Chapter 128: Chapter 117

Rosemary

The clash of fire and wind filled the cavern, my wolf’s strength barely keeping me ahead of the onslaught from Asmodeus. I could feel the strain, the limits of my body and magic being pushed further than ever before. Andromeda stood to the side, her lips curling into a cruel smile as she prepared another attack. I couldn’t afford to falter, not now, not when everything was at stake.

And then, through the chaos, I felt it - a presence, steady and strong, cutting through the storm of magic like a beacon. My wolf’s ears perked up, her senses sharpening as the familiar bond pulsed in my chest.

Ethan.

I caught his scent before I saw him, the familiar mix of pine and earth grounding me. And then he was there, bursting into the cave, his red eyes blazing with determination as he took in the scene. His wolf bristled with raw power, his presence like a steadying force against the chaos.

Rose! he linked me, his voice cutting through the noise like a lifeline.

The moment our eyes met, something inside me shifted. The bond between us flared to life, stronger than it had ever been, flooding me with warmth and resolve. My wolf surged with newfound energy, her power amplified by the presence of her mate. The magic within me roared to the surface, no longer a raging storm, but a controlled inferno, sharp and purposeful.

Andromeda’s gaze snapped to Ethan, her expression twisting with fury. “You shouldn’t have come,” she snarled, her shadows writhing like living things.

Ethan moved beside me, his massive black wolf standing tall and imposing beside me. He let out a low, rumbling growl that echoed through the cavern, his eyes locked on Andromeda with deadly intent. I’m not going anywhere, his voice rang through our link, firm and resolute.

The connection between us bolstered my strength, my magic responding to his presence in a way I hadn’t expected. It flowed more freely now, like a river finally unblocked, merging seamlessly with my wolf’s instincts. For the first time, I felt truly whole.

Andromeda lunged, her shadows darting toward Ethan in a deadly wave. I moved without thinking, intercepting her attack with a burst of light that shattered the darkness mid-air. The force sent her stumbling back, her lilac eyes widening with surprise.

Asmodeus stepped forward, his fiery gaze narrowing as he assessed Ethan. “Ah, the mate,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “How quaint. Let’s see if you can stand against the prince of Hell.”

Ethan didn’t wait for him to attack. With a snarl, he charged, his powerful frame a blur as he collided with Asmodeus. The force of the impact shook the cavern, sending rocks tumbling from the ceiling. Flames erupted from Asmodeus’s hands, but Ethan was relentless, his claws slashing through the fire with raw, unyielding strength.

The distraction gave me the opening I needed. My magic surged, a whirlwind of light and wind that spiraled toward Andromeda. She raised her hands to counter, but this time, my power overwhelmed hers. The shadows she summoned dissolved under the weight of my attack, and she stumbled, her expression twisted with disbelief.

Andromeda’s lips curled into a snarl, but I could see the cracks in her composure. She was losing control, her confidence wavering under the combined force of my magic and Ethan’s presence. Her gaze flicked to Asmodeus, who was locked in a brutal clash with Ethan, his flames raging against the relentless strength of my mate’s wolf.

“You think you can win?” Andromeda spat, her voice trembling with both fury and desperation. “You’re nothing but a little hybrid!”

Her words didn’t sting the way they once might have.

The bond between Ethan and me pulsed again, a wave of energy surging through me as I raised my head. My wolf howled, the sound carrying both challenge and triumph, and the magic within me responded with a force that was almost too much to contain.

The cavern filled with light; the wind swirling around me as I prepared to deliver a blow. Andromeda raised her hands, her own magic sparking as she tried to mount one last defense, but I could see the fear in her eyes.

She knew she couldn’t win. Not now. Not against us.

I glanced at Ethan, our gazes locking for a brief moment. Together, I said through the link, and his answering growl was all the confirmation I needed.

Ethan and I moved as one, an unspoken rhythm guiding our every step, every strike. My white wolf shimmered in the glow of my magic, golden eyes burning with a determination that matched the fiery crimson of Ethan’s gaze. His massive black wolf was a shadow, relentless and unyielding, while I was the light that cut through the darkness.

Andromeda hissed, her shadows curling around her like venomous snakes, lashing out in a desperate attempt to keep us at bay. But together, we were unstoppable. My magic wove through the air like a symphony, every flick of my claws unleashing bursts of light and wind that shattered her defenses. Ethan struck with brutal precision, his fangs snapping and claws tearing through the shadows that dared to close in.

To your left! Ethan’s voice surged through the link, sharp and urgent.

I twisted just in time, a spear of shadow narrowly missing me. With a snarl, I lunged forward, channeling my magic through my paws. The earth beneath Andromeda cracked, a burst of golden energy shooting up and forcing her to stumble back. Ethan seized the opening, leaping through the air with a roar that echoed through the cavern. His claws raked across her defenses, tearing through the veil of darkness she had erected around herself.

“You pathetic fools!” Andromeda screeched, her voice layered with desperation and fury. “You cannot stop me! This child, my child, is destined to rule!”

Her words only fueled my resolve. She’s weakening, Ethan. Keep pushing!

He didn’t need to be told twice. With a feral growl, he charged again, his black fur a blur as he closed the distance. I followed, my magic swirling around us like a protective storm. Together, we struck - his raw power and my controlled magic combining in a devastating assault that sent Andromeda reeling.

But then, the ground beneath us shuddered violently. A deep, guttural laugh filled the air, and my golden eyes snapped toward the source.

Asmodeus.

The prince of Hell rose from where he had clashed with Ethan moments ago, his towering form bathed in flames that licked hungrily at the air. His fiery gaze settled on us, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “You think you’ve won?” he drawled, his voice a sinister melody that sent a shiver down my spine. “You’ve only scratched the surface of true power.”

The flames around him surged, a fiery inferno that seemed to consume the cavern. Heat pressed against my fur, and my wolf growled low in warning. Ethan moved closer to me, his black wolf a wall of protection even as I readied my magic.

Andromeda staggered to her feet, her face pale but her lilac eyes burning with renewed determination. “Asmodeus,” she rasped, holding her belly protectively. “Destroy them. Now.”

Asmodeus smirked, his gaze flicking between the two of us. “Gladly.”

With a wave of his hand, the flames shot toward us, a torrent of fire that roared like a beast. I reacted instinctively, raising a barrier of shimmering light that collided with the flames in a burst of energy. The force pushed us back, but the barrier held, the magic within me surging stronger than ever.

Ethan moved in front of me, his crimson eyes locking onto Asmodeus with a predatory focus. He growled, a sound so low and menacing it made the air vibrate. He’s mine, Ethan said through the link, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated, torn between staying at his side and focusing on Andromeda. But when I looked at Ethan, saw the unwavering determination in his gaze, I knew he needed this. He needed to face Asmodeus head-on, just as I needed to end things with Andromeda.

Be careful, I said, my voice soft but firm through the link.

He gave me a small, almost imperceptible nod before lunging at Asmodeus. The cavern filled with the sounds of their clash, fire meeting fury as they tore into each other with unrelenting ferocity.

I turned my attention back to Andromeda. She was weakened, her breaths shallow, but her expression was defiant as she raised her hands to summon another wave of shadows.

“You think this will end with me?” she spat, her voice dripping with venom. “Even if you kill me, the child will rise. My legacy will endure!”

I let out a growl, the sound vibrating through my chest as I circled her. Not if I have anything to say about it.

With a surge of energy, I leaped toward her, my magic flaring as I unleashed a burst of golden light. The shadows around her dissolved, leaving her vulnerable as I landed mere feet away. Andromeda staggered, her lilac eyes wide with a mix of fury and fear.

My magic flared brighter, the golden light illuminating the cavern as I prepared to strike. This was it, the final stand. Andromeda had to fall. For my pack. For Aurora. For everything we’d fought so hard to protect.