The air inside the hotel room grew cold, too cold for the humid night outside. Jack's hand froze mid-motion, his eyes narrowing toward the door.
"Ela…" His voice was low, dangerous. "She's here."
Before Ela could respond, a sudden knock rattled the door — sharp, deliberate, like a predator announcing itself. The lights flickered, shadows stretching unnaturally across the walls.
Then, a voice — smooth, mocking.
"Little alpha… did you think I wouldn't find you?"
Ela's breath caught. She knew that voice. Gabrielle.
Before Jack could reach for the door, it burst inward, splinters flying. But it wasn't Gabrielle who entered first — it was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, his dark eyes locking on Ela.
"Ela—come with me. Now."
She froze. Her lips parted in disbelief. "...Liam?"
Her long-lost brother stood before her, alive. The one she thought she'd buried years ago in her heart.
Jack glanced between them, confusion flickering across his face, but Liam stepped forward, urgency in every move.
"I've been hiding because Gabrielle has been hunting me. Hunting us. I stayed away to keep you safe."
Her throat tightened. "You left me to face everything alone."
"I know," Liam said, voice rough. "And I regret every second. But if we stay here—"
The floor shook violently, cutting him off. Outside in the hall, footsteps thundered closer — heavy boots, dozens of them.
"She's already here," Jack growled.
The first wave of Gabrielle's men crashed through the doorway. Ela felt the heat of adrenaline flooding her body, but something else stirred deep inside — something ancient and powerful.
Her vision sharpened, colors turning painfully bright. Her skin tingled like lightning danced under it. Her pulse roared in her ears.
Jack shouted, "Ela—!" but the sound was drowned out by a deafening crack. The air around her warped. The nearest window shattered outward in a spray of glass, though no one had touched it.
The men hesitated, staring in shock.
Ela stepped forward, eyes glowing like molten gold. Her voice was no longer just hers — it was layered, resonant, commanding.
Finally my powers have awakened fully
"I'm done running."
A shockwave erupted from her body, slamming Gabrielle's men into the walls. The air itself seemed to bend around her, rippling with raw alpha energy.
Liam shielded his face from the wind, staring at her in awe. Jack struggled to stay on his feet, every muscle tensed against the invisible force.
From the doorway, Gabrielle finally appeared, her smile slow and cruel.
"Well… it took you long enough."
Ela squared her shoulders, every ounce of fear burned away by the fire in her veins.
"If you want me, Gabrielle…" She lifted her chin, power humming through her fingertips. "Come and try."
Gabrielle's eyes gleamed.
"Oh, I intend to."
The moment before impact stretched like glass about to shatter—
And then the world exploded into light.
[Daniel and his twin brother Liam].
The blinding light faded into darkness. The roaring in Ela's ears was replaced by the muffled thud of her own heartbeat.
When she opened her eyes, the world was hazy, dust hanging in the air like smoke. The walls were cracked, the door completely gone, and Gabrielle's men lay scattered across the floor, groaning in pain.
She blinked, disoriented—then realized she wasn't standing anymore. She was in someone's arms.
"Ela—stay with me."
Jack's voice was low, urgent, the sound of someone holding back panic.
Her head rested against his chest, his heartbeat steady and strong beneath her ear. She could feel the way his arm cradled her protectively, one hand tangled in her hair as if letting go would be unthinkable.
"I'm fine…" she whispered, though her voice cracked.
"The hell you are," Jack muttered. "You passed out after that… whatever that was."
"It was power," Liam's voice cut in, rough but laced with awe. "Our bloodline's true strength." He stood nearby, bruised but alive, keeping watch over the ruined hallway. "Gabrielle underestimated her."
Jack ignored Liam, his attention fixed solely on Ela. His thumb brushed along her cheek, wiping away the smear of blood there.
"You scared me."
She forced a small smile. "You're not that easy to scare."
His jaw tightened. "When it's you, I am."
Something in his eyes—raw, unguarded—pulled at her, undoing the walls she had built over the years.… all of it seemed smaller in that moment compared to the simple truth that he was here, and he had come for her.
Her hand lifted, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. "Jack…"
The sound of her voice was enough. He leaned closer, his forehead brushing against hers. The air between them felt charged, softer than the chaos around them yet just as intense.
"I almost lost you once," he murmured. "I'm not letting it happen again."
And then he kissed her.
It wasn't the desperate clash of two people trying to claim each other—it was slower, deeper, a confession without words. His lips lingered against hers, one hand cupping her jaw, the other holding her close as if she was the only thing anchoring him to the world.
For the first time in years, she kissed him back without hesitation.
When they broke apart, breathless, the danger outside the room suddenly felt real again. Liam's voice snapped them back.
"She'll be back. Stronger. And next time, she won't come alone."
Ela straightened, still in Jack's arms, her eyes steady. "Good. Then I'll be ready."
Ela smiled
Then all of a sudden Daniel came in and he said "sis" Liam, "brother", jack, "they looked so alike I can't even tell who is who.
Ela" why are the both of you back and working for Gabrielle", both of them have their reasons why they are working for Gabrielle but they stood quite as a grave
Ela "why ain't both of you not talking to me? I thought I had lost both of you years ago, but here you are standing in front of me like I'm seeing a ghost, why are you working for Gabrielle why?
Liam" because I wanted to keep you safe "
Daniel talk's back" enough already I don't have time for you, Daniel trying to admit
What is about to happen
Everyone stood there shocked about what they saw
[would you like to know about what they saw]