Chapter 44

Liam was still lying helpless on the floor of Aaron's house, along with Gessy's body and William's head. After Aaron arrived and was shocked by Gessy's death, the werewolf changed into human form to take the vervain antidote. Liam screamed when he was injected with werewolf blood, but the effect immediately neutralized the vervain.

The vampire, on the brink of death, looked at Aaron and said, "I don't know what else to do, Uncle. If you can, just kill me."

Liam sobbed; he had lost badly against his cousin and uncle. He had lied to Federica, his lover, his idol. He didn't know how to fix this disaster after Aaron was still willing to save him. The Grim Ripper has risen, which means the same as the world's end for the clans.

"If you still want to cry over your stupidity, go ahead," said Aaron before going after Matthias. "But, if you want to save Federica, go with all your strength, Liam. End this war, isn't the oak tree there?"

Liam was still sobbing and staring at the ceiling of Aaron's house. Even though forest guards closely guarded the lake, Liam wasn't sure the tree was still there. No one could penetrate the forest around the lake, even if there were.

"Matthias has unrivaled strength; it's possible that he can penetrate the forest, Liam," said Aaron as if he could read Liam's anxiety. "I'm leaving; our lives are more or less in your hands."

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Aaron roared, ordering the entire werewolf pack to focus on Matthias, who was now getting closer to the sacred place at Blue Lake. He also called other clans to face the vampires controlling almost half of the country. They race against time while the light of the blood moon becomes brighter. During the blood moon, nature seems silent, as if it doesn't want to interfere with the affairs between the clans.

Meanwhile, more people are fleeing after the number of victims increases day by day. Blood supplies in various hospitals were suddenly stolen, and police officers were overwhelmed. They couldn't believe it when one clan told them that a vampire had attacked them, that this long and tiring night was the peak of strength that no sharp weapon could match.

“You have to be kidding me! We don't believe in vampires, wolves, or anything like that!” shouted a desperate priest hiding in the church. “They are dead people; they are trapped in this world, and we need to pray to our God.”

"Up to you. This kind of life has existed for a long time; you are the only ones who are reluctant to accept the reality, sir."

While running at high speed through the trees, one of the werewolves tasked with guarding the border also followed Aaron as the Alpha.

“Aaron, how can we kill Matthias without weapons that can incapacitate him.”

Aaron couldn't answer and continued to speed up his movements no matter how weak his hind legs were. He was willing to do anything to prevent Matthias from finding Federica. He is also keen to exchange his life if Matthias does not kill Federica to perfect his power.

Aaron's eyes saw Matthias standing not far from the border area towards the Hawthorn nest. He smiled broadly, showing his blood-stained fangs as if welcoming the arrival of the Alpha. Both hands are the same; who knows whose blood? Matthias has killed hundreds of people in a few days.

One by one, the werewolves attacked the vampire, ten against one. However, Matthias easily repelled attack after attack. He could read his enemy's movements so easily. As a result, he could casually kill the wolves one by one in one episode. They also don't hesitate to cut open the bodies of large animals and then tear their necks until the blood flows down their bodies. Matthias laughed and bathed in werewolf blood. The taste of the blood was so sweet, just like their elders.

"How delicious your blood is," praised Matthias.

Now Aaron is left, his energy has been completely drained. His injuries were increasing. With a limp, Aaron pounced on Matthias. But he failed; Matthias managed to dodge and stood on a tree trunk, looking arrogantly at the Alpha.

"Why don't you just die, Aaron? Aren't you too old?" said Matthias. "I've killed almost your entire clan."

Aaron growled, trying to reach Matthias, who was out of reach. Matthias laughed even more.

"Stupid wolf!" he taunted. Matthias jumped up, grabbed Aaron's neck, and then ripped it open with a huge bite. His hands tore at Aaron's feathers, creating new wounds.

Aaron howled for help, but his voice stopped when Matthias managed to rip open his throat. Aaron lay helpless, his eyes staring intently at Matthias, trying to say he would not die wary of his greed. Then everything went black, and Aaron died with his eyes glaring at the vampire.

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Even though they had tense arguments, Ethan and his brothers stood guard in every corner of the Blue Lake area, along with the forest guards. Finally, one of them reported that his member had died suddenly with writing on his forehead. They said that it was a sign that their greatest enemy was coming.

The Hawthorns isolated their territory after a betrayal in the past. The humans, he believed, had deliberately entered a pact with vampires and discovered this place. They are trying to break in to destroy something they have guarded for thousands of years. A tree is a natural balancer and will be helpful when the time comes.

Ethan gets to the heart of why the wood-skinned, slimy human doesn't trust anyone. A vampire is still a vampire; Ethan snorted in annoyance when he remembered Liam's betrayal. Unfortunately, Ethan couldn't meet Federica in person because the half-blood was connected to the Grim Ripper.

They were trying to perform a sacred ritual to protect Federica and prevent the girl from going on a rampage for no reason. “Is the tree still there?” asked Ethan. “Only the tree can kill it.”

"Even if there is, it's not easy. Meanwhile, the half-blood is in a weak condition; Matthias is sucking his energy away, Ethan," answered one of the forest guards.

"The only one who can kill him is Federica herself."

"I need the tree! The wood! Not sacrificing Federica!"

One of the burly dwarf humans climbed onto Ethan's back and told the werewolf to follow his orders.

"I'll show you where the tree is; not everyone can get through it. So that you know."

"I don't care!"

Then Ethan walked into the sacred area following the direction of the young Hawthorn. In front of him, the pool of Blue Lake water looks charming reflecting the red moonlight, making the lake seem to bleed. In the middle of the lake was a tree with only half of its leaves remaining. He just believed what Liam said was true. It is the only white oak tree that can kill vampires.

“That's all, Ethan.” Ethan gaped and looked at the pool of lake water, which looked calm but could have drowned him. While he was a wolf, Ethan was most afraid of water, but if he turned into a human, the distance between the lake and the tree would be very far.

The hawthorn came down from its back, looking at Ethan with burning green eyes. He tried to dip the stick in his left hand into the lake. Instantly, the post was charred as if a fire had just burned it. Ethan's eyes widened, not knowing that this could happen on such a calm lake.

"Do you believe it? No one can take it, not even us," said Hawthorn. “Gods take care of him, Ethan.”

"God? Then will we be protected by God if Matthias comes? He will enslave us!" Ethan was still adamant.

"If that's the case, take it. Not in the middle of the lake, your body will only be left with bones," challenged Hawthorn in response to the young wolf's stubbornness. "Aside from God, a snake is guarding it from within. He won't let you take the wood. Even a little."

"Shit!" Ethan hissed. Then, he looked at his reflection in the lake water. He was confused about how to take the tree trunk. However, the most difficult thing was how to prevent him from dying from the water and snakes. Ethan looked up, observing the light of the blood moon. He squinted and then saw the reflection of the moonlight in the direction the ranger had dipped his wand. An idea came to him; Ethan smiled and then said,

"I have an idea, but you must come with me."

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Liam hobbled out of Aaron's house and met a vampire from another clan enjoying a wolf. He had no idea that the werewolf territory had been devastated by Matthias' attack. Blood splattered everywhere, creating a foul smell that stung the nose. The vampire stopped while folding his arms across his chest, looking at Liam, and said,

"Did you just come back from the dead, huh?"

Liam nodded as if he was still frail, then was quickly bitten by the vampire's neck without having time to fight back. He was sucking blood until the victim's body turned black. Liam's irises, which had previously been dim, were now burning brightly. He threw the arrogant vampire's body to the ground while wiping the remaining blood from his mouth. His strength recovered a little, but he needed more blood.

He also couldn't help but suck blood from the bodies of those who died in the remaining battle. Liam seemed to become a new monster when he had his powers back. He stood up, his anger and revenge towards Matthias so passionate. Liam ran towards his house, looking for something he had hidden all this time, even from his father and Laura.

"Use this when you need it, Liam. This is all that's left in the world; hide this even from your own family," said Liam's mother - Jasmine, when there was a battle between vampires for and against the Grim Ripper. She handed him a stake of red oak, which was forged so that two half-bloods covered it.

"But how long, Mom?" Jasmine shrugged her shoulders.

"Until you need it. Guard it with all your life."