CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE: ANDOR TO THE RESCUE

As we approached the dungeons, the sound of clashing swords erupted, foreshadowing Malcolm’s imminent awareness of our presence. With determination, I directed the loyal warriors of my mother to escort my wounded father to a physician while I stayed behind to aid my mate in battle. When Andor glanced up, a split second was all the enemy needed to stab him in the back. Despite his pain, Andor fought on. I leaped into the fray, wielding my gold-bladed dagger, swiftly dispatching the traitorous men attacking my mate. Two down, two to go. As a result of my intervention, Andor triumphed over the other assailants.

Pulling the dagger from Andor’s back, I used magic to heal his wound, tears streaming down my face as I held him close. "I thought I was helping you by leaving you behind," I sobbed. "I now realize that mates should never be apart. I missed you so much, Andor. Please don't reject me because I am an idiot." But as he remained silent, my nerves grew.

My face was buried in his chest, my tears soaking his clothing, as I desperately whispered apologies. Andor's lack of response sent shivers down my spine, and a knot of unease gripped my stomach. What if he didn't forgive me? The silence was suffocating, and I desperately wanted to hear his voice, to know that everything would be okay.

Andor gently pushed me back from his chest, and my heart fluttered with uncertainty, fearing that he didn't want me close. But then, with a tender touch, he lifted my chin, and our gazes locked. Warm tingles radiated through me, igniting a familiar, irresistible longing. If the weight of war didn't press down on us, I would lead him into one of the castle's secluded rooms and lose myself in him without hesitation.

Andor--

"My Dearest Ashina, my heart has never let go of you, and I would track you to the ends of the earth to reunite with your tender embrace. You are the echo of my soul, and I am forever entwined with you. My love for you blossoms boundlessly, and I pledge to shelter you from any sorrow. You can depend on me to stand steadfast beside you, my love," Andor affirmed, ensuring I met his gaze, where an ocean of love overflowed as he murmured, "Always."

"Now let's get out of here. I can sense Malcolm knows we're here, and the entrance is no longer safe. And princess, be cautious of your thoughts. I can sense your longing, and I would take you in this moment if you can't contain it." I could feel Andor's wolf echoing my sentiment. Watching my princess blush, I knew she struggled to control her desires around me. It thrilled me to know I had that allure over her, my beloved princess.

Ashina’s Point of View-

With a tight grip on my hand, Andor whisked me away into the secret tunnels. As we shut the heavy door behind us, I channeled all my magical energy to seal the entrance, cutting off any chance of Malcolm's men finding us. Alongside us, my mother's loyal warriors marched, their eyes filled with both determination and fear. Shouldering the weight of their worries, I knew the stakes couldn't be any higher..

Jake –

"Princess, we need to hurry back to the castle before Malcolm realizes we've slipped away. Guarding the queen is my top priority, you understand, so I must get back inside. Come, let's remember that every step we take from here on out could mean the difference between life and death for her."

Ashina –

"Andor, take me to the tunnel," I commanded urgently, my heart racing with anticipation and fear.

Andor turned me around and rushed me out of the tunnel. The blinding light outside took my breath away. As my eyes adjusted, I beheld a shocking sight: hundreds of pack members being sorted out. The magnitude of the situation hit me like a punch to the gut.

Dean –

As we emerged from the tunnels, I was met by Dean, who bowed before me out of respect. "Princess, Dolly escorted us to a secret underground bunker, which was really more of a mini city for the pack. Dolly had to return so that Malcolm wouldn’t notice her missing. If it is alright, Princess, may I go back in and retrieve Dolly?" Dean's voice was low, filled with disbelief as he spoke of his mate.

Ashina--

I was taken aback. "Did you just state 'mate'? Did I hear you correctly?" I asked, bewildered.

Dean--

"Yes, I am confused as well. I am a bear, and she is a wolf. However, be it a joke from the Gods or maybe there is something I don’t know about her. She is my mate," Dean explained, his voice heavy with emotion.

Ashina--

"Dean, could you lead me and a team of warriors to the underground bunker? I have an idea," I declared, my mind racing with plans.

Dean--

“FYI Princess, electronic communication isn’t possible from the bunker. I am not sure about mind links, but electronic communication is blocked somehow,” Dean informed me.

Ashina--

I understood the gravity of the situation. It would be hard to communicate outside of there with the warriors. "We'll find someone who is savvy at communications and see how we can jerry-rig the system to our needs. This could be a great base for operations," I decided, determined to make it work. I nodded at Dean and explained that I would get someone to help and asked him to wait. I still needed him to escort me, Andor, and several men to the bunker.

Malcolm –

I fixed my cold gaze on Amira, convinced that she was somehow involved in the mysterious uprising that had stirred a sense of unrest in the kingdom. My witches had already alerted me to the unusual surge of magic, and reports from my warriors about missing men only confirmed my suspicions.

"Tell me, Amira," I demanded, my voice dripping with authority and suspicion. "What do you know about this uprising?" I watched her coolly as she nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders, further fueling my infuriation.

Amira –

“I do not know what you are talking about.” I tried to sound indignant at such a claim.

“After all, you never let me out of your sight. How can I even attempt to plan anything!”

I rose from the throne, the one Malcolm forces me to occupy every single day, a constant reminder of the atrocities he inflicts upon my people. I can feel the weight of his expectations pressing down on me, urging me to surrender my power and submit to his will. But I refuse to yield. I would never betray my people, even if it meant sacrificing everything I hold dear. The thought of him unleashing his cruelty upon all living beings sends shivers down my spine. I cannot let him bring about such devastation for his own twisted pleasure. "I won't let you destroy everything," I declared, my voice trembling with determination. "I won't stand by and watch you ruin everything we hold dear!"

With my heart racing, I turned my back to Malcolm and took a step away from the throne. In that split second, he leaped up, his eyes filled with intense desperation. "You can't leave, not now!" he shouted, his voice trembling.

I froze in fear as he hurried behind me and grabbed my throat, a dagger pressed against my skin. "Don't make me do this, don't make me end your life," he whispered, his voice quivering with emotion. I could feel the weight of his words, the raw pain in his eyes as they pleaded with me. It was as if his desperation and fear were tangible, and I struggled to process it all.

In that moment, I realized that Malcolm was not just a threat, but a man consumed by his own inner turmoil. He wasn't just the enemy, but a tortured soul wrestling with his own demons. And as the dagger pressed closer, I saw the unbearable conflict in his eyes, and I knew that he didn't want to kiss my powers good-bye.

The blade pierced my skin, and I felt the blood oozing out of my wound. "No crying, no whimpering," I told myself firmly, trying to steel my resolve. I couldn't let weakness show. "If I leave this world today, Ashina will automatically receive my powers," I thought. "And maybe that's fine. Maybe it's for the best." My mate, I thought with a pang of sadness, would be the one left to suffer the loss of my life and the short time we had with Ashina. "But she's not alone," I said, forcing myself to believe it. "She's strong." Closing my eyes, I tried to push back the fear and uncertainty, but it still clung to me like a suffocating blanket. "I just hope she has prepared herself enough," I whispered, a sense of desperation creeping into my voice. "I hope she'll be okay."

I wheeze and struggle for breath, my body convulsing in pain. "Please, no more," I managed to choke out, my voice coming out as a hoarse whisper.

Malcolm grins, the cruel glint in his eyes sending shivers down my spine. "No more? But we've only just begun, my dear," he taunts, his voice dripping with malice. "You should have thought twice before crossing me."

I struggle to stay conscious, but the pain is overwhelming. "Why are you doing this?" I managed to wheeze out, my voice strained and desperate. Malcolm's eyes gleam with malice as he leans in close, his voice a menacing whisper, "Because you betrayed me, and now you have to pay the price." His words send a chill down my spine, and I realize just how far he's willing to go to seek revenge.

As Malcolm finishes with my throat, he throws me to the ground and my world darkens until I am enveloped in a black abyss.