Chapter 138

Cateline and Felix Fire

Felix arrived at the nearby village and saw the massacre that had taken place: there were several injured people and corpses everywhere. It had become a true hell; his people had been completely massacred. There were still some men fighting. Diego and Felix approached and did what they had to do: they killed everyone there; they wouldn't take any more prisoners.

The Alpha sensed that something strange was happening. It had been a while since that battle had taken place there, but only now had they been informed about it.

"Father..."

Felix already suspected something, but they didn't sense anything around.

"I know... let's take a look around..."

The Alpha spoke, patrolling with his son. After a few minutes, they heard a howl coming from far away; it was something from the castle.

Diego was somewhat relieved; he had left the key to the emergency room with Fredy and knew he would take Cateline there.

The two wolves decided to return; later, they would investigate what had happened in the village more calmly.

Before they even reached the castle, they smelled blood.

Desperate, Felix ran in search of his wife, just like Diego.

They went straight to the emergency room and were shocked when they arrived in the corridor: there was blood everywhere; Tomas was naked and in his human form just ahead.

Felix ran to his friend; he was very weak but still breathing. He tried to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth.

Diego was furious, those damned ones!

He ran down the corridor and encountered his guard Fredy and Cristina.

The she-wolf was almost dead, like Tomás; she had fought bravely. Unfortunately, Fredy had already died; Diego had arrived too late.

Felix's other friends who arrived with him tended to the wounded. Felix and Diego set off in search of Cateline.

They ran desperately, searching all over the castle until they entered the forest, trying to find any trace, but they found nothing; something was blocking them, the ICEs had planned it for a long time.

Diego gritted his teeth; he was going mad.

Felix tried everything, but nothing worked. He ran everywhere with his father and the wolves, but unfortunately, nothing led him to his beloved.

After some time searching, a familiar scent finally filled the air.

Felix ran like a wolf towards the place; the scent became stronger.

Cate wasn't far; he felt it; there was something hindering the wolf's tracking.

After running for a while, he spotted something on the ground; there was a sound coming from the frozen trees, a faint baby's cry. Snow fell upon Cateline's body, which was completely cold.

Felix returned to his human form and collapsed next to his beloved.

"Cateline? Darling?"

He touched his wife, who was in shock, nearly frozen with their daughter.

Diego arrived shortly after; he fell to his knees upon seeing his daughter-in-law and granddaughter in that situation.

Felix hugged Cateline, warming her up, as well as their baby.

"Felix... Amanda... and Thedeu... took Fênix..."

Cateline whispered weakly.

The rest of the wolves arrived and were astonished at the scene. The human was devastated; that sight would never leave everyone's minds there.

"What? Fênix? There was another baby?"

Felix asked, crying, wiping Cateline's face. She gave a faint smile.

"Yes... he's a... beautiful boy... looks like me..."

Cateline continued, and Diego couldn't take it anymore.

"All of you! Search for those damned ones, kill anyone in this forest, and bring me their heads!"

The Alpha spat as he shouted with anger, running off, transforming again, along with the other wolves. Felix knew his father would do everything to find his grandson.

Felix cried and couldn't believe all that had happened. In the previous weeks, everything had been perfect; it just needed to stay that way.

He turned back into his wolf form, and as a last attempt to find his cub, he howled loudly, hoping for a response.

He wrapped himself around Cateline, warming her and their daughter Crystal, and waited for one of his allies to return with a carriage to take Cateline home.

When they finally reached the castle, they were startled to see humans there; it was Lucinda and Sandy waiting at the castle gate.

Lucinda nearly collapsed upon seeing Cateline in that state. She ran towards her and caressed her unconscious sister's face, crying alongside Felix, who carried the woman in his arms.

She couldn't believe everything she was seeing...

Sandy was paralyzed, watching her friend entering the castle in such a condition. She remembered the day she had dreamed about this. Sandy could still feel the pain echoing in her chest.

Everything around her was silent. All she could see was Lucinda desperately following Felix, who rushed inside with Cateline. Cateline needed care, as did her newborn baby.

Several days passed, and Cateline had somewhat recovered, but part of the woman's life had been lost along with her child that day.

Diego and Felix didn't rest for a single day; they searched for the cub in every corner and in every kingdom nearby. Joaquim had sent reinforcements; now humans guarded Diego's castle with all their might. Never again would an enemy set foot there; Joaquim had pledged it with his life.

Sandy entered Cateline's room, holding her son in her arms, followed by Lucinda. Cateline was lost, staring out the window, alone. She couldn't cry anymore; everything had drained out of her. Yet, she felt her child was alive somewhere.

The ICES still used Onyx stones with a certain type of protective magic; no one could trace them.

"Cateline?"

Sandy called out to her friend, who seemed distant and lost in thought.

Cateline turned apathetically to look at her.

Sandy continued; there was something she needed to tell.

"There's something I need to tell you... about our family... it's about Arlene York."

Cateline listened attentively, but her previous sparkle had vanished. Lucinda was also paying attention.

"About the dreams I've been having... they weren't just dreams... it's been a warning from the start... she asked me to tell you."

Sandy said, rocking the baby in her arms.

"She?"

Lucinda asked.

"Yes... Arlene... the curse needs to be undone..."

Cateline and Lucinda were confused, not understanding what that meant.

"Arlene was a witch... and we are her descendants... I can't tell you everything now, but don't tell anyone... you have to promise me."

ICES

Amanda hummed an ancient werewolf lullaby to Fênix; she cradled him in her arms, and the baby kept crying. She continued singing to calm him down, a strange smile on her lips. She felt content for having achieved what she had promised herself—to have Flix's baby. The baby was now hers, and no one would take him away.

She whispered to him softly.

"Sleep, my Arthur... I promise you'll be very happy by my side. I'll give you much love and everything you deserve... My little Arthur..."

The baby fell silent for a moment as she continued to sing the song, and soon his eyes closed, peacefully falling asleep.