Chapter 41
Julian's POV
Deep in the forest, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the conifer canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
I ran in Sage's form across the damp woodland floor, two warriors close behind me.
The footprints on the ground were clearly visible—four-clawed marks pressed deep into the mud, irregularly spaced, obviously made in panicked flight.
"Your Highness," the warrior on my left sent an urgent message through the mind link, "these are likely advance troops from the Blood River Pack. We should immediately inform Alpha Walter. This is a sign that war is imminent."
I slowed my pace, lowering my head to carefully sniff the scent lingering in the air.
No. This wasn't an ordinary military operation.
"No," I responded through the mind link, "this isn't a scouting party. If it were reconnaissance, they wouldn't penetrate so directly into Silver Moon's heartland—that would be like beating the grass to alert the snake." I lifted my head, my gaze following the direction the prints extended. "Based on our tracking over the past two days, this looks more like a group of rogues... searching for something."
Before I finished speaking, the sound of wolf paws trampling fallen leaves suddenly came from deep in the forest—swift, light, carrying an obvious probing quality.
I instantly tensed my muscles and charged toward the sound. The two warriors behind me immediately followed.
Branches flew past me on either side as that figure remained just at the edge of my vision, appearing and disappearing.
I summoned ice element, condensing it into sharp icicles while running, shooting them continuously at that swiftly moving figure.
Each icicle was precisely aimed at where the target might appear, yet all missed—the opponent's speed and reflexes far exceeded my predictions.
Suddenly, two screams came from behind me.
I stopped abruptly, my four paws carving deep grooves in the ground. Looking around, the two warriors already lay in pools of blood, their throats torn open by claws.
I pricked up my ears, carefully distinguishing the sounds around me.
One, two, three.
Three sets of footsteps from different directions were closing in, surrounding me in a triangle—clearly the coordinated movement of well-trained warriors.
I gathered ice element in my right forepaw and released it explosively with myself as the center—Ice Seal!
In an instant, the ground rapidly froze, cold air spreading outward like a spider's web, frost climbing tree trunks and freezing fallen leaves.
Three giant wolves leaped into the air almost simultaneously. They were clearly prepared, launching themselves into the air before the ice seal could reach their paws, attacking me from three directions at once.
Ice Spike!
I roared, and three sharp ice pillars burst from the ground, aimed directly at their faces.
But these three wolves reacted with astonishing speed. They swung their claws in midair, shattering all the ice spikes.
Ice Wolf Summoning—I roared again, and two giant wolves formed from pure ice element materialized, lunging at two of the enemies.
Combat erupted instantly, wolf howls and the sounds of impact echoing through the forest.
The largest and most imposing wolf ignored my summons and charged straight at me. Its movements were fierce and precise, each bite aimed at vital points.
I covered my body's surface with a layer of frost armor, barely managing to block the opponent's attacks.
But its combat experience clearly exceeded mine—like a veteran who'd survived countless life-and-death struggles, every movement stripped of unnecessary flourish, containing only lethal efficiency.
The other two wolves also dealt with my summons and quickly returned to position.
The three giant wolves regrouped, trapping me in the center, six eyes fixed intently on me.
I felt this was troublesome.
Deep in my consciousness, Sage and I quickly exchanged thoughts.
"Use that move," Sage said in a low voice, "though we don't have complete confidence, it's our only chance."
I took a deep breath and began channeling all the ice element power within my body.
Frozen Moon Shadow—this was the ultimate skill I hadn't yet fully mastered.
The werewolf and ice element power would completely merge, summoning a massive frost moon. The moon would release cold light covering the entire area, and all enemies illuminated by it would suffer intense cold damage, possibly even being frozen directly.
The sky began to change dramatically. The originally clear sky was replaced by an ice-blue halo, a massive frost moon slowly taking shape above my head.
The lead wolf on the opposite side clearly saw what I was doing.
It roared, and all three wolves charged simultaneously.
I continuously generated ice walls to block their advance, but that lead wolf was too strong—each swipe of its claws shattered an ice wall, the distance closing rapidly.
Just as Frozen Moon Shadow was about to complete, it broke through the last defense, delivering a heavy blow squarely to my chest.
The frost armor shattered instantly, and I was sent flying by the tremendous impact, forced back into human form in midair.
I crashed heavily to the ground, blood spurting from my mouth.
Looking up, three giant wolves stood over me.
"You three," I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, "aren't advance troops from the Blood River Pack, are you?"
The three wolves slowly transformed back into human form.
Their faces bore the distinctive savage features of the Blood River tribe—high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and that fierce aura left by years of killing in the wastelands.
"Ice element users are nothing more than this," the leader sneered.
I struggled to sit up. "I know you're not ordinary warriors, so I didn't intend to fight you to the death. Seeing how you've been lurking in Silver Moon, you must be searching for something. And your combat abilities are formidable..." I paused. "Your faces show Blood River Pack characteristics. The only ones I can think of are the 'Seven Claw Generals' who once served under the Crimson Flame Warlord. May I ask which claws you are?"
The three exchanged glances, and the leader spoke: "Gold Claw—Brian Gonzalez."
"Copper Claw—Gregory Gonzalez," the second added.
"Iron Claw—Zachary Gonzalez," the last one finished.
I couldn't help but laugh, the movement pulling at my wounds and causing another wave of pain. "Then it's no surprise. This junior admits defeat."
Brian looked at me coldly. "When we campaigned east and west with the Crimson Flame Warlord, you were still a milk-fed pup."
"Now that the Blood River Pack is preparing for war," I said mockingly, "three generals aren't at the front lines leading troops, but have infiltrated Silver Moon territory instead. Are you planning treason?"
"We're only here to find someone," Brian said.
"Who?" I pressed.
They didn't answer.
At that moment, the ground suddenly shook violently. A terrifying fire element energy erupted from the direction of the West Wing, scorching heat waves sweeping through the entire forest.
Brian's heart tightened. "Fire element fluctuation!" he blurted out. "Where the young lady is!"
Before the words finished, all three had transformed into wolves and were racing toward the West Wing.
Ignoring the pain in my ribs, I gritted my teeth and transformed again.
The moment Sage took control of my body, I felt his anxiety—that fire element energy was too powerful, powerful enough to make one's heart palpitate.
Ella.
It must be Ella.