Chapter 75

Chapter 75
"Help! I shouted desperately, my voice echoing into the empty clearing. I could only hope that someone would hear my frantic call.

The sounds of war had noticeably quieted since the fearsome Vaewolfe was slain. The vicious growls and piercing yelps that once filled the air had faded into a tense silence, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds reclaiming their territory. As I busied myself with Brooke, our shared laughter and whispered words wrapped around us like a warm embrace, creating a stark contrast to the chaos that had reigned just hours before. In that serene moment, under the dappled light filtering through the trees, I found solace in her presence, savouring every fleeting second together.

I barely registered the presence of Marco and Drago, my two steadfast warriors, kneeling beside me on the cold, unforgiving ground. My hands were almost frantic as they clawed at Brooke's lifeless body, desperation coursing through my veins like a burning tide, urging me to do the impossible and bring her back. When I finally dared to look up, the solemn grey eyes of my comrades met mine, filled with a mixture of grief and resolve.

"She's gone, boss," Marco murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's time to let her go."
"No! She's Elena's closest friend! I can't leave her behind - I promised Elena I'd keep her safe. Please, you have to help me! I know we can get her back. I can feel it!"

With a silent nod, Drago stepped closer, urgency radiating from his every movement. Together, we carefully unfastened the top buttons of Brooke's dress, the weight of the moment heavy in the air around us. I launched into a frantic rhythm of CPR, each press of my hands driven by a mix of hope and sheer desperation. I paused momentarily, my heart racing, and leaned down to place my lips gently on Brooke's delicate mouth, breathing life back into her as best I could. After what felt like an eternity, I finally heard it—a faint heartbeat echoing softly from Brooke's body. 

"She's back!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing with exhilaration. But as I took a closer look, my heart sank - she looked so frail. "Drago, Marco, hurry! We need to get her to the healers - now! I can feel it in my bones. She's not done fighting yet!"
"We'll get her there," Marco assured, his eyes locking onto Drago's determined gaze as he carefully cradled the seemingly lifeless Brooke in his arms. "She's incredibly weak, but there's still a chance of her not surviving this. You understand that, don't you?"
"Absolutely, but time is of the essence! You need to move quickly!"
"Boss, you need to deal with the Veawolfe before he regenerates," Drago warned, glancing across the clearing at the slumped figure on the ground. "He needs staking with a silver stake and then burning, and his body turned to ash. Otherwise, he will return."
"You are right, however, I will need a human's help for that - I can't handle silver myself."
"You're in luck, boss!" Marco exclaimed, a spark of excitement in his eyes as he gestured to a group of our human allies gathered just beyond the clearing. Without another word, he pivoted sharply on his heel and sprinted off, leaving Drago to scramble after him.

I turned slowly, my eyes drawn to a small cluster of men huddled just within the shadows of the tree line. Their expressions were a mix of discomfort and unease, each one wincing as they cradled various parts of their bodies, as if nursing invisible wounds. The sight held a curious tension, hinting at stories untold and struggles yet to be revealed.

"Wait, you're alive?" I gasped in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the impossible. I had assumed that Carlton's army had demolished all my non-shapeshifters, leaving nothing but whispers of their existence behind.
"Well, sort of," one of the soldiers admitted, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "We took refuge in the caves, terrified for our lives. We understood that you would need some human allies to take down the Vaewolfe, so we waited in the shadows, biding our time. As the battle raged on, we chose to hold back until the moment was right to leap into the fray and lend our support to you."

"We're not cowards, we promise!" another soldier shouted unexpectedly, his voice cutting through the tension. "We just had the foresight to know you'd need our help!"
"Where is the rest of you?" I asked, my voice slow and deliberate as I locked eyes with the small group huddled in front of me, their fear hanging in the air. 
"All gone," the first soldier reported, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Every last one of them. They sacrificed everything for your cause, pouring their hearts and souls into this fight. They took down countless shapeshifters, but in the end, the battle overwhelmed them. Their bravery will not be forgotten"
"I understand," I said, nodding solemnly. "A werewolf battle is no place for a man, but you are right. Their courage will never fade from our memory. Neither will yours. So tell me, brave soldier, what is your name?"
"Markus," the first soldier called out, his voice steady yet cautious as he slowly emerged from the shadows of the tree line, inching closer to me with careful steps.

With deliberate slowness, he raised his left arm, revealing a glinting silver stake hidden beneath it. A rush of instinct coursed through me; my body recoiled, and a low growl rumbled deep within my core as my inner wolf stirred with caution.

"You'll definitely need this, boss," Markus said with a knowing grin, his eyes flickering over to the Vaewolfe. "How long has he been down for?" 

It had been just a few short minutes since the battle concluded, but it felt like time had stretched into eternity. I let out a frustrated sigh as I made my way across the clearing, my boots sinking into the damp earth with every step. Before me lay the once-mighty form of the Apex predator we had just vanquished. The lifeless wolf, its fur matted and dark, was a stark reminder of our struggle. I couldn't shake the weight of our victory, nor the echoing silence that filled the air around us. With a swift motion, I drove my foot into the side of him, sending him toppling over onto his back.

As he rolled, his chest became exposed, vulnerable and unprotected against the stake that was waiting for him.