Chapter 184

Chapter 184
Ethan's POV

I stood at the highest point of the north ridge, the morning air crisp in my lungs. Below me, my warriors moved with practiced precision—blocking, attacking, defending. Each one following the battle formations we'd drilled countless times. In human form, I could better direct the flow of combat, my commands carrying across the battlefield with Alpha authority.

Through our soul bond, I felt Freya's determination vibrating like a taut bowstring. Her fierce protectiveness of our territory—of our son—matched my own. Pride swelled in my chest. My Luna was a formidable force, even without the advantage of pure bloodlines that other females in our pack possessed.

"Alpha!" James called, rushing toward me. "The silver nets are working. We've captured at least ten in the eastern sector."

I nodded, scanning the chaotic battlefield. Bodies clashed in violent struggle—fur and flesh, teeth and claws. The acrid scent of blood mingled with the earthy smell of the forest floor. My warriors fought with disciplined fury, holding the line against the Bloodclaw invaders.

Something felt off about their attack pattern. Kassak typically favored chaotic, overwhelming force—throwing everything at once in hopes of breaking through. This was different. More strategic. More controlled.

"They're testing our defenses," I muttered, more to myself than to James. "Looking for weak points."

A change in the air made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. A powerful Alpha scent—unmistakable and challenging—rolled across the ridge like thunder before a storm. Rowan growled deep in my consciousness, recognizing the threat.

"Rival. Challenger. Enemy."

The fighting below seemed to pause as warriors from both sides instinctively created space in the center of the battlefield. Through the gap stepped a large man with broad shoulders and cold eyes. Kassak. His gaze locked with mine across the distance, hatred radiating from him in palpable waves.

I descended from my position, matching his pace as we approached one another. The fighting continued around us, but in a wider circle, as if our confrontation created its own gravitational pull.

"Blackwood," he growled when we were finally face to face. "You've stolen what's mine."

I kept my expression neutral, though Rowan bared his teeth in my mind. "I've stolen nothing, Kassak. Your warriors came to me seeking sanctuary from your brutality."

"Lyra. Rovak." He spat the names like curses. "Traitors who will die alongside you."

"They chose freedom over tyranny," I replied coldly. "Perhaps you should consider why you can't maintain loyalty within your own ranks."

His eyes flashed with rage, the amber irises bleeding into gold as his wolf pushed forward. "When I'm done with you, I'll reclaim everything that's mine—my warriors, my territory..." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "And perhaps I'll take your Luna too. Riley tells me she's quite... resilient."

Rowan roared with fury inside me, clawing for release. I felt my control slipping, the primal need to tear out this rival's throat overwhelming my tactical mind.

Around us, warriors from both packs stepped back further, creating a natural arena. This was no longer about armies and territories. This was the ancient way—Alpha against Alpha.

I didn't waste time with more words. I let the change take me, the familiar rush of power and pain as bones shifted and reformed. My skin gave way to thick black fur with silver streaks—the mark of my lineage. In seconds, I stood on four paws, my wolf form larger than any other in my pack.

Kassak followed suit, his transformation equally fluid. His wolf was massive—deep brown fur with golden patches around his shoulders and neck. He was heavier than me, built for raw power rather than speed.

We circled each other slowly, each step calculated. I observed his movements, searching for patterns and weaknesses. Rovak had told me Kassak favored his right side, leading with powerful lunges that could break ribs if they connected. But he was slower to pivot left—a weakness I could exploit.

"Careful," Rowan cautioned in my mind. "He's hiding something."

Kassak lunged suddenly, a blur of brown and gold. I darted right, feeling the wind of his passage as he missed by inches. I spun and snapped at his flank, teeth grazing fur but finding no purchase.

We clashed again and again, a deadly dance of teeth and claws. His strength was incredible—each impact felt like hitting a brick wall. But I was faster, more agile. I used the uneven terrain of the ridge to my advantage, leaping from higher ground to strike and retreating before he could counter.

Blood matted my fur from a deep gash across my shoulder. Kassak limped slightly from where my teeth had caught his hind leg. We were evenly matched, and both of us knew it. The battle could drag on until exhaustion claimed one of us.

"Your son has your eyes," Kassak said suddenly, his voice penetrating my mind as Alphas can sometimes communicate in wolf form. "Such unusual blue for a pup."

I snarled, refusing to engage with his psychological warfare. This was a common tactic—anything to break concentration.

"You think I'm lying?" Kassak circled wider, his amber eyes never leaving mine. "Theo, isn't that what Lyra named him?"

My heart stuttered.

"He sleeps with that silver rattle. The one with the wolf engraving." Kassak's mental voice dripped with satisfaction. "My warriors are positioned near your manor's east wing even now. The nursery has such large windows, doesn't it?"

"Lies," I told myself. "Lyra brought Theo here. He's safe in the manor."

But doubt crept in like poison. What if Bloodclaw had more spies? What if someone had infiltrated our defenses while we focused on the frontal assault?

I reached through the soul bond, seeking Freya's emotions, needing confirmation that our son was safe. I felt her concentration, her determination as she directed our defenders. No panic or maternal alarm that would signal danger to Theo.

It was only a split second of distraction. A heartbeat where my focus wavered.

Kassak saw his opening and took it.

Pain erupted like wildfire through my side as Kassak's claws ripped through muscle and sinew, driving so deep I felt them scrape against bone. The force of his attack sent me flying. I crashed to the ground with a sickening thud that forced the air from my lungs in a strangled yelp.

Hot blood gushed from the wound, soaking my black fur and steaming in the cool morning air. The metallic taste of my own blood flooded my mouth, choking me as I tried to gasp for breath. My vision blurred, darkening at the edges as the searing agony threatened to pull me under. I tried to stand but my legs trembled violently, refusing to support my weight.

Through our bond, I felt Freya's sudden panic, her awareness of my injury flaring like wildfire.

"Get up!" Rowan roared in my mind. "GET UP!"

Kassak stalked toward me, triumph in his eyes. "You've grown weak, Blackwood. Soft. The mighty Alpha of Moonshade, undone by fear of losing his son."

He prepared for the killing blow, muscles bunching for the final lunge.