Far from the quiet forest where Elara stood with Lucien…
In a place where the moonlight could not reach…
Something stirred.
The ruins of an ancient fortress stood deep within a mountain valley, hidden from the human world. Broken stone pillars surrounded a massive hall carved into the rock itself.
Inside, the air was heavy with silence.
And fear.
Several rogue Lycans knelt on the cold floor.
Their heads were lowered.
None of them dared to look up.
At the end of the hall sat a man on a throne of dark iron.
His long black coat touched the stone floor. His posture was relaxed, but the power radiating from him filled the entire room like a storm waiting to break.
Two glowing red eyes slowly opened.
"You failed."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
One of the rogues trembled. "My lord… we found the girl. But she wasn't alone."
The man leaned forward slightly.
"Explain."
"There was another Lycan protecting her."
The hall grew colder.
The rogue swallowed nervously.
"His eyes were gold."
Silence.
Then the man chuckled softly.
A dark, amused sound.
"So," he murmured, "the guardian finally revealed himself."
He stood slowly.
The rogues immediately lowered their heads even further.
The man walked toward the broken window of the fortress. Outside, the full moon hung high above the mountains.
His red eyes reflected its light.
"For centuries," he said quietly, "the Veil kept our world divided."
His hand tightened slightly.
"But everything changes when the girl awakens."
Behind him, the rogues waited.
None of them dared to interrupt.
The man finally turned back toward them.
"Send more scouts."
"Yes, my lord."
"And this time…"
His eyes glowed brighter.
"Do not return without her."
The rogues bowed deeply before rushing out of the hall.
The man remained standing by the window.
Watching the moon.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Elara…"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"The key to breaking the Veil has finally awakened."