Chapter 203

The moment Alyna collapsed into the blood-soaked earth, something inside Asher shattered.

For a single heartbeat, the battlefield disappeared from his mind.

There was no war. No enemies. No victory. No pack.There was only Alyna.

Her blood stained his hands. Her scent was fading.

And the realization struck him with merciless force. He was losing her.

The woman he had loved all his life. The woman he had waited years to have back. The woman he had finally found again.

A primal roar erupted from his chest. It echoed through the battlefield and silenced everyone for a moment. Even the rogues stopped fighting.

Asher slowly rose to his feet. His eyes found Sarmon. The rogue Alpha stood several yards away, exhausted and wounded, yet still alive. For the first time since arriving in these lands, Sarmon felt something unfamiliar

Real fear. Because the wolf staring at him no longer looked like an Alpha protecting his territory. It looked like a beast that had lost everything.

Asher shifted once more. His wolf exploded from his human form.

The silver-gray beast seemed larger than before, driven by pure rage and grief. Sarmon growled and charged.

Asher met him head-on. The impact shook the ground. This was no longer a battle. It was an execution.

Sarmon fought desperately. He clawed. Attacked with everything he had left. But Asher no longer felt pain. The wounds covering his body meant nothing.

The blood pouring from his side meant nothing. Every thought in his mind had become singular. To kill him.

Sarmon attempted to retreat. Asher didn't allow it. He lunged forward and tore into the rogue Alpha with brutal force.

Flesh ripped. Blood sprayed across the battlefield. Sarmon roared in pain.

For the first time in centuries, defeat stared him directly in the face.

Asher attacked again. And again. And again.

The rogue Alpha weakened with every strike. Then suddenly, a memory surfaced.

Alyna's voice.

"You came all the way here to meet your end."

The words echoed through Sarmon's mind. The same words she had repeated countless times. The prophecy he had refused to accept.

His wolf had warned him. Alyna had warned him. Fate itself had warned him. Yet he had challenged it.

Now, lying beneath Asher's fury, Sarmon finally understood.

This was the end. But even then, he refused to accept it.

His eyes burned with defiance until the very last second.

Asher's final strike ended everything.

The mighty rogue Alpha who had conquered kingdoms and survived centuries died beneath the claws of a grieving mate.

Silence spread across the battlefield. The war was over.

But victory felt meaningless. Because the person they fought for was slipping away.

While Asher ended Sarmon's life, Xander had already shifted back into his human form.

He dropped beside Alyna. Blood covered her clothes. Her skin had become frighteningly pale.

Every breath looked painful.

"Alyna."

His voice trembled.

She opened her eyes slightly. The world around her was becoming blurry.

She could barely hear him. Could barely feel anything.

Her lips moved. No sound came out.

"What is it?"

Again, she tried. Blood slipped from the corner of her mouth. Then, finally, one word emerged.

"Leo..."

Xander's heart clenched. She was thinking about her son. Without hesitation, Xander mind-linked the wolves guarding the children.

"Bring Leo. Immediately."

The response came almost instantly.

"We're coming,"

Xander looked down at Alyna. She was barely conscious.

Yet somehow she continued fighting.

For one more moment. For one more glimpse of her son.

Asher arrived moments later.

The moment he saw Alyna in Xander's arms, every remaining piece of composure disappeared.

He dropped to his knees beside her.

"Alyna."

His voice cracked.

She turned her head slightly.

The sight alone brought tears to her eyes. Asher gathered her carefully into his arms.

Like he was terrified she would disappear.

"I'm sorry."

The words spilled out endlessly.

"I'm sorry."

For every misunderstanding. For every harsh word. For every moment he failed her. For every pain she endured.

He apologized for all of it.

Alyna listened quietly.

Then her eyes slowly closed again. Fear gripped him instantly.

"No."

He stood up immediately.

Holding her against his chest.

"You're not leaving."

He ran.

Faster than he ever had before.

Toward the healers.

The medics worked desperately. Hours seemed to pass within minutes. Blood covered their hands. Bandages piled beside the bed.

The wound was stitched. Her breathing stabilized briefly. Then weakened again.

The chief medic finally stepped away. The silence told Asher everything.

Still, he demanded the answer.

"Tell me."

The healer lowered his gaze.

"She has lost too much blood."

Asher stared.

"No."

"We did everything we could."

"No."

"Alpha..."

"No!"

The room fell silent. Asher stumbled backward. His legs gave out beneath him. He collapsed beside the bed. The reality was unbearable.

He had fought entire armies. Faced death countless times. Yet this was the first battle he couldn't win.

Tears streamed down his face. Uncontrollably. The mighty Alpha broke completely.

Outside, Xander waited. Every passing second felt heavier.

Then finally he heard footsteps, finally Leo has arrived. The boy rush inside, confused and sleepy.

He didn't understand why everyone looked sad.

Why everyone was crying. Why his mother was lying in bed.

Xander guided him gently into the room. The sight nearly destroyed him.

Alyna sensed Leo before she saw him. Her eyes slowly opened.

There he was. Her precious son. The center of her world. The reason she had fought so hard. A weak smile appeared on her lips.

The most beautiful smile either man had ever seen.

"Leo..."

The little boy climbed onto the bed.

"Mama."

Alyna kissed his forehead. Holding him as much as her weakened body allowed. Tears streamed down her face.

She wanted to watch him grow.

Wanted to see his future.

But fate had other plans.

At least she got this moment.

At least she could say goodbye.

Her eyes shifted toward Xander. He stood silently nearby. Trying to remain strong.

She smiled at him. A small smile. But full of gratitude. Everything she couldn't say was contained within it.

Thank you.

For protecting me.

For loving me.

For being there when I needed someone.

Xander lowered his head.

Unable to stop his tears.

Finally her gaze found Asher.

The man she had loved from the very beginning.

The man she could never truly leave behind.

He held her hand tightly.

As though refusing to let go.

"Alyna..."

His voice broke.

She lifted her trembling hand.

With great effort.

And placed it against his cheek.

"This is my end."

The words were barely audible.

"No."

"You shouldn't feel sad."

He shook his head violently.

Tears falling freely.

"I can't."

"You have to."

"I need you."

His voice shattered.

"I can't live another day without you."

Alyna smiled weakly.

"You have to live."

Her eyes moved toward Leo.

"For him."

Asher looked at their son.

Then back at her.

Unable to speak.

The room became quiet.

Her heartbeat weakened. Each breath became shallower.

More distant. As if she were already drifting away. Then Alyna gathered the last bit of strength she had left.

She looked directly at Asher. And smiled.

A peaceful smile. The kind she hadn't worn in years.

"I love you, Asher."

Time stopped. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. Her eyes slowly closed.

The smile remained.

And then, Nothing. The heartbeat ceased. The room froze in silence.

Alyna was gone. The woman who had spent her life trying to protect everyone she loved had finally found her peace.

Behind her, sobs filled the room.

Asher lowered his head onto her hand and cried.

Xander turned away, unable to bear the sight.

Little Leo looked around in confusion, not yet understanding why the adults were breaking apart.

And in that small room, surrounded by the people who loved her most, Alyna's story came to an end.

Leaving behind a grief so profound that none of them would ever be the same again.