Luca has been asking her out recently, showing her around helping out with any info he knows about the ancient language.
Meanwhile something else as been building up slowing, hot and dangerously between them too.
Even though she's been trying to deny it.
One Evening at the Library
Luca's eyes locked onto Adunni's as he began to explain the legend of the werewolf. "You see, Dr. Brooks, the full moon brings out the beast within me. I'm cursed to roam the streets of Rome under its light."
Adunni's skepticism was evident, but Luca's charming smile and piercing gaze made her feel drawn to him. As he spoke, his voice low and husky, Adunni found herself captivated by his words.
"But what about the risks?" Adunni asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luca took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "The risks are worth it, Brooks. Especially if it means I get to spend more time with you."
Adunni's heart skipped a beat as Luca's words sent shivers down her spine. She felt a flutter in her chest, and before she knew it, she kissed him. She felt a strange sense of calm wash over her, as he pulls her closer and deepens the kiss, igniting her body.
In that moment, Adunni felt an inexplicable connection to the wolf – and to Luca. She knew she'd accept him, werewolf and all.
"I think I'm falling for you, Luca," she whispered.
Luca's eyes sparkled with delight. "I'm already fallen, Adunni. For you."
As they shared a tender kiss under the full moon, Adunni felt her own transformation beginning. She felt the stirrings of a wild power within her, a power that she'd never known existed.
"What's happening to me?" Adunni asked, her voice filled with wonder.
Luca smiled, his eyes shining with excitement. "I think you're discovering your own inner wolf, Brooks. You're a werewolf, just like me."
Adunni's eyes widened in shock, but as she looked at her hands, she felt the transformation taking hold. Her senses heightened, and she felt the call of the wild.
Monte Fiero – The Moon Rite Grounds
The Rite was older than any one pack. Older than the Roman ruins that surrounded them. A sacred circle, stone-lined, where wolves stood not as enemies — but heirs.
Adunni walked beside Luca, head held high.
She wore white — ceremonial, elegant, ethereal. A nod to unity. To peace. The moon bathed her in silver, and the eyes of dozens of Alphas tracked her every step.
Luca was unreadable beside her, the Roman heir of the Silverclaw bloodline. But she felt the tension in his body. Like his wolf was close to the surface.
Then came him.
Alaric Novarro. Tall, scarred, with a voice like rusted iron. Alpha of the South-Eastern Highlands. Old flame of war. He smiled, slow and cruel.
"This is your mate?" he said to Luca. "A half-blood? Human-born?"
"She's under my protection," Luca said.
"She's a flame, not a wolf," Alaric growled. "Fire consumes. It doesn't lead."
Adunni felt her rage ignite — but Luca stepped in front of her.
"You will not insult her in this Rite. She is a werewolf too"
Alaric's eyes flicked to her. "If she wants to stand among us, let her prove it."
He lunged.
The crowd gasped.
Adunni didn't flinch.
Luca moved faster than breath — catching Alaric mid-lunge, teeth bared, eyes golden and glowing.
"She. Is. Mine." His voice shook the stones.
Alaric backed down — but not without a smirk.
As the Rite resumed, Adunni whispered:
"You didn't need to defend me." she said feeling the relic power surging in her.
"It's my job to protect and love you," Luca said. "But you need training to deal with those beast when am not around."
---
Training Grounds, DeLuca Estate – Next Morning
"Clear your mind," Sabine said. "Or it'll tear you apart."
Adunni exhaled. Her palms tingled. The relic's energy was still inside her — angry, molten, waking.
She moved through the basic stances Sabine taught her. Grounded. Flowing.
Then something shifted.
Sabine's voice grew sharper. "Adunni. Pull it back—"
But it was too late.
A burst of golden flame exploded from Adunni's core — blinding, wild. The training dummies shattered. The ground cracked. Sabine was thrown back five feet.
Smoke and sparks filled the air.
Adunni gasped, collapsing to her knees. "I didn't mean—"
Sabine stared at her. "You could have killed someone."
"I didn't want to—"
"But you could. That's the point."
Sabine offered a hand. "Good. Now let's teach you how to choose when."
---
Vienna – Secret Crypt Below the Cathedral
Darius Velkov stood beneath a stained-glass wolf sigil, arms crossed, silent.
From the shadows emerged Benedict, Luca's most trusted advisor.
"You summoned me," Benedict said.
"You came," Darius replied. "Which tells me you're as tired of Luca's bloodline games as I am."
Benedict hesitated. "She's dangerous, that girl."
"She's necessary," Darius said. "The fire in her blood is the end of the old ways. And the start of mine."
"And Luca?"
Darius smiled. "Let him fall in love with her. It will make his fall sweeter."
---
Hunter's Cabin, Tuscany Hills – Storm Still Raging
Sabine lit another candle. Thunder cracked above them, wild and endless.
"You're staring again," she said.
Matteo leaned on the counter. "It's hard not to. You look like a lightning strike."
She turned slowly. "And you… never stop pushing."
"Because you like it when I push," he said, voice deepening.
Sabine walked to him, slow and deliberate, their faces inches apart.
"You touch me tonight," she said, "you don't get to walk away tomorrow."
His hands slid to her hips. "I've never walked away from a storm worth chasing."
She pulled him in and kissed him — hard, hungry, heated.
Clothes fell. Breath tangled. The storm outside roared.
But inside, the only thing louder… was them.
Hunter's Cabin – Morning After
Matteo awoke to warmth beside him. Sabine's head on his shoulder, her hand curled on his chest like it had always been there.
He didn't move.
Didn't breathe too loud.
Sabine never let herself stay. Never let herself be seen soft.
But right now, with her body tucked into his, face peaceful, he felt something shift.
She stirred, slowly opened her eyes.
They didn't speak.
Just looked.
Then she muttered, "If you tell anyone I cuddled, I'll gut you."
He smiled. "I like when you threaten me with affection."
Sabine rolled her eyes… but didn't move away.
DeLuca Estate – Adunni's Room, Early Morning
Adunni stood at the balcony, hair still damp from a shower, the scent of ash and ozone still clinging to her skin after yesterday's explosion during training.
She heard Luca come in.
"Why didn't you tell me about Darius?"
He froze. "What do you mean?"
"I heard his voice in the vault," she said, turning to face him. "He called me Fireborn. Said I wasn't yours. That I was meant for more."
Luca's face darkened. "You're not meant for him."
"You knew he'd come for me."
"Yes," Luca admitted. "Because he comes for power. For prophecy. He believes you're the one to burn the old world down."
Adunni stared. "And are you afraid he's right?"
He walked toward her, slow. "I'm afraid… you'll choose him."
Her chest tightened. "You still see me as a threat."
"No," he said, voice low. "I see you as the fire I can't control… and can't walk away from."
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.
Then the estate alarm shrieked.
"Ambush," Luca growled.
---
Northern Woods – 30 Minutes Later
They were surrounded.
Three rogue wolves—massive, snarling, foaming with blackened eyes. Darius's influence.
Adunni's heart pounded. Sabine fought at her back, blades flashing silver.
Then one of the rogues turned to her—and spoke.
"Awaken, Flame. The beast inside you is starving."
Pain pierced her chest — not physical. Something old was clawing to the surface.
She screamed. Fire burst from her palms.
And then…
She changed.
Not just into a wolf.
Not just into flame.
She became both. Fur that shimmered like coals. Eyes like molten gold. A voice in her head whispering truths no human could know.
Sabine whispered, stunned: "Oh… gods."
The rogue wolves stopped.
Then fled.
Even they knew:
She was not just born.
She was forged.
---
Dreamscape – The Night After the Ambush
Adunni stood in a burned forest. Trees turned to ash. Sky crimson.
And there he was.
Darius Velkov. Cloaked in black. Pale eyes glowing like frost.
"You're beautiful," he said softly. "In your true form."
"This is a dream."
"A warning," he corrected. "The prophecy doesn't lie. You were born to burn away the bloodlines. All of them. Even Luca's."
She swallowed hard. "Why me?"
"Because you're the child of fire and storm. The blood of witches and wolves. You're the flame the moon promised."
He stepped closer. His scent was wrong — dark spice, shadow, temptation.
"Luca wants to cage you. I want to free you."
She looked into his eyes.
And felt… something stir.
Not desire.
Not trust.
Recognition.
The dream shattered as she gasped awake.
But his voice lingered.
"Choose wisely, Fireborn. The moon is watching."