Luke was deep in sleep, lost in that strange drifting space between dreaming and waking, when a gentle nudge touched his shoulder.
"Five more minutes…" he mumbled automatically, rolling lazily onto the other side of the couch. His eyes stayed shut, clinging stubbornly to the last scraps of rest.
But the nudge came again—firmer this time, enough to make him frown in mild annoyance. Slowly, his eyelids fluttered open, vision hazy and unfocused, until the shape in front of him sharpened.
Selene was standing there, her dark figure framed in the dim light, watching him in that quiet, unreadable way she always seemed to have.
"Selene? Why did you come into my dream?" he asked groggily, voice rough with sleep. His mind still wasn't sure if she was real or just a leftover fragment of whatever he'd been dreaming about.
Selene raised one eyebrow, the barest hint of amusement tugging at the corner of her lips. Dream? What is he on about now? she thought, but kept silent, curious to see where this was going.
Before she could answer, Luke—still half asleep—reached out without hesitation and took her hand. His fingers were warm against her cool skin. Without really thinking, he gave a small tug.
Selene, caught completely off guard, stumbled forward, her balance shifting before she could react. She landed softly against him.
Luke's arms moved on instinct, wrapping around her in a loose but warm embrace. His body heat surrounded her instantly, the steady rhythm of his breathing brushing against her ear.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved. The quiet of the room seemed to deepen, the only sounds the faint rustle of clothes and the soft, almost unnoticeable mix of their breaths.
Selene stayed still, unsure if it was worth the effort to pull away. She told herself it was just because waking him by force would be unnecessary trouble—but somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered an odd, almost comforting warmth.
Luke's eyes were already closing again, his voice low and mumbled. "A smooth pillow…" he whispered, nuzzling into the warmth of her presence as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
By the time Luke stirred again, the quiet of the hallway remained unchanged. He sat up slowly, stretching his arms until his joints popped, a faint smile lingering as if he'd just had a particularly good nap. The dream—or whatever it was—had left him with a pleasant feeling, like he'd been holding something soft and safe.
He sniffed at his coat without thinking. "Huh… why do I smell something nice on me?" The scent was faint but distinct, something clean and faintly sweet—nothing like his usual.
His eyes drifted across the room and landed on Selene. She was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, her gaze locked on him.
"Oh… it's already night," Luke said, as if that explained everything. After all, she wouldn't be standing here otherwise.
But the look in her eyes made him pause. There was something different in her expression—not exactly softer, but… something. A strange mix of curiosity, thoughtfulness, and something he couldn't quite name.
Tilting his head, he met her gaze. "Selene… why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing. I think we should leave the city. There are some big movements on the Lycans' side—it seems they're preparing for an all-out war," Selene said, her voice calm but carrying a weight that made Luke straighten up.
"How did you know that?" Luke asked, brows lifting with curiosity.
"It's been hours since it became dark," she explained. "I went out to check the situation, see if there was anything unusual. While I was patrolling, I spotted a Lycan hanging around near Michael's apartment. He looked like he was searching for something—most likely Michael himself. I followed him through the alleys, keeping my distance, and eventually, he led me right to their base."
Her voice grew heavier. "It's not just a hideout—it's a full-scale staging ground. They're armed, organized, and ready to move. With all the Vampire Elders gone, our side is leaderless and scattered. If they attack now, the war could wipe out both races… and if it spills into the human world, our existence will be exposed. Once that happens, there's no turning back."
The Lycans' hatred for vampires ran deep—so deep it was almost a living thing. It wasn't just rivalry or grudges from old battles; it was an ingrained, burning hostility passed down through generations.
The moment a Lycan caught even a hint of a vampire's scent, that seething rage would rise to the surface, and they'd take any opportunity—no matter how reckless—to strike.
Luke's eyes widened with sudden excitement. "Wait—you know their base?"
"Yes," she replied, not expecting his next move.
Luke shot up from the couch like he'd just won the lottery, stepped forward, and without hesitation, wrapped his arms around Selene in a tight, warm hug. Before she could react, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss against her cheek.
Selene froze for a second, caught completely off guard. She wasn't used to people invading her personal space like this—let alone doing it so casually. But Luke was already grinning ear to ear, his mind racing.
Yes! I was worried I wouldn't get the chance to take down Lucian and his top lieutenants since I had no clue where they were hiding… but now? Selene just handed me their location on a silver platter. She's not just an ally—she's my lucky star.
"Haha, now I don't have to worry about anything!" Luke laughed, practically bouncing with excitement like a gamer who'd just unlocked a secret questline full of rare loot.
Selene looked at him, still processing the hug and the kiss. Normally, she would've pushed someone away—or worse—but for some reason, she didn't. Otherwise she would have jumped when Luke hugged her while he is sleepy.
Still, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder: how Luke brain works ? It like a mystery.