Mira's heart pounded as she stood in the minimal lighted underground facility, her hands turning into fists. The air smelled of antiseptic and something irritating, something wrong. The containment cells were everywhere, and they filled the walls, their glass design revealing the horrifying sight of half-turned people, their bodies between human and wolf. The sight sent a shiver through her body.
And then there was Lucian.
The Beta stood in front of her, arms crossed, a smile visible on his lips. He looked calm, as if he had been expecting her. That only made Mira more uneasy.
"You've finally found the truth," Lucian said, his voice scarily composed. "But the real question is—can you handle it?"
Mira swallowed hard. "What the hell is this, Lucian? What are you doing?"
Lucian shifted his head toward her. "You always were a sharp one, Mira. Smarter than Dane gives you credit for." He gestured around the facility. "This? This is evolution in progress; you have witnessed what the human race is about to experience first hand when all this is finished. we are making more of this whether with or without you."
Mira's stomach turned. "You're experimenting on people? You are happy with all this, so this is the reason behind all the missing people."
Lucian chuckled. "Not me. The world has been doing this for years. I'm just making sure we don't get left behind. I am only helping the evolution and assisting our type to level the playing field."
Mira's breath seized in her throat. "You're working with the rogues," she accused. "You're part of Elara's rebellion. Dane trusted you and loved you, but look at all this right here. What happens when he discovers all this you are doing? Or was he part of all this too?"
At that, Lucian actually laughed. "Elara?" he scoffed. "She's just a distraction. Her war against Dane is a foolish play for revenge. My goal is so much bigger than hers. You think too little of me to believe I will stoop so low to align with Elara."
Mira narrowed her eyes. "Then what do you want?"
Lucian stepped closer, his eyes filled with something dangerous. "The survival of our kind. True survival. You see, Dane's rule is built on an outdated idea—that we can stay hidden, that we can live in the shadows. But the world is changing, Mira. We have to change with it. Our kind can not continue hiding when we are the superior species."
Mira held her fists firmly beside her. "You think kidnapping people and turning them into wolves is the answer? You are more foolish than I initially thought."
Lucian sighed, shaking his head. "Still thinking like a human," he uttered. "I expected better from you."
Mira removes the fake smile on her face. "What's that supposed to mean? What exactly are you driving at?"
Lucian's smile increased. "I know what you are, Mira."
A cold chill ran through her. "What did you say?"
Lucian shifted closer to her, lowering his voice. "I know you would have felt it, haven't you? The changes. The strength. The instincts." His eyes moved straight to her hands. "Very soon, you will understand who or what you truly are. It's only a matter of time. You will realize what I am doing now is for all of us, including yourself."
Mira's heart raced. He knew. He knew something about her that she didn't even fully understand yet.
"I don't believe you," she said, though doubt was been beginning to build up inside her.
Lucian just smiled. "You will."
Before she could demand more, he lifted his hand—and the guards around the room moved.
Mira turned; she hadn't realized earlier that she was surrounded. Large men in dark uniforms moved toward her, their eyes shining faintly in the minimal light available.
Lucian sighed dramatically. "I was hoping you'd come around. But I can't have you running back to Dane just yet." He motioned to the guards. "Take her."
They jumped.
Mira's instincts took over.
She side-stepped for the first attacker with a speed that surprised even her. Another came at her from the left—she turned, slamming her elbow into his chest. The force of the hit made the man stagger back with a pained sound.
She didn't have much time to understand what was happening before another guard caught her arm. He freed her hand from his strong hold with ease, as much as she should have been able, and she sent him flying to a close table by flinging him away with little or no effort.
She started breathing fast.
Too fast.
She wasn't just fighting.
She was winning. She was in charge of the situation
Lucian watched with a surprised expression. "Interesting and incredible, right?" he said with a smile on his face.
Mira did not give him time to react. She grabbed a metal chair and threw it at the next guard, making him unconscious. She did not wait to see if the others would attack; She ran towards the exit.
She could hear their shouts and the sound of their shoes. She jumped out through the door, ran down the dark corridor.
Almost there.
A figure appeared in front of her.
Lucian.
He moved impossibly fast, blocking her path.
Mira halted herself abruptly, breathing hard.
Lucian looked closely at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then—he stepped aside.
Mira blinked. "What are you doing? you want to have go at me also, right?"
Lucian's smirk returned. "Letting you go. I am not hurting at all. just want to have a close-up look at you."
Mira didn't move. "Why?"
Lucian relaxed against the wall, arms crossed. "Because, Mira, you're not ready for the truth yet. But you will be," he said with a smooth voice.
Something in his tone made her fear what could be the actual reason.
She didn't wait to ask further questions. She ran off, disappearing into the night.
But Lucian's words stayed with her.
What did he mean? What did he know about her?
And why—out of everyone—had he let her go?
Mira barely escapes, but Lucian lets her go. Why?