CHAPTER 186 - IN HIS ARMS
“You're so beautiful, human,” he softly growled in my ear. “I always crave you!”
I smiled, delicately nibbling his neck in response.
“Show me how much you desire...” I teased, defiant.
Growling, Harvey captured my breasts, running his tongue over the nipples, alternating between caresses, bites, and whispers. Every contact sent shivers through me; his advances grew more intense, and I wrapped my legs around his hips, deepening the connection. Loud moans echoed with increasing intensity, culminating in a simultaneous climax.
“Now we're ready for battle,” the alpha roared in my ear. “Shall we leave now?” I arched my eyebrows. The Lycan king kissed me, supporting his arms beside my neck and staring intensely for a moment.
“If we want to rescue Conan, we need to leave... We've healed enough to reach him,” he replied, still close. “Human, if it were up to my desires, our pup would never have suffered. We would be a strong, complete family, and I would never leave from inside you.”
“What are you so afraid of? I've never seen you like this,” I snarled irritably, sniffing him. “You're afraid!”
“Don't be foolish; I'm an alpha!” Poking the tip of my nose, he backed away, emerging from the water. “We need to leave immediately before the Shadow King finds the other fragment of his soul in the underworld of shadows. If that happens, it will be harder to save our pup.”
I nodded, approaching him and hugging him tightly from behind. “Don't you dare die in our battles, or I'll kill you!” I growled with teary eyes.
“Your statement makes no sense,” he smiled, turning and embracing me.
“It's a human thing. Let's just promise not to die and return together to our home,” I sighed, letting tears run down my face.
“Come on, we need to take some Succubi with us; they know the place and can assist us,” the alpha kissed the top of my head. “Talk to Nyxara; I'll summon the remaining wolves, and we'll depart at dusk!”
“Alright,” I weakly smiled, feeling a crushing weight in my heart. Before Harvey stepped away, I grabbed his fist. “We'll all be okay, won't we?”
“We'll fight for it!” Holding my hands, he kissed me and briskly walked away.
My she-wolf was restless inside, agitated, and impatient. I felt something that wasn't yet clear to me. I closed my eyes, trying to connect with her; her roars were a warning, but of what? Furthermore, I swallowed hard, shivering. What was about to happen?
I ran to change and headed to the Succubi camp. Nyxara and her sisters seemed to be waiting for me, dressed for war.
“And then? Time to repay the Alpha's safety?” Nyxara smiled determinedly.
“I'm afraid so; we're heading to the gates of the underworld...” I sighed, keeping my gaze fixed on hers, while her sisters sighed and whispered, restless and fearful.
“Why would we follow you there? As far as I know, you could succumb in that place, and we would be free from any threat!” The Succubus replied sarcastically.
“Nyxara, the Shadow King, may emerge; the interest in keeping him contained is mutual for all species!” I snapped irritably. “What do you think he'll do with his deserter creatures?”
“Fine...” She rolled her eyes. “We'll help you; afterward, I want you to take us out of this world.”
“And take you where?” I growled, getting closer.
“You know what my desire is!” Nyxara smiled seductively. “My sisters and I want to live by the beast's side, seal the rift, and stay with him once and for all.”
“As if I would place all of you at the core of my alpha's essence.” I grabbed Nyxara by the neck, struggling to control my restless she-wolf. “I'm tired of your negotiations!”
“There's a way for us to stay there without compromising the essence, expand, and create an exclusive domain for the beast.” She stammered and suffocated, and her sisters were agitated with my action, while Nyxara held her hand up, preventing them from being attacked.
“Alright, serve us in this battle, and I'll seal you with the beast.” I threw her to the ground, lifting her and squeezing her hand. “And this, Succubus, is a pact; don't you dare betray us out of your cowardice!”
“We just want to be free. Hybrid, after all, isn't that what everyone desires?” Nyxara maintained the grip, without averting her gaze. “When do we leave?”
“At dusk… After the bodies of our allies are cremated, and their souls are given to the Moon Goddess.” I growled as I left.
It didn't take long for night to fall upon us. Everyone was gathered at the foot of the waterfall, the bodies of the wolves wrapped in white cloths and laid out on a stone table with wooden and straw coverings.
“Wolves of my pack, today we bid farewell to loyal comrades. Their bodies, now under the moon, remind us of the bravery they gave us. The Moon Goddess, a silent witness, blesses their souls on the journey to eternity. May the flame of cremation carry their spirits, like luminous sparks, to the sky.” The Lycan king paused, looking at everyone present, his she-wolves howling for their lost companions. “We thank you for your dedication. May peace find their souls, and may the pack never forget. Rest in peace, under the moonlight, forever united in our history!”
Unanimously, all the wolves began to howl as the fire spread across the bodies, purifying and freeing the souls. The pack's pain was tangible; even the Alpha carried the weight of failure and guilt; his scent permeated the air. I approached, rubbing my snout on his neck.
“It's not your fault!” I reminded him.
“Luna, if the weaker ones died under the leadership of the stronger, it means that whoever led them failed to protect them.” The Lycan gave me a stern look. “There's no time for tears; let's avenge our comrades!”
He shouted for all the wolves present to hear, generating excitement. Claws pounded on the ground, and more intense howls echoed; we were united for a purpose: to free the Alpha's pup, fragment the dark king's soul, and close the rifts of the underworld once and for all.
“The time has come,” Beta growled. “For our Lycan king, for our comrades, and our pack!”
The wolves echoed the words, aligning behind the Alpha to follow him in a swift run, while the she-wolves remained, watching with their pups, fearing to lose more valuable members of the pack. We crossed the pack's entrance, where the Succubi awaited us, ready to march with us.
“Look, it's been a while since we entered a battle.” Nyxara smiled arrogantly.
“Do you still know how to fight?” The Alpha asked, not looking at her.
“We have our tricks!” She replied, smiling confidently.
We started the run, overcoming various obstacles. A dark forest echoed sinister sounds, and the stench of decay lingered in the air. As we advanced, we encountered a vast path of stones, where gusts of wind seemed to whisper warnings, urging us to reconsider and flee from that place as quickly as possible.