Ethan's breath caught in his throat, his grip on the table tightening. The words hit him like a physical blow, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins. The room erupted in a flurry of concerned whispers, the leaders exchanging alarmed glances.

"What do you mean she's been taken away?" Ethan demanded, his voice laced with both anger and fear. "Who took her? When did this happen?"

The guard swallowed nervously, his eyes darting around the room. "We're still gathering information, Alpha Ethan," he replied, his voice shaking slightly. "She was last seen near the outskirts of our territory earlier today. Witnesses reported a group of unidentified assailants ambushing her. They overpowered her guards and fled with Ilonka before reinforcements could arrive."

Ethan's mind spun with a whirlwind of emotions—anger, fear, and a deep-rooted sense of protectiveness surged through him. The thought of his sister Ilonka in the hands of unknown assailants sent a wave of helplessness crashing over him.

"We have to find her," Ethan proclaimed, his voice filled with fury and apprehension. "We'll mobilize our forces immediately. Gabriel, Serena, Johan, gather your packs. We need to track down these assailants and bring Ilonka back safely."

The other alphas nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting their shared concern for Ilonka's well-being.

Ethan turned to the guard, his gaze piercing. "Did anyone recognize the perpetrators? Did they leave any trace or indication of their motives?"

The guard shook his head. "No, Alpha Ethan. Everything occurred swiftly, and the witnesses couldn't clearly see their faces or any distinctive features. As for their motives, we can only speculate for now."

"Ivan, gather a team of our best trackers and scouts. I want to know everything we can about the attackers, their motives, and their location. I need you to use every resource available to locate Ilonka", Ethan commanded.

"Alpha Ethan, you have my word," Ivan responded. "I will gather a team and we will not rest until we bring Ilonka back home safely."

~~~~~~~~

Ilonka slowly regained consciousness, her head pulsating with a persistent ache. As she blinked, trying to shake off the disorientation, the pitch-blackness of the room surrounded her, intensifying her feeling of helplessness. A surge of panic swept over her upon the realization that she was tied to a chair, her wrists tightly bound behind her back, but she could not remember how she ended up like this.

A faint, erratic glow emitted from a distant corner, casting unsettling shadows that danced across the room. In that moment, a silhouette materialized, emerging from the darkness, his presence unmistakable—Lucas, the alpha of the Blood Moon pack and Ethan's sworn enemy.

Lucas drew nearer, his piercing gaze fixed upon Ilonka. A cruel smile curled upon his lips, exposing the malice that resided within him. "You are finally awake," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're a captive audience now."

Confusion clouded Ilonka's mind as she struggled to piece together the events leading to her capture. Fear mingled with her confusion, but she summoned her inner strength, meeting Lucas's gaze with defiant eyes. "Lucas, what is the purpose behind this? Why have you taken me?" she demanded.

Lucas circled her slowly, savoring the dominance he held over her. "Oh, Ilonka, my dear," he taunted, relishing in the power he wielded. "Consider yourself a mere pawn in the game we're playing. Your capture serves as a message to Ethan, a reminder that his precious pack is not invincible."

Ilonka's heart raced, her mind filled with concerns for her brother's safety and the pack's welfare. Despite the dangerous predicament she found herself in, she refused to let fear weaken her resolve. With a flicker of defiance in her eyes, she spoke, her voice steady and resolute. "Lucas, your arrogance blinds you. Our pack is stronger than you realize, and Ethan will stop at nothing to protect us. Whatever twisted game you're playing, it will only fuel his determination to bring you down."

Lucas grinned, a smug expression etched on his face as he paused in his circling. "You underestimate the depth of my knowledge," he gloated. "I have an ace up my sleeve, a secret that will unravel Ethan's defenses and lead me to victory."

Ilonka narrowed her eyes. "You may think you hold all the cards, Lucas, but don't forget that Ethan is a leader born of strength and resilience. No matter what you claim to know, our bond as a pack is unbreakable."

Lucas's grin widened, reveling in the opportunity to share his newfound knowledge. "You see, I've discovered Ethan's weakness, his Achilles' heel. Her name is Maya."

Ilonka's eyes widened in surprise. "How... how could you know?"

"Ah, Ilonka, my dear, I have my ways," Lucas boasted, enjoying the power he held over her. "Maya's presence in Ethan's life is his greatest vulnerability. She's his Achilles' heel because he cares for her deeply, and that care clouds his judgment, weakens his resolve."

A surge of anger and protectiveness coursed through Ilonka's veins, fueling her defiance. "You may think you have the upper hand, Lucas, but love is not a weakness," she countered, her voice filled with conviction. "Ethan's connection with Maya strengthens him, gives him a renewed purpose. Our pack stands by his side, supporting their bond. Together, they are formidable."

"Ilonka, love may be a powerful emotion, but it blinds. It makes one vulnerable, clouding their judgment, and distracting them from their true purpose," Lucas explained. "Ethan's attachment to Maya will be his undoing. Mark my words, he will fall, and you will witness it firsthand."

"I refuse to accept your twisted perspective. Love will be their shield, their strength. Together, they will overcome any obstacle, including you, Lucas."

Lucas chuckled, a chilling sound that reverberated through the room. "My dear Ilonka, you have a fierce spirit, just like your brother," he remarked, his eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. "But rest assured, he will have to make a choice—his precious mate or your life. And I wonder, which will he choose?"