140- Before Dawn, Blood Will Rise
POV Edric Eldoria:
I could feel the heat of their blood tingling at my fingertips and the immense satisfaction I would feel when I reaped all those lives.
“If Alessio really believes that, he’s even more of an idiot than I expected,” Andrei commented, crossing his arms over his chest.
“He’s completely idiotic,” I hissed.
I cast a glance past the tall oak trunk. The treetop stood several meters above the ground, casting its shadow over us.
I extended my nails, shifting them into claws, and sank them into the wood. Then I launched myself upward, climbing the trunk in silent movements.
The wolves were still distracted, far too busy finishing the cigar that flooded their lungs with thick, dark smoke.
I climbed several meters above the ground, keeping myself hidden from their line of sight.
The Eclipse village stretched out before me. Wooden cottages clustered together in a tight pattern. There was little sign of movement; lights glowed faintly behind shuttered windows.
The winding streets wove between the houses, leading to a central square where celebrations must have once unfolded. It was a simple, modest place.
I scanned the scene with a sharp, attentive gaze, searching for any sign of surveillance. Every shadow, every shift, could be the mark of potential danger—and I was determined to stay one step ahead of them.
Andrei had been right—Alessio was even more foolish than we thought. There was no sign of an ambush or of preparations for an imminent attack.
I had no idea what Thalira had told him about me, but whatever it was, he seemed to have swallowed the omega’s story whole.
The plan had to be concise. I needed to save Lunara and protect her if she was truly pregnant. I would kill any wolf who crossed my path—male, female, or pup.
My beast was becoming more and more uncontrollable, protective instincts bursting in sharp, violent spikes.
With calculated movements, I descended the trunk, my muscles tensed from the effort of keeping silent.
I landed on the snow and turned to Andrei.
“There’s nothing.”
“Nothing?” he whispered, confused.
I shook my head.
“They don’t seem to be expecting any attack. There are no guards patrolling the streets, no empty houses. Aside from those idiots over there”—I gestured with my chin toward the two wolves—“I haven’t seen a single other guard.”
“Convenient for our plan,” he noted.
I pivoted on my heels and moved away, stepping where the moonlight couldn’t reach, blocked by the high branches above.
I distanced myself enough, Andrei on my trail.
“The moment is approaching,” I murmured, addressing all of them in a firm whisper. “As soon as the first ray of sunlight touches this land, we advance.”
“For Eldoria!” one of them answered in a low murmur. I nodded and turned back to them.
“Observe.” I pointed toward the sleeping village. “They are unprotected. They do not expect us. They are not prepared for what’s about to happen.” They exchanged meaningful glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. The fact that they were unprepared for us was a crucial advantage. “Do not hesitate,” I continued, clenching my teeth. “Do not look back. Remember what we are fighting for. Kill them all—even females and pups who are contaminated by the Eclipse poison.”
“It doesn’t matter the ages?” one of them asked.
“You know how the members of that pack think and act—so no. Sparing lives could give us trouble later. If they despise the place and its members, like Lunara does, bring them to the elders and let them decide. If they despise any of you for killing Eclipse wolves, kill them too.”
“Yes, my Alpha, we will do as you command,” one agreed.
“There will be no mercy,” I declared, my voice firm as it echoed through the trees. “All who oppose us will pay with their lives. Do not let any of them escape. This is the weight of justice. Our enemies will know the impact of our wrath.”
We were not there to play at war; we were there to bring justice for Anton, for Ruda, for Lunara—to protect our own and restore our honor.
I cast one last look at the pack, at our battlefield.
“At the first ray of sunlight, advance with determination,” I concluded, my tone steeped in the promise of imminent vengeance. “Let our claws be sharp and our hearts unshakable.”
“For Eldoria, until our last breath,” one of them whispered.
“For Eldoria,” another declared.
“For Eldoria,” echoed a third.
With a wave of my hand, I gave the final command. They understood the weight of the moment—the seriousness of the mission awaiting us.
The battle was about to begin, and we, the Eldoria wolves, were ready to face it.
As the shadows of night yielded to the first rays of dawn, I felt the pulsing energy of chaos surrounding us.
I’m coming, my little wolf.