Shadow of the night
She flinched but kept her gaze fixed. "I refuse to let you have power over me any longer," she declared confidently. “I will not let you harm our child.”
The reference to their child appeared to surprise him. He loosened his hold a bit, and for a brief moment, a hint of something resembling humanity appeared on his face.
But, it vanished just as fast as it emerged, substituted by a determined and unyielding attitude.
"I will do something to you that you'll eventually feel sorry for later," he warned, speaking in a quiet and threatening tone.
Ashina held back her arm and moved one pace back. "No, Lobo," she answered. "You will not do anything."
Turning around, she walked out of the room with her heart racing,
Leaving the stifling environment of her house, Ashina roamed the silent streets aimlessly, finding comfort in the refreshing night breeze. She was still processing the whole episode she had with Lobo, feeling a mix of fear and determination battling inside her mind. She had to calm her mind, seeking solace in the midst of the turmoil in her life.
Without realizing it, she had gotten to the edge of the city, where the soothing presence of nature was waiting. Upon stepping into the woods, she was first hit by the familiar smell of soil and plants, with the moonlight shining through the trees overhead.
Her tumultuous thoughts were comforted by the gentle rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of crickets in the distance.
her troubled mind had consumed her so much that she failed to hear the gentle snapping of twigs in front of her, or the faint whisper of movement.
Abruptly, an arrow flew by her ear, narrowly not hitting her. The sudden, piercing noise cut through her concentration, snapping her back to the present moment. Surprised, she retreated while feeling her heart pounding in her chest.
Before she could fully comprehend what had happened, a figure emerged from the shadows, bow in hand. It was Lobo's twin brother. He stood a few paces away, his expression unreadable as he lowered his weapon.
"Ashina," he said, his voice grave. "What are you doing out here?"
Ashina struggled to find her voice, her mind racing to process the encounter. "I... I needed some air," she managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. "I didn't mean to intrude..."
He studied her for a moment, his gaze piercing yet strangely contemplative. "You shouldn't be out here alone," he said finally, his tone softer than she expected. "Especially not at this hour."
She nodded, still shaken by the close call. "I'll... I'll head back," she murmured, unsure whether to feel relieved or apprehensive in his presence.
He nodded in response, his facial expression tightening with a mixture of concern and something else she couldn't quite decipher. "Be careful," he said quietly before turning away, disappearing back into the shadows of the forest.
As Ashina watched him go, a flood of conflicting emotions washed over her. He was different from Lobo in so many ways—gentler,
Shaking off her thoughts, Ashina retraced her steps through the woods, her senses heightened by the adrenaline of the encounter. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not with so much at stake.
As Ashina walked back to the mansion, the encounter with Lucian still fresh in her mind, she couldn't shake off the unease that had settled over her. The events of the evening had left her emotionally raw, and the sight of her sister, Ameera, chatting and giggling with Lobo only added to her discomfort.
Ameera was her younger sister, always vivacious and outgoing, the direct opposite of Ashina’s reserved demeanor. They had been close growing up, their bond strengthened. But lately, Ameera seemed more enamored with Lobo's charm and charisma, oblivious or perhaps indifferent to the darker side Ashina had come to know all too well.
As Ashina entered the grand foyer, the sound of laughter echoed through the air. She followed the sound to the sitting room, where she found Ameera perched on the edge of the sofa, hanging onto every word Lobo spoke. His smile was charming, his gestures effortlessly charismatic. It was opposite to the man Ashina knew behind closed doors.
"Ashina!" Ameera exclaimed, her eyes lighting up when she saw her sister. "You're back! We were just talking about the event. Lobo was telling me about some of the guests."
Ashina forced a smile, her heart sinking at the sight of them together. "That's nice," she replied, her voice lacking its usual warmth. She glanced at Lobo, who regarded her with a cool detachment that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Lobo was just telling me about his plans for the pack," Ameera continued, oblivious to the tension in the room. "He's so ambitious, isn't he?"
Ashina nodded, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She wanted to warn Ameera, to tell her about the man behind the facade. But she knew it would only strain their already fragile relationship. Ameera was too infatuated, too blinded by Lobo's charm to see the truth.
Lobo stood up suddenly, breaking the uneasy silence that had settled over the room. "I need to take care of something," he said curtly, his gaze flickering briefly to Ashina before turning away.
As he left the room, the atmosphere grew even more strained. Ameera looked at Ashina, concerned, flickering in her eyes. "Is everything okay, Ashina?" she asked softly. "You seem... distant."
Ashina swallowed hard, fighting to keep her composure. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired from the evening."
Ameera reached out and squeezed her hand, a gesture of sisterly concern. "You know you can talk to me, right?" she said gently. "Whatever you're going through, I'm here for you."
Tears pricked at the corners of Ashina's eyes, her heart aching with the weight of everything she couldn't say. She squeezed Ameera's hand back, grateful for her sister's unwavering support, even if she couldn't fully understand the depths of Ashina's turmoil.
"I know," Ashina murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Ameera."