CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN - How Mountains Become Sand

Lucas felt Aria tense beside him. "You expected us." "Of course, daughter," Victor replied, his violet eyes—so like Aria's—gleaming with triumph. "Your presence, both of you together, completes the ritual requirements." Lucas took a protective step forward. "Let Eleanor go. This is between you and me." Victor laughed, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "How charmingly naive. This was never about a simple rivalry between packs. This is about power—true power—that has been denied the Cross bloodline for generations." Morgana paused in her preparations, giving Aria a concerned glance that suggested internal conflict about her role in these events. "The ritual requires the rightful Alpha heir," Victor continued, gesturing to Lucas, "and his true mate." His gaze shifted to Aria. "When you attempt to complete your mate bond, the curse will activate. Lucas's Alpha essence and lifeforce will transfer to me, leaving him an empty shell." Aria's hand found Lucas's, their fingers intertw