Gozzand Clan - The Aftermath
As Julian and the witch Zaniya approached the borders of the Gozzand Clan, the scene shifted from peace to dread. The journey had been long, the road quiet—until the stench of death fouled the air. Julian suddenly halted mid-stride, his sharp senses catching a metallic scent he knew all too well. The cart pulled behind him jerked to a stop.
Zaniya, frowning, approached. "What is it?" she asked, sensing his sudden tension.
Julian's nose twitched. His voice was low and tight. "Blood… a lot of it."
Without another word, he vanished, his speed tearing through the thickening mist as he rushed toward the danger. Zaniya cursed under her breath. "Vampires," she muttered in irritation. "Always rushing in blind."
Turning to the guards, she barked orders. "Toro, Phyla—stay and protect the cart. Dylan, with me!" She dashed forward, Dylan hurrying to keep up.
When Julian reached the outer gates of the Gozzand Clan, his heart sank. Smoke coiled around the tall stone walls, stained black with soot. The gates had been shattered inward, and screams echoed faintly within. Bodies—both attackers and defenders—littered the grounds. Panic gripped his chest.
"Natalie…" he whispered, before vanishing again in a blur.
Inside, chaos ruled. Fires raged. Julian leaped between collapsing structures, taking down enemy warriors with practiced precision. He tore through the invaders—protecting whoever crossed his path. In the midst of the wreckage, he spotted a frightened woman shielding a crying baby. He knelt beside her, swiftly pulling them behind a barricade.
"What happened here?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the chaos.
The woman clutched her child tightly. "A warrior pack… from Alpha Kaelin , I think. Heard about Alpha Kaelin's alliance and attacked while he was away on inspection. They came unannounced—so fast, so brutal. We were caught off guard."
"Where's Lady Natalie ?" Julian demanded.
"She's a warrior," the woman replied. "But I heard she was… in heat. Couldn't fight."
Julian's head snapped toward her. "Heat?"
She nodded. "She wasn't seen outside. If she's not in her room, she might've made it to the safe chamber."
"You're a wolf—can't you mind link her?" he asked urgently.
The woman looked down. "I'm new here. I haven't been sworn into the mind-link network yet."
Julian clenched his jaw. That meant one thing: Natalie was alone and vulnerable. And if the attackers found her in heat...
He was gone again, faster than the eye could see, heading toward the warriors' quarters—praying he wasn't too late.
---
Julian moved like a shadow through the burning corridors, striking down any invader that crossed his path. His eyes glowed red with rage and desperation. He had only one thought—
Find Natalie
The clash of steel, snarls, and panicked cries filled the air, but then—he caught a voice.
"Rigus, to the southern chamber! Natalie 's been found—hurry!"
"I can't!" came the hurried reply from a nearby warrior. "My wolf isn't mated. If I go near her in heat, I might lose control. Get a mated wolf instead!"
Julian froze.
Natalie . In heat. Alone. Vulnerable.
In a blink, he grabbed the warrior by the collar, lifting him off the ground.
"Where is she?" he snarled, voice like thunder. "Where's Natalie ?"
"Th-Third floor… left staircase…" the stunned wolf stammered, more from instinct than fear.
Julian didn't wait. He vanished, leaving the warrior behind before he could process what had happened.
---
Julian followed her scent—and her voice. It was faint, trembling… terrified.
"Why are you resisting?" a male voice growled. "If your mate didn't think you were worth claiming, let us help him out."
Julian's blood ran cold.
The door ahead stood slightly ajar. He didn't wait.
---
Inside the room, Natalie 's body trembled as she struggled weakly against the wolves. Her heat overwhelmed her senses, her strength fading fast. Torn fabric clung to her skin, her clothes nearly shredded. Her vision was blurry from tears, her voice shaky but defiant.
"Get… away from me…"
But to them, it was only alluring—a cry twisted by the effects of her condition.
One of the wolves straddled her, pulling away the last piece of cloth covering her body. She sobbed, shutting her eyes tight, prepared to bite down on her tongue—
When a deafening crash rocked the room.
In one swift motion, the weight was ripped off her.
A head hit the floor with a sickening thud.
Natalie opened her eyes in shock.
The second attacker was pinned against the wall—his eyes wide in terror—before he too was silenced.
And then—Julian.
He stood like a demon risen from the pits of vengeance. His hands were soaked in blood, his chest heaving with fury. But when his eyes met hers—something inside him shattered.
"Natalie …" he breathed, dropping to his knees beside her.
She was trembling, exposed, curled up like a wounded child. His cloak was off his shoulders in a second, wrapped around her body with reverent care.
"I'm here," he whispered, voice hoarse with emotion. "I've got you."
Julian said as he held her trembling form, her torn clothes, her bruised wrists.
"I should have come sooner," he said, anguish tightening his voice. "I should never have left you, not for a second."
"I thought I was going to die…" her voice cracked, barely above a whisper.
Julian's hands balled into fists, fury and guilt warring inside him. "They'll pay. Every last one of them."
But for now, revenge could wait.
She needed him.
Gently, he scooped her into his arms, holding her to his chest as if anchoring her back to reality. Her scent—usually intoxicating—was now tainted with fear and pain, and it tore at him like a thousand blades.
"You're okay," he murmured again and again, more for himself than for her.
He stood up, cradling her with care, and walked out of the room, shielding her with his body. The hallways were filled with chaos, but none dared cross his path. His bloodied expression and glowing eyes made it clear—death followed in his wake.
And for the first time in three years, he held her—not as a regret, or a memory—but as his mate.
And he wasn't letting her go.