Chapter 129: Only Way

A glance in the rearview mirror confirmed five wolves, their sleek fur gleaming in the daylight, chased after me, led by the imposing figure of the black wolf. He was larger and faster than the rest, impossibly so, but I couldn't stop. They were so fast that our distance was just so small.

“What the fck?”I cursed.

Suddenly, the walkie-talkie crackled inside the car came to life, a very familiar voice cutting through the sound of the engine. I know it belongs to Keith Caldwell.

"Hurry! Meet me at the cliff. I've set the GPS coordinates. I know you can hear me Florence. Hurry, if you want to finally escape and save your pack. It's just right as you are their Luna”

I gritted my teeth. I am not surprised he already knew that Nicholas and I were mates. Taking deep breaths to regulate my emotions, I glanced at the GPS, memorizing the route, then opened the glove compartment seeing a grenade and a tear gas grenade. Without hesitation, I grabbed the tear gas grenade.

“We should part ways here”

I rolled down the window and hurled the grenade at the pursuing wolves. The explosion erupted, a cloud of white smoke engulfing the road behind me. It wouldn't hold them forever, but it might just buy me enough time.

“I'm sorry, I really do” I whispered, and wiping the tears from my eyes, I gripped the steering wheel.

It was just the beginning for the Moonstone Pack, for the Werewolf community, and for Nicholas.

But it might be the end for me which I am ready for.

My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel, pushing the SUV to its limits. The engine whined in protest as I sped through the dark, deserted town, leaving a trail of dust in my wake. The growls of the wolves had faded for now, but I knew they were close, lurking in the shadows of the encroaching forest.

After 10 minutes, I passed the last house on the outskirts of the town. Looking at the GPS, I turned onto the narrow path leading into the dense forest.

The paved road quickly devolved into a rutted mess of uneven terrain.

“Come on, come on”

The car lurched and shuddered, protesting my relentless push. The suspension groaned under the strain of rocks and potholes when a shadow darted out of nowhere. A sickening thud echoed through the car as something massive slammed into the driver's side. The SUV swerved violently, careening off the path and crashing into a thick oak tree.

“AHHHH!”

Pain shot through my body as the airbags deployed, the impact leaving me disoriented and dazed. Ignoring the stinging pain in my arm, I fumbled for the door handle and forced it open.

I stumbled out of the wreckage, adrenaline masking the searing pain. I could hear the presence of the wolves. They’re so damned fast!

Before I could react, a dark blur launched itself at me. A powerful form slammed into my chest, sending me tumbling onto the forest floor. The wind whooshed from my lungs as I landed, the impact knocking the breath out of me.

It took me almost 30 seconds to regain my bearing and fight the dizziness threatening to take over. In the corner of my eyes, I saw some other Lycan wolves around.

Looking up, I was shocked to see Nicholas in his human form. He was naked, flaunting his solid set of muscles in front of me. He was so tall that he practically loomed a shadow over me. His midnight black hair fell messily on his face and he was full of blood and wounds that were healing in a blink. His gorgeous face was tense and his jaw set tight.

He was panting as if he ran the fastest he could to get here. I felt tears swelling my eyes as I met his gaze. His eyes glowed a menacing coldness. But beneath the feral surface, I saw a flash of something else - pain, regret, and a desperate plea.

"N-Nicholas?" My voice came out in a ragged whisper.

“What do you think you're doing? What do you think you are doing to me?!” he shouted. His hands were balled into fists and shaking.

My heart aches. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, a guttural growl echoed through the forest and the view of the unpleasant figures of the rogues came into view, emerging from the trees, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger and larger and more menacing.

Nicholas snarled back, his body tensing as he stood between me and the approaching group. His protective stance spoke volumes.

My mind raced, struggling to make sense of the situation. One thing was certain - this wasn't the time for answers.

"Stay put, Florence. For once, listen to me!" The raw command in Nicholas’s voice startled me.

But before I could voice my protest, his grip tightened around my arm, dragging me with a surprising strength.

"It's better for me to be gone," I shot back, "Let me go. This ends with me. If Keith gets me, it's all over."

Nicholas stopped, his jaw clenched tight. "No," he growled, the word laced with a desperate finality. "I won't let you go. Not today. Not ever.”

“Let me go already, Nicholas! We both know we are ill-fated! I am a f*cking criminal and Keith only wants me! So run back to your pack and save them instead of me!” I pleaded in desperation.

I don't want anyone to die because of me just because I stayed with him, just because he was my mate. Keith would not stop until he got me. I understand now that his only mission was to get me.

“Nicholas stop—”

Suddenly, a guttural snarl pierces through the forest. A rogue, its fur matted with blood and long scars, emerged from the trees, its eyes fixed on me with predatory hunger.

“LET ME GO!” I shouted at Nicholas so I could fight freely but he didn't budge a bit. “WHAT THE HELL, NICHOLAS!”

Getting my teeth in frustration, using my free hand, I quickly went to the straps under my torn skirt, searching for the comforting weight of the silver bullet I kept hidden there. But before I could even draw the weapon, Nicholas moved with a speed that defied human limitations.

He lunged forward, a blur of motion, and reached the rogue before it could react. His hand, seemingly unafraid of the beast's razor-sharp claws, shot out and grasped the snarling creature's head in a vice-like grip.

The rogue's massive canines, long and deadly, pierced through Nicholas' palm, drawing a crimson stain that trickled down his arm. It let out a ferocious snarl, struggling against his hold.

But Nicholas held firm, his face etched with cold wrath that sent chills down my spine. With a terrifying cry, Nicholas twisted its wrist. A sickening crunch of bones echoed through the forest, followed by a wet thud as the lifeless body of the rogue was thrown against a nearby tree.

Nicholas stood in front of me with his hand hanging limply at his side, blood dripping from the puncture wounds that were now starting to heal.

"Filthy bastards," he rasped.

But before I could fully comprehend how fast he was healing his wounds, another pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness. Another rogue, its fangs bared in a snarl, charged towards us.

Just as the beast was about to reach Nicholas, a blur of mottled brown fur shot out from the surrounding woods. The quick gaze on me made me realize it must be Clifford.

“Clifford?” I muttered in shock.

The caramel wolf tackled the rogue with a bone-jarring impact. They rolled across the forest floor, a tangled mess of fur and claws. Clifford, its movements swift and precise, dominated the fight. With a powerful swipe of its paw, it delivered a fatal blow to the rogue, sending the creature limp and still.

Panting, the Lycan turned towards us, its gaze settling on me for a fleeting moment before it shifted to Nicholas. It let out a low growl, the sound a silent communication.

Nicholas, his face contorted in fury but his eyes steady, nodded curtly. The Lycan wolf ran to help the others.

“Florence” Nicholas called grimly.

I glanced at him and saw his eyes blazing in that somewhat promise and resolve.

“You will not leave me, Florence. I won't let it. I won't let that asshole take you even if it causes me everything. So stop running away from me”

I felt a tear roll down my cheeks. I should have celebrated with those sweet words. He cares so much for his pack and to hear him say that he was willing to give everything for me, my heart shattered into pieces.

Right now, I am not deserving of those sacrifices.

Nicholas' grip tightened around my arm, pulling me forcefully. Tears welled up in my eyes as I found the right time to escape his hold. As we stumbled further, the forest floor seemed to come alive with movement. Two more rogues flanking us. These seemed larger, their scarred bodies and their eyes blazing black, different from the others.

The sudden surge of attackers forced Nicholas to loosen his hold on me for a split second. It was all the opportunity I needed. With a burst of adrenaline, I ripped my arm free and sprinted deeper into the forest.

“FCK FLORENCE!”

Nicholas yelled after me, his voice a desperate plea along with the snarls of the approaching rogues. But I didn't dare look back. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run, to put as much distance as possible.

Just as I thought I had gained some ground, a powerful grip clamped onto my wrist. I spun around, heart hammering in my chest, to see Nicholas, his face contorted in pain and fury, holding onto me with his free hand. The other arm was blood-stained and was bitten by one of the rogues.

My heart shattered. I couldn't bear to see him suffer because of me. In a split second, a decision crystallized in my mind. With trembling hands, I drew the dagger strapped to my thigh.

"Forgive me, Nicholas," I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I forced a smile, “I will not let you lose everything because of me”

Then, with a swift, agonizing movement, I plunged the silver dagger into the flesh of his wounded arm. He let out a sharp cry, staggering back as he released his grip.

The guilt tore at me, but I knew I had to act. This was the only way to end everything. Before they could react, I snatched my silver gun from its holster and fired.

The bullet struck the rogue closest to me, the silver burning a searing mark across its mouth. It stumbled back, howling in pain, as the other rogue hesitated, momentarily stunned.