THIRD PERSON POV:
Zane storms through the gates of the Lunar Shadow Pack with Yusuf's werewolf warriors at his back. The early morning air fills with growls, gunfire, and the clash of weapons. The pack's warriors are caught off guard, scrambling to respond to the ruthless assault. Yusuf's mutants tear through the defenders like a storm. Everything is going according to Zane's plan, and they have taken the pack unaware.
Zane moves like a shadow-swift and merciless-cutting down anyone who dares to stand in his way. His wolf, desperate to reunite with its mate, takes sole control of Zane, feeding him with power he doesn't even know he possesses.
Blake stands in the midst of his warriors, overlooking the chaos.
"How did they breach the gates?" he barks at his men, who are as confused as he is.
"We don't know, Alpha!" one guard shouts back, dodging as a mutant slashes through another warrior beside him. "They came out of nowhere!"
Blake's mind races as he calculates his options. He knows Zane has come for Kiara, and he understands what this means for him. The moment he sees Zane pushing forward with a large group of men covering him, Blake feels the need to act. He turns abruptly and heads into the mansion to find his Luna.
Inside the mansion, Kiara watches the carnage unfold from the window, her heart pounding in her chest. She hears Zane's voice over the din, barking orders to Yusuf's men. Relief and terror war within her. She wants him to survive, but she fears he won't, knowing Blake's strength and ruthlessness.
"Luna," Isabella whispers from her corner, her voice trembling. "What's happening?"
Kiara turns to face her, fear written across her face. "He's fighting to set me free, but I don't know how long he'll survive before they cut him down. I think I need to help him, but…"
Before she can finish, the door bursts open, and Blake storms in, flanked by two of his elite guards. His shirt is soaked with blood-none of it his own. He locks eyes with Kiara, fury burning in his gaze.
"Do you see what your lover has done?" he spits, gesturing out the window at the blood-soaked grounds. "All this death because of you!"
"Blake, this isn't my fault!" Kiara says, stepping back.
Blake grabs her roughly, letting out a bitter laugh.
"Of course it isn't. My wife is perfect, and that's why she will watch me slay her lover."
Kiara's heart races as he says this.
"You think I'd let you leave here with him? No, you will watch him die under my touch!" he growls, pulling her roughly to his chest.
"Stop it!" Kiara struggles against his grip. "This isn't the way, Blake!"
"You're mine, Kiara!" Blake snarls, his wolf surfacing. His eyes glow an eerie yellow. "You swore to me-"
A deafening crash interrupts him. The door to the room explodes inward, and Zane steps in, his eyes blazing with fury. His shirt is torn, his face streaked with blood, but he stands tall and unyielding.
"Let her go, Blake," Zane growls.
Blake tightens his grip on Kiara, pulling her closer. "You think you can just take her from me? You think you're better than me? I'll show you what it takes to be a true Alpha!"
"She was never yours," Zane says, stepping closer.
The slashing of swords outside intensifies as Yusuf's mutants advance.
Blake's lips curl into a snarl. "Fine, let's see if she agrees."
He spins Kiara around to face him, gripping her jaw. "Choose, Kiara. Him or me. Right now."
Kiara's heart beat races. Her eyes dart between Zane, who stands ready to risk his life for her, and Blake, whose desperation now borders on madness.
"I don't want to do this, Blake. Please," she pleads, but Blake won't take no for an answer.
"Either you choose, or I'll take his head. I'll kill anyone who stands in our way, Kiara," Blake says.
Kiara swallows hard, knowing what this means. If she chooses Zane, Blake will still fight him.
"Enough!" Zane growls, drawing Blake's attention. "Why don't we settle this once and for all-Alpha to Alpha."
Kiara looks at Zane like he is mad. He is trying to go against Blake, an original Alpha King.
Blake's eyes widen, and for a moment, the fire in them flickers. Then he lets out a guttural chuckle that morphs into a roar as his wolf bursts forth. In a blur of motion, he throws Kiara aside and charges at Zane.
The clash is ferocious. Blake is fast, his wolf-enhanced strength and speed giving him an edge. But Zane is unshakable. He matches Blake blow for blow, his claws tearing through flesh as they fight for dominance.
Kiara watches in horror, unable to move, as the two men fight with deadly precision. Blood splatters the walls, the floor, their faces. She rushes to the corner where Isabella is cramped, wrapping her arms around her to protect her.
Finally, Zane lands a devastating blow to Blake's chest, sending him crashing into the balcony railing. Blake coughs, blood spilling from his lips. He looks at Kiara, his eyes softening for a brief moment.
Kiara glances at Zane, who stands inches away from Blake. She finally understands. Blake is fighting as an Alpha, desperate to keep his kingdom, but Zane fights for revenge. This is the culmination of the anger he's built up since childhood.
As Blake glares at Kiara, he realizes she loves Zane. She is the only thing he's ever truly cared for, and now that she's gone, he has nothing left.
"I've come to realize I'll never have you, Kiara," he begins, staring at her. "But you are the only thing I truly care about, and if I can't have you, then I see no point in living."
Her eyes widen as she rushes toward him, but before she can reach him, he takes his own heart.
"You killed me, Kiara." These are his last words before his body goes still, turning pale within seconds.
"Blake!" Kiara cries, rushing to him, but it's too late.
Zane changes back to human form. He pulls her into his arms, cradling her trembling body. "I am sorry," he whispers as she tries to reach out to Blake's body. Isabella, who is still in the room, stares in terror at the body of the Alpha King. How everything changed in the blink of an eye is still a mystery to her.
In that moment, two men burst into the room, and Zane gets ready to charge at them, but he sees Rufus and one of Yusuf's mutants.
"Are you okay?" Rufus asks, and Zane nods.
He points at Isabella. "Take her out with care," he orders the mutant, and the mutant nods. Then he grabs Isabella, who is trembling.
"It's okay, Isa. They are here to help you." Her body relaxes a bit when Kiara says this, so she gets to her feet, making her way out of the room with the man.
As Zane guides Kiara down the bloodstained stairs, the once-pristine mansion was now a scene of chaos. The heavy stench of blood and the metallic tang of death linger in the air. Zane's grip on Kiara is protective, his eyes scanning every corner for potential threats. Behind them, Rufus follows closely, steady and alert, with Yusuf's mutant carrying a shaken Isabella.
Outside, the sight of Veronica standing greets them amidst the carnage. Her face is streaked with tears, and she looks tattered, like she has been in the midst of the fight. At the sight of Kiara, she stumbles forward, dropping to her knees dramatically.
"Kiara," Veronica cries, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry! Please, forgive me for everything I've done to you. I didn't mean it-I swear I was manipulated! I just... wanted to be loved."
Kiara stiffens in Zane's hold, her wolf, Bailey, growling softly. This woman caused her pain, and now she has the audacity to beg.
"You expect me to believe this, Veronica?" Kiara asks coldly, a disgusted look on her face.
"I swear, I didn't mean for it to get this bad!" Veronica wails, crawling closer. "I was a stupid little bitch-" She stops mid-sentence, her eyes darting nervously.
Zane narrows his eyes, his sharp senses picking up the slip Kiara misses. "Stupid little bitch?"
Veronica's face pales, and she tries to cover her tracks. "I mean... I am trying to make things right."
"You're not Veronica," Zane growls, stepping protectively in front of Kiara. "Mindy."
At the accusation, Veronica's expression changes completely. Her lips curl into a wicked smile, and a bone-chilling cackle escapes her lips. It's a sound Kiara knows all too well.
"Oh, clever boy," she sneers, her voice shifting to the sinister tone of Mindy's. "I suppose there's no point pretending anymore."
Kiara stares in disbelief as the truth dawns on her. "What did you do, Mindy?"
Mindy tilts her head, her smile widening. "I knew you'd come for me, Kiara. I knew your pathetic little heart would want to end me after everything I've done. So, I made Veronica a deal she couldn't refuse: her life for the Luna title. She agreed, of course. Anything to feel special, to feel powerful. I switched our bodies, and when you attacked me-" She points a manicured finger at Kiara. "-you didn't kill me. You killed her."
Kiara's breath catches, but to her own surprise, she doesn't feel the wave of guilt she expected. Veronica had tormented her, betrayed her repeatedly. Perhaps, Kiara thinks, this was justice in its own twisted way.
"You're a coward," Kiara says, her voice laced with venom. "Hiding behind others, using their bodies to escape your fate. It's over, Mindy."
Mindy throws her head back, laughing darkly. "Oh, you poor little Luna. It's never over. I always have a plan."
Before anyone can react, Mindy pulls a gun from beneath her dress. Her eyes lock onto Kiara with murderous intent as she raises the weapon.
"No!" Zane roars, his wolf surging forward, but before he can reach Kiara, the gunshot rings out.
Time seems to slow as Rufus leaps in front of Kiara, his large frame absorbing the bullet meant for her. The impact sends him staggering back, blood blossoming across his chest like a crimson flower.
"No!" Kiara screams, rushing to Rufus as he collapses to the ground.