CHAPTER 45 : "The Battle Within"
CHAPTER 45 : "The Battle Within"
The battle raged within Demetrius mind.
Two dark beasts stood locked in confrontation.
Their growls reverberated through his consciousness, a constant clash of power.
A massive black wolf appeared, sleek and controlled.
It positioned itself between the Lycan beast and its adversary.
Draven, the embodiment of Demitrius wolf form, stood firm.
His gaze was steady, his posture unwavering.
He was the image of restraint, the side of Demetrius that kept chaos at bay.
Before him, Craven, the enormous black Lycan beast, snarled.
His fury crackled in the air like wildfire, an untamed force of nature.
The Lycan’s massive form shook with frustration.
His beastly eyes were wild with rage, teeth bared.
"As expected, you all acted like fools," Craven growled.
His voice rumbled deep within Demetrius mind.
"If I hadn't been restrained, my mate wouldn’t have been wounded, beaten, and nearly violated."
"But you two planned this and locked me away for half a century."
Tension thickened the air, the weight of Craven’s fury pressing on every side.
His muscles coiled, ready to tear through anything in his path.
The raw violence within him was palpable.
But Draven stood his ground.
If not for Draven’s restraint, Craven would have been unleashed long ago.
Draven’s expression was grim, his stance unyielding.
"He had his reasons," Draven’s voice was steady, cutting through the storm.
"He locked you away because your instincts are too wild."
"You wouldn’t have been able to control yourself."
"What reason?" Craven spat.
Bitterness thickened his voice.
"What reason is strong enough to let her suffer like that?"
"She’s our mate! She’s not supposed to endure that kind of torment!"
"And you—" He paused, seething, "You treat her like she’s nothing because you don’t bond with her."
The words cut deep, striking a raw nerve.
Draven faltered for a brief moment.
A shadow of grief flashed across his face.
He thought of his lost mate—the one he'd failed to protect.
The wound that would never truly heal.
But he steeled himself, pushing the sadness away.
"I do not come out unless it’s crucial," Draven said quietly, yet firmly.
"I didn’t want to lose control."
"And for the record, she’s not just yours. She’s ours."
"You may be her fated mate, but we—"
His voice softened, "We are one. She belongs to both of us."
Craven’s roar echoed through the depths of Demitrius mind.
It was a fierce cry of anguish and rage.
"And yet, here you are, stopping me from taking revenge on that pack for what they did to her."
Draven’s tone grew softer, but held a quiet command.
"I won’t let you harm my kind in your quest for vengeance, Craven."
"We will find those responsible and exact our revenge... together."
Craven’s eyes flared with violent intensity.
"You wolves are all the same," he snarled.
"You think too much, you hesitate too much."
His teeth gritted as he spoke.
"If you won’t avenge her, then I will."
"I’ll kill them all. I’ll tear them apart with my claws and leave them in ruins."
Draven stepped forward, his black fur rippling as his restrained power surged.
"You’ll have to go through me first," he said, his voice like a quiet storm.
"I won’t let you destroy everything we’ve built."
"Everything we’ve planned... all for the sake of your foolishness."
The two beasts stood locked in an eternal struggle.
Their growls reverberated through the very walls of Demitrius mind.
Each one fought for control.
The battle raged on, but one thing was certain:
Neither Draven nor Craven yielded easily.
\---
After locking the cell behind him, Jade turned and made his way toward the deeper recesses of the dungeon. His boots echoed softly on the stone floor as he approached a heavy door. He opened it and stepped inside.
"Mother," he called, his voice calm but filled with expectation. Mistress Miriam turned toward him, acknowledging his presence with a brief nod.
"Has he awoken?" Jade asked, his gaze falling on the figure bound with several silver chains. The chains wrapped around his arms, legs, and waist, binding him tightly.
"No," Miriam breathed, her voice low. "We do not know who will appear when he wakes—Craven or Draven."
"Oh, Moon Goddess!" Jade murmured, his voice edged with frustration. "It cannot be Craven. I have no strength to subdue him. We must fetch the Beta immediately."
Miriam turned to face him, her brow furrowing. "Is he back?"
Jade nodded. "Yes. He returned with the real Aurora Fang ."
"Perfect." Miriam’s tone was filled with satisfaction, though her eyes betrayed concern as she studied the figure before them.
A heavy silence fell between them as they watched the figure's forehead crease, his troubled mind clearly at war.
"What must be happening in his mind?" Jade mused aloud.
Miriam sighed deeply. "A battle. They are fighting for control. Draven will not be able to hold Craven much longer if this continues."
Jade clenched his fists. "This should have stopped when his mate could have calmed him."
Miriam clicked her tongue in irritation. "Hold that thought. The Luna must not know of this—no one must. We do not know who she is or whom she serves. We cannot let her learn of his true nature. Do you understand?"
Jade hesitated, feeling the weight of his mother’s words.
"Am I clear, Jade?"
"Yes, Mother," he replied, his voice steady despite the growing tension.
"Good. Now, keep watch over him. I will speak with the healer about the Luna’s condition."
She began to move toward the door but halted as Jade suddenly gasped, stepping back in alarm.
Miriam turned sharply, her gaze piercing.
The Alpha's eyes had opened.
It should have been good news. But instead of the calm, familiar gaze they had hoped for, the eyes staring back at them were glowing gold—Craven's eyes. The Lycan beast had emerged.
"Beta Cedric," Miriam called, her voice sharp through the mindlink.
There was no answer.
"Cedric!" she cried out again, urgency creeping into her tone.
"Yes, Mistress!" came the strained reply.
"We need your help immediately! Craven is free!"