Chapter 76 Chapter 76
_Leah’s POV_
The door wouldn’t budge. I pulled, pushed, slammed my shoulder against it, but it stayed locked. My breath came in short gasps and frustration boiled inside me.
“Kayden!” I shouted again while pounding my fists against the wood. “Open this door! You can’t keep me in here!”
There was no answer. Only silence and the faint echo of fighting from outside.
My heart pounded so loud that it drowned everything else. I could still hear the clashing of metal, the roars of wolves and the cries of pain. The scent of blood drifted faintly through the air. It was sharp and heavy. I pressed my hands against the door and rested my forehead against it.
He locked you in to keep you safe, Athena said softly in my mind.
Safe? I thought bitterly. While he fights alone? While our pack bleeds?
He is your mate. He fears losing you.
“And what about me losing him?” I whispered aloud. My voice broke. “I can’t just sit here, Athena. I can’t.”
Silence filled my head for a moment, then Athena said gently, Then stop waiting.
I turned toward the window. The moonlight spilled through the glass. Outside, the forest glowed with flashes of fire and silver light. I could see shadows moving fast. There were wolves fighting, claws striking and blood spraying. My stomach churned but I refused to look away.
I took a deep breath and let Athena rise inside me. Her strength rippled through my body. My hands trembled as the shift began. Bones cracked, muscles stretched, and within seconds, I was no longer standing on two legs. My paws hit the floor with a soft thud. My fur bristled with power.
“Let’s go,” I whispered through the bond.
Athena’s voice was fierce. Finally.
I turned to the window. With one strong leap, I broke through the glass. Shards scattered behind me as I landed on the grass outside. The night air hit me like a cold wave. It was filled with the metallic scent of battle.
All around, chaos raged. Growls and snarls echoed through the air. The earth trembled under the weight of running wolves. My heart tightened.
Leah, look, Athena said.
My eyes darted ahead. The Seer was on the field. She was standing tall with her cloak fluttering behind her. Her hands glowed with a soft golden light. Opposite her stood Susan. Her face was twisted in a dark smile. Her eyes were as black as night. Dark smoke curled around her fingers as she chanted words I couldn’t understand.
The Seer raised her hand and deflected a stream of shadow that shot from Susan’s palms. The air hissed where the two powers met. Sparks of light and darkness exploded, lighting up the field. The ground cracked under the pressure.
But then, I saw him; a rogue wolf creeping behind the Seer, his claws out, his eyes blood-red. My heart stopped.
No! Athena growled.
Without thinking, I sprinted. The wind tore through my fur as I raced forward. The wolf lunged, but I was faster. I slammed into him midair and pinned him to the ground. My jaws closed around his throat and I bit down hard. Warm blood filled my mouth. The rogue went limp beneath me.
When I looked up, the Seer was staring at me, wide-eyed. Relief softened her face. “Thank you, child,” she said breathlessly.
I shifted back. I was panting heavily. “I couldn’t just stand there.”
Susan’s voice cut through the chaos. “Well, well, look who joined the fight,” she said, her tone dripping with poison. Her eyes flicked to me, and a dark smile spread across her face. “The little wolf who thinks she can challenge me.”
She lifted her hands and black fire swirled around her fingers.
Before I could react, the Seer stepped in front of me. “Not today, witch!” she shouted, her light bursting outward to block the attack. The ground shook from the impact.
I stumbled back but kept my focus. The Seer turned her head slightly toward me. “Leah, you must concentrate,” she said urgently. “Use your power. You have it within you. You just need to focus.”
I nodded even though I felt anxious. My hands trembled as I lifted them. I closed my eyes and felt for the energy inside me. It was wild. I reached for it, trying to mold it and to direct it.
Come on, Leah, Athena urged. Focus.
I took a deep breath and pushed the energy out. A burst of silvery light exploded from my palms and struck a group of Tariq’s warriors. They stumbled back, howling in pain. I gasped. I was shocked at the force and intensity.
Good, Athena said. Again!
I tried again, but the power slipped through my control. The light scattered wildly, hitting the ground, trees, and even some of our own warriors. “No!” I cried, forcing myself to stop. “I can’t hold it steady!”
You can, Leah! Feel Kayden through the bond. Let him anchor you, Athena urged.
I reached for him in my mind. For a second, all I could hear was chaos : snarls, clashing metal, and screams. Then I felt him.
Leah, his voice echoed in my head. He sounded angry. I told you to stay safe inside but you didn’t listen! Why are you so stubborn?
I looked around until I saw him. He was fighting three warriors at once. Blood stained his arm but he moved like a storm. He was fast and powerful.
“The Seer called me!” I shouted back through the bond. “She said they need me! My powers can help!”
You’re putting yourself in danger for nothing!
“Stop saying nonsense and help me!” I yelled while gritting my teeth.
For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then I felt his presence inside my mind. It was strong and steady. His emotions poured through me—his strength, his focus, his love. The chaos in my chest eased. The wild energy in me steadied.
That’s it, Leah, Athena whispered. Use him. Let his energy balance yours.
I raised my hands again. The light gathered in my palms. It was bright and fierce, but this time it obeyed me. I sent it surging toward the enemy. It hit them in a wave and knocked back half a dozen of Tariq’s men.
A cry went up from our warriors. Hope filled the air.
Kayden’s voice echoed again. That’s my girl. Keep going.
But before I could answer, I saw movement at the corner of my eye. Susan’s dark eyes flicked toward Kayden. A cruel smile spread across her lips. She had noticed the link between us.
“No!” I shouted, realizing what she was about to do.
Susan raised both hands and whispered something low and deadly. Dark fire surged from her palms and sliced through the air like lightning. It hit Kayden square in the chest.
“Kayden!” I screamed.
He fell to the ground. The bond between us flickered weakly but I could still feel him. I could feel his pain and his fading strength.
Rage tore through me. I started to run toward him but the Seer grabbed my arm. “Don’t!” she said firmly. “I’ll take care of him! Don’t be distracted, child. That’s what Susan wants.”
Tears burned my eyes. “But he...”
“Focus, Leah! If you lose control now, everything will be lost!”
I clenched my fists. My vision blurred. Rage, fear, grief; all of it mixed inside me like a storm. The light in my veins pulsed wildly. It was becoming brighter and brighter.
Athena’s voice echoed faintly. Leah, control it...
But I couldn’t. My emotions were too strong. Every thought of Kayden’s pain, every scream on the battlefield, every drop of blood sent fire through my soul.
“Enough!” I cried.
Light burst out of me in a blinding explosion. It spread across the battlefield, swallowing everything in its path. The air cracked with power. I felt the ground shake beneath my feet. Warriors on both sides stumbled and fell.
Then, there was silence.
And everything went black.