### **💜 EPISODE 29 — *"The Safehouse of Secrets"***
The forest was strangely silent after the Fallen creature's death.
Lucian walked forward with Isha pressed close beside him, and Erevan slung over his shoulder like a complaining sack of potatoes.
"Put me down," Erevan groaned. "I can walk."
Lucian didn't even turn.
"You're bleeding on my shirt."
"It's black. The blood won't show."
Lucian sighed.
"Still no."
Isha hid a laugh behind her hand, adrenaline still rushing through her from everything that happened.
Lucian noticed.
He slowed his steps, whispered near her ear—close enough to make her heart skip.
"You're smiling."
His tone softened instantly.
"Thank you. I needed that."
Isha blushed and looked away.
Lucian watched her warmly.
He had killed an ancient monster minutes ago…
but somehow, this girl's shy smile could undo him completely.
---
## **🏰 THE SAFEHOUSE — A PLACE SHE NEVER EXPECTED**
The safehouse stood deep inside the woods—an old stone fortress hidden behind trees that bent their branches inward, protecting it like claws around a jewel.
Vampires moved around the main hall when Lucian entered.
And suddenly—
Every eye shifted to him.
To the power he had just awakened.
And then…
To the girl whose hand he was holding.
Whispers erupted immediately.
"That's her…"
"The mortal?"
"She's the Crescent Soul?"
"She survived a Fallen?"
"Is Lucian actually—protecting her?"
Isha squeezed Lucian's hand, feeling dozens of eyes burn into her.
She unconsciously stepped slightly behind him.
Lucian's grip tightened protectively.
"It's alright. No one here will touch you."
But the whispers didn't stop.
Especially from the *women*.
Beautiful female vampires with silver eyes, long flowing hair, delicate features, and power humming around them.
One stepped forward.
Tall. Elegant. A faint smirk playing on her lips.
Mariel.
A warrior-vampire who had trained with Lucian for decades.
She tilted her head and examined Isha slowly, like she was some fragile little thing brought in from the human world.
Then she ignored Isha completely and smiled at Lucian.
"Lucian. You're bleeding."
She reached out to touch his arm.
Too familiar.
Too comfortable.
Lucian stepped back immediately.
Isha blinked.
Mariel frowned.
"Since when do you move away from *me*?"
Lucian rolled his eyes and grabbed Isha's waist, pulling her to his side.
"Since I realized only one person is allowed to touch me."
Mariel's eyes flicked to Isha—cold, assessing.
Isha's heart thudded with something new.
Jealousy.
A sharp, twisting heat low in her chest.
Mariel wasn't done.
"So this is the human?" she said, voice dripping with disbelief. "This little girl is what keeps you distracted?"
Isha opened her mouth to respond, but Lucian's voice cut through the room like a blade.
"She's not distracting me."
His fingers threaded with Isha's.
"She's grounding me."
Mariel scoffed.
"From what? Common sense?"
Isha felt her cheeks burn—not from embarrassment, but anger.
Lucian stepped in front of her, jaw set.
"Don't speak about her like that."
Mariel crossed her arms.
"So she really matters to you? Enough to break ancient law?"
Isha blinked.
Ancient law?
Lucian's jaw tightened.
"That's none of your business."
But Mariel didn't back down.
"Oh, I think it is. Because if she truly is the Crescent Soul, she belongs to the council. Not to you."
The words struck Isha like a slap.
But they struck Lucian like a spear.
He took one lethal step toward Mariel.
"Isha belongs to no one. Not me. Not you. Not the council."
Mariel smirked.
"I'm glad you admit she doesn't belong to you."
Lucian's aura flared with sudden, violent energy.
The room trembled.
Several vampires stepped back.
Isha grabbed Lucian's forearm immediately.
"Lucian… stop."
He turned to her instantly.
The fury drained from his eyes like water.
"Isha…"
His voice lowered, softened.
"Don't ever stand behind me when they insult you. Come here."
He pulled her in front of him, hands slipping around her hips, holding her protectively.
She blinked up at him.
"You don't have to defend me. I can—"
"I know you can."
Lucian brushed his thumb across her cheek.
"But I will still protect you every time. Always."
Her breath hitched.
Mariel watched with narrowed eyes.
The jealousy in Isha grew deeper, hotter.
She didn't like how Mariel looked at Lucian.
And Lucian noticed.
A slow smirk tugged his lips.
"You're jealous."
"I—What? No," Isha mumbled.
Lucian leaned down, lips brushing her ear.
"You are," he whispered.
"And it's adorable."
Isha's heart nearly burst.
But the hall shifted when Elara, the clan healer, rushed in.
Her eyes widened when she saw Lucian's veins still faintly glowing.
"You awakened the ancient blood…"
Lucian exhaled.
"I didn't mean to."
Elara looked between them, voice trembling.
"You only awaken it for one reason."
Lucian stiffened.
Isha blinked.
"What reason?"
Elara answered quietly.
"A vampire only unlocks the ancient blood for their destined bond."
She turned slowly to Isha.
"For their eternal mate."
The entire hall gasped.
Lucian closed his eyes.
And didn't deny it.
Isha felt her breath catch.
"Lucian… is that true?" she whispered.
Lucian opened his eyes slowly and cupped her face with both hands.
"It is."
Her heartbeat hammered against her ribs.
He leaned closer, voice trembling with emotion he rarely showed.
"Isha… you're not just the girl I love."
"You are the one my soul chose long before either of us existed."
Isha's eyes filled with tears.
Mariel walked out in anger.
Erevan grinned.
"Knew it."
Lucian lifted Isha's chin gently.
"You're mine," he whispered, "in every lifetime."
He kissed her.
Not desperate like before.
Not rushed.
But slow.
Deep.
Intense.
As if he wanted to tell her everything through that kiss — devotion, fear, longing, destiny.
Isha leaned into it, fingers curling in his shirt.
Lucian smiled against her lips.
"Jealous and mine," he whispered, "a perfect combination."
Isha didn't deny it this time.
And the hall of vampires watched silently — because for the first time in centuries…
they were witnessing a true eternal bond being formed.
---
**End of Episode 29**