Chapter 124
Chloe's POV
Flashwing raced toward Thunder Canyon at a speed I'd never felt before.
Wind howled in my ears, but I heard nothing—the pain flooding through the mate bond drowned out everything else.
Ivan was suffering. I could feel that savage force inside him trying to devour him whole, each heartbeat accompanied by a dull ache, as if someone were tearing at my soul with red-hot iron tongs.
"Faster!" Flashwing let out a long howl in response, her pace quickening beneath me.
Do you feel it? Flashwing's voice echoed in my mind. That power... it's Lightning.
"I know," I said through gritted teeth. "He's accepting the elemental inheritance. Damn it, he knows his leg hasn't healed yet—why would he do this?"
Because he loves us, Flashwing said calmly. Just like you're racing to save him now, no matter the cost.
I didn't answer.
Something hot burned behind my eyes, but I forced it back down.
The sky ahead suddenly blazed with lightning, purple arcs dancing madly through the clouds.
Just then, I spotted torches flickering in the dense forest nearby.
I concealed myself in the jungle. By the lightning's glow, I made out the formation those torches formed, and the banners snapping in the firelight.
On blood-red banners, a roaring wolf opened its massive jaws.
The Blood River Pack's battle standard.
Impossible... My mind went blank. How are they here?
"At least fifty warriors," Flashwing murmured. Look at the one in front... that's Xavier, the Crimson Flame Warlord.
My heart nearly stopped.
Xavier—Blood River Pack's strongest commander, master of the terrifying flame element. His presence meant only one thing: this wasn't an ordinary patrol, but an elite force.
They're assembling, Flashwing's voice grew heavy.
"We take the side path," I whispered to Flashwing. "Remember that hidden route near the canyon's north wall?"
I remember. That path is dangerous—loose rocks and thornbushes everywhere.
"But we won't be discovered." My voice was firm. "Go."
We ran along the route from memory, avoiding every open area that might expose us.
Careful, Flashwing suddenly warned. Movement ahead.
I ducked behind a boulder, peering out cautiously.
Not far ahead, two scouts in Blood River uniforms were surveying the area.
They're scouting, Flashwing said. Probably searching for the canyon entrance.
"Then we need to move faster."
We pressed on. The thunder's roar grew louder with each step.
When we finally broke through the last barrier into the canyon's heart, the sight before me stole my breath.
Ivan—my mate—was wrapped in countless bolts of lightning.
His body convulsed in the electric glow, each spasm tearing at my heart.
Around him, a massive magical array was slowly contracting. At its center, Lightning struggled desperately, but the magical chains tightened relentlessly.
Beyond the array's perimeter, my father watched coldly, surrounded by six beast tamers chanting in unison, their staffs pointed skyward.
"Tighten the formation!" Father's voice cut clearly through the thunder. "Don't let the elemental spirit escape!"
My God! Flashwing gasped. They're trying to imprison the elemental spirit!
My hands clenched into fists. Ivan was enduring the trial, and my father wanted to steal the power for himself!
The pain through the mate bond reached its peak.
I watched Ivan's body begin to crack, blood seeping from his nose, stark against the lightning's glow.
I couldn't wait any longer.
"Dive down," I told Flashwing, my voice eerily calm. "Straight into the array's center."
Are you insane? That lightning will tear us to pieces!
"I don't care. Ivan needs me. If he dies, my life has no meaning."
Flashwing fell silent for a moment, then let out a long howl. "Then we die together."
Flashwing shot straight toward the magical array.
Wind screamed and thunder roared, but my eyes saw only Ivan's pain-twisted face.
The beast tamers below finally spotted us. Someone shrieked, "Intruder! Stop her!"
But it was too late.
Flashwing pierced into the array's center like a silver arrow. Lightning lashed at us viciously, each bolt deadly, but we didn't dodge—instead, I threw my body between Ivan and those magical chains.
The instant lightning struck me, I felt no pain.
Instead, the bolts seemed to recognize me, flowing gently around my body.
Flashwing cried out in joyful surprise. The lightning spirit is protecting us!
I turned toward the massive wolf formed of pure lightning. It watched me with ancient, wise eyes. Then it nodded.
You came, little she-wolf. The lightning spirit's voice resonated in my mind. I remember you. You and this black wolf saved me before.
"Please," I choked out. "Save him. He only wants to protect me."
I know, the lightning spirit said. That's why I agreed to the inheritance. But these vile wolves have disrupted the trial. My power is spiraling out of control. If this continues, he will die.
"What do I need to do?" I asked urgently. "Tell me—I'll pay any price!"
The lightning spirit paused, then said: Break this array. Once the magical chains are gone, I can stabilize the power transfer. But be careful—those beast tamers won't give up easily.
I shifted back to human form, took a deep breath, and turned to face my father and the beast tamers beyond the array.
Tyler's face looked particularly savage in the lightning's glow. He stared at me, his voice filled with disbelief and fury. "Chloe?! What are you doing?!"
I pulled the vial from my chest and held it high.
"Father, stop! I got the antidote—the potion that can cure dark magic corruption! If you stop this ritual and let Ivan complete the trial, you won't need to risk imprisoning the elemental spirit!"
Tyler froze for a second, then burst into harsh laughter.
"Antidote?" His voice dripped with mockery. "You really think that exists? Chloe, I underestimated your naivety!"
My hand began to tremble. "What... what do you mean?"
"The Silver Moon elixir was a lie I made up to manipulate you!" Tyler said without shame. "There's no cure-all for dark magic! I just needed an excuse to make you obey and lure out that elemental spirit!"
The vial slipped from my hand and shattered on the ground.
Tyler sneered coldly. "Chloe, that rogue lover of yours is destined to die slowly under dark magic's torture. Unless..."
His gaze shifted to Ivan wrapped in lightning.
"Unless he survives the trial and gains elemental power. But unfortunately, I won't give him that chance."
My world collapsed in that moment.
"Father, I must stop you from making this terrible mistake!" I heard myself say calmly, though my heart pounded. "Father, do you know what imprisoning an elemental spirit means? It's blasphemy against the natural order! The Moon Goddess will punish us!"
"Shut up!" Tyler roared. "What do you know?! With this power, the Thunder Wolf Pack will rise again! We'll never have to bow to anyone!"
"At the cost of Ivan's life?" I shot back. "Or at the cost of our souls?"
"He's just a rogue wolf!" Tyler said dismissively. "His life means nothing! Chloe, get out of the way!"
"Father, Ivan is my mate. I cannot comply."
My voice trembled as I lifted my head, letting everyone see the vivid mark on my neck!
"You ungrateful daughter!" Tyler exploded. "You've betrayed your family! Betrayed the pack!"
"You're the one blinded by ambition! You think seizing elemental power will restore the pack? You're wrong! What makes a pack truly strong has never been power—it's faith! Reverence for nature, loyalty to companions, devotion to justice! And you... you've thrown all of that away!"
I screamed until my voice went hoarse.
Tyler stared at me, his chest heaving violently.
After a long moment, he turned to the beast tamers beside him and said bitterly, "Continue tightening the array!"