Chapter 10: The Choice
Elena woke in darkness.
Her hands were tied.
Lily was beside her.
Her daughter was asleep.
Elena’s heart raced.
“Where are we?”
A familiar voice answered.
“Somewhere safe.”
Elena looked up.
Her mother sat across from her.
“You kidnapped us.”
“I saved you.”
“From what?”
“Adrian.”
Elena shook her head.
“You don’t know him.”
Her mother smiled.
“I know his family.”
“You don’t know what he’s become.”
“Neither do you.”
Elena stared at her.
“What does Lily have to do with the throne?”
Her mother finally stopped smiling.
“Everything.”
She leaned closer.
“Your father discovered the truth before he died.”
“What truth?”
“The Alpha bloodline isn’t determined by strength.”
Elena frowned.
“It is determined by blood.”
“And Lily has both.”
Elena’s heart sank.
“That’s why they wanted her dead.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you take her?”
“Because if Adrian gets her first, the Blackwoods will control both bloodlines.”
Elena looked at her mother.
“And if you get her?”
Her mother smiled.
“The throne returns to us.”
Elena’s expression hardened.
“No.”
“What?”
“You don’t get to use my daughter.”
Her mother stood.
“You don’t have a choice.”
Elena looked toward Lily.
Then toward the door.
A slow smile appeared on her face.
“You’re right.”
Her mother frowned.
“I don’t have a choice.”
Elena’s eyes hardened.
“So I’ll make one.”
Suddenly, the door exploded inward.
Guards rushed inside.
And behind them stood Adrian.
His clothes were covered in blood.
His eyes were filled with fury.
He looked at Elena.
Then Lily.
Then her mother.
“Nobody touches my family.”
Elena’s heart stopped.
Her mother whispered,
“The war has begun.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“No.”
His eyes locked with Elena’s.
“The war ends tonight.”
And somewhere beyond the mountains…
a horn sounded.
The ancient Alpha clans had awakened.
And they were coming for the throne.
