Alina's pov
A jagged laugh escaped from Ilya's lips as I screamed, the sound echoing off the walls.
"I warned you," Ilya sneered, looking down at me with absolute disgust. "But you wouldn't listen. You tried to act smart with me."
The pain was a white-hot explosion, melting through my skin, but beneath the agony, something ancient and violent woke up. A deep, guttural roar tore out of my throat—a sound so raw and immensely powerful that it literally caused the entire house to shake.
Ilya's smug expression vanished. She took a sharp step back, terror flickering in her eyes at the sheer force of my voice as I grunted, my body trembling on the floor.
"Alina!"
Lucian's voice shattered the air. He burst into the room, his face pale with horror. He didn't even hesitate—he lunged to the floor and scooped me into his arms, glaring up at Ilya with a terrifying, murderous rage.
"What the fuck did you do to her?!" he roared, his tone vibrating with pure anger.
