Christian's POV

There was no other state of mind that could even slightly compare to the panic I felt with the simple thought of Lana hurt.. It was a feared state of mind.. An angry state of my body. I drove like a madman, unable to focus on anything else but the thought of her harmed.. The hope that she wasn't.

In that whole blur, that mix of emotions that could no longer be controlled, I still managed to find some sanity and actually listen to what Calliope kept telling me.. Instead of focusing on all the fury towards that bastard that was responsible for all of that, on all the ways I would like him dead, I managed to find my way to believing she was alright.. She had to be alright. She- Christ, the simple thought of her hurt numbed my whole damn body.

I promised her protection. Safety. And I failed. I never should've agreed on allowing her leave the house. I never should've trusted Khan Morpher.. Not with her life, dammit.

I stopped probably in the middle of the road and rushed out of the car without even slightly hesitating. I ran through the path in the woods quicker than I ever did. I ran with the speed of the wind and damn me, but I knew I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to her. No, I couldn't even imagine it. It was a thought I refused to allow sink in.

So I went through and around every tree and managed to reach the house as quick as possible, but it was exactly that moment that all the panic hit me, faster and stronger than it did before because there was no sight of her anywhere near the old crap.

"Lana?!" I yelled not caring one fucking bit if any of those psychotic witches were near, because I already swore that the next time they step a foot in front of me, they would end up with no damn heads.

My eyes could not focus on one damn thing in all that darkness.. It swirled in my head from how many times I turned around, from how quickly I searched around the house.. I looked towards every tree.. She said she was near some tree.. But there were millions of fucking trees around me!

And just when that dread started crawling up my stomach once again, my eyes finally landed on a small figure under the thick dark shadows of the largest tree, the one nearest to the house.. With the way she was leaned against the tree, almost behind it from where I was standing, I wasn't even sure if it was a person..

But then she rose her head slightly, leaning it on the tree behind her.. Exposing the familiar splendid lines of that profile of hers, the familiar dark locks falling down her bare arms.. My heart stopped. It was Lana. Thank fucking God it was my Lana.

The relief I felt.. I didn't want to feel it ever again. The relief of finding the woman that I loved in one piece.. Christ, I didn't even want to think about it. All I knew was that I was already rushing towards her..

  Holding my breath and unable to stop the panic that was crawling back through me with a fucking untameable speed that I could not control.. I feared for the first time in my life. I feared for her life and I fucking hated that I had to. I hated that her life was put at such risk.

Just the sight of her, sitting there, on the dirty ground, leaned against the tree in nothing but shorts and a shirt, both white, and both covered with dirt.. And blood.. It made me lose my mind. Her hands behind her, tied with a rope, and as I reached her, my brain no longer worked. I was fuckįng terrified for her. I was terrified with the thought of her hurt.

The first thing I did was listen for her heartbeat, and that mesmerizing sound, quick and rapid, it never soothed me more. Then I scanned her as I got closer, searching every inch of her body and instantly noticing the dark red stains on her shirt, the scratches on her bare legs..

My mind was blank. I couldn't fuckįng think. I just know I fell on my knees in front of her, desperate to find those eyes looking back at mine.. Yet instead, they were closed.

"Lana," I barely found my voice.. I was barely even breathing. I was barely alive myself. I instantly gripped the rope she was tied with.. It was tied tightly.. Way too damn tightly.

She moved her head that was leaned against the tree on one side.. She was conscious. My heart stopped dead in my chest.. But she frowned.. She didn't open her eyes but simply frowned in clear pain and I felt something strike me right in the chest.. It was tearing my soul in thousands of pieces seeing her like that.. Seeing her in pain.

I ripped the rope and she furrowed her brows some more. She didn't flinch or make a sound, yet she was in clear pain.. Christ, it was like a dagger in my chest. I looked down at my hands.. Blood on my fingers. Her blood. My fucking God. The rope made her wrists bleed.

I crawled towards her, not even aware that I caressed her leg, her arm, trying to have her look at me with every strength I had left in my body.. My hands were fucking shaking, moving way too quickly and I was barely even aware.

She was cold.. Freezing. I took her face in my hands.. Her skin was as pale as damn snow. My throat closed up and I was no longer inhaling the thick cold air around us. I- I was not in a sane state in that moment.

"Lana, baby, it's me," I moved way too quickly, not even aware of my own words. Never in my life had I felt such desperation to see someone look back at me..

She moved her head again, like she could no longer hold it straight.. I heard her gulp slightly. And those long lashes slightly flattered.. Eyes of crystal green peeked.. Dull, weak, damn lost.. Yet still fearless.. How could she- Christ, how did she find the straight to keep that fierce in those eyes?

"Christian," Something pushed down my chest.. Like a large stone chocking me.

That voice.. Oh her voice was faint.. Barely above a whisper.. Fading into nothing at all.. And it seemed like my very ruin. It seemed like the very weakness I feared most.

She moved her hands slowly, closing her eyes and trying to shift, but I pushed the thoughts away quicker than that and managed to move closer to her, sitting beside her and wrapping my arm around her shoulders to keep her closer.. To at least keep her warmer. She didn't flinch so she wasn't seriously hurt, but I still had my mind losing its tracks at the simple thought of the red stains on her shirt.

"Thank fucking goodness," It was my voice, my words, yet I wasn't aware of it.. I ran my hands over her hair, her face, almost as if I was still making sure she was real and alright, hearing the shaky breath finally escape her.. A deep shaky sigh being released.. Out of heaviness. Out of relief. "I'm here, baby.. You're okay," Her body shivered and I pulled her closer against myself. "You're okay,"

I repeated as if I was mostly speaking to myself, assuring myself that she was at least somewhat fine. The kiss I left on top of her head didn't sooth the shiver in her body much, it simply made her release another heavy sigh.

  "It hurts," Those simple two words broke a part of me. I couldn't understand how it was possible for me to be so effected by her pain.

  I moved away slightly, just in case. Her face was pale, but she had no bruises, scratches or even dirt nowhere else but her legs.. Thankfully. The little on her white shirt and shorts was hopefully also just dirt..

  I scanned and searched her, terrified from the idea of her hurt. "Where?" I asked barely conscious of anything other than her..

"My legs, Christian, I can't move them," That voice was weak again.. It was trailing away from the exhaustion in her tone.

"Where?" I seemed to be repeating because it took me a few seconds to realize that it wasn't her legs that were that bruised or scratched, it was in fact her feet. She was barefoot. My mind stopped in that moment. "God, baby, what happened?"

She must've ran like that, and the woods were no place for running around barefoot, because it obviously ended as a bloody wounded mess. Christ- she.. Of course she was barefoot. She was sleepwalking dammit! Probably mind controlled by that damn bastard that still hid behind the old crap of a house.

"I don't, I don't know, I must've ran because- I- I couldn't catch my breath by the time I was here and I don't know if I even got inside, I just woke up against this tree, an-" She was losing her breath. I cut her off.

"Hey, hey look at me, Lana, eyes on me. I'm here. I'm here, princess, no one can hurt you with me, alright?" I held her face in my hands and looked back at the eyes of dark sapphire, managing to cause a small spark to light behind all that dullness. She nodded her head.

It was when I felt that stone drop off my chest. It was when the air made its way down my lungs.. When she showed that sign of understanding. When she looked at me with true trust behind those eyes.. True belief in my words.

I couldn't help but lean closer and kiss her forehead, closing my eyes like it was in that damn moment I finally got assured she was okay and damn me but I had no clue how I would learn to live with myself if something ever happened to her.

"Come here," I pulled her closer to myself, lifting her in my arms and following rather or not she would show any signs of pain. She simply frowned and closed her eyes, snuggling against me like she finally found some peace, like she was trying to keep as close as possible. "Let's get you out of here, baby,"

The way she pressed her lips against the side of my neck, inhaling like she was finally even remotely soothed.. I made me pull her closer. It tore a part of me thinking that she ever had to go through such fear and pain.

Now her whole body was limp. She had no clue how she got there.. And most of all, that was what we all feared the most. Not knowing.. Not being able to stop the dark magic that those witches used upon is.

I saw Calliope finally making it and I couldn't believe how quickly I had ran before because it took her far longer to find the house.. But when it came to Lana, I knew I would run miles to save her. And it was all I knew in that moment.

Calliope scanned her.. She looked at me with clear concern and question whether or not Lana was alright. I simply nodded my head and started walking, while she went to check the tree Lana was tied on. I really saw no point in that, I just knew that I finally had Lana in my arms and it was all that mattered.

"Calliope," I spoke, glancing over my shoulder and seeing her kneeling there beside the tree. "Come on, it's not safe here."

She straightened up and walked back towards us. "Wolfsbane.. The rope was soaked in wolfsbane, Christian. That's why-" She cut herself off and looked at Lana's wrists. "Thankfully it just burned her skin. I don't think it managed to poison her blood.." She glanced back at me. "We made it on time."

That's what she said.. However, wolfsbane even close to Lana meant a true death threat. It could mean sure death if it even reached her blood.. And Christ, I had to check if- I needed someone that knew more of it. Someone that would confirm Calliope's words.

"I hope." Was all I managed to mumble out. I looked down at Lana.. She was barely conscious. I held her tighter against myself.. Like she was the only cure to continue breathing..

I walked with Lana in my arms.. I walked as fast as possible, glancing at Calliope a time or two to make sure she was keeping up.

"What do you know about wolfsbane?" I asked, hearing her sigh from the side.

"I know it was used a lot during the war. It can take down a whole pack if it's used wisely."

"My father used it as his secret weapon. Werewolves weren't aware he knew their weakness.. That's how he won the war." I glanced down at Lana again.. She simply pressed her lips against my neck again.. Frowning and struggling to keep conscious. My heart tore for her.

"I heard." I didn't even realize that we reached the end of the woods were walking out the road.. I just felt Lana's grip around my shoulder loosen. Her body going limper.

"She passed out." I looked at Calliope like I was searching for some kind of an explanation from her but she seemed pretty calmed.

"She's exhausted, Christian. She must've finally relaxed." I listened for Lana's heartbeat. It was steadying down.. Finally.

"God, Lana," I heard myself whisper, adjusting her in my arms. The sight of her slightly bloody wrists disturbed me in the most messed up way. "Will she be okay?"

"I think the rope just scratched her.." Calliope glanced in front of herself.. Towards the road. Her eyes slightly widen. "But maybe we should ask them though."

  Headlights lighted us.. Tires against the gravel old road.. Car engines being shut off.. I followed Calliope's gaze. Two cars stopped near mine and six men walked out. Of course.. It was Khan Morpher.

  He arrived with his two twin sons and his brother, Julian Morpher.. A far too familiar face. It brought all those dark memories from the war.. Only Zaria showing up would complete that history repeating itself.. Instead I had Lana in my arms.

I stopped and looked at them. Two younger guys accompanied Julian as well, of course for protection since wolves always travelled in groups. I hated the thought of Lana hating me because I killed two of her wolf friends or let alone some of her relatives. Her family was off limits, I wouldn't like having to fight them because we all knew how it would end.. It seemed like they too were all aware of it.

They stopped and so did we. I waited for an accusation, a fight, and it honestly would've been hell of a way to take out my fury on someone. But I promised Lana I would follow the plan.. No matter how much I wanted to break her father's nose for allowing something like that to happen to her. Or those brothers of hers. They were old enough to protect her.. Hell, where were they when she needed them?

"Christian," Calliope's voice was quiet but filled with some warning. I realized that I was clenching my teeth way too hardly. None of them said a thing however. I glanced at Calliope. "Don't." She must've thought I would break all the damn vows I made and kill them all because yes, I had the fury I needed to do so.. I started walking towards them. "Christian."

I ignored her words. I had Lana unconscious in my arms.. I had her hurt. I was the one that found her..That saved her. I was the one that would give the world for her. And only with me would she be safe.

I noticed them stiffen when I started walking towards them.. They must've taken my slow steps as a threat. And I was glad they fuckįng did. I glanced down at Lana. She was had passed out. She was weak. She was damn exhausted. All because they couldn't keep a simple girl locked in that mansion of theirs.

None of them moved towards me.. Nor did they take a step back. Khan stood in front of his sons while the others were on the sides. His fists were clenched. I suppose they hoped for a good fight. So did I. So did fuckíng I. And if I didn't love the girl I held tightly in my arms in that moment, I would've broken all of their bones, one by one. They were responsible for the state Lana was in.

However, as I reached them, I stopped.. I stopped in front of  Khan Morpher and immediately found myself tightening my grip around Lana's legs. I did not trust them. Not with keeping her safe.. Not with allowing them to have such control over her life..

  But I knew Lana. She was unconscious but I knew her better than they did. She would never had allowed a fight. She worked way too hard to stop a war that was already on the edge. It was that breaking moment rather or not she succeeded. And I had sworn I would be the last one to ever make her choose between her family and me.

  Another pair of headlights flashed.. Another car stopped. The rest glanced in that direction, and so did I for a second, but Khan kept his eyes on me. From the car walked out Dimitri.. Right behind him was Amelia.

  The fact that she was about to meet her father was a completely different story. And also another reason not to start a fight. I would hate for her to meet him after I knock a few of his teeth out. But he did a lousy job keeping her sister safe. I'm sure Amelia would've wanted me to do exactly that.

  They had Vanessa with them.. But she was not part of Khan's pack, so when they stopped on the side, saying nothing and scanning the situation, Vanessa stayed beside them. I heard a few growls. Julian was an aggressive one. But I had his niece in my arms. He feared I would harm her so he tamed his dogs and stood still.

  I gulped down the things I had to say as well.. I tried focusing rather on Lana's words, on her promises, rather than on that fury that built inside me.. She said she would come back to me when she convinces her father. And I knew she needed time to sort things out with her family. I swore I would give her that time.. And my respect for her was way too strong for me to break those vows I made.

  I glanced down at her. She seemed finally peaceful.. No panic, no fear. I checked for her heartbeat. Steady and still. And I.. I only breathed with her near me. My mind was still blank from all that worry and panic for her. I had to see those eyes opening again, to hear that soft symphonic voice again, telling me she was alright. But I knew there was no space for hesitation in that moment. I had to let go.

  I looked back at her father. He didn't change since the war.. Not a bit. Blood werewolves were immortal as well. And I was holding one of theirs. A sister, a daughter.. The daughter of the leader that stood before me. It was all up to me in that moment. War or peace.

  And what I did.. I didn't seem very much aware of it. I tried not focusing on all those damn concerns and thoughts and I simply handed her to her father. Yes, they seemed worried, I understood that.. But it was their fault she was in that state at the first place. They couldn't stop a sleepwalking girl.

  Lana called me that night before she went to bed. She told me her father said he needed time to think about making a deal with us. And I was waiting for that to be the moment he would choose. War or peace.

  He looked down at her. She was so vulnerable like that. Faint and unconscious.. From one arms to other, she seemed even weak. But I knew Lana was nothing but fierce. She was the key to everything. She was the reason why a war didn't start right in that moment. She protected two pieces so damn selflessly. And I couldn't help but fuckįng love every piece of good in her.

  That's why I listened to her words. That's why I gave her to her father rather than beating them up and leaving with her in my arms..

  It surprised me Alexander was not with them. Maybe the bastard was too busy sleeping to come and save one of his own.. His future wife, her father would say.. He had no clue how wrong he was about that.

  I took a small step back.. I heard footsteps from the side.. "Dimitri," Amelia's voice filled the silence..

  She must've thought he was about to start a damn bloodbath. They all seemed to think the same thing. The wolves all glanced in Dimitri's direction. He was walking towards me, and they seemed once again all ready to attack. We were no savages, for God's sake. If I wanted a war I would've started one before I let Lana go home.

  However, Dimitri stopped beside me.. Amelia too. I glanced at her. She was face to face with her father.. And while Khan Morpher was holding one daughter unconscious, he looked at the eyes the other. Amelia.. Amelia Morpher. His eldest daughter. His long lost child. And for a first meet, they both seemed very quiet.

  His eyes no longer held threat or intimidation. No, they held vulnerability. They held weakness. And Amelia and Lana were that weakness. One in his arms one in front of him. On our side. On his enemies' side.

  And Amelia.. She was not the hesitant weak girl I met a few years ago. She had grown into a confident young Queen that stood on Dimitri's side through everything. She was the mother of the next heirs of Venedocia..

She was a powerful cliona that could've taken them all down if she pleased and behind her eyes, I saw that exact threat. Her frowned expression said plenty no matter the fact that she stood a small step behind Dimitri and I.

  And Khan knew that very well. He seemed not as disappointed as I thought he would be in his daughter. He was a man stone. He masked his emotions quickly..

  He took a step back and turning on the side he gave Lana to one of her brothers. "Take her in the car."

  I followed their moves. They were all very careful with her. But that still couldn't make up for the fact that it was their damn fault she was in that state at that point.

  "You need to start taking your daughter's safety more seriously, Khan. What happened tonight.. I don't want repeating again. I'm not going to allow my enemy getting what he wants because of your lack of protection over your family." I stopped, glancing at Lana being put in the car. I listened to her heartbeat once more. Steady and still. "It's dark magic that we're dealing with. None of us are safe. Especially her."

  He listened to me what seemed patiently. But I knew he would rather see me strangled repeatedly, probably even thinking how to find a way to kill me already. But I didn't give a damn fuck rather or not he despised me. I wanted Lana safe and only that.

  "How did you find her?" He finally asked what he must've been wondering the whole time.

  "She called me."

  Perhaps that was the true shock for him. It was clear surprise behind his eyes. And it only proved that Lana called only me.. They must've found her because they thought of checking the old house not because she called them.

  "I promised her protection if she discusses my offer with you." I added, clearing out the situation.

  I promised Lana I would give her the time to tell him about us. I tried sticking to that no matter how damn much I wanted to punch him and tell him that I was not the enemy he should be looking out from.. That my love for his daughter was the only reason why I was escaping war.

  "She did." He nodded his head, glancing at Amelia for a second.

  "And I kept my word. If she waited for you to arrive, the wolfsbane her hands were tied with would already poisoned her blood." I took a step closer, intimidating enough for his son to step forward and Julian to stiffen for attack.  "You better make sure she's alright because I don't break vows, Khan. You know that better than anyone."

  He looked me in the eyes. He kept that certain gaze well but when he looked at Amelia again, I saw every bit of vulnerability behind his eyes.

  "I only care about my family's safety." Yes, his voice was confident as well.. But it seemed like Amelia didn't really see him as anything even remotely close to family because she said nothing even though he looked at her when he said that.

  But we were too connected for him to refuse the deal. His one daughter was my brother's Queen, while his other one was mine, even though he didn't know that. He just knew of the threats I made and they were obviously believable enough to make him reconsider that war.

  I reached my hand. His time had ticked. Whether he was accepting our deal or not. Shaking my hand or not. Once again, war or peace.

"Well then you need me if you want to do a better job at it." I started off, making sure to look at fierce Julian at the back. "If not, I'm going to have to stop Adam one way or another and I am certainly not allowing him to get what he seeks for." He glanced down at my hand. He knew about what I seemingly aimed for here. Lana told him. "I would hate to have to hurt her. She's Amelia's sister after all."

  I almost choked on my words. Not because I mentioned Amelia to him.. It was my goal to see the weakness that appeared behind his eyes by the mention of Amelia's name.. However, it hurt me more than it did any of them having to threaten with Lana's life to accomplish some stupid deal.

  Hurting Lana.. I'd rather kill myself, I thought. But she had to tell him that if the wolves refused to accept our deal, it would end with consequences. Of course it was all a bluff.. Even if he didn't accept I would rather kidnap Lana again than ever rise a finger on her.

  But threats always worked. And they did in that moment as well. Khan Morpher took my hand and shook it. Dimitri didn't say a word and neither did Amelia. It was my deal to make. My word to keep. My war to win.

  Adam was my enemy more than it was to any of them now that he aimed for Lana.. Now that he went as far as to threaten with her life. Dimitri might've put him down for a few years because of his love for Amelia. But I was ending him completely because of my love for Lana.

  "You better keep your word, Christian." He shook my hand.. He had a good grip.. A tight grip of a clear warning.

  "You too. She deserves better than that." I glanced at the car Lana was put in..

  Then I looked at Julian.. With his fists clenched and his eyes almost red in fury, it seemed like he didn't exactly support his brother's decision to accept my offer. But he had no say. Their Alpha accepted the deal. I was going to make sure he keeps it.

  I let go and turned to the side, starting to walk towards my car. I couldn't stay a minute longer because I was already hesitating rather or not I should take Lana out of that car and take her with myself. And damn me, but we all knew I had no control when it came to her.

  Especially Calliope. She nodded her head and she seemed very approving and satisfied with my decision to push back the urge to take Lana with me in that moment.. The fact that I walked away.. It was all because the closer I was to Lana, the more I was capable of doing.. Ruining whoever stood in my way when it came to her.

   I knew Dimitri was probably already making his threats with his eyes, so I spoke while walking, knowing that Khan probably sill kept his attention on me.

  "I'm gonna need that necklace if you expect me to put Adam down." I reached my car and opened the door. I refused to glance towards the car Lana was in. I knew I would rush towards it before I could control myself. So I focused on my words. "Question the Vesnetsovs a little bit. Your ally might have what I need." I looked back at Khan. "I made my promises to your daughter about her pack, but remember.. I never said anything about the Vesnetsovs."

  With that, I got in my car. Calliope and Vanessa followed while Dimitri lead Amelia away with one last confirming glance.. I was glad I called him when Lana told me where she was. But most of all, I was glad my brother had my back on all of that.

  My words to Khan were clear however. I promised protection to Lana's family and her bloodline so that Adam wouldn't find a way to wake up. But I never made any promises to Khan's allies, especially the Vesnetsovs.

  I had every right to kill that bastard Alexander that dared to threaten Lana or her choice of keeping what she had with me a secret. I should've. And now if he refused to give that necklace, my wish of killing him in a hundred different ways could come true.

  Khan was smart enough to accept this deal because even though I would never hurt Lana even if he didn't accept our offer, I would've started a war. I would've won it. And I would've ruined Adam myself. I just might've lost Lana forever. And I was not willing to risk that.

  If I chose war with her family over peace.. She would never forgive me. She made sure to tell me that. And I had no other reason to win wars if it wasn't for her.. Her father had no clue of that, but every word, every urge and every piece of fury inside me.. I pushed it all back because of her. Everything I did.. I did it for her.

  And that night, after shaking Khan Morpher's hand, I swore that he would soon know.. He would know that it was Lana I fought for. Lana I won the world for. Lana I lived for.

 
***

Ohh wow this chap was super dooper important! Glad I made it calmed till the end.

  But there ya have it! Amelia met her real dad, Khan agreed on Chris' deal, and there shall be no war! For now.. And yes, Lana and the rest are safe.. For now 🙏🏼

  Please comment what you think, because this chap is basically the breaking one before the action starts! Let me know if you want a little backup story about Lana's uncle Julian, who is mentioned in Chapter 5 (V) in fact..

  Kisses little loves 😘