Luka lingered in the shadows long after Zoran left, the Alpha's words echoing in his mind: Let her go, before it's too late. But how could he? He'd tried. He had stayed away from Anna, watched her from a distance, told himself it was for her safety. Yet, despite his attempts to keep his distance, something about her drew him back every time. She wasn't just a fragile human caught in the crossfire of his immortal existence. She was different. There was a fire in her, a light that refused to go out, no matter how much the world had tried to extinguish it. And that was why Luka couldn't let go.
Even though his heart was filled with centuries of hatred towards humans—those who had taken everything from him—Anna was a contradiction he couldn't ignore. Every time he saw her, it reminded him of what he had lost. Yet, it also stirred something else inside him, something more profound. Something dangerous. He knew the hatred that ran through his veins like a poison, the distrust he felt towards humans after what they had done to his family, would never fully disappear. But with Anna, it didn't seem to matter.
Luka had been young when his village was attacked, when the humans had stormed in with fire and steel, destroying everything he had loved. The screams of his friends, his chosen family, still haunted him. The way the humans had laughed, as if the slaughter was some kind of sick sport, had ignited a rage in him that would last for centuries. That night had turned him into something darker, something harder. After Zoran had saved him, after he had been turned, he had embraced that darkness, using it to fuel his survival.
But then there was Anna—kind, selfless, human—and Luka couldn't reconcile her existence with the hatred he carried. She wasn't like them. She had suffered, just as he had, and instead of being consumed by vengeance, she had found a way to keep her heart open, to help others. It was something Luka couldn't understand, something that scared him as much as it fascinated him.
As the days passed, Luka found himself more distracted by his feelings for Anna, even as he tried to keep his distance. But his sudden changed behavior didn't go unnoticed, especially by one particular member of the herd—Jim. Jim had always been a thorn in Luka's side, but lately, the rivalry between them had intensified.
Jim had been part of the herd for as long as Luka could remember, but unlike Luka, Jim was fueled by ambition. He craved power, always vying for Zoran's approval, always hungry to be the one standing at Alpha's side. And that was where the problem lay. Zoran had chosen Luka.
Though Luka had never asked for it, Zoran had taken him under his wing after that fateful night. He had guided Luka all the way, teaching him to control his abilities, to survive in this selfish and cruel world. The bond they shared was deep, one forged in blood and battle, and that had made Luka a favorite among the herd. It was something Jim could never forgive.
Jim had always been envious of Luka's relationship with Zoran, but recently, that jealousy had curdled into something more dangerous. Luka could feel it in every hostile glance, every thinly veiled insult. The herd respected Luka—perhaps more than they respected Jim, despite his efforts to prove himself.
The tension came to a head one night when Luka returned to the herd's lair after hours of keeping watch over Anna. The lair, hidden in the depths of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, was a place where they gathered, feeding off the energy of the city while remaining invisible to its inhabitants.
Luka was making his way inside when he heard a commotion coming from one of the back rooms. His sharp senses picked up the scent of blood, old and tired, mixed with the unmistakable stench of fear. He quickened his pace, following the noise until he reached a narrow hallway that led to one of the smaller chambers.
There, in the dim light, Luka saw Jim, his fangs bared, towering over an elderly member of the herd. The old vampire, Kess, was hunched over, his frail body trembling as Jim sneered down at him.
"You've had your time, old man," Jim growled, his voice dripping with malice. "Why don't you step aside and let someone stronger take your place?"
Kess's eyes were wide with fear, his hands shaking as he tried to stand his ground. "I've served this herd for longer than you've been alive, Jim. I may be old, but I've earned my place."
"Earned your place?" Jim laughed bitterly. "You're a relic, Kess. Zoran should've put you out of your misery centuries ago. And maybe he will, if I have anything to say about it."
Luka's hands curled into fists as he watched the scene unfold. Jim was pushing Kess, trying to provoke a fight, but it was clear the elderly vampire had no strength left to defend himself. Luka couldn't stand by and watch this.
"Back off, Jim," Luka said, his voice low but filled with authority as he stepped into the room.
Jim's head snapped toward him, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Stay out of this, Luka. This doesn't concern you."
"I'm making it my concern," Luka replied, his gaze fixed on Jim as he moved closer. "Kess doesn't deserve this."
Jim's lips curled into a snarl. "You think you can tell me what to do? You think you can just walk in here and act like you're in charge?"
"I'm not trying to be in charge," Luka said, his tone calm but firm. "But I'm not going to let you bully him just because you think you can."
Jim took a step toward Luka, his posture aggressive. "You've always thought you were better than the rest of us. Always so high and mighty because Zoran likes you. But guess what, Luka? You're not special. You're just a lapdog, a pet Zoran keeps around because you amuse him. But that won't last forever."
Luka felt the familiar heat of anger rise in his chest, but he kept his expression neutral. Jim had always been like this—resentful, bitter, looking for any opportunity to tear others down. But Luka wouldn't give him the satisfaction of rising to his bait.
"I'm not interested in your petty jealousy, Jim," Luka said evenly. "If you want to challenge Zoran, do it. But Kess is off-limits."
Jim's eyes flashed with fury, and in an instant, he lunged at Luka, his fangs gleaming as he aimed for Luka's throat. But Luka was faster. He sidestepped the attack, grabbing Jim by the collar and slamming him against the wall with a force that made the concrete crack.
Jim snarled, struggling to break free, but Luka's grip was unrelenting.
"You think I'm afraid of you?" Jim spat, his eyes burning with hatred. "You're nothing but a coward, hiding behind Zoran's protection."
Luka's face remained impassive, though his grip on Jim tightened. "I don't need Zoran's protection. And I don't need to prove anything to you."
Jim's struggles grew more frantic, his desperation evident. Luka could feel the raw anger radiating off him, the bitterness that had festered for so long.
"You're pathetic," Jim hissed. "You waste your time protecting these weaklings. You think Zoran doesn't see what you're doing? You're not fit to be part of this herd."
Luka's patience snapped, and he pressed Jim harder against the wall, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Say another word, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Jim's eyes widened, realizing he had struck a nerve, but before either of them could react, a deep, commanding voice filled the room.
"That's enough."
Both Luka and Jim froze as Zoran stepped into the room, his presence immediately quelling the tension. His eyes were dark, filled with disappointment as he looked at the two of them.
"Luka, let him go."
Luka hesitated for a moment before releasing Jim, stepping back but keeping his gaze locked on his rival. Jim straightened, rubbing his neck where Luka had held him, but he didn't say another word. Zoran's presence was too powerful, too absolute.
Zoran's gaze shifted between them, his tone firm but controlled. "This isn't the time for petty fights. We have more important things to deal with than your personal grudges."
Jim sneered but said nothing, his defiance subdued by the Alpha's authority.
Zoran turned to Luka, his expression unreadable. "Walk with me."
Luka nodded silently, casting one last glance at Jim before following Zoran out of the room.
As they left, Luka's mind churned with thoughts of Anna, Jim's words still ringing in his ears. He knew he was treading a dangerous line, but he couldn't help the way he felt. The pull to Anna was stronger than any rivalry, stronger than the hate he had for humans. And that was what scared him the most.
Luka clenched his fists, his thoughts a storm within him. "Jim's jealousy and hatred for me—it's like a shadow, always lurking," he muttered. Then his gaze softened as he whispered to himself, "But I made a vow to protect Anna, no matter what. Even if it means walking into danger."
He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "I've chosen the hardest path, and I know the trouble ahead won't spare me." Luka's eyes darkened as a chilling thought struck him. "But what if protecting her means destroying myself?"