A Dangerous Choice
The stronghold buzzed with activity as the werewolves prepared for the next inevitable clash with Seraphine. Eryon, restless and conflicted, slipped away to the edge of the forest, his thoughts a chaotic storm. He stared at the rising sun, its light casting long shadows over the trees.
The sound of footsteps behind him made him tense, his wolf instincts flaring. “Who is it?” he growled, not turning around.
“It’s me, Eryon,” came the familiar, chilling voice. He spun around to see Seraphine, her silver eyes gleaming with both sorrow and determination. She stepped forward, her presence commanding. “I came to see you. To remind you of what we fought for.”
Eryon’s fists clenched, his amber eyes blazing with anger. “What we fought for?” he spat. “You used us. Lied to us. Twisted us into your pawns.”
Seraphine’s expression softened, her voice low and persuasive. “I gave you strength when no one else did. I showed you who you really are. They would never have accepted you, Eryon. Not for the power you hold.”
Eryon’s growl deepened. “They’re my family. Not you.”
Seraphine tilted her head, her silver hair catching the sunlight. “No, I’m not,” she admitted. “But neither are they. They’ll always fear what you are, Eryon. The power you have will always make them wary. But I—” She stepped closer, her tone softening. “I’ll help you embrace it. Together, we can make them pay for what they’ve done to us.”
Eryon hesitated, her words cutting deep into his doubts. Memories of the strength she had awakened in him, the confidence she had fostered, warred with the guilt and betrayal he felt.
From a distance, Lyra watched the exchange, her heart pounding. She had followed Eryon, sensing something was wrong. Now, she saw her brother wavering, the crack in his resolve growing wider. “Eryon,” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. “Don’t listen to her.”
Seraphine’s silver eyes flicked toward Lyra, her smirk faint. “Ah, there’s the doubter. Always holding you back, always afraid of what you could become.”
Eryon’s gaze shifted to Lyra, her expression filled with fear and desperation. “She’s lying to you,” Lyra said, her voice trembling. “You’re stronger than this, Eryon. You don’t need her.”
Seraphine’s voice dropped to a whisper as she placed a hand on Eryon’s shoulder. “Come with me, Eryon,” she murmured. “Together, we’ll make them pay. Together, we’ll create a world where you’ll never have to hide.”
Eryon’s amber eyes flickered, the storm of emotions within him threatening to consume him. His fists tightened, his body trembling as he fought the pull of her words.
“Eryon,” Lyra said again, stepping forward, her voice breaking. “Choose us. Choose me.”
Seraphine’s smirk grew as she saw the turmoil in his eyes. “What will it be, my son?” she asked, her tone laced with triumph. “Strength—or weakness?”
Recap so far:
Lira and Eryon are transported into the world of vampires where they’re forced to conceal their identity. They get entangled with the Vampire King’s son Adrian and his paramore Misery, who later betrays them to the King, but still can’t shake off her affection to Eryon. Seraphine, their aunt appears, and poses as the twins’ real mother, saying that Isla and Draven (their real parents) are evil. She is helped by Eira, Isla’s dad’s lover (Isla’s mom and dad are dead already). In the end, Isla and Draven save Lyra with Adrian’s help, and Seraphine tries to lure Eryon to their side.
