đ Episode 12: The Trap
The warehouse air was damp and thick with the stench of rust and dust. Lila's pulse thundered in her ears as the rogues closed in, their eyes glowing faintly in the shadows.
The leader's smirk stretched wider. "You don't belong in his world, little human. But you will help us destroy him."
Lila's throat tightened. "EthanâŚ" she whispered without meaning to.
The rogue laughed, mocking. "Don't worry. He'll come. That's the beauty of mates. One cry for help, and he can't stay away."
Her blood ran cold. Mates?
Before she could demand what that meant, a crash echoed from above. The rusted skylight shattered, glass raining down like stars as a massive black figure dropped into the center of the warehouse.
Ethan.
He landed in a crouch, shirt torn, golden eyes blazing with fury. "Step away from her."
The rogues chuckled, unfazed.
"Right on time," the leader said, feigning politeness. "We were wondering how long your leash was, Blackthorn."
Ethan's gaze snapped to Lila. She stood frozen, terror in her eyes, and his chest ached with the sight of her.
"You okay?" he asked softly, ignoring the others.
She swallowed hard, her lips trembling. "You⌠you came."
"Always," he said, his voice rough with conviction.
But the rogues didn't give him time for more. Two lunged at once. Ethan moved with feral speed, slamming one to the ground while dodging the other's claws. The fight exploded instantlyâgrowls, snarls, the clash of bodies like a storm breaking loose.
Lila stumbled back, her heart in her throat. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move.
The leader circled behind her, his voice low and taunting. "Do you see it now? He's not a man. He's a beast. And when the beast loses control, it's always the human who bleeds."
Ethan heard it, rage ripping through him. He tore free from the rogue in his grip and launched himself toward them. But the leader was faster. He seized Lila, yanking her against him, a knife flashing in his hand.
Lila gasped, her body rigid in his hold. The blade pressed against her throat.
Ethan froze. Every muscle in his body locked.
"Let her go," he growled, voice edged with lethal promise.
The leader smirked. "You want her? Come and get her."
Ethan took a step forward, but the knife pressed deeper, a bead of crimson sliding down her neck. Lila whimpered, and his heart shattered.
The rogues closed in, circling, ready to strike.
"You see, Alpha," the leader sneered, "humans make terrible mates. Too fragile. Too weak. But she's perfectâfor breaking you."
Ethan's wolf snarled, clawing at his control. He had one chance. One reckless, dangerous chance.
"Lila," he said softly, eyes locked on hers. "Do you trust me?"
Her breath hitched. The world seemed to narrow to just him, golden eyes blazing in the dark.
She didn't know if she should. She didn't know if she could.
But her lips parted, and she whispered, "Yes."
That was all he needed.
In a blur, Ethan shifted. Bones cracked, fur erupted, and the massive black wolf slammed into the leader before he could react. The knife clattered to the floor as Lila stumbled free, gasping for air.
The fight was chaos. Ethan's wolf tore into the rogues with savage precision, each movement fueled by desperation. Lila watched, trembling, as blood flew and snarls shook the air.
But the leader was strong. Too strong. He raked his claws down Ethan's side, sending him crashing into a steel beam.
"No!" Lila cried, her body moving before her mind caught up. She grabbed the discarded knife, her hands shaking violently, and stood between Ethan and the rogue as he advanced.
"Stay back," she warned, her voice breaking.
The leader laughed darkly. "Brave little human. You'll die for him?"
Her grip tightened, tears streaming down her face. "If I have to."
The rogue lunged.
But before he could touch her, Ethan was up again, fury blazing. He slammed into the rogue with earth-shattering force, jaws clamping down. The sound was sickening, final.
Silence fell.
The remaining rogues fled into the night, tails between their legs, leaving their leader broken in the dirt.
Lila dropped the knife, her chest heaving.
Ethan stood over the body, blood dripping from his fur, before slowly shifting back. His human form collapsed to his knees, breath ragged, eyes still glowing faintly.
He looked at her, every inch of him raw and exposed. "You weren't supposed to see this world. I wanted to keep you safe."
Tears blurred her vision. "Safe? You call this safe?"
His jaw clenched. "I'd rather you hate me alive than love me dead."
Her heart twisted painfully. She wanted to scream, to run, to collapse in his arms all at once.
Instead, she whispered, "What am I to you?"
He hesitated, then whispered back, "Everything."
Her breath caught. She should've pushed him away. She should've told him to leave her alone.
But as he reached for herâslow, careful, as if afraid she'd shatterâshe didn't step back.
For the first time, she saw not the monster, but the man. And the terrifying truth was that her heart still wanted him.
Even if the world said she shouldn't.
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⨠End of Episode 12