The Lunar Crest Academy: Marked by The Lycans-Chapter 212: The Witch and the Traitor

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Adrian stood alone in the Leader’s office, the shadows curling around him like smoke from an unending fire. The flickering lantern on the far wall cast golden streaks across his face, highlighting the sharpened edge of his jaw and the cruel curve of his mouth.

He leaned back against the massive desk, his desk now, and let his mind drift to the woman who would soon be dragged before him.

Varya.

Red haired. Fierce. Loyal to Kieran Valerius Hunter to the point of idiocy.

His smile deepened as he imagined her chained before him. imagined her fire dimming under his hands, her anger becoming fear, her loyalty cracking piece by piece as he peeled apart her mind and body both.

He had so many plans for her.

She was a Lycan, after all. And Lycans were famously difficult to break, unless someone knew exactly where to apply pressure. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Adrian exhaled slowly, savoring the anticipation.

He loved this part.

The waiting.

The promise of control.

Just then....

A sharp knock.

His expression flickered with irritation.

"Enter," he said, voice low but commanding.

The door opened, and a woman with raven black hair and dark eyes stepped into the room. She moved with feline grace, the hem of her dark dress brushing the floor. Her lips, painted the color of dried blood, curved into a knowing smirk.

Mia.

The witch.

The same witch who he had compelled to subdue The Leader.

The same witch whose magic now kept the old man bound and helpless.

Adrian’s eyes narrowed immediately.

"You shouldn’t be here," he said. "You should be keeping The Leader subdued. We can’t have him escaping."

"He’s subdued," Mia replied, unconcerned. "My spell is still strong enough to keep him down."

Adrian’s jaw flexed. "So what are you doing here now?"

Mia stepped farther into the room, her steps unhurried, deliberate. She approached him like she would a restless predator, fearless, even amused by the danger.

"I saw some soldiers running out," she said. "Wanted to know what’s going on."

"Whatever is going on is none of your business, Mia," Adrian said sharply. "Your only concern should be the task I’ve given you. If The Leader escapes under your watch, I’ll kill you."

Mia laughed.

Not a giggle.

Not nervous laughter.

A rich, amused, fearless sound that echoed off the walls.

"I’m not afraid of death, Adrian Vale," she said as she approached him. "If you knew even a tiny bit about me, you’d know death isn’t something you can use to threaten me."

Adrian frowned, genuinely puzzled. Most witches feared death more than anyone. Their souls were too valuable, their magic too precious. But Mia...

Mia was different.

And now he realized he didn’t know how different.

"But," she continued, tilting her head, "about The Leader... He’s the type to come back at you if you leave him alive too long. So isn’t it better to kill him now, while he’s under our control?"

Adrian blinked, momentarily startled

He had underestimated Mia

He thought she was meek.

Useful.

Manipulable.

Apparently, he was wrong.

"No," Adrian said at last. His voice hardened again. "He knows things. There is information I must get from him before I kill him."

Mia arched a brow. "Information? From him? He’s an old man, Adrian. What could he possibly know that matters now? What information are you talking about?"

Adrian’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like the tone. Didn’t like the curiosity. Didn’t like that she was pushing.

"It’s none of your concern, Mia," he said coldly. "You’re beginning to ask too many questions."

"And you," Mia murmured, stepping even closer, her body now mere inches from his, "are far too rigid." Her hand glided up his chest. "Allow me.... to loosen you up a little."

Adrian stiffened as she leaned in.

"Don’t..."

Her mouth met his.

Warm.

Soft.

Electric.

The kiss hit him like a shockwave.

He froze for a split second, completely stunned. This was the last thing he expected, and for a heartbeat, he considered pushing her away.

But then....

Her magic slid over his skin like a warm breath.

Her fingers curled into his shirt.

Her lips moved with a confidence and hunger he had never felt from anyone before.

Heat surged through him.

And he gave in.

Their kiss turned ravenous, burning, messy, all teeth and hunger as if they both wanted to devour each other. Mia’s fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. Adrian grabbed her waist, pulling her flush against him, claiming her mouth with fevered intensity.

Their breaths mingled, sharp and uneven.

Mia gasped into his mouth as he lifted her effortlessly and set her on the table. Papers scattered. Ink bottles toppled. The office that once belonged to The Leader became a battleground of passion and dominance.

Their lips didn’t part.

Hands wandered.

Clothes were yanked, tugged, torn.

Fingers caressing bare skin.

And the heat rose between them like wildfire.

Lorraine’s POV

The moment Kieran, Felix, and Alistair stepped out the door, the house fell into a heavy silence

Kaelani dropped herself onto the old couch with a dramatic huff, sinking into its sagging cushions. Her arms were crossed, her face twisted into a permanent scowl.

Liandrin wandered into what looked like a tiny kitchen area, it was really just a rusted sink and a counter that had seen too many years. Pots clattered softly as she rummaged.

I took a breath and walked toward Kaelani.

"Hey," I said gently.

She looked at me like my voice personally insulted her existence. Her eyes narrowed with pure spite, like she wanted to gouge out my eyes with her bare hands.

I tried again. "You’ve never really met me before, so why do you seem to hate me so much?"

She scoffed and sat up straighter, tossing her braided hair over her shoulder.

"First," she said, lips curling, "you’re a feral. Disgusting, smelly, weak little things that should’ve been wiped out ages ago."

I blinked, taken aback.

"And second," she continued, stabbing a finger toward my chest, "you dared to seduce the man I’m supposed to marry, and made him miss our wedding."

I stared at her, surprise

"...The man you’re supposed to marry?" I repeated slowly.

"Oh, please," she snapped. "Don’t pretend you don’t know. Kieran was supposed to be wedded to me."

My eyes widened.

The arranged marriage for Kieran...

She was the bride?

Of all the people in the world, it had to be someone as arrogant as her?

Before I could find words, Liandrin emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of something steaming, walked right past us, and headed up the stairs without a glance.

Kaelani leaned in urgently. "This is our chance. We should escape now."

"What?" I frowned. "I don’t think that’s a good idea. Kieran took some kind of blood oath with her, if she activates it, it could kill him. So we should not risk anything. We’re better off sticking to the plan."

Kaelani shot to her feet.

"You are such a coward," she hissed. "But what should I expect from a feral like you?"

She moved around me, silent as a fox, her steps barely making a noise on the old floorboards.

"Kaelani, wait," I said, unsure whether to grab her, let her go, or run after her.

She ignored me completely, tip toeing toward the front door. Her fingers curled around the handle.

Just as she pulled it open....

Liandrin appeared in the living room doorway without a sound.

"Where do you think you’re going?" she asked mildly.

Kaelani whirled around. "You can’t stop me from leaving, old hag."

She turned back toward the open doorway.

Liandrin smiled.

A soft, almost amused smile.

Then she snapped her fingers.

The world shattered.

The walls dissolved into smoke.

The air warped.

The floor yanked itself out from under me....

And suddenly....

I was standing in the middle of a forest.

Alone.

Trees looming overhead.

Cold wind biting my skin.

Liandrin and Kaelani were gone.

The house was gone.

Everything was gone.