Chapter 36

Lucius stepped into Achilles's room, his eyes immediately falling on his son. Achilles was awake, his werewolf healing already working to mend his injuries. Despite this, fatigue weighed heavily on him.

Achilles attempted to sit up, but Lucius raised a hand. "Stay down, son. You need to rest."

Settling back against the pillows, Achilles met his father's piercing gaze. There was no avoiding this conversation, but the words stuck in his throat.

Lucius pulled up a chair, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "What's going on, Achilles? And don't try to downplay it. I can tell there's more to this than a simple ambush."

Achilles swallowed hard, his mind racing. How could he explain the sex tape? The primal urges that had overcome him and Shea? It all seemed so absurd, so out of character for him.

"Dad, I..." he started, then faltered. "It's complicated."

Lucius leaned forward, his voice low and steady. "I've dealt with complicated before, son. Whatever it is, we can handle it. But I need to know what we're up against."

Achilles closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his courage. When he opened them, he saw patience and understanding in his father's gaze. It gave him strength.

"There's something... happening between Shea and me," he began hesitantly. "Something I can't explain. It's like..."

He trailed off, searching for the right words. Lucius waited, giving him time to collect his thoughts.

"It's like a primal urge," Achilles finally continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "We can't control it. And Ryder... he caught us on video."

Lucius's eyebrows shot up, but he remained silent, allowing his son to continue.

Achilles took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on a point beyond his father's shoulder. "It started yesterday. Shea and I... we felt this overwhelming urge. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before. We couldn't resist it."

Lucius listened intently, his expression unreadable. Achilles continued, his voice low and strained.

"It happened again today, at school. We thought we were alone, but Ryder..." He clenched his fists. "He recorded us. Threatened to expose everything unless Shea agreed to... to be with him."

A flash of anger crossed Lucius's face, but he quickly composed himself. "And that's why you went to confront him?"

Achilles nodded. "I couldn't let him get away with it. I thought I could handle it, but then that other Von Lunar showed up."

Lucius leaned back in his chair, processing the information. After a moment, he spoke. "This urge you're feeling... it's not normal, even for werewolves. There's more to this than simple attraction."

"What do you mean?" Achilles asked, confusion evident in his voice.

His father's eyes met his, filled with a mix of concern and understanding. "It's possible that you and Shea are experiencing a rare phenomenon known as the Lunar Bond. It's a powerful connection that can form between certain werewolves, often tied to ancient bloodlines."

Achilles's eyes widened. "But Shea... is she really a werewolf. Is she?"

Lucius sighed. "That's a complicated matter, son. There's much about Shea's heritage that even I don't fully understand. But if you're experiencing these urges, it's likely she has werewolf blood in her veins."

"Dad, what does this mean? For us, for the factions?" Achilles asked, his mind reeling from the implications.

"It means we need to be very careful," Lucius replied gravely. "If others discover this bond between you and Shea, it could upset the delicate balance we've maintained for years. And it seems some already suspect something, given the ambush you faced today."

Lucius stood up, his expression grave. "Shea, could you come in here, please?"

A moment later, Shea entered the room hesitantly. Her eyes darted between Achilles and his father, uncertainty written across her face.

"Please, sit down," Lucius said, gesturing to the bed beside Achilles. "There's something important you both need to know."

As Shea settled onto the edge of the bed, Lucius took a deep breath. "I'm aware of what's been happening between you two. The... urges you've been experiencing. It's not just simple attraction."

Shea's cheeks flushed, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"The reason I trained Achilles to protect you, Shea, goes beyond simple friendship or obligation," Lucius explained. "You likely possess one of the rarest bloodlines in werewolf history."

Achilles and Shea exchanged confused glances.

"What does that mean?" Shea asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucius's eyes met hers, his expression somber. "It means that anyone who manages to... impregnate you would pass their genes on to potentially the most powerful generation of werewolves we've ever seen."

The room fell silent as the weight of his words sank in.

"Such offspring could either bring about a new era of peace," Lucius continued, "or plunge our world into chaos, depending on who controls that power."

Shea's hand unconsciously found Achilles's, gripping it tightly. "Is that why people are after me? Why my father was killed?"

Lucius nodded solemnly. "It's likely a significant factor. The factions have been vying for control for years, and you, Shea, represent a potential shift in the balance of power."

Lucius's gaze shifted between Achilles and Shea, his expression grave. "That's why you must be extraordinarily careful, Shea. Your very existence could tip the scales of power in our world."

Shea nodded, her mind reeling from the revelations. She felt Achilles squeeze her hand reassuringly.

"However," Lucius continued, his tone softening slightly, "now that I'm here, we can take more proactive measures to ensure your safety."

Achilles looked up at his father, curiosity evident in his eyes. "What do you mean, Dad?"

Lucius straightened, his posture radiating determination. "I'm going to personally train Shea to tap into her werewolf powers."

Shea's eyes widened in surprise. "But I... I don't even know if I can transform," she stammered.

"That's precisely why we need to start immediately," Lucius explained. "Your abilities may be dormant, but they're there. And if, for any reason, Achilles or others aren't able to protect you, you need to be able to defend yourself."

Achilles nodded in agreement, though a flicker of concern crossed his face. "Is it safe for her to start training so suddenly?"

Lucius's expression softened as he looked at his son. "It's a risk we have to take. The alternative – leaving her defenseless – is far more dangerous."

Turning back to Shea, Lucius continued, "We'll start slowly, focusing on awakening your senses and building your strength. The transformation will come in time, but first, we need to prepare your body and mind for the changes to come."

Shea took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Okay," she said, her voice gaining strength. "When do we start?"