Chapter 1: Blood, Betrayal, and the Awakening
The chains burned against Lucien Drake’s skin.
Silver. Blessed. Etched with ancient glyphs meant to shatter a werewolf’s will.
He snarled, thrashing in vain as cold stone met his back. The crypt reeked of rot and old power, like death had taken root in the air itself. Crimson torches flickered against the cracked walls, casting shadows that twisted like spirits in agony.
"Don’t take it personally, brother," came the cold voice of Kellen, his half-brother and Alpha-in-waiting. "You were born strong. Too strong. The elders feared what you’d become."
Lucien spat blood. "So you chain me up like a dog and bring me to this... place?"
"This place," Kellen smirked, "is where traitors are buried. But for you, we needed something special. This crypt belonged to the Crimson Court... vampires long extinct. Their magic will rip your soul apart."
A wicked grin curled across Kellen’s face. "And maybe... I’ll comfort your mate once you’re gone."
Lucien roared, his muscles bulging against the restraints, but the silver flared, searing his flesh. His breath hitched. His vision swam.
Kellen stepped back and threw something at Lucien’s feet. A shard of obsidian. It pulsed with red light. The moment it touched the blood-soaked ground, the entire crypt trembled.
BOOM.
A wave of dark energy burst outward. Dust fell from the ceiling. The chains snapped—no, melted—in an instant. Lucien collapsed forward, coughing, groaning.