*NEW* Chapter XXXIII

Derek's POV

I waited in the dimly lit corridor, arms crossed, my patience already wearing thin. Arabella had requested an audience, alone. I already knew what she wanted, but I needed to hear her say it.

The door creaked open, and she stepped in like she owned the room, her dark eyes gleaming with a mix of confidence and something more insidious. She moved with the same slow grace she always had, dressed in flowing black, every inch of her calculated to seduce and manipulate.

"Derek," she purred, her lips curving into a smirk. "You look... magnificent."

I didn't react. "Say what you came to say."

She stepped closer, trailing her fingers over the back of a chair, her voice soft and coaxing. "You don't have to do this. You don't have to throw your life away for a girl who has deceived you."

My jaw tightened. "Lydia hasn't deceived me."

Arabella chuckled, tilting her head. "Hasn't she? She carries power inside her, a power that doesn't belong to her. You've felt it, haven't you? That pull, the way she weakens you even as she strengthens you? She has no control over it. She's a burden, Derek. A ticking bomb."

I stayed silent, letting her think she was getting to me.

She took another step, her hand reaching up to brush along my jaw. "Give her to me. Let me extract the power from her, and no one has to know. You and I—" she leaned in, her breath warm against my skin "—we could rule together. You were always meant to be mine, Derek. I can make you the most powerful king to ever walk this earth."

I let her touch linger, let her believe for just a moment that she had me. Slowly, I lifted my hand, grazing my fingers over her neck, feeling the delicate pulse there. Her breath hitched. She thought she was winning.

She tilted her face up, lips parting—

And then my grip tightened.

In one swift motion, I lifted her off the ground by her throat.

Arabella's eyes went wide with shock as she clawed at my wrist, her body twisting in the air as she gasped for breath. I brought her face close, my voice a low growl.

"Nothing in this world will part me from Lydia."

She thrashed, trying to summon her magic, but I was stronger. Stronger than I should have been.

Her lips moved in a frantic whisper, a pulse of dark energy surging from her hands toward my chest. It did nothing.

She tried again. And again. Desperation leaked into her expression as she realized I wasn't even flinching.

I squeezed tighter.

Her struggles weakened, panic flashing in her gaze. Then suddenly, as if something snapped, a burst of uncontrolled power exploded from her, sending her flying across the room. She crashed against the far wall, collapsing in a heap, gasping for air.

I took a slow step forward, power radiating off me in waves. "Try that again," I dared, my voice deadly calm. "See what happens."

Arabella coughed, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. For the first time, she looked afraid.

And that was a victory I savored.

Fabian's POV

The journey to Lea's home was a blur of restless thoughts and growing frustration. I had never put much faith in witches, but now it seemed they held all the answers. And I needed them. Fast.

When I arrived, Esther was already waiting for me. She didn't look surprised to see me standing at her door.

"You're here for answers," she said simply.

I nodded. "Is it true? About Lydia? About what she carries inside her?"

Esther sighed, stepping aside to let me in. The house smelled of burning herbs and something ancient, something powerful. Lea appeared from another room, her gaze immediately locking onto mine.

"You came," she said softly. "That means you already suspect the truth."

I clenched my jaw. "I need to hear it from you. No riddles, no cryptic messages. Just tell me what she is."

Esther exchanged a glance with Lea before speaking. "Lydia is not a witch in the traditional sense. She was not born with the ability to wield magic, but she carries it. A vast, ancient power locked away within her."

My stomach tightened. "Then why now? Why is it suddenly affecting everything?"

"Because fate has started to move," Esther said. "She was never meant to live an ordinary life. She was meant to be at the side of a great king. And that king was meant to rise when the world called for him." Her eyes darkened. "Derek is that king. And Lydia is his key."

Lea stepped forward. "But that power doesn't come without risk. If it falls into the wrong hands—"

"Like Arabella's," I cut in.

Esther nodded gravely. "Exactly. She doesn't want to expose Lydia. She wants to take what's inside her."

I felt a cold dread settle in my chest. "Then Derek needs to know. Now."

I pulled out my phone and called Derek immediately. The line rang twice before he picked up, his voice sharp and tired. "What is it, Fabian?"

"Be careful of Arabella," I warned. "Lea confirmed it. She doesn't want the witches involved because she doesn't want them taking Lydia. She wants the power for herself."

Derek sighed heavily. "She already tried something. She came to me, tried to seduce me into handing Lydia over. Told me she'd make me the most powerful king in history if I let her extract the magic."

I cursed under my breath. "You need more people watching Lydia. If Arabella is desperate enough to approach you directly, she's desperate enough to make another move."

"Send some of the strongest pack members here," Derek ordered. "I don't trust anyone else to keep her safe."

"On it," I confirmed before hanging up.

Lea had been standing beside me, listening to everything. As I slipped my phone back into my pocket, she reached out, gently taking my hands in hers.

"Fabian," she said hesitantly, "have you thought about what I asked you? About leading us?"

I looked at her—at the hope in her eyes, at the weight of everything she carried alone. I wanted to give her an answer.

But right now, the world was on the verge of burning again.

"Lea..." I exhaled slowly. "There are bigger things at stake right now."

She nodded, her grip lingering for just a moment before she let go. "Just... think about it. Please."

I gave her a curt nod before stepping outside, the weight of everything settling heavier on my shoulders.

First, we had to make sure Lydia survived. Then... maybe I could think about the future.