
Nothing.
No scent.
No trace.
No sign of her.
My patience was wearing thin.
"She couldn't have vanished," I growled.
One of the wolves lowered his head.
"We've searched the entire eastern ridge, Alpha."
"Then search it again."
He hesitated.
I turned toward him.
"Do I have to repeat myself?"
"No, Alpha."
He disappeared between the trees.
I closed my eyes and drew in a slow breath.
The ancient presence that had filled the forest had vanished beyond the waterfall.
But it hadn't disappeared on its own.
Someone had taken it.
Someone had reached Selenthayx before us.
And I knew exactly who.
Adrian.
My jaw tightened at the thought of his name.
A wolf suddenly came running through the trees.
"Alpha!"
I turned sharply.
"What?"
"There are vampires beyond the northern ridge. One of our scouts saw movement around a villa."
My eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The wolf hesitated.
"Adrian."
A cold smile touched my lips.
"So he didn't go far."
I turned toward my pack.
"Move."
We tore through the forest.
Branches whipped against my face as I pushed forward, my wolves racing behind me. With every step, the vampire presence grew stronger.
Adrian was there.
I could feel it.
And if he was there, perhaps the answer I had been searching for was there with him.
The villa appeared through the trees.
I didn't slow down.
I struck the door with enough force to tear it from its hinges.
The impact thundered through the villa.
I stepped inside.
Then I saw him.
Adrian.
My anger erupted.
I crossed the room in an instant and reached for his throat.
But before my fingers could close around it, I stopped.
Senior-ranking werewolves stood alongside ancient vampires.
One reckless move could turn the entire gathering into a bloodbath.
My hand remained inches from Adrian's throat.
I leaned closer.
"Where is she?"
Adrian didn't move.
His expression remained completely composed.
"The girl from the waterfall," I continued. "Where is she?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You were there."
"So were you."
"You took her."
"No."
His answer was so calm that it only fueled my anger.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I don't particularly care what you believe."
My fingers curled into a fist.
"You have no idea how long I've been searching."
"I can imagine."
My eyes burned with fury.
"Then imagine what I'll do when I find out you've taken her."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Where is Selenthayx?"
His expression didn't change.
"I don't have it."
"You're hiding something."
"Then prove it."
For several seconds, neither of us moved.
Then I slowly lowered my hand.
I looked around the room.
Only then did I fully take in the gathering.
Senior-ranking werewolves stood alongside ancient vampires, all watching us carefully.
"What is everyone doing here?"
Adrian adjusted his collar as though nothing had happened.
"A peaceful meeting."
I stared at him.
"A peaceful meeting?"
"Yes."
"Between vampires and werewolves?"
"Ancient vampires and senior-ranking werewolves, actually."
His voice remained perfectly calm.
"We're discussing matters that concern both sides."
I gave a humorless laugh.
"You want me to believe you're holding a peaceful meeting here?"
His mouth curved into the faintest smile.
"What can I say?"
He spread his hands slightly.
"I am a very kind and peaceful man."
A few vampires exchanged confused glances.
I stared at him.
"You?"
"Yes."
"I'm practically known for my diplomacy."
My claws flexed.
"You're wasting my time."
Adrian tilted his head.
"Then perhaps you should stop wasting everyone else's."
I stepped toward him.
"You brought them here because you knew I wouldn't attack you in front of them."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Attack?"
He glanced around at the assembled vampires and werewolves.
"Me?"
His tone was almost innocent.
"Jake, I'm wounded."
"You're hiding behind them."
"I'm standing among people who have considerably more patience than you."
My temper flared.
"You think this protects you?"
"No."
His gaze sharpened.
"I think your temper does."
A low growl escaped my throat.
One of the senior-ranking werewolves stepped forward.
"Jake."
His voice carried unmistakable authority.
"Enough."
I looked at him.
"He is interfering with my hunt."
"You cannot attack another vampire merely because you suspect him."
"He was at the waterfall."
"That is not proof."
My fists tightened.
Adrian remained infuriatingly calm.
I looked back at him.
"You're going to regret this."
"I'll take my chances."
Before I could respond, hurried footsteps sounded outside.
A young wolf appeared in the doorway, breathing heavily.
"Alpha."
I turned.
"What is it?"
"We found something near the edge of the forest."
My instincts immediately sharpened.
"Show me."
The wolf nodded.
I turned toward my pack.
"Move."
The wolves followed me.
As I passed Adrian, I stopped.
My gaze locked with his.
"This isn't over."
His expression remained unreadable.
"I never thought it was."
I turned away and disappeared into the forest.
Adrian's POV
The forest fell silent after Jake and his wolves disappeared.
Drek remained near the doorway, staring at the broken entrance.
Then he looked at me.
"You knew he'd come here."
"Yes."
"And you knew he couldn't attack with the elders present."
"Yes."
Drek studied me.
"What does Jake actually know?"
"That Selenthayx has awakened."
"And the girl?"
"He knows someone carries it."
Drek's expression tightened.
"Does he know who she is?"
"No."
"Her name?"
"No."
"Does he know she's Princess Lunaria's daughter?"
My expression hardened.
"No."
Drek slowly nodded.
"So none of the wolves know?"
"None."
"And the vampires?"
"They know the Stone has awakened. Nothing more."
Drek looked toward the hallway.
"They don't know it's her."
"Exactly."
"That's why you let Eira leave."
"Yes."
"You knew they'd search this villa."
"I expected them to."
"And you wanted them to find nothing."
I leaned back against the sofa.
"They're searching for something hidden."
Drek's eyes narrowed.
"And if she isn't hidden?"
"They won't think to look."
A silence settled between us.
"Where is she?"
"At the hostel."
Drek stared at me.
"The hostel?"
"Yes."
"That's hardly a hiding place."
"That's precisely why it works."
He studied me.
"You left her somewhere ordinary."
"Somewhere familiar."
"So anyone searching for a secret location will overlook it."
"For now."
Drek exhaled slowly.
"You're relying on the fact that they don't know her identity."
"They don't know enough to connect her to Selenthayx."
"And Eira still doesn't know who she is."
"No."
"She doesn't know she's Lunaria's daughter."
"No."
"She doesn't know what she carries."
"No."
Drek looked at me carefully.
"And you believe that's better?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because the less she knows, the less anyone can force from her."
Drek remained silent.
"Jake is searching for a power," I continued. "He doesn't know he's searching for a princess."
Drek's expression changed.
"So even if he saw her, he wouldn't know."
"Not unless someone gives him a reason to look twice."
Drek glanced toward the broken doorway.
"And if Jake eventually discovers the truth?"
My expression turned cold.
"Then he'll have to get through me."
Drek said nothing.
Neither did I.
Outside, the forest had fallen eerily quiet.
Somewhere beyond those trees, Jake was still searching.
He would search the caves.
The ruins.
The mountains.
Everywhere he believed something valuable might be hidden.
But he was looking for a secret.
He had no reason to suspect what stood openly before him.
And for now, that was enough.
Jake's POV
I followed the wolf through the trees.
The scent grew stronger with every step.
The edge of the forest appeared ahead.
Then I saw her.
A lone girl stood among the trees, unaware of what was approaching.
I crossed the distance in an instant.
A flash of claws.
A cry.
Then silence.
The girl collapsed.
I looked down at her.
Nothing.
No crimson light.
No ancient power.
No trace of Selenthayx.
My expression slowly changed.
Then I laughed.
A low, cold laugh echoed through the trees.
"So that's your game, Adrian."
I looked toward the darkness beyond the forest.
"You want to hide her."
My smile widened.
"You actually think you can keep her hidden?"
I stepped away from the body.
"You've made one mistake."
My eyes gleamed beneath the darkness.
"Selenthayx has awakened."
The ancient power was no longer dormant.
It had already begun calling.
Calling to every werewolf capable of sensing it.
And the longer it remained awake, the stronger that call would become.
"You can't hide an awakened Stone."
I paused.
"You can hide the girl."
A cold smile returned to my face.
"But you can't hide what is inside her."
I turned toward the distant mountains.
"The question isn't whether we'll find her."
My voice lowered.
"It's when."
The forest remained silent.
"You don't have to reveal her, Adrian."
A quiet laugh escaped me.
"Selenthayx will do it for you."
I clenched my fist.
"Once its power fully awakens, it will call every werewolf toward her."
My eyes burned with anticipation.
"All we have to do is wait."
I turned away.
"Eventually, she'll reveal herself."
My smile widened.
"And when she does..."
My gaze hardened.
"There will be nowhere left for her to hide. "