Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Author's POV

Viktor a clever warrior had sensed it long before they left that Ashen would never respect Magnus' decision, nor would he let them leave unscathed. That was why despite Magnus' order to bring just give guards, he had secretly alerted a larger force who were already waiting in ambush.

The moment Ashen's men seized Magnus, the air crackled with sudden movement. From the dense trees and bushes, shadowy figures emerged —Magnus men, armed and ready to attack.

A deadly clash began, the sound of steels meeting eachother and the growls of Werewolves shifting into their wolf form.

Magnus who was being bound with chains, felt his captors grip loosen distracted by the chaos around them. Seizing the opportunity, he twisted free, slamming his elbow into one of Ashen's men and turning around to face Ashen, who stood confused.

Their gaze locked —two powerful men, once bounded by childhood loyalty, now irreversibly enemies.

Magnus seethed with anger and in that moment he regretted ever trying to give Ashen a chance. He should have rage battle against him when he had the chance.

Ashen too was angry with himself. He remembered his father's words 'you will regret letting him go, Ashen'. And truly, he did regret it. He should have let his father killed Magnus that night. If Magnus had died, he won't be in this situation now.

Ashen smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You should have stayed hidden, Magnus."

"I was never one to be a coward," Magnus spat, lunging at him.

The two strong men collided, the force of their impact sending shockwaves through the battle field. Magnus was fast, well trained and strong fuelled by the years of betrayal and the plans of revenge while Ashen was calculative and manipulative from the years of training and grooming to become a powerful leader.

Claws tore through the air, fists met flesh, and the ground beneath them cracked as their immense power clashed. Magnus landed a brutal punch to Ashen's jaw, sending him staggering back, but Ashen recovered quickly, his rage intensifying.

The battle dragged on, Magnus men refusing to bow to the pressure and proving to be stronger than Ashen had anticipated. Ashen's force were beginning to falter. But just as Magnus drove his fist toward Ashen again, a sharp, defeaning sound echoed through the night —the crack of a gunshot.

Pain. White hot agony ripped through Magnus' chest.

His body trembled as the silver bullet tore into him, burning through flesh and muscle. He staggered, struggling to stay on his feet, but he couldn't. His knees buckled, and the world tilted. Magnus fell to the ground sharply, blood seeping through the wound. The silver was already weakening him.

"Magnus!" Viktor's voice cut through the chaos. Before Ashen could take the opportunity to strike Magnus, Viktor surged forward, and prevented the attack. Magnus other men sensing the situation joined him, fending off the attackers.

"We have to go. Now," Viktor barked, dragging Magnus towards the car. "Cover us." The men obeyed, fighting off Ashen's men.

The moment Viktor threw Magnus into the back seat and slammed the door shut, he hit the gas, tires screeching against the dirt as they sped away.

Ashen's remaining forces regrouped, their rage renewed as they gave a chase. "Go after them," he commanded. "Make sure they don't escape."

"Yes, Alpha," the men chorused, running towards their van.

Inside the car, Zara sat paralysed in the back seat, her wide eyes locked on Magnus' pale face. He was barely breathing, his skin clammy. Panic surged through her as she perceived the sharp and sickening smell of the blood, her vision blurring. But she quickly composed herself. She pressed her hands against the wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

"Stay with me," she pleaded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Please, Magnus, stay with me —”

"Shut up!" Viktor snapped from the driver's seat, his grip tightening around the wheel. His voice was laced with anger. "Don't pretend you care, Zara. Don't you dare!"

Zara flinched, guilt and anguish twisting in her chest.

Viktor shot her a glare through the rearview mirror, his knuckles turning white. "See for yourself what Ashen —the man you love so damn much—just did. Magnus wanted peace. That’s all he ever wanted. And how did Ashen respond? He shot him down like an animal.”

Zara throat tightened. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

"Look at him!" Viktor roared. "Bleeding out because your precious king won't give him back his throne."

Magnus' weak voice broke through the tension. "Viktor..... stop talking...."

Viktor exhaled sharply, forcing himself to focus. He had to get Magnus to safety.

And in that moment, he noticed an unfamiliar van trailing behind them. Ashen's men. He signalled to Magnus men driving behind him and they quickly changed their routes.

Ashen's men cursed in frustration as they lose them.

*****

The gates to Magnus' estate swung open before the car even came to a full halt. Guards and staff rushed out, their faces covered with worry. The doctor and nurses were already waiting at the entrance.

Viktor jumped out first, yanking open the back door and pulling Magnus out with careful urgency. Magnus was quickly laid down on a stretcher and wheeled inside.

At that moment, Nerissa stepped out onto the porch. Her piercing eyes scanning the situation. Her expression hardened, her elegant featured tightening with controlled fury.

"What happened?" She demanded.

Viktor's jaw tightened. "Ashen had already prepared to kill him. There was no negotiation. It was a trap."

Nerissa's gaze darkened. The air around her charged with rage. Then, her gaze landed on Zara.

Zara had just stepped out of the car, her face streaked with dried tears, her hands still stained with Magnus' blood. She looked lost—conflicted, as if she didn't know where she belonged.

But truly, Zara didn't where she belonged. She had trusted Ashen—trusted that he wasn't like Magnus, but now, it's just seemed he was worse. Ashen wasn't the man she thought he was. The man who had smiled at her, defended her and proposed marriage to her that day won't attack a man who clearly wants to negotiate.

Even when Ashen raided the warehouse, she had failed to change her perspective but this? This was the highest of it all. Had she really been blind?

Nerissa's sharp voice cut through her thoughts. "Take her away."

Zara's eyes widened. "Wait—"

"Lock her up." Nerissa's tone left no room for argument.