Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Suddenly, the sky transformed into an ominous shade of black, as if a heavy curtain had been drawn across the heavens. An ear-splitting crack echoed through the air, sending a shiver down our spines, and just as we braced ourselves, a blinding bolt of lightning sliced across the sky. In that fleeting moment, my face was cast in a ghostly white light, shock and awe etched in my expression. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the blackness faded away, and the sky returned once more to its serene beauty. The velvety dark canvas above me revealed its secrets, adorned with countless twinkling stars that seemed to shimmer in celebration of the night. The pale moon hung low, casting a gentle glow over the forest, wrapping us in a comforting embrace.
"What just happened?" Markus whispered, his voice trembling with fear as he stole a glance at the swirling sky before turning his wide eyes to me.
"I don’t know why, but this just doesn’t feel like a good omen. Something is off. Let’s head back to the castle—I have to check on Elena! I can’t shake this uneasy feeling, and I need to make sure she’s all right."
I watched in silence as my brother took one last lingering look at Mateo’s engulfed body. The fire was beginning to die down; all that remained were charred bones and scraps of singed fur. My breath caught in my throat. My heart pounded so hard it felt torn out and stomped on. My body trembled as the last fragments of white-hot pain left me, but there was no peace. All I wanted now was revenge—I would make everyone associated with my brother pay. I knew of warlocks high in the mountains; surely one of them could bring Mateo back to me. But for now, my priority was to get the moon goddess to release me so I could finish my brother, once and for all.
In eerie silence, Kieran and the remainder of his wolfpack and human soldiers left the clearing, making their way back to the castle and its safety. Tonight wasn’t over—it was only just beginning. An uncanny sensation grew inside me as I realized I was regaining control over my body. The moon goddess had let go! That was her plan all along—to take me out of the fight so Mateo could be killed. How could she? Was this divine intervention? No, there was no such thing.
Breathless, I scrambled to my feet and reconnected to the mind link. Frantically, I called out to my men, but was met with a deathly silence—no one answered. I couldn’t even hear them speaking anymore. The silence was deafening. My army couldn’t have been wiped out! Not all of them! Surely not? My mind flicked back to Mateo, and I surged feebly toward his remains, collapsing beside them in a heap. My chest tightened, and my body convulsed as I erupted into anguished sobs. I searched desperately through the remains for something to hold onto, not even feeling the searing pain from the burning bones. Finally, I found a scrap of unsinged fur, which I pressed to my chest, still sobbing. Bringing it to my nose, I could barely detect the faint trace of his scent, now tainted by death, blood, and fire. Carefully, I folded the scrap and hid it against my body—the only piece of my mate I had left. And the memories. The memories burned painfully in my mind. I should have done more! I should have shown off our bond, not hidden him. Now he was gone, and it was too late.
Snarling, I turned toward the castle and followed my brother’s retreating footsteps. If I showed up in human form, he’d see me as a threat. He took the one thing I loved away from me—now it was his turn to feel what I felt. Slowly, I made my way out of the forest and toward the castle, slipping my human form into the shadows to avoid being seen. Just as I reached the golden gates, a loud hiss made me jump. I spun around, hand flying to my sword—just as Davina stepped out from behind a large bush.
“Get in here!”
Smirking, I felt a fleeting sense of relief—at least Davina was alive. But my plan for her was now in tatters. I didn’t need her anymore, so what was I going to do with her?
"Thank God you’re alive," she gasped, trying to pull me close, her hands snaking around my neck and head in a desperate embrace. "I’ve been so scared, but I did what you asked!"
"Get off, woman!" I snarled, shoving Davina back angrily. She nearly fell, staring at me in shock.
"I—I don’t understand!" she stammered nervously. "What’s wrong? I thought you loved me?"
"Oh, I do," I replied silkily, stroking my beard. "But this isn’t the time or place for flirtation. We have a job to do! Now, tell me, dear one—what have you managed to achieve? And why are you hiding in this bush like a coward?"
"A coward?" Davina scoffed. "I’ve been out there waiting for you! I went in and did what you asked—every handmaiden is dead. The only ones I couldn’t find were Brooke and Hollie!"
"Brooke was on the battlefield—she’s as good as dead. One of Kieran’s soldiers carried her up here. Hollie, I assume, is with Elena."
"That’s who they brought through the gates. I saw them rush in about ten minutes ago. Kieran was muttering about Elena. I expect your brother has gone up to their apartment tower."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" I snarled, looking at Davina with disgust.
"I have just one more job for you!"