On the dry outskirts of Haryana, last night had been horrifying. Along the forest paths near the village, a few farmers had spotted glowing blue eyes in the darkness and ash-colored beasts taller than humans. The village was now abuzz with one single cry—"The wolves attacked!"
Yet, none of this fear could stop Roshan. He had arrived under the old banyan tree before sunrise to secretly meet his beloved Alina. Today, her face held an anxiety unlike any before.
Gripping her hands gently, Roshan said, "Alina, don't go near the village. Last night, people claim they saw some beasts there. Everyone is terrified. If anything happens to you, I cannot survive."
Alina knew the truth. The attack had been carried out by no one else but the sentinel wolves her brother Valentine had sent. Looking into Roshan's eyes, she lied, "I don't know anything, Roshan. Maybe some forest creatures came. Don't worry." She embraced him, yet in her mind, the fear that her brother was searching for her in these woods made her shiver.
---
Bharath's Grand Arrival
That same morning, Sonal was at her excavation site, carefully handling the ancient artifacts. Suddenly, the ground of the village path seemed to quake. A cloud of dust rose in the distance.
Ten sleek, black, ultra-luxury SUVs drove in formation along the narrow village path. Villagers stopped their work, placing fingers over their mouths, staring at the magnificent vehicles. None had ever witnessed such a sight in the village's history.
The cars stopped near where Sonal was working. Ten heavily armed bodyguards descended, clearing the way. From the middle vehicle, Valentine Volkov stepped down. Leaving behind the royal jewels, he wore the most expensive black suit. He looked every bit like a flawless billionaire businessman.
Sonal, curious and slightly alarmed, approached and asked, "Who are you? This is a protected archaeological site. You cannot come here without permission."
Valentine removed his black mask. The moment his deep blue eyes met Sonal's, the artifact in her pocket reacted violently, heating up uncontrollably. The warmth pressed against her skin. Valentine introduced himself as 'Bharath.'
"I am Bharath, an Indian-origin investor living abroad. I've heard about this haveli and the ongoing excavation here," he said in a calm but authoritative voice.
---
The Intruder Enters the Haveli
When Bharath and his assistant entered the haveli's main hall, the entire atmosphere shifted. Though completely unfamiliar, Bharath's presence made Vikram Singh feel powerless.
Vikram Singh welcomed him inside. Bharath continued, "Mr. Singh, your haveli and its surroundings hold international significance. I intend to invest crores here to turn it into a World Heritage Site. But before investing, I wish to stay here for a few days and observe everything closely."
Swayed by money and Bharath's influence, Vikram Singh immediately agreed, arranging for him to stay in the haveli. Vikram Singh knew only that Alina was a wolf, but he had no idea that her brother—the king of the wolf world—was sitting across, drinking coffee.
When Gayatri brought coffee, Sonal stood on a wooden platform, watching Bharath intently. The artifact in her pocket reacted violently as he approached. Valentine (Bharath), sipping coffee, looked at Sonal through his eyes. The beast within him whispered, "Companion… my protector… the stone is with you."
The intruder had now entered the haveli. As Vikram Singh had assumed, this was not just a business visit; it was the first step in the Volkov empire's official takeover.
---
As the first rays of the sun fell upon the majestic walls of the Singh haveli, the entire mansion seemed calm, though the situation inside was very different. In the haveli's most luxurious guest wing balcony, Bharath, alias Valentine Volkov, stood. A black cup of coffee steamed in his hand, but his eyes were sharply observing every person moving in the haveli's courtyard.
Next to him, Ivan stood silently.
"Any leads yet, Ivan?" Valentine's voice was as cold as mist.
"None, Alpha. There's a scent that she is somewhere nearby, but the walls of this haveli seem to conceal some old secrets. Our investigation is slow," Ivan replied in a low tone.
Valentine noticed Sonal and Roshan standing together in the distance, discussing something seriously. A mysterious smile appeared on his lips.
"Don't worry, Ivan. These walls have ears too, so our search must remain secret. Sonal and Roshan… unknowingly, they are taking her close to me. Patience is key for a hungry predator."
Tension Within the Haveli
At the same time, a heated argument was taking place in the haveli courtyard between Vikram Singh and his family. The atmosphere was tense.
"Father, this isn't right!" Sonal shouted angrily. "We don't even know who this man is, where he's from. Looking into his eyes, I sense a major danger. Allowing him inside our haveli is like inviting death itself!"
Roshan stood to support Sonal. "Yes, father, we don't need his money. Even if he stays in the guest wing, it feels like our home's peace is being destroyed. Send him away."
Gayatri, hearing her son and daughter, looked at Vikram Singh anxiously. "Perhaps the children are right. If a foreigner, so powerful, has come here, even I feel uneasy."
Yet Vikram Singh was in no mood to listen. He slammed his hand on the table. "Enough! You're speaking out of emotion. Bharath is an international businessman. If we refuse this deal, we lose crores. If the haveli's honor is to be preserved, this money is necessary. He will stay in the guest wing. That's my final decision!"
Journey to the Excavation Site
Obeying her father's strict decision, Sonal, with a heavy heart, agreed to take Bharath to the excavation site. A silence enveloped them along the way. As the jeep drove on the dirt path, Bharath broke the silence.
"It seems your family doesn't like my presence, Sonal, am I right?" Bharath asked, looking directly into her eyes.
Sonal, driving the jeep, replied, "My father cares about money and the haveli's history. But I care about truth. I still don't understand why a businessman of your stature shows so much interest in the soil of this small village."
Valentine gave a mysterious smile. "Sonal, sometimes the most valuable things are hidden beneath the soil. Finding them requires time and the right person," he answered with a double meaning. As she tried to comprehend the depth of his words, the artifact in her bag started vibrating violently.
The Secret of the Blue Light
Upon reaching the excavation site, Sonal and Bharath sat near an ancient stone pillar, examining the area. Suddenly, a sharp blue light began emanating from Sonal's bag. The artifact became so intensely hot that it seemed ready to leap out.
Sonal grabbed it in panic. The metal object now glowed completely with a blue light. Bharath, curious, reached to touch it. "This…" he began, but Sonal shouted, "No, don't touch it!" trying to stop his hand.
The moment their hands touched, the entire site seemed to tremble slightly, like a small earthquake. It sent an electrifying pulse through the air. The beast within Valentine reacted strongly. Under the effect of this intense energy, Valentine's eyes instantly turned to their true 'Deep Sapphire Blue.'
Sonal stared at his eyes in awe. Shivering, she pulled her hand back. "Your… your eyes!" she whispered tremblingly. Bharath immediately regained control over his emotions.
"There must be a reflection of the light, Sonal. The soil and this stone make it appear so to the eye," he reassured her calmly. But Sonal knew what she had seen was no illusion—it was a small hint of the man's true self.