"My apologies, miss. I didn't mean to spill the wine," the server said, bowing his head in regret after accidentally spilling red wine on Swara's dress.

"No problem..." Swara replied, standing up and heading towards the restroom.

The server watched her retreating figure, a sly smile spreading across his face as he quickly sent a text: 'She's headed your way; be ready.'

'I saw this exact moment in a future flash,' Swara thought as she scrubbed her dress, the realization dawning on her. 'I only get these flashes when I'm in some kind of trouble. What kind of mess am I walking into now?'

Between her mumbo-jumbo thoughts, Swara detected a strange odor as she rinsed her dress.

"Huh, what's that?" She sniffed it, then took another whiff, catching a potent scent.

"It's blood..." she sniffed again. "Vampire's blood," she whispered, recalling the same scent in the cabin when the server entered. She heightened her senses, ready for anything.

"The vampires are here with some hidden agenda. There must be more than just a couple of them," she murmured to herself, another realization hitting her hard.

'Nikhil and Sia, get up quietly and head back to pack land immediately. Keep your expressions neutral,' Swara mind-linked them.

'Why all of a sudden? What's going on?' Sia asked through Mind-Link.

'Shona, if you're in danger and trying to protect us, I'm not leaving you behind,' Nikhil insisted.

'Just follow my instructions; that's an order from your Luna,' Swara commanded. The night had been long, filled with whispers of an impending threat, and she couldn’t shake off the growing sense of dread.

She sensed the enemy's lurking presence and squared her shoulders, scrutinizing her reflection in the bathroom mirror with a steely resolve after securing the safety of her loved ones.

Suddenly, the door behind her burst open, and four figures cloaked in shadows slipped inside, their red eyes gleaming with hunger. 'So, they are here.' Swara’s heart raced, but she steadied herself, calling upon the hybrid strength coursing through her veins.

"You chose the wrong night to mess with me," she hissed, her eyes flashing between her wizard and werewolf forms.

The first vampire lunged at her, fangs bared. Swara dove, conjuring a shimmering shield that deflected his attack. With a swift motion, she shifted into her werewolf form, her claws slashing through the air. She managed to strike one of them across the chest, sending him staggering back.

But the other three were relentless. They coordinated their attacks, forcing her to constantly switch between her powers. Swara summoned a burst of magical energy, knocking one of the vampires into the sink and shattering it into pieces. Another vampire grabbed her from behind, but she shifted back into her hybrid form, using her enhanced strength to throw him off.

Despite her efforts, the vampires’ sheer numbers began to take their toll. She was fighting on all fronts, but the attacks came faster and harder. One of them managed to grab her arm, twisting it painfully, while another vampire knocked her legs out from under her. She hit the floor hard, her vision blurring from the impact.

"I wish I could bite and suck out all your blood right now, right here, but I can't. You're coming with us," one of the vampires snarled, his breath hot against her neck. They began to bind her wrists, their grip like iron.

Swara struggled, summoning every ounce of her strength, but she was growing weaker. Her vision was dimming, and her body was failing her.

Just as she was about to lose consciousness, the bathroom door crashed open. Sanskar, his eyes blazing with fury, stormed in. He didn’t waste a second. With a roar, he unleashed a wave of raw power that sent the vampires reeling. In the chaos, he grabbed Swara, pulling her into his arms.

"Get away from her!" he shouted, his voice echoing with authority.

The vampires hesitated, recognizing the formidable force that Sanskar represented. One of them hissed in frustration, but they knew they were outmatched. They retreated, slipping back into the shadows from whence they came.

Sanskar carried an unconscious Swara out of the hotel with determined care, her head on his shoulder. He navigated through corridors into the cool night, worry evident on his face. An hour later, in the seclusion of their room, Swara stirred. Confusion briefly clouded her features before the attack's memory returned. She tensed, trying to sit up, but Sanskar gently restrained her, his expression a blend of relief and controlled anger.

"Finally awake, huh?" He began, his voice low and tinged with concern, struggling against the frustration. "You know, you really scared me tonight."

Swara swallowed, her throat dry, as she took in the seriousness etched on Sanskar's face. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to... I just..."

"You just what?" Sanskar cut her off; his tone is sharper now. "Just decided to take on a pack of vampires by yourself? What were you thinking? Are you out of your mind?"

Swara's eyes widened, a mix of guilt and defensiveness rising within her. "I thought I could handle it," she said softly. "I didn't want to bother you."

"Bother me? For crying out loud, Swara, you could have gotten yourself killed!" He ran a hand through his hair, the anger evident in every tense muscle. "Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You can't just throw yourself into danger like that and expect everything to be peachy."

Her eyes dropped, guilt twisting in her gut. "I didn't realize it would be this tough," she murmured. "I thought I could handle it."

Sanskar's expression hardened further. "Handle it? Seriously? Swara, you're not a trained soldier, just a hybrid with powers. Beating someone in talent runs isn't like facing multiple vampires alone. When will you get that?"

She nodded, a lump forming in her throat. "I am sorry, I was reckless," her voice wavering slightly. "I won't let this happen again."

Sanskar's expression softened slightly, but his frustration was still palpable. "Every time an apology is not going to help, Swara, it's becoming a pattern. You're keeping things from me, putting yourself in danger without considering the consequences."

Her gaze dropped, guilt gnawing at her insides. "No, Sanskar, it's not like that..."

Swara fumbled with her thoughts, searching for the right words to concoct a convincing excuse, but Sanskar's sharp glare silenced her. She lowered her head. "I'm truly sorry for causing you worry. I should have reached out for your help."

"Damn right, you should have," Sanskar snapped. "But it's not just about tonight. You've been hiding things for months. Why didn't you tell me about Kavita's misdeeds? Why keep her close if she's a threat?"

Swara took a shaky breath, wiping away a lone tear. "I thought I could keep an eye on her and control the situation." She found the best excuse. 'I am sorry, Sanskar, for lying, but I have my reasons.'

"And Nikhil," Sanskar continued, not letting up. "You said he woke up a few days ago, but I spoke to the doctor. That's not true, is it?"

She shook her head, feeling the weight of her deceit, but didn't offer any excuses.

Sanskar's frustration boiled over. "Swara, you can't keep doing this! We're supposed to trust each other. You can't just decide to go it alone every time things get tough. You picked a fight with Kavita on purpose, didn't you?"

Swara nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, but I had to. She was pushing too far, and I couldn't let her..." She again apologizes to Sanskar in her heart.

"Couldn't you let her what? Make things worse. Swara, you can't keep playing with fire and expect not to get burned."

She looked up at him, her eyes pleading. "I know, I know. I'm sorry, Sanskar. I really am."

He sighed again, the anger slowly giving way to concern. "It's not just about being sorry, Swara. It's about changing. You have to start trusting me and letting me in. And for God's sake, stop throwing yourself into danger without thinking."

She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I promise," she whispered, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I promise I'll do better."

"And about swimming," he continued, his tone lighter now with a hint of a smile despite the seriousness of their conversation. "When did you learn?"

She chuckled softly through her tears. "I... I didn't want to worry you, so I took lessons on my own."

Sanskar chuckled softly, his arms tightening around her. "You always surprise me, Swara. Just promise me you won't keep these surprises hidden anymore."

"I promise," she repeated. 'Thanks to heaven, his anger subsided.' Swara thought about it and hugged him. Sanskar looked at her and sighed solemnly.

They lingered in silence for a moment longer before Sanskar finally spoke. "You know, I've known you long enough to see through your defenses. I know there are skeletons in your closet, and not a single answer you give me is the whole truth. Swara, I may have let you down in the past, but trust me this time and share your burden..."

Tears streamed down Swara's face, and in a rush of emotion, she made a decision to confide everything in Sanskar.

"Sanskar, the truth is..."