Chapter 126 Chapter 115

Chapter 126 Chapter 115
Nathaniel
The battlefield was a storm of chaos and blood, a symphony of growls, snarls, and the deafening clash of claws against flesh. I darted between trees, my wolf at full power, his senses heightened as the pack clashed with Andromeda’s forces. Rogues and minions poured in from every direction, their eyes glowing with unnatural malice.
A rogue lunged at me from the side, its jaws snapping inches from my hip. I twisted mid-leap, my claws raking across its side. It howled in pain, but I didn’t stop to savor the hit. Another was already closing in, a blur of teeth and fury. I met it head-on, slamming my shoulder into its chest and sending it sprawling into the underbrush.
Fall back! I linked to a group of young warriors struggling to hold their line. Let the senior wolves take the brunt.
The connection snapped closed as I barreled forward, tearing through the line of rogues threatening to overwhelm them. My wolf instincts screamed at me to protect the weaker members of the pack. Every move I made was calculated, designed to keep them alive for just one more second, one more breath.
Conor, status? I linked him, trying to sound sharp.
The eastern flank is holding for now, Conor responded, his tone grim. But it’s a shitshow, Nathaniel. They’re relentless. I don’t know how much longer we can keep this up.
Hold them as long as you can, I ordered, my claws sinking into another rogue’s throat. We need to buy time.
For what? he asked.
I didn’t answer. The truth was, I didn’t know. I was holding onto hope that Ethan and Mer would return soon. That whatever battle they were fighting would tip the scales in our favor. Until then, we had to endure. We had to survive.
A shrill howl cut through the air, different from the others. My wolf stiffened, his ears pricking as the sound echoed across the battlefield. It wasn’t a call for reinforcements. It was a signal of intent.
They’re shifting tactics! Grace’s voice broke through the link, her tone urgent. The minions are heading for the western flank. They’re targeting the vulnerable.
Shit, I muttered, pivoting sharply. Conor, take command here. I’m heading west.
Got it, he answered, already lunging into another skirmish.
I sprinted toward the western border, weaving through the chaos as fast as my paws could carry me. The scent of blood and fear hung thick in the air, mixing with the acrid tang of dark magic. My wolf pushed harder, adrenaline surging through my veins as the cries of pack mates grew louder.
When I reached the western line, the scene was worse than I’d anticipated. The rogues were more organized here, their movements precise and methodical. Minions stood at the edges, directing their attacks with eerie precision.
Hold the line! I roared through the pack-link.
The pack responded instantly, their movements tightening as they regrouped around me. I motioned to a young wolf, shoving him toward the rear. Get the injured back to the pack house. Now!
But—
Go! I barked, turning to face the next wave of attackers.
A rogue leaped at me, its teeth snapping toward my throat. I sidestepped, driving my paws into its ribs and slashing upward with my claws. It fell with a wet gurgle, but there was no time to celebrate. Another rogue was already charging, and behind it, a minion stood watching, its glowing eyes filled with malice.
The minion raised a hand, and a surge of dark energy shot toward me. I ducked, the spell missing by inches and scorching the ground where I’d stood. Snarling, I lunged at the rogue in front of me, taking it down in a flurry of claws and blood. My wolf howled in fury, desperate to tear into the minion next.
Before I could move, a flash of mottled brown fur darted past me. Liam, in his wolf form, slammed into the minion with the force of a freight train, sending it sprawling.
Don’t tell me you were going to take all the fun for yourself, he said.
Get to the left flank, I ordered, ignoring his jab. They’re pushing hard there.
Liam gave me a wolfish smile, his lean frame disappearing into the chaos. I turned my attention back to the fight, my mind racing. We were holding, for now. But I could feel the tide shifting, the weight of Andromeda’s forces pressing harder with every passing second.
For every rogue we took down, two more seemed to take its place. The minions grew bolder, their magic lashing out in waves that scorched the earth and sent wolves flying. My pack was holding, but just barely. Andromeda’s forces weren’t just attacking - they were wearing us down, grinding away at our defenses until we had nothing left.
Another wave of rogues emerged from the treeline, their eyes wild with bloodlust. Behind them were Andromeda’s minions, their dark auras pulsating with malevolent energy as they directed the rogues like puppeteers. My wolf growled low, the sound reverberating through my chest.
Focus on the rogues first, I ordered through the link. We’ll handle the minions once the numbers are thinned.
We moved in unison, cutting through the enemy ranks with brutal efficiency. But they weren’t fighting like wolves - they were fighting like creatures possessed, driven by something darker.
As I leapt onto another rogue, pinning him beneath me, I heard Grace’s voice through the link. Nathaniel, update me. How are you holding?
Still in the thick of it, I replied, sinking my teeth into the rogue’s neck before continuing. They’re pushing hard, but we’ve got the line. Any sign of reinforcements?
Unit seven is en route to your position, she said, her voice steady despite the tension I could feel in her thoughts. I’m coordinating their movements now. Hold your ground, Nathaniel. We can’t let them break through.
We won’t, I promised, and I meant it.
The bond between me and the pack burned brightly as we fought side by side. Even with Ethan gone, I could feel the strength of our unity, the shared determination to protect what was ours. But the battle was far from over.
A howl of pain echoed to my left, and I turned to see Sean struggling against a particularly large rogue, his red fur streaked with blood. My heart clenched at the sight, and I lunged without hesitation, tackling the rogue off him and rolling in a tangle of limbs and snarls. I managed to overpower the brute, tearing into his throat before spinning back to Sean.
You’re good? I asked through the link.
I’m fine, he grunted, though I could see the strain in his movements.
Fall back and regroup with the others, I ordered.
He hesitated but nodded, retreating toward the line where Conor and the others were holding strong. I turned back to the battle, my wolf snarling as I charged another wave of rogues.
The fight was brutal, unrelenting. My muscles burned, my breaths coming in ragged gasps, but I couldn’t stop. Wouldn’t stop. This was what it meant to be Beta - to lead, to protect, to fight until there was nothing left to give.
The sun hung low in the sky, its fading light casting long shadows over the battlefield. The pack was holding, but just barely. Andromeda’s forces were relentless, their numbers seeming endless. For every rogue we cut down, more poured out of the woods, driven by an unholy force we couldn’t fully understand.
Through it all, Grace’s steady voice anchored us. Her orders were clear, precise, cutting through the chaos like a beacon. She wasn’t here on the battlefield, but her presence was felt in every movement, every decision.
Hold the line, I growled through the link as another wave approached. This isn’t over yet.
And as the next surge hit, I braced myself, ready to give everything I had to protect my pack, my family, and the home we had fought so hard to build.