Chapter 118 — Bait

Lucas's feet pounded against the blood-soaked ground as he darted through the chaos, David hot on his heels.

Each time David got close, Lucas slowed just enough to let the Lycan King's claws rake his flesh, then sped up again, blood trailing behind him. The pain only fueled his twisted sense of triumph.

Lucas glanced over his shoulder, the smirk never leaving his face. He seemed to be playing a dangerous game, one where he stayed just out of reach, leading David further and further away from the battleground. It was clear he had a plan, but David's rage clouded his judgment.

"Is that all you got, King?" Lucas taunted over his shoulder, a wild grin splitting his face. "I expected more from the legendary David.”

"Shut up and fight me, coward!" David roared, his eyes blazing with fury. He lunged forward, claws aimed at Lucas's spine.

Lucas sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of wind as David's claws sliced the air. "You're too predictable, old friend," he sneered.

The chase continued, weaving through the mangled bodies and the sound of flesh meeting flesh, growls, and yelps filling the air.

Lucas’s wounds were severe, blood pouring from deep gashes, but he barely felt it. The thrill of the hunt, the plan unfolding perfectly…it was intoxicating. Finally, they reached a dense thicket, the sounds of battle fading into the background. Lucas skidded to a halt, turning to face David, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Welcome to your doom, King."

David's chest heaved as he glared at Lucas, his eyes narrowing. "Enough games, Lucas. This ends now."

"You're right," Lucas replied, his voice a low growl. "It does.”

Lucas lunged at David, their bodies colliding with bone-crushing force as their surroundings blurred. They rolled across the ground, a flurry of claws and teeth. Lucas let David get the upper hand, let him pin him to the ground.

"Say goodbye, Lucas…or whatever you are…" David hissed, raising his clawed hand for the final blow.

"Not so fast," Lucas grinned through the pain, nodding towards the shadows, almost slipping away from David's grasp.

With a roar that shook the very ground, David pushed himself harder, the distance between them closing rapidly. Just as he was about to launch himself at Lucas, the ground beneath his feet erupted, and a massive hand clawed its way out, pulling David down into a hidden pit.

Lucas skidded to a halt and turned, his laughter filling the air as he watched David struggle against the enchanted bindings that held him in place.

“Did you really think it would be that easy?” Lucas sneered, walking back toward the pit. “You see, David, this isn’t just about a battle. This is about reckoning.”

David’s head snapped around just in time to see Ava step into the clearing, her eyes glowing with the same menacing sinister glow that emitted through the possessed Lucas's eyes.

Before he could react, a barrier of shimmering light encased him, freezing him in place.

"Surprise, King," Lucas coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

“ She's been dying to meet you! I heard you shared some hot nights! ”

He winked.

“ Ah! My delicious David! It's been long, isn't it?”Ava's voice was smooth and deadly as she approached. "Guess my sister hasn't been giving you what I had to offer. "

Her giggles reverberated creepily around.

David struggled against the enchanted entrapment, his rage boiling over. "You think this will stop me? I'll tear you apart!”

Ava smirked, her fingers tracing the edge of the barrier. "You're in no position to make threats, David."

Lucas dragged himself to his feet, wincing at the pain but unable to hide his satisfaction. "Enjoy your cage, King. The battle out there? It’s already none of your concern. You are going somewhere and the ticket is one way.”

David’s eyes burned with rage. "I will come for you. Mark my words! I will rip your hearts and drink your blood! ”

Lucas chuckled, turning away. "Oh, I’m counting on it. But who is going to save your Aria and that unborn child while you are struggling to get your words right? ”

The nerves in David's body swelled up so much it seemed like it would burst.

“ If you lay a finger on them… ”

“ Oh! Don't worry! We won't be doing any fingering! She is destined for worse… ”

***

Previously on the other side...

Gery and his men sprinted through the dense forest, branches whipping against their faces trying to pick up the trials from where Alpha Sebastian and the others had lost them.

As they kept moving further and further away from the lycan lands, the trails began to get stronger. Their target was closer.

Gery placed his ear on the ground as his tongue tasted a tangent taste of electric current crackling in the air.

Suddenly Gery’s sharp ears picked up the faint sounds of muffled cries.

“ Boys, we are close! Spread out. One of you will stay with me! We are very close! ”

His heart pounded in his chest, not from the exertion, but from the fear of what he might find. The cries grew louder as he neared the border of the SilverScaes, the edge of their pack.

“ Lydia, can you hear me? ”

Gery called out, cupping his hands around his, instinctively ignoring the soldier in him asking him to maintain precautions.

But love did that to everyone.

It made them a little blunt, risk takers. Lydia was his childhood sweetheart, though they never openly professed their love.

Just beyond, he saw the rocky outcrop and the narrow fissure leading underground.

“ Sir, please take a look over here!" a voice called. It was one of the scouts. Gery raced to the edge and peered down into the darkness.

"Lydia!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the cavern below. "Lydia, can you hear me?"

"Gery!" The response was immediate, filled with relief and desperation.

“Gery? Oh my goodness! Gery you came for me? Over here!"

Gery's eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the cracks. He could make out Lydia and the other maidens, their faces pale and eyes wide with fear. The ground between them was a mere few feet, but it might as well have been miles.

“Yes…Lydia, hold on! We'll get you out! I'm here, " Gery's voice trembled with emotions.

He turned to the scout,

“We can't dig without causing a collapse. Right? “

The scout shook his head, his expression grim. “Yes sir! Any disturbance could bury them alive.”

Lydia spoke from below.

“ Gery, it's futile. I tried! The place is rigged with electric wires. Even if you dig through, you will not be able to get to us. ”

Then after a pause, Lydia added, “ Just come a little closer, since you are already here. Let me hear your voice one last time. ”

Her voice was sad and distant very unlike the enthusiasm she shared when they were first shoved inside.

Tears welled in Gery's eyes as he crouched at the edge, his hand reaching out as if he could bridge the gap. "Lydia, I promise, I will save you. Just hold on a little longer."

Lydia's eyes also filled with tears, met his. "Gery, I'm scared. Take care of my parents when I am gone. Alright?"

“Don't say that!" Gery shouted, his voice breaking. "There has to be a way. There has to be. I am on it. "

As if mocking his words, the ground beneath Lydia and the maidens began to tremble. Small stones and debris started to fall, and the fissure widened.

"Gery, no! It's collapsing!" Lydia screamed, her voice filled with terror but it got lost amongst the shrieks of the other maidens.

"No!" Gery howled, his heart breaking as he watched the ground give way. Lydia and the maidens were sucked into the darkness, their cries swallowed by the earth.

"Lydia! Lydia!" Gery's scream echoed through the now-silent cavern. He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face, his fists pounding the unyielding ground. "Lydia, no! Come back. Lydia! ”

He looked up as he thought he heard a distant rumbling voice. It said, "The ritual has started. It's time for the bait! ”

As if it was talking to someone else, who chuckled.