The world didn't just fall apart.
It collapsed quietly—as if even the air understood that raising its voice would shatter Lena entirely.
She heard Moody calling her name, but his voice sounded distant, muffled, like he was speaking through a thick wall. Her father's words were still echoing, twisting around each other in her mind.
He's coming for you.
Your life is the price.
You are the only one.
The room felt smaller, shrinking inward, threatening to swallow her whole.
Sela was sobbing into her palms.
Bena's breaths were short and sharp, panic rising like a tide he couldn't fight.
But Lena…
Lena felt nothing.
No fear.
No anger.
Just a cold, hollow ache settling deep inside her chest.
She took a step back—only realizing Moody had reached her when she collided with him. His hands caught her arms gently, grounding her.
"Lee… hey, look at me."
She lifted her gaze slowly.
His face blurred, sharpened, blurred again.
"Breathe," he whispered. "Please."
Lena sucked in a shaky breath, but it got stuck halfway, turning into something between a gasp and a sob.
Moody's fingers tightened slightly—not enough to hurt, but enough to keep her standing.
Her knees felt weak.
Like the truth had drained every ounce of strength from her bones.
---
Her Father's Weakening Voice
Mr. Luke groaned softly, pulling her attention back. His hand trembled, reaching out.
"Lee… come closer."
She hesitated, but Moody nudged her gently.
Go.
Her legs moved on their own, carrying her to the side of the bed. She sat slowly, hands clasped so tightly they hurt.
Mr. Luke's breathing grew shallow, each inhale a struggle.
"Dad… what are you hiding from me?" she whispered. "What did you keep from us all this time?"
He opened his eyes—barely.
"You were a baby," he murmured. "Too small to understand. Too innocent to carry that burden."
Lena's throat tightened.
"You should've told me."
His lips trembled in a faint, sad smile.
"If telling you meant losing you sooner… I chose silence."
Her eyes stung.
Her chest cracked.
"That's not fair," she whispered, voice breaking. "You should've trusted me."
Mr. Luke's breathing hitched.
A tear—not from pain but guilt—slid down his cheek.
"You're right," he whispered. "I should have. But parents… we fear our children's hurt more than our own death."
Something inside Lena shattered.
She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against the back of his hand.
"I'm so scared," she whispered, voice trembling uncontrollably. "I don't want to be… whatever she was. I don't want to be hunted. I don't want to lose my life because of something I never asked for."
Mr. Luke's fingers curled weakly around hers.
"You will not lose your life," he rasped. "Not while I am still breathing."
But they both knew—he didn't have much time left.
And the truth weighed heavier because of it.
---
The Siblings Break
Sela suddenly burst into tears, covering her face.
"I don't understand any of this!" she cried. "Why Lee? Why not us? Why does everything fall on her?"
Bena tried to comfort her but his own voice cracked.
"That's why she was always different… that's why Mom favored her… isn't it?" he whispered.
Lena flinched.
The truth stung like a blade.
Because deep down, she had always felt it—an invisible spotlight she couldn't explain.
Mr. Luke shook his head weakly.
"Not favored," he whispered. "Feared."
Lena's eyes widened.
Sela stopped crying.
Bena went still.
"Your mother," he murmured, "didn't love Lee more. She feared what Lee would become. Feared the day this bloodline would awaken in her. Feared Rafferty would come for her."
His voice cracked.
"And feared the price she would have to pay to stop it."
Lena's skin went cold.
"What price?" she asked quietly, though she wasn't sure she wanted to hear it.
Mr. Luke opened his mouth—
but the door slowly closed behind Moody.
He stepped fully inside, shutting out the hallway.
His eyes flicked between them.
"What's happening?" he asked gently. "Why is everyone…?"
His gaze finally landed on Lena.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes were glassy.
Her lips trembled with silent confusion.
She looked like someone who had lost her place in the world in a single moment.
---
Moody Comes Closer
He approached slowly, as if she were a fragile piece of glass.
"Lee," he said softly, "tell me. What did he say?"
She tried.
Her lips parted.
No words came.
Moody's expression softened with worry. He crouched in front of her, taking her cold hands into his warm ones.
"You're shaking," he said quietly.
Her breath trembled.
"I don't know who I am," she whispered.
Moody's brows pulled together.
"What do you mean?"
She swallowed hard—her voice barely audible.
"My mother… wasn't normal. And I… inherited whatever she carried. And Rafferty wants it. Wants me."
Saying it out loud made it feel more real.
More terrifying.
'Rafferty?' He asked trying to catch the name, as if he's heard if somewhere but then he shoved it away.
"I'm not normal," she whispered, tears finally breaching. "I'm not safe to be around. I'm not—"
Moody cut her off softly.
"Lee."
He waited until she met his eyes.
"I don't care what bloodline you come from. I don't care what Rafferty wants. I don't care what you think you inherited."
He squeezed her hands gently.
"You're Lena. That's all I see."
Her chest tightened painfully.
"Moody… I could die."
His jaw clenched.
"Not if I'm here."
Lena let out a shaky sob, one she had been holding in too long. Her shoulders trembled. Her breaths broke apart.
Moody pulled her into him—slowly, giving her time to pull away.
But she didn't.
She collapsed against him, burying her face in his shoulder as the truth finally shattered her composure.
"I'm so scared," she whispered through tears. "I don't want to die."
Moody's arms wrapped around her, steady and warm.
"You won't," he said. "I promise you. You're not alone in this."
She held onto him desperately, as if he were the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.
---
Her Father's Final Plea
Mr. Luke closed his eyes, a pained breath leaving him.
"Lee…"
She pulled back from Moody just enough to turn toward him.
His gaze had softened—filled with pride, sorrow, and something deeper.
"You are my daughter," he whispered. "Not because of the blood in your veins… but because of the heart in your chest."
His voice grew weaker.
"And no matter what she was… or what you may become… remember this."
His trembling hand reached out.
Moody helped lift Lena closer so she could take it.
"You…" Mr. Luke whispered, "…are good. Pure. Stronger than her. Stronger than the lineage. Stronger than whatever they want from you."
Lena's tears fell freely now.
"Dad…"
He smiled faintly.
"Don't fear your name, Lee. Fear the man who seeks it."
His fingers went still for a moment before he whispered the last truth he could give her.
"And if Rafferty comes…
Run to the people who will protect you.
Not the ones who share your blood…
but the ones who share your heart."
His gaze drifted—slowly—to Moody.
Lena followed it.
Her breath hitched.
Moody's eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn't expected to be included in this moment. But he didn't look away.
Mr. Luke's final words trembled through the room:
"Trust him, Lena.
He will not let you fall."
And that was when Lena finally understood—
Her world wasn't ending.
It was changing.
Terrifyingly.
Irreversibly.
And she wasn't sure she was ready.
But for the first time since the truth unraveled, she didn't feel alone.
She squeezed Moody's hand.
And he didn't let go.