Chapter 70

Lucius pushed open the door, revealing a spacious office adorned with dark wood paneling and leather furnishings. Behind an imposing desk stood a man with piercing blue eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. His presence exuded authority and danger in equal measure.

"Donovan Hawkins," Lucius growled, his voice low and threatening.

The Hawkins alpha's lips curled into a smirk. "Lucius Von Lunar. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Shea's eyes widened as she took in the man responsible for so much of her pain. Donovan's gaze swept over her, a flicker of interest sparking in his eyes.

"Ah, and you've brought the girl. How convenient."

Achilles stepped forward, placing himself between Shea and Donovan. "You're going to answer for your crimes, Hawkins."

Donovan chuckled, the sound devoid of humor. "Crimes? I prefer to think of them as... necessary actions."

He moved around the desk, his movements fluid and predatory. "You see, the balance of power in Lockewood has been shifting for far too long. The Von Lunar pack has held sway for generations, but times change. It's our turn now."

Lucius's eyes narrowed. "Is that why you murdered Vincent Wolfe? To upset the balance?"

At the mention of her father's name, Shea felt a surge of anger. She pushed past Achilles, confronting Donovan directly. "Why? Why did you kill him?"

Donovan's eyes locked onto Shea, a mix of curiosity and calculation in his gaze. "My dear, your father was a complication. He knew too much, saw too clearly the changes that were coming. We couldn't allow him to interfere."

"You're a monster," Shea spat, her hands clenching into fists.

Donovan's smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed unnaturally sharp. "Perhaps. But I'm also a visionary. The old ways are dying, whether Lucius and his ilk want to admit it or not. A new order is coming to Lockewood, and I intend to be at its head."

Tension crackled in the air as Lucius, Achilles, and Shea faced off against Donovan Hawkins. The Hawkins alpha's arrogance was palpable, his confidence in his own plans evident in every word and gesture.

Lucius took a step forward, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. "You speak of a new order, Donovan, but all you've brought is chaos and bloodshed. Your actions have endangered the entire supernatural community of Lockewood."

Donovan waved a dismissive hand. "Necessary sacrifices for progress, Lucius. You're too set in your ways to see the potential."

Shea felt her anger rising, fueled by the casual way Donovan spoke of her father's murder. She clenched her fists, struggling to keep her newfound powers in check. Achilles sensed her turmoil and placed a steadying hand on her shoulder.

"What exactly is this new order you're planning, Hawkins?" Achilles demanded, his voice tight with controlled fury.

Donovan's eyes gleamed with a fanatical light. "A world where we no longer hide in the shadows, where werewolves take their rightful place at the top of the food chain. And it all begins with her." He pointed at Shea.

Shea recoiled, disgust and fear warring within her. "What are you talking about?"

"Your bloodline, my dear," Donovan explained, his tone almost reverent. "The power that flows through your veins is the key to unlocking our full potential. With you by my side, we could create a new generation of werewolves, stronger and more powerful than anything the world has ever seen."

Achilles growled, stepping in front of Shea protectively. "You're insane if you think we'd ever let that happen."

Donovan's smile turned predatory. "Who said anything about letting it happen? I take what I want, boy. And I want her."

Lucius's eyes narrowed as he assessed Donovan's threat. "You're overstepping, Hawkins. This isn't just about our families anymore - your actions threaten the stability of all werewolf packs in Lockewood."

Donovan scoffed. "Stability? We've been stagnant for far too long. It's time for a new era, and I intend to usher it in."

Shea felt a surge of anger coursing through her veins. She stepped forward, shrugging off Achilles' protective grip. "You murdered my father for this insane plan?"

"Vincent was shortsighted," Donovan replied coldly. "He couldn't see the potential. But you, my dear, you're the key to everything."

Achilles growled low in his throat. "You're not laying a hand on her."

Tension crackled in the air as the two packs faced off. Lucius raised a hand, attempting to defuse the situation before it erupted into violence. "Think carefully about your next move, Donovan. This path leads only to war."

"War?" Donovan's eyes gleamed with a fanatical light. "I call it revolution."

Shea felt her newfound powers stirring within her, responding to her anger and fear. She clenched her fists, struggling to maintain control. Achilles sensed her turmoil and moved closer, offering silent support.

Lucius's voice was steel. "We won't let you tear apart everything we've built. The other packs won't stand for this either."

Donovan's smile was cold. "You assume they'll have a choice. Times are changing, Lucius. Adapt or be left behind."

The standoff continued, neither side willing to back down. Shea's mind raced, trying to process everything she'd learned. Her father's murder, her own hidden heritage, and now this threat of war - it was almost too much to bear.

Donovan's eyes glinted with a dangerous light as he surveyed the tense faces before him. A slow, predatory smile spread across his face.

"Let's not be hasty, Lucius," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I propose a deal - one that will settle this matter once and for all."

Lucius's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, waiting for Donovan to continue.

"We'll have an official faction war," Donovan declared, his voice carrying across the room. "After the meeting of all the factions, of course. We wouldn't want to be accused of impropriety, now would we?"

Shea felt her heart racing, her newfound powers thrumming just beneath her skin. Achilles tensed beside her, his hand instinctively seeking hers.

Donovan's gaze swept over Shea, making her skin crawl. "The stakes are simple: whoever wins the battle gets to keep Shea."

A low growl rumbled from Achilles' chest, but Lucius held up a hand, silencing him.

"You speak of her as if she's a prize to be won," Lucius said, his voice cold. "Shea is a person, not a trophy."

Donovan shrugged, unperturbed. "Call it what you will. The fact remains - her power is too great to be left unclaimed. This way, we settle it like our ancestors did - through strength and cunning."

Shea stepped forward, her voice shaking with barely contained fury. "Don't I get a say in this?"

Donovan's smile widened. "Of course, my dear. You're welcome to choose a side now. But I think you'll find it's in your best interest to wait and see who proves themselves worthy."

Lucius exchanged a glance with Achilles, a silent communication passing between them. After a moment, he turned back to Donovan.

"And if we refuse this... proposal?" Lucius asked, his tone carefully neutral.

Donovan's eyes hardened. "Then we take her by force, and damn the consequences. At least this way, we maintain a veneer of civility."