Chapter 13
My heart pounded with fear as I stood beside Alpha Caius.
We shifted into our wolves, muscles rippling beneath fur. Behind us, the archers, healers, and spear–and–blade warriors formed a tight formation. We‘ d chosen a smaller group to ensure speed and precision.
I wasn’t fully familiar with the Blue Moon hunting strategy Caius had mentioned earlier, but by the Goddess, they moved like shadows–swift and lethal. Their tactics allowed Caius and the main force to cut through the Night Howl warriors, driving straight toward Balthar.
Soon, we saw him. Balthar’s towering figure loomed above the battlefield, surrounded by his warriors. Beside him stood Nayra, armored and ready for battle.
Balthar’s eyes blazed with fury and disbelief when they found mine. His presence ignited the rage I had buried deep, reminding me of the pain he caused me and my son.
“Elmyra, you traitor!” Balthar‘ s voice thundered across the field, cutting through the chaos like a blade. “How could you abandon your own pack? You lived with us, ate with us. Have you forgotten all that?’
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I held his gaze, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “I haven’t forgotten anything, Balthar. Least of all how you neglected Balto and me–your own family. And let Nayra manipulate you.
“Manipulate me?” Balthar‘ s face contorted with rage. “You‘ re the one who’s lost, Elmyra! It‘ s YOU who s being controlled by these Blue Moon dogs! This isn‘ t about Balto anymore. You‘ ve made a choice you’ll regret for the rest of your life. You threw yourself at their Alpha for protection? Care?!‘
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“No! He’s using you! Just like he wants to use our territory. Caius is no different than werewolf–greedy and power–hungry!”
“You‘ re blinded by your own arrogance, Balthar!” I shot back, my anger boiling over. “It’s Night Howl that‘ s taken smaller packs–all because of your greed!”
Caius stepped forward, his eyes fierce, his voice cutting through the air like a command. “Enough talk. This has to end here, Balthar. Once and for all.”
The tension between the two Alphas was palpable. Balthar‘ s rage boiled over, his eyes narrowing with fury as he charged at Caius.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Alpha Caius launched himself toward Balthar, their collision a
whirlwind of raw power. The force of their impact shook the earth, their roars of battle echoing across the chaotic field.
In an instant, the battlefield erupted into even greater chaos. Claws slashed, fangs snapped and growls blended with the clash of steel.
Night Howl’s magic troops unleashed bursts of energy, but Blue Moon warriors swiftly targeted the witches and sorcerers, cutting them down with ruthless precision. Soon, no more magic flared on the field. Amidst the frenzy, my eyes scoured the battlefield, searching for one person–Nayra. She was the reason I fought, the one I needed to end.
I would kill her. I swore it.
It wasn’t long before I spotted her. Nayra, in her wolf form, moved with predatory grace. Her brown fur shimmered with a dark aura, and the Lunar Crystalis on her paw glowed ominously. I could feel the sinister power radiating from her. I knew she sensed mine, too.
After felling a warrior, her head snapped toward me, our eyes locking in a silent challenge.
With fury coursing through me, I charged at her, teeth bared. I slammed into Nayra, knocking her off her feet. We tumbled, rolling across the battlefield in a tangle of limbs and fur.
“My, aren’t you eager to see me, sister?” Nayra smirked, struggling to keep my claws from her
throat.
“I’ll kill you, Nayra!” I snarled, my voice raw with rage.
With a swift movement, she wedged her knee between us and kicked me off. We circled each other, eyes locked, hatred radiating between us. Every step made the earth tremble beneath us, the air crackling with tension.
Nayra lunged, jaws snapping with feral intensity. I met her head–on, our bodies colliding with bone–jarring force. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, drowning out the sounds of battle
around us.
Our fight was brutal. I held nothing back, no longer caring that she was my sister. To me, she was the one who had manipulated my son into this twisted game.
Nayra’s claws raked my side, leaving deep, searing wounds. I retaliated with a vicious swipe, my claws slashing through her fur, drawing blood. The scent of it–mixed with sweat and fury–hung thick
in the air.
Her once–proud stance began to falter as blood matted her fur, but I didn’t relent. I sank my teeth into her shoulder and forced her to the ground.