Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Eleven: Awaken (TRIGGER WARNING)

Argus's Point of View

The Hunter Foundation conducted a project years ago with the Silver Forest pack. After a raid, the children were taken and experimented on by scientists. They aimed to suppress their werewolf nature, so the children would grow up as werewolves but never realize their true identity. The project was successful, and many of these children were adopted by members of the Hunter Foundation and raised to disdain the supernatural. Some were even encouraged to become operatives, leading attacks and massacres on other packs.

Seraphina and I were both taken from our pack similarly. As hybrids, it wasn't one of the Collective's subsidiaries but the Collective itself that took us. They saw us as “special” and subjected us to unimaginable horrors no child should endure. The scientists wished to know what we could endure and how our healing worked. This continued until the CEO of the Collective, Lucius Void, and his wife came to tour the compound we were held in.

Evelina Void was renowned for her exceptional beauty, entrancing those who knew her. She was known for her gentle, kind, and charming personality, and she caught the eye of Lucius Void, the heir to the affluent and influential family responsible for creating the Collective. Although their marriage was joyful, they faced the difficulty of being unable to conceive a child of their own. Evelina was abducted from the Silver Forest pack as a child, and her wolf instincts lay dormant, suppressed in her youth. It was believed that the experimentation she had endured had caused her infertility.

In time, Evelina persuaded Lucius to let her select a young boy from the compound to adopt. Captivated by my polite and inquisitive nature, she took an interest in me and was determined to make me her son. While Lucius had initially brought his wife merely to satisfy her, he also became intrigued by me. However, I insisted on not leaving without my closest companion. Seraphina and I, the only ones of our kind at the compound, were inseparable from the day we found each other. Evelina somehow convinced Lucius to adopt us both. We were adopted that day and henceforth known as Seraphina and Argus Void.

Seraphina and I were welcomed as part of their family, indulging in all the luxuries that came with it. While we were allowed to embrace our wolf side, our vampire heritage remained hidden. Blood was discreetly provided for our well-being. A trust fund was established for each of us, and our standing within the Collective was elevated. Grateful for being rescued, I obediently complied with all requests made of me. On the other hand, Seraphina was rebellious, constantly pushing boundaries and being reckless.

One night, when we were fourteen, I overheard Lucius and Evelina arguing about her.

"Her Alpha blood is undeniable. She is meant to lead, and maybe we erred in letting her embrace her wolf. Argus was an omega and is much easier to manage. Seraphina is different. She poses a potential problem," Lucius' voice was stern.

"She is our daughter! You can't harm her. We've raised her to accept herself. Lucius, please," Evelina pleaded.

After a pause filled with Evelina's sobs, Lucius spoke with a heavy heart.

"I love both of our children, Evelina. They are ours in every sense that matters. But, as the CEO of the Collective, I have a responsibility. Seraphina is young, but we can start training her as an operative. This will satisfy the board members who are monitoring her closely. We will harness her skills for the organization's benefit. If this doesn't redirect our daughter, others will intervene," he cautioned.

I held my breath, feeling my heart race as I absorbed the weight of their words. The idea of Seraphina being pushed into a life she didn't choose filled me with dread. She was known for her wild and free-spirited nature, and the thought of her being molded into something she wasn't felt harsh.

As our parents conversed quietly, I gently knocked on my sister's door. Although Seraphina didn't respond, I knew she was in her room. Entering and closing the door behind me, I sat on her bed, waiting for her attention. She was engrossed in her computer, with headphones on, immersed in a video game. Sensing my presence, she removed her headphones and turned towards me.

Her face lit up at the sight of me, but the brightness in her eyes faded as she noticed my troubled expression.

"What's the matter, Argus?" she inquired, concern evident in her voice.

I hesitated, uncertain how to deliver the news. "I overheard Lucius and Evelina. They are concerned about you. Lucius wants to initiate your training as an operative."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed a touch of anger showing on her face. "Obviously, he does. The Collective aims to manipulate me, just like everything else."

We were appreciative of the life Lucius and Evelina had provided us, but the trauma we had endured lingered. Both Seraphina and I were haunted by nightmares. We yearned to escape the Collective and the life it imposed.

The next day, Seraphina commenced her training. While she appeared compliant, the fire in her eyes revealed her determination not to lose herself. The Collective didn't go easy on her because she was Lucius' adopted daughter. If anything, they were more brutal. But it pushed my sister harder, the beauty becoming a hidden beast. We continued to meet secretly, plotting our future and envisioning a life outside the boundaries of the Collective.

The day the monster within awakened, Seraphina was sent on her first mission. She couldn't do it. Seraphina snapped and eliminated every single operative sent with her. However, it didn't stop the Collective; they just sent in another team, leaving no survivors this time and making Seraphina watch the m******e unfold. They brought her back to the compound with the intent of trying to "rehabilitate" my sister.

Lucius was furious at Seraphina's actions and disowned her. She no longer had the protection or status of a Void. She was nothing to him anymore. Her trust fund was transferred to me, and all traces of her existence were removed from our home. We were not allowed to speak her name, or the punishment would be harsh. Lucius had turned violent; his rage over being betrayed by Seraphina consumed him. It broke Evelina, but in fear that he would also imprison and torture me, she stayed silent and compliant.

I did everything needed to gain Lucius' approval, although it took longer than expected. I was determined to save my sister and dismantle the organization from the inside, requiring a strategic approach. I became an operative, and although it felt like I had sold my soul to save my sister, I moved up in the ranks, proving my worth and loyalty. I became the son and heir that Lucius had always wanted, one that he could be proud of and truly love.

One evening, feeling overwhelmed and utterly broken, the Moon Goddess visited me. She commended me on my efforts and promised to help. The following day, news of Seraphina's escape created chaos and mayhem within the Collective. There was no way that Lucius could suspect me because I had been with him the entire day working on a project. He believed that it had been Evelina and savagely killed her.

I did not display emotion or hint of fear in response to his actions. Lucius praised my loyalty and conviction to the cause. I smiled brightly at him, although it sickened me. I went to university, studied what Lucius wanted me to and allowed him to believe he was molding me in his image. Going to school got me out of our home and away from him.

Despite understanding the risks involved, I returned to the Collective to become my sister's handler. I discreetly transferred funds into an account for her in small amounts so as not to draw attention and shared sensitive information whenever possible with Seraphina. I urged the destruction of the Hunter Foundation. My adoptive father relished my brutality and authorized it.

I had arranged for a place for Seraphina to use in her Crypta Sanguine persona. We'd been able to meet there safely, and my sister considered it her home. Well, she had until joining the Dark Moon pack. I sighed, reflecting on how the Moon Goddess had extended multiple invitations for me to join my sister there, offering safety and a fresh start. However, we were on the verge of achieving everything we had strived for. Just a little bit longer. I needed to remain here to keep my sister safe, and the Collective needed to be destroyed once and for all.