Chapter 55
Stella's POV
On the eve of Blood River's war...
When Seraphina arrived at the Blood River camp gates with Victoria in her jaws, I could already feel the faint flicker of life force within my daughter's body. I threw back my head and howled.
The camp gates burst open, and a squad of fully armed warriors rushed out, their eyes sharp with vigilance. I shifted back to human form, clutching Victoria's ice-cold body tightly in my arms.
"Bring Nicholas to me!" I roared. "Now!"
The warriors exchanged uncertain glances, but none dared move.
Victoria suddenly convulsed in my arms, releasing a heart-wrenching scream. Her hands clutched desperately at my collar, nails nearly piercing my flesh. Then the sound gradually weakened, finally falling completely silent.
"Quick! Take us to the medical ward!" I screamed.
The medical ward reeked of herbs and disinfectant.
The old physician was a white-haired Omega. He asked me to wait outside, then entered the treatment room with his assistant.
I paced back and forth in the corridor, dark purple flames flickering uncontrollably from my fingertips. This damned black flame—it devoured not only enemies but was slowly consuming me as well.
But I couldn't think about that now. My mind was filled with Victoria's agonized screams and those hollow eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, the treatment room door finally opened.
The old physician's expression was heavy with sorrow. He removed his bloodstained gloves and sighed deeply.
"The cold penetrated her abdomen," he said slowly. "The fetus was too fragile. We couldn't save it."
I felt blood roaring in my ears, my vision blurring.
Couldn't save it. Those words echoed through my mind, each repetition like a hammer blow to my chest.
"Say that again," I heard my own voice, terrifyingly cold.
The physician flinched but repeated, "The child... is gone. The ice element's cold was too severe, directly damaging the uterine wall. The fetus..."
I didn't wait for him to finish before rushing into the treatment room.
Victoria lay on the bed, her face even paler than before, her abdomen covered with blood-stained white cloth. She stared at the ceiling with eyes so vacant they seemed to be gazing at another world.
I approached the bed, wanting to take her hand, but found my own trembling.
"Victoria..."
She slowly turned her head to look at me. Her lips moved but made no sound.
I watched a tear slide from the corner of her eye, then a second, a third... Tears rolled silently down, soaking the pillow.
"You don't need to say it," she finally spoke, her voice hoarse and broken. "I already felt it. Inside me... there's no more heartbeat..."
As she spoke, the tears came faster.
I had never seen her cry like this—not with anger, not with grievance, but with a grief that penetrated to the bone.
"I will make Silver Moon pay," I gripped her hand, my voice filled with murderous intent. "Not just Julian, but Kane too."
At Kane's name, Victoria's eyes suddenly brightened, but quickly dimmed again, more lifeless than before.
"You're not still holding feelings for that man, are you?" I stared at her.
Victoria wept first, tears streaming down her cheeks, dampening the pillow's edge.
Then I watched her expression gradually change. The tears dried, replaced by a sinister coldness.
"I want them to pay blood for blood!" she said, each word dripping with bone-deep hatred.
Now that was my daughter. I was about to speak when a knock came at the door.
A warrior said respectfully, "Lady Stella, General Silver Claw requests your presence."
I glanced at Victoria. She closed her eyes, signaling I could leave. I gently patted the back of her hand and left the medical ward.
In the command tent at the camp's center, Nicholas Gonzalez stood with his back to me.
His frame was lean yet powerful, radiating an overwhelming sense of dominance. When he turned around, I saw him fully—skin pale as paper, long silver-white hair cascading loosely over his shoulders.
He wore black armor inlaid with silver decorations, appearing both magnificent and sinister.
Most striking was his right hand—a mechanical limb covered in witchcraft runes, gleaming eerily in the dim light.
A silver canine tooth pendant hung naturally at his chest.
Without any courtesy, I rushed forward and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him off his feet.
"You ruined my plan!" I roared. "Gold Claw, Copper Claw, Iron Claw—those three idiots nearly destroyed everything!"
Nicholas didn't resist, only looked at me quietly, a hint of amusement playing at his lips.
"My apologies, Lady Stella," his voice was cold and calm. "Gold Claw, Copper Claw, and Iron Claw have long since betrayed Blood River and become rogues. How could I possibly control their actions?"
He paused, continuing, "Blame the fact that the Crimson Flame Warlord's daughter was hidden in your Silver Moon territory. That was truly unforeseeable."
My fury remained unabated.
Nicholas raised his right hand, the cold mechanical claw lightly touching my chest. The sharp tips pressed through the fabric, sending a chill through me.
"Don't forget," he said icily, "without my intelligence years ago, you would have died at the Crimson Flame Warlord's hands. Is this how you treat your benefactor?"
I clenched my jaw, restraining the urge to tear him apart, and slowly released my grip.
Nicholas straightened his collar, that unsettling smile still on his face.
"Gold Claw, Copper Claw, Iron Claw—those blindly loyal fools," he continued. "They never realized their loyalty should be to the Alpha, not to the Crimson Flame Warlord. Those three are nothing to fear. What matters now is marching on Silver Moon, killing Julian, seizing the ice element, and avenging your child..."
His words struck something deep within me.
This man was too cunning. He always knew exactly where to strike.
"Since I once gave you a secret," Nicholas stepped closer, his voice dropping lower, "now it's time for you to give me one in return, Lady Stella."
I hesitated. Once this secret was spoken, there would be no taking it back.
But thinking of Victoria's hollow eyes, of the child who never had a chance to be born, I made my decision through gritted teeth.
"I know a hidden military route," I said. "One that can catch Silver Moon completely off guard."
Nicholas's eyes lit up like a predator spotting prey. "Where?"
I took a deep breath and spoke two words: "Frostbite Canyon."