Chapter 110: ONE HUNDRED AND TEN
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We stood in the open, ensuring that the passage to our secret safehouse was out of sight. Everyone took their position, mine was beside Ace, as we heard the enemy's footsteps approaching.
I held my breath, trying not to squirm under Ace's hold. I knew he would at once detect my discomfort and send me back in. I didn't want that; I wanted to face Derek; I burned to see him fall with my own eyes.
Derek showed up first, leading the warriors of his pack; he growled and roared as they approached us, arrogantly announcing his presence. Ace moved me to stand behind him and I stayed without arguing. I took the chance to fix my discomfort, ensuring that I showed no weakness in front of Derek.
"What a surprise, it is indeed true that you survived. Fuckin luck," Derek mocked, scoffing at Ace. "Well, it's too bad because this time, you're going to the land of the dead, and there is no escaping it."
"If I were you, I'd do more fighting and less talking. Did you forget you're in my territory?" Ace clapped back.
"I believe it is more shameful to take down an Alpha in his territory than anywhere else, don't you agree?"
"Indeed, except I'm willing to take you down anywhere," Ace bellowed. "And I have vowed to not let you live should I set my eyes on you."
"Argh! That scared that shit out of me," Derek laughed maniacally, "don't worry, Ace, I won't be completely heartless; I will be kind enough to let Ellen lead your funeral and then fuck her right before your gravestone. I can't promise that we won't be loud though."
Derek was unaware of my presence, and he probably thought he had successfully fooled Ace into thinking he had me.
At Derek's mocking outburst, I felt Ace's hold on me tighten, and I knew that Derek had struck a sensitive spot. Comfortingly, I quickly placed my other hand on his, assuring him of my place beside him.
Ace growled, "Today, you will die by my hands, Derek. You have just walked into your grave, and there is no escape route."
Just as soon as Ace released the words, the battle horn sounded and we attacked without hesitation, fiercely resisting their counterattack.
Cleverly utilizing our ambush points, we launched a surprise attack from behind trees and rocks, taking Derek and his men by surprise. They quickly shielded themselves from getting hit, the few unfortunate ones tried scampering to safety but got hit in the process.
Derek's eyes lit up, and at once, they attacked back. It was obvious he hadn't expected us to prepare that much. Seeing the disarray amongst them, we struck back fiercely. Using both our weapons and strength, we took down more wolves.
Ace and Henry worked closely together, coordinating seamlessly and protecting our men who ended up getting trapped.
After a few fights, I decided to help Acantha out. I kept my eyes on Ace as both he and Henry transformed into their werewolf forms, and joined in the fight.
Ace's target was Derek so he first fought off the wolves that guarded him. Derek had made sure Ace would not be able to reach him, hence he gathered a few of his warriors and had them solely guard him from Ace.
His plan must have been for them to get rid of Ace before he could even reach him, and Ace seemed to have caught up on that as well, so he hastened to finish off the guards.
Acantha- still engrossed in utilizing her sorcery skills- had no warrior to look out for her, so I decided to do that. I might not be the healer anymore, but I still had Amy and I possessed fighting skills that an average wolf couldn't boast of.
After a few recitations, her eyes releasing a warm glow, she boldly stamped her staff to the ground, exerting a massive force.
It reverberated under my feet before making its way to our enemies, instantly trapping a great amount of them in a magical forcefield. We took advantage of this and swiftly finished off the trapped warriors.
Due to this, Acantha was noticed and a few warriors immediately headed towards us. She got distracted and I quickly stepped in front of her, preparing to fight.
"Carry on, I will handle them."
She was unwilling, but I assured her. "We need you, you must do what you have to do and help us. Trust me, I will get rid of them."
She nodded haphazardly and resumed her work. I waited for the warriors to arrive and the moment they did, their expressions switched.
"You were here all along?" The female warrior grimaced.
"Now that you have seen me, I will be the last person you ever see," I deadpanned and immediately attacked. Using my weapon, I took down a good number of the warriors and then transformed into my wolf. With Amy's advanced skills, I dodged attacks and fought back.
I pinned one of the enemies to the ground, my claws digging into his neck, and used my other hand to tear and violently shove another wolf that had attempted to take me unaware.
While the wolf underneath me slowly died, I put my other hand to work and got rid of as many wolves that dared to come forth.
Within a few extremely tough minutes, I had taken down almost all the wolves. Ace's training- while we rested on our way back home- had paid off greatly.
My arm was bleeding from a scratch, and I had also sustained a bite on my neck, amongst other minor ones. Although they hurt like crazy, I was more focused on my newfound strength and surprised at how I was able to successfully take down that number of wolves at a go. I was proud of myself.
I made my way back to Acantha and she immediately gave me some herbs to place on my wounds. They were helpful and healed me in a short time.
Georgia smiled at me again. We hadn't said a word to each other all through, but I knew she was glad to see me again.
When we started to receive some injured warriors, I decided to assist Acantha in treating them; my eyes still keeping watch.
The smell of blood was thick in the air, and my ears were filled with grueling sounds of decapitation.
In a little while more warriors advanced towards Acantha, and I caught their footsteps in time to prepare. Ensuring that our injured warriors, Acantha and Georgia were in a safe distance, I stood before the Crimson pack warriors. My defiant expression dwindled when I noticed Derek amongst the men.
A smile formed on his lips the moment our eyes met and from my peripheral vision, I searched for Ace.
He was still locked in the war and now battling over twenty warriors of the Crimson that surrounded him.
From the flash of anger in his eyes, I could tell that he had noticed Derek's absence and I watched as his gaze moved around, searching for him as he fought.
"You're indeed here, I thought for a moment that my eyes were playing tricks on me," he beamed. "I have searched everywhere for you but somehow you managed to return here with him," he voiced the last word with a grudging stress.
"And this time it's final."
A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes, "you fooled me! I let off all your silly games in the past and you have done nothing but continuously fool me."
"Or maybe you were just too foolish to catch up. Don't blame me for that," I provoked him.
He growled, "I will give you one last chance, Ellen," he held out a hand, "Come with me. If you agree to go with me, I will stop the war immediately and spare his life."
"You should be more scared for yourself, Derek. Ace has had enough of your shits, and this time, he is not going easy on you! You should be on your knees begging me right now."
He cackled, "I see you want this the hard way," he took another step toward me, and I retreated. Again, I checked on Ace and he was no longer on the spot. The bodies of Crimson warriors he had been battling now littered the ground.
"I will not leave here without you. All of my struggle cannot be fruitless, Omega!" I could tell his actual rage didn't come from the fact that he couldn't capture the healer, but an Omega. Derek was pissed that a mere Omega could trick and escape him so many times.
This time, I was certain he would milk me to death to make up for his rage should he capture me again, but I still had great hope in Ace.
Before Derek's feet could hit the ground in another step, Ace stepped in front of me. He glared at Derek, making sure his body obstructed mine.
"You will have to go through me first to have her!"