Chapter 180 It's Time
The battlefield did not quiet immediately after Mira fell, yet something in the air shifted, something heavy and suffocating that settled over those still standing. The clash of metal slowed, not because the fight had ended, but because the weight of what had just happened pressed down on everyone at once.
Fernando stood a few steps away, his chest rising unevenly as his eyes moved between Rowan’s fallen body and Mira collapsed beside her daughter. His grip tightened around his weapon, though for a brief second, his focus wavered.
“Keep fighting,” Lucia’s voice cut through sharply, her tone firm as she forced herself to remain composed.
A guard hesitated near her, his gaze flicking toward the scene before returning to her.
“They are still advancing.”
Lucia nodded once, her jaw tight.
“Then we do not stop.”
Alberto stood still for a moment, his eyes fixed on Mira, something in his expression tightening before he forced himself to look away. His breathing grew heavier as he turned back toward the enemy.
“This is not over,” he said, his voice low but steady.
Fernando nodded, though his gaze lingered for just a second longer before he moved again, stepping forward as another attacker approached.
The fight resumed fully, louder now, harsher, as though the brief hesitation had only made the violence more desperate.
Then a sound broke through it.
A laugh.
It was not loud, yet it carried.
Every movement seemed to falter as the sound reached them.
Fernando’s head turned slowly, his eyes narrowing.
Lucia stilled, her posture tightening.
Alberto’s gaze lifted, his chest rising as he searched for the source.
The laugh came again.
Maleek stepped into view.
His presence alone seemed to shift the space around him, the chaos parting slightly as though even the battle recognized him. His eyes moved over the scene before him, taking in everything with a calm that did not match the destruction around him.
“What a tragic sight,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused.
No one spoke.
Maleek’s gaze settled on the bodies nearby, then lifted slowly.
“A daughter kills a father she never knew,” he continued, his lips curving faintly, “and a mother kills her own child.”
Lucia’s jaw tightened, her grip on her weapon firm.
“Enough,” she said sharply.
Maleek’s eyes flicked toward her briefly before returning to Alberto.
“Darius tried his best to keep her safe,” he added, his tone shifting slightly, “but Mira chose to betray him.”
Alberto’s expression darkened.
“And now she has lost everything.”
The words landed heavily.
Fernando stepped forward slightly.
“You talk too much.”
Maleek’s gaze shifted to him, his expression calm.
“And you fight too weak to be called an alpha.”
Alberto moved before another word could be spoken.
His body dropped low, his hands hitting the ground as he shifted, his form changing as he advanced toward Maleek with a force that left no room for hesitation.
“Alberto,” Fernando shouted, his voice sharp with urgency, “you are not fit to fight in that form yet.”
Alberto did not stop.
His movement was fast, driven by something deeper than caution.
He reached Maleek and struck, the force of it pushing Maleek back as they moved into the open field beyond the main clash.
Fernando cursed under his breath as he moved after them.
Lucia stepped forward, grabbing his arm briefly.
“Go,” she said firmly, her eyes steady.
Fernando hesitated for a fraction of a second.
“I will handle this side,” Lucia added, her voice leaving no room for argument.
He nodded once.
“Hold them.”
Lucia released him, turning immediately to face the remaining enemies.
“Stand your ground,” she called, her voice rising, strong despite everything.
The guards looked toward her, some still shaken, some struggling to remain steady.
“You fight for your pack,” she continued, her tone cutting through the fear, “you fight for your Alpha and your Luna.”
Something shifted.
The hesitation broke.
The guards straightened, their grips tightening as they stepped forward again.
“We fight,” one of them said, his voice firm.
Lucia nodded.
“Then advance.”
They moved together, pushing back against the intruders with renewed force.
Meanwhile, in the open field, Alberto and Maleek clashed.
The impact of their movements carried across the space, each strike landing with force as neither held back.
Maleek moved with ease, his body responding quickly as he blocked Alberto’s attack and countered, forcing him back.
“You rush without thinking,” Maleek said, his tone calm.
Alberto growled low, his body tensing before he moved again, faster this time.
Maleek stepped aside, avoiding the full impact before striking back, his motion sharp as it connected.
Fernando arrived moments later, his breathing steady as he stepped in without hesitation.
“You face both of us now,” he said.
Maleek glanced at him, his expression unchanged.
“It makes no difference.”
They moved together.
Fernando and Alberto attacked in unison, their movements coordinated as they pressed forward, forcing Maleek to shift, to block, to step back.
For a moment, it seemed to work.
Maleek’s movements grew more deliberate, his expression tightening slightly as he countered their combined assault.
“You are stronger together,” he admitted, his voice even.
Alberto did not respond.
He struck again, his force carrying through as Fernando followed, their attacks leaving no space for pause.
Maleek blocked, though his stance shifted as he adjusted.
Then he moved.
His strike caught Alberto first, forcing him back before he turned and drove another into Fernando, sending him stumbling.
“You forget,” Maleek said, his voice lowering slightly, “I have lived longer than both of you combined.”
Fernando steadied himself, his chest rising.
“That does not make you unbeatable.”
Maleek’s lips curved faintly.
“No.”
He moved again.
This time, his attacks came harder, sharper, forcing both of them to react rather than press forward.
Alberto staggered slightly, his strength faltering for a brief second.
Fernando stepped in to cover him, blocking an incoming strike before countering, though the force behind Maleek’s movement pushed him back.
They were slowing.
Maleek saw it.
“You are weakening,” he said.
Fernando’s jaw tightened.
“We are still standing.”
Maleek’s gaze darkened.
“For now.”
He moved suddenly, his hand closing around Alberto’s neck before lifting him off the ground with ease.
Alberto struggled, his hands gripping Maleek’s arm as he tried to break free.
Fernando charged forward.
“Let him go.”
Maleek turned, his other hand striking Fernando with force, sending him crashing back.
Fernando’s body hit something sharp.
The impact drove through him, his breath leaving him as his back struck an iron bar protruding from the ground.
He gasped, pain flashing across his face as he struggled to move.
“Fernando,” Alberto’s voice came out strained, desperate.
Maleek’s grip tightened.
“You are both finished.”
Alberto’s eyes burned as he forced his strength forward, pushing against Maleek’s hold with everything he had left.
With a sudden surge, he broke free, forcing Maleek back.
He did not hesitate.
He ran to Fernando, dropping beside him, his hands shaking as he reached for him.
“Stay with me,” Alberto said, his voice breaking slightly.
Fernando’s breathing was uneven, his chest rising with effort as he looked at Alberto.
“I am here,” he said quietly.
Alberto shook his head.
“You are not leaving.”
Fernando’s lips curved faintly, though the pain was clear in his eyes.
“I am sorry.”
Alberto’s grip tightened.
“For what?”
Fernando’s voice softened.
“For what my father did.”
Alberto’s eyes filled.
“That does not matter now.”
Fernando’s gaze held his.
“It always mattered.”
Alberto shook his head again.
“I need you here.”
Fernando’s hand lifted slightly, brushing against Alberto’s arm.
“I love you.”
Alberto’s breath caught.
“I know.”
Fernando’s voice dropped.
“I would choose you again.”
Alberto leaned closer.
“Then stay.”
Fernando’s eyes softened.
“Perhaps in another life.”
“Do not say that,” Alberto whispered.
Maleek’s voice cut through the moment.
“Are you both done?”
Alberto’s head snapped up, his expression hardening.
Maleek stepped closer, his posture relaxed despite the fight.
“It is time.”
He moved forward.
Alberto rose slightly, placing himself between Maleek and Fernando despite the weakness in his body.
“You will not touch him.”
Maleek’s gaze remained calm.
“You cannot stop me.”
He raised his hand.
Then it happened.
A sharp sound cut through the air.
An arrow.
It moved fast.
Direct.
Maleek did not have time to react.
It pierced through his eye.
His body froze.
The moment held.