Chapter 86 The face-off
The air around Valen’s manor was thick with tension as Derek stood at the massive iron gates. Two vampire guards flanked the entrance, their expressions cold and defensive. Their red eyes flickered with suspicion as they sized up the lone werewolf before them.
One of the guards narrowed his eyes, his sharp fangs peeking through his lips. “What business does a wolf have here?”
Leo, Derek’s wolf, growled low in his chest, irritated by the guard's condescending tone. Let me loose. I’ll tear them apart and get our mate back.
Calm down, Derek murmured under his breath, fighting to keep Leo under control. We’re not here to pick a fight.
Derek raised his hands slowly, palms facing out, signaling he came in peace. "I’m not here to fight. I just need to see your Lord."
The second guard exchanged a look with his companion before turning back to Derek. "Wait here." And with a speed that made Derek’s breath hitch, the vampire disappeared into the shadows.
Leo stirred again, a restless force inside him. I hate the smell of these leeches.
You’re not helping, Derek muttered under his breath. His jaw tightened as he reminded his wolf, We’re in enemy territory. Don’t do anything stupid.
We shouldn’t be standing here wasting time! Leo snarled. She’s in there with them! Who knows what they’ve done to her?
“Quiet! Derek snapped softly. I can’t focus if you keep this up.”
The first guard watched him closely, as though waiting for any excuse to attack. But before long, the other vampire returned. He nodded sharply. “Follow me.”
Derek stepped forward cautiously. The manor loomed ahead, dark and imposing, with its high towers and sharp angles. As he walked through the gates, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
Inside the manor, Valen stood at the top of a grand staircase, looking every bit like a king surveying his domain. He radiated an aura of power that filled the room, making the guards and servants visibly straighten in his presence. His movements were calm and measured, but the sharp look in his crimson eyes betrayed his irritation.
Dorian, his right-hand man, stepped up to him and whispered, “A werewolf is here to see you. It’s Alpha Derek.”
Valen’s jaw tightened. He had been expecting this visit, but that didn’t make it any less infuriating. “Escort him to my study,” he commanded, his voice cold and unyielding. “Cancel all other engagements.”
Dorian inclined his head and turned to leave, but not before catching the faint flicker of something dangerous in Valen’s gaze.
Derek followed Dorian through the quiet halls of the manor. The silence was almost unbearable, broken only by the soft echo of their footsteps. Derek could feel the weight of Dorian’s distrust in every glance the vampire threw his way.
When they reached a set of heavy wooden doors, Dorian stopped and knocked once. “Lord Valen, the werewolf is here.”
Valen’s voice came from inside, smooth but cold. “Let him in.”
Dorian stepped aside, and Derek walked into the study. The door closed behind him with a loud thud, leaving him alone with the vampire lord.
Valen leaned casually against his desk, his arms crossed over his chest. "Well, well, Alpha Derek," he drawled. "I finally get to meet you in person."
Derek’s eyes narrowed. "How do you know my name?"
Valen smirked, the amusement in his expression infuriating. "Oh, I know more than just your name."
Had he gotten information from Ella? Did he torture her for it? He knows he had been very discreet since he arrived here. Derek’s heart raced, and a surge of panic hit him. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice rough with emotion, Leo barely on the surface with the mere thought of his mate being mistreated. "Where’s Ella? What have you done to her?” He growled
Valen’s smirk vanished, replaced by a cold glare. "Watch your tone, wolf.”
But Derek was beyond caution. Fueled by a mixture of fury and fear, he closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, his hand fisting in Valen’s shirt. “Tell me where she is!” he growled, his voice echoing with Leo’s barely restrained presence.
Valen’s temper ignited. With a swift, almost effortless motion, he shoved Derek backward, sending him stumbling. “Keep your hands to yourself!” Valen hissed, his fangs glinting as his crimson eyes burned with barely restrained fury.
Leo snarled from within, and Derek struggled to keep him contained. But the thought of Valen hurting his mate tipped him over the edge. He lunged at Valen again, but this time, Valen moved faster than Derek could follow. In a blur, Valen dodged, and Derek crashed into the desk.
Valen chuckled darkly, his movements deliberate as he circled Derek. "Is this the best Ella’s supposed mate can do?" he mocked. "The gods must have a sense of humor.”
Valen’s smirk deepened. “But tell me, Alpha, why should I tell you anything about her?”
“Because she’s mine,” Derek growled, stepping closer.
Valen’s expression turned icy. “Yours? You mean the mate you failed to protect? The one you rejected?”
The jab hit harder than Derek expected. His hands curled into fists as he took another step forward. “Where is she?” he demanded again, louder this time. “What have you done to her?!” he roared.
Valen’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Alpha Derek, you are alone in my territory. Put your wolf in a leash. You don’t want to see what I’m capable of.”
Derek’s control over Leo shattered. In an instant, his body transformed, his bones cracking as his huge black wolf emerged. With a deafening roar, Leo charged at Valen, teeth bared.
Valen didn’t flinch. His own transformation was swift, his fangs elongating and his claws extending. His crimson eyes darkened as he met Leo’s charge head-on.
The study erupted into chaos as Leo and Valen clashed, their strength and speed unmatched. Furniture splintered, and walls cracked under the force of their blows.
Outside, Scottie paced nervously. "Dorian, we can’t let them kill each other!" she hissed.
Dorian’s jaw was tight as he listened to the sounds of the fight. "They need to settle this themselves," he said grimly.
“This is madness,” Scottie muttered, pacing anxiously. “We have to stop them!”
Dorian’s expression was forbidden. “Its not our place to interfere. This is their fight.”
Scottie grabbed his arm. "Ella’s going to feel this, and when she does—"
A soft voice interrupted her. "Feel what?"
Scottie and Dorian turned to see Ella standing there, her expression a mix of confusion and concern.
Inside the study, the noise stopped abruptly.
Ella’s eyes widened. "What’s going on in there?"
Her question hung in the air as the tension thickened, and everyone knew this was far from over.