CHAPTER 112

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Ace held my hand, stopping me from getting any closer to Derek.

"This is not over, I promise you," he gritted, his eyes sending daggers at me.

We watched quietly as he contested with the pain, trying to subdue it.

He attempted to get up several times, cussing violently every time he failed; his eyes were filled with rage and determination as he continuously tried to move.

After a final hectic attempt, he crashed to the ground and burst into laughter.

"It's funny how easily fooled you can be, Ace," he cackled, blood dripping slightly from the side of his lip.

I figured he was trying to buy time and gather his strength again so he could take us unaware but before I could act, Ace charged at him.

"No, it's funny how you think you can stall me while you buy some fuckin time," Ace grabbed him up roughly.

"Why?" Derek scoffed, feigning strength even though he was limping. "You're scared I'd beat your ass up if I wasn't in this situation?"

"We both know what the truth is-

"Then why did you shoot a fuckin arrow at me? You could have come with your fist, but you grew weak and had your fuckin guards take charge," Derek teased.

"I'm not letting you live, Derek."

"See what I said? Easily fooled. What makes you think I came here without a backup plan?" Derek smirked, adjusting in pain.

"What are you talking about?" Ace growled.

"Oh Ace," Derek laughed, "do you have an idea how much power I have now? Tell me, what kind of Alpha comes to a war without his Beta?"

That was when it hit me. Damien was absent from the war. In a state of developing panic, I searched around but Damien was nowhere. Ace gave Henry a questioning look and he shook his head negatively in response, bearing a sorry look and implying that Derek was right.

"What are you up to?" Ace grabbed his collar tightly.

"Why would I tell you?"

"You bastard-" Ace picked up his fist, preparing to land a punch in Derek's gut, but he held himself back, seething.

"You didn't think I'd step in here without having some outside dogs, did you?" He arched a brow, "For goodness sake, I'm betting all I have on this fight; the least I should do is prepare adequately, don't you agree?"

Ace stood unfazed, "Good for you, but still plenty talk. You're still going to die here, Derek. Nothing will stop that, not even your many strategies."

Strategies? Could Derek have somehow discovered the safe house?

Just as the thought kicked in, a slow jarring hum drizzled into my ears. In no time, it developed into a gentle growl and grew louder, evolving into a steady rumble that reverberated through the air like a metallic chorus.

Our directions carefully shifted to the sound as a truck came into view, rounding up in a corner with an earsplitting hiss.

I noticed a smile curling up on Derek's lips as the truck doors went open, and Damien jumped out of the driver's seat, followed by a ton of Rogues who emerged from the truck.

"You son of a bitch," Ace growled in fury, tightening his hold on Derek.

The Rogues filed into a line with arms, and immediately, they directed it at us; our warriors countered them with even more ammunition.

Fearlessly, Damien walked up to Derek.

"I hope we're not too late," he stood beside him, facing Ace.

"You're just in time," Derek grinned, revealing his blood-stained dentitions.

Noting the situation, Henry stepped forward as well, facing Damien.

"Why don't we do this right?" He started, "Alphas, Betas, and warriors. Let's see who the actual fool is." He specifically glanced at Derek who growled in response.

"Alpha," Damien shifted his gaze, seeking permission. "I know we've got this. We have enough arms and our strength is to the brim."

Derek took a moment, communicating non-verbally with his Beta before eventually agreeing, "but the witch stays out of it," he proposed. "And she becomes mine when I win," he referred to me with a brag. "I also get to take your heart with me," he rounded up, facing Ace.

"Fine," Ace hesitantly released him, nodding in acceptance. He faced me, mouthing to me; telling me to stay out of it.

"Wait," I interjected, prepping my words as their attention shifted to me. "I have something to say first. I'm not the healer anymore."

Derek scoffed, "Nice try. I know you do not doubt my strength, but still, you should have a bit of faith in your mate, Ellen."

"I'm being for real. My powers are gone, I am not the healer anymore."

Derek didn't seem to be buying my words, "prove it."

Slowly, I took off the herbs that Acantha had placed on my wounds and bared the surface.

His expression dimmed, "you're trying to deceive me again, aren't you? This time it's not going to work."

"Why would I choose to suffer these deep wounds just to prove a point to you? Do you think I care about your thoughts of me? I'm just telling you the truth, Derek! Everything you have done so far was a complete waste of time!" I yanked.

I watched as his face gradually hardened and a flash of anger rested in his eyes.

"You sneaky bitch, you made me go through all of that for nothing?!" He thundered.

"I never made you go through anything; you did everything all by yourself, you selfish prick!" I yelled back at him.

He growled, vowing. "You just wait, I will definitely get you back and kill you with my own hands."

Knowing that I had hit an already triggered spot; I moved back, watching the scene with mixed emotions. Derek sounded so certain that he was going to win and with me on the line, I knew Ace wasn't going to back down easily, too.

As I hesitantly retreated, Acantha pulling me to her side, I muttered a light prayer in my heart. This fight was going to determine the fate of both packs and my life as well.

It began at once, with Ace leaping towards Derek first. I had thought that it would be much easier for Ace to pin Derek down, seeing how he was already wounded, but Derek proved us wrong with his counterattacks, shocking us with his renewed strength.

At this point, I was even more worried but I kept my faith afloat. Seeing their Alphas clash, the warriors and Betas charged fiercely at each other immediately.

My eyes were solely focused on Ace and Derek, who were engaged in a life-and-death battle.

After fighting for a while, they transformed, and Ace instantly got the upper hand; his combat skills were active, and they moved at Derek sporadically. Derek relentlessly defended some, using his cunning tactics that had taken Ace unaware at the start.

The scene grew more brutal by the second with the smell of blood hanging thicker in the air. When I caught another glimpse of Ace, I noticed he had sustained a few injuries.

There was a deep scratch on his face that made me instantly worried, even though Derek also sustained a similar injury.

The air seemingly hung still, and the atmosphere tensed as the effect of the fight touched everything around.

More minutes elapsed, and the scene got even gorier; both Ace and Derek were covered in wounds, and their strength was fast depreciating.

I observed in a frenzy, as they both now lazily attacked each other, and I knew the battle was reaching its climax.

Ace skillfully dodged a hit and climbed on Derek who appeared too weak to fight him off. With what seemed like his entire dexterity, Ace plunged his claws into Derek's neck and dug out his throat; defeating him.

Derek's body stayed on the floor, unmoving. Everything around me seemed to pause as we all awaited a move from Derek, a sign to show that he was alive but it never came.

As though getting the reality of what had happened at the same time, chants of victory chorused in the air; bringing an abrupt end to the war.