Chapter 173

Mitchell pov 

I slipped out of Alpha Ashir's chambers, my heart heavy with concern. I knew I had to do something to protect him, but I couldn't let him know. I disguised myself, masking my scent and appearance, so that no one would recognize me.

I made my way through the pack's territory, my senses on high alert. I knew that Malachi was up to something, and I aimed to find out what. My thoughts raced with possibilities, none of them good.

As I approached Malachi's quarters, my instincts screamed warning. But I steeled myself and continued on, determined to uncover the truth. I reached his door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.

"Malachi," I said, my voice steady. "We need to talk."

He looked up from his seat, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Mitchell. How... unexpected.”

As I entered Malachi's quarters, I immediately sensed a change in him. His voice was heavier, more commanding, and his eyes sparkled with an otherworldly intensity. I could feel his power radiating from him, like a palpable force.

"Malachi, what's going on?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite my growing unease.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing through me. "Oh, Mitchell. You have no idea what's happening, do you?"

His tone was fearless, almost triumphant. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized that something significant had shifted in his favor.

"What do you mean?" I pressed on, trying to pry more information out of him.

Malachi's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a knowing light. "Let's just say, I've finally found the key to unlocking my true potential. And nothing will ever be the same again."

His words sent a chill down my spine. What had he discovered? And what did it mean for the pack, for Alpha Ashir, and for me?

I felt a creeping sense of dread as I gazed into Malachi's eyes. His transformation was terrifying, his power and confidence growing by the minute. I realized, too late, that I had made a grave mistake by aligning myself with him.

As I stood there, frozen in fear, Malachi's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. I knew, in that moment, that he was unstoppable. His ambition and lust for power had consumed him, leaving no room for reason or compassion.

I regretted ever joining him, ever thinking that his cause was just. Now, I saw the truth: Malachi was evil incarnate, and I was trapped in his web of deceit.

My mind raced, desperate for a way to escape, to warn Alpha Ashir and the pack about the monster they had unleashed. But Malachi's grip was too strong, his power too great. I was trapped, and I knew it.

At that moment, I feared for my life, and for the future of our pack. Malachi's darkness had spread, and I didn't know if anyone could stop him now.

"Malachi, stop!" I pleaded, trying to pry his hand off my neck. "I don't want to be a part of this anymore. I don't want to be Female Alpha or Luna. I just want to go back to my life as a princess in Nightshadows Pack."

Malachi's eyes blazed with fury, his grip tightening. "You think you can just leave me now?" he snarled. "After all we've done? You're in this too deep, Mitchell. You can't just walk away."

I struggled to breathe, my vision starting to blur. "Malachi, please," I gasped. "You're hurting me."

He screamed, his voice echoing off the walls. "You're mine, Mitchell! You'll do as I say!"

.

He dropped me breathing heavily. 

I knew at this moment, I was in grave danger. Malachi's obsession and power had consumed him, and I was his next victim.

Malachi's grip on my neck suddenly relaxed again and I gasped for air. But my relief was short-lived. With a cruel smile, he held out a small vial of poison.

"Deliver this to Alpha Ashir," he hissed. "It's a special gift from me. And don't think about betraying me, Mitchell. I'll be watching you every step of the way."

I took the vial, my hand trembling. I knew what this poison was capable of. It was a deadly concoction, one that would ensure Alpha Ashir's demise.

Malachi's eyes gleamed with malevolence. "You're my puppet now, Mitchell. And I won't let you go until the very end."

I knew I was trapped, bound to Malachi's evil plans. And Alpha Ashir's life hung in the balance. I had to find a way to stop Malachi, but how? He had me in his grasp, and I was running out of time.

Adara POV :

I stood alongside Vill, our eyes fixed on the disguises before us. We were to dress like slaves, a bitter taste in our mouths, but necessary for our mission.

"We must find the Sword of Truth and the Book of Revelation," Vill said, his voice firm. "No matter the danger, we have to try."

I nodded, my heart heavy with fear. We were about to venture into the Darkmoon pack's territory, where we would be surrounded by enemies. But we had to try. For the sake of our pack, for the sake of our future.

We donned the disguises, the feeling of the coarse cloth and the weight of our pretend chains a constant reminder of our deception. But we had to push on, no matter how difficult it was.

With a deep breath, we set off towards the Darkmoon pack's lands, our hearts pounding in our chests. We were scared, but we had to be brave. For the sake of our pack, we had to succeed.

I was about to set off on our perilous mission when George and Jameson appeared, determination in their eyes.

"Wait, Adara! Let us come with you!" George exclaimed, his voice urgent.

I shook my head, my expression firm. "No, George. This is too dangerous. You and Jameson need to stay behind and prepare the soldiers for battle."

George protested, "But Adara, we can help you! We can't just sit back and do nothing while you and Vill risk your lives!"

I placed a hand on his shoulder, my voice soft but resolute. "I know you want to help, George, but our results at the castle couldn't be justified. We can't risk more lives on this mission. Vill and I need to do this alone."

Jameson nodded in agreement, understanding in his eyes. "Adara's right, George. We need to prepare the soldiers for battle. We don't know what's coming our way."

George reluctantly nodded, though his eyes still held a hint of disappointment. "Fine, but be careful, Adara. Please come back to us safely."

I smiled, trying to reassure him. "I will, George. I promise.”

 I followed Vill through the tunnel, our hearts racing with anticipation and fear. We had to be careful, the Darkmoon pack was notorious for their brutality.

As we emerged from the tunnel, we were met with a scene of utter chaos. The entire pack was in disarray, wolves snarling and snapping at each other. The air was thick with tension and the smell of blood.

Vill's eyes locked onto mine, his expression grim. "Something's gone terribly wrong," he whispered.

I nodded, my hand on the hilt of my sword. "Let's find out what's happening."

We crept through the chaos, avoiding snapping jaws and swiping paws. The pack was in a state of pandemonium, and we needed to find the source of the disturbance.

Suddenly, a loud howl pierced the air, and the pack's attention turned to the center of the clearing. We followed their gaze, and our hearts sank. In the center of the clearing stood an unclear figure, his eyes blazing with madness. 

I pushed through the chaos, my heart racing with fear and anger. As I reached the center of the clearing, the unclear figure became clear: it was Malachi, his eyes blazing with an otherworldly power, his voice booming as he declared himself a god.

The pack cowered before him, bowing to his feet. But I saw the terror in their eyes, the desperation. They were trapped, forced to obey his every command.

My gaze fell on a slave, trembling on the ground, Malachi's sword raised to strike. Without thinking, I rushed forward, my own sword drawn. But Vill grabbed my arm, holding me back.

"Wait, Adara," he whispered urgently. "It's not the right time."

I struggled against his grip, my eyes fixed on the slave. "We have to save him!"

But Vill's hold was firm. "We can't take on Malachi alone. We need a plan, a way to defeat him without getting ourselves killed."

I reluctantly nodded, my eyes never leaving the slave. Malachi's sword fell, and the slave's cry of pain echoed through the clearing. My heart was heavy with sorrow and anger, I knew we had to act soon. We couldn't let Malachi continue to terrorize the pack.

I tore my gaze away from the horrific scene, my heart heavy with the weight of what I had just witnessed. Vill's words snapped me back to reality. "We need to focus on our mission, Adara. We can't let Malachi's actions distract us. He'll return to his castle soon, and we need to be ready."

I nodded, my determination renewed. We made our way to the castle, our senses on high alert. As we approached, I could feel the weight of the castle's security bearing down on us. Vill's eyes met mine, and I knew we were thinking the same thing.

"The backyard roof," Vill whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's our best chance to get in undetected."

I nodded, my mind racing with the plan. We made our way around to the backyard, our footsteps silent on the grass. The roof loomed above us, a daunting challenge. But we had to try. For the sake of the pack, we had to succeed.

With a deep breath, we began to climb, our hands and feet finding holds in the stone wall. The roof was steep and treacherous, but we pulled ourselves up, our muscles straining with effort. Finally, we reached the top, our eyes scanning the castle grounds below. We had made it in. Now, it was time to find the Sword of Truth and the Book of Revelation.

Just as wer enter we began searching immediately. I was trapped, I didn't notice this coming. I suddenly hear a loud alarm go on.  Someone noticed our present.

I cursed under my breath as the soldier's alarm echoed through the castle halls. Vill and I had been so close to finding the Sword of Truth and the Book of Revelation. Now, our cover was blown, and the entire castle was on high alert.

We frantically searched for an escape route, our hearts racing with every step. But every door led to more soldiers, every window overlooked the courtyard where Malachi's guards patrolled.

Just as we thought all was lost, a voice whispered in our ears, "Follow me!" We hesitated for a moment, unsure if we could trust this mysterious stranger. But something in the voice resonated with me, and I nodded to Vill.

We crept out from under the door, following the voice through the winding corridors. Our pursuers were closing in, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. But our guide seemed to know the castle like the back of their hand, leading us through hidden passages and secret doors.

Who was this mysterious ally, and how did they know the castle so well? I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on escape. For now, we had to trust in this stranger's guidance if we wanted to survive.