Chapter 123

Maxwell strode through the gates of the manor with a practiced ease, despite his expression being unreadable, there was no way to mask the gait in his walk.

He envisioned the death and destruction of all the mutts involved and when they were done with Valen and Derek, even Alpha Kevin and his own mutts would be annihilated.

He trusted Sebastian not to maintain any alliance against the vampires.

Immediately he stepped into the manor, Alpha Kael and Dorian approached him. “We need you,” Kael said, his voice firm. “We need the exact coordinates you found Ella. We’re planning a search for Sebastian’s whereabouts.”

Maxwell kept his expression neutral but within him, he smiled.

The fool suspects nothing, he thought.

“Of course,” he said smoothly.

He followed them deeper into the war room, already planning to lead them astray. His plan was simple-give them false coordinates, and send them chasing ghosts while preparations for the war raged on, unnoticed.

But the moment he stepped inside the war room, the doors slammed shut.

The shift in the air was immediate.

Kael and Dorian turned on him instantly, their expressions deadly.

Dorian’s fangs lengthened, his crimson eyes burning with anger.

“You lying bastard.”

Maxwell’s smile dropped.

Kael moved like a shadow, fast and merciless. His claws, unsheathing as he struck first.

Maxwell barely had time to dodge as Kael’s claws slashed across his shoulder, tearing through his cloak.

Maxwell snarled. “What are you….” “

“You’re a traitor,” Dorian cut in coldly.

He lunged forward. His sharp nails connected with Maxwell’s jaw, immediately sending him crashing against the wall.

Pain erupted through Maxwell’s body. He wiped the blood from his face, his eyes moving between them.

Damn it.

They know.

He can’t possibly fight both of them off.

He moved towards Dorian, aiming for a quick strike but Kael had anticipated the move.

He went under Maxwell’s swing and pivoted, in a brutal motion. Digging his claws straight into Maxwell’s chest.

Maxwell gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief.

His hands grasped weakly at Kael’s arms.

Dorian, with the speed of light, moved to Maxwell’s neck, grabbing his throat in an iron grip.

With a final merciless twist, Dorian took off Maxwell’s head.

The rest of his body dropped lifelessly to the ground.

Dorian threw the head of Maxwell into the fireplace, it immediately caught fire like paper.

Dorian let out a breath. “One snake down, now to prepare for war.”

***

The day of the battle arrived.

The manor was alive with movements.

Warriors from different clans and tribes sharpened weapons, adjusted armor, and prepared themselves for bloodshed.

Vampires and werewolves stood side by side, their weapons gleaming under the moonlight.

Ella had come down to the war room, also trying to prepare for the battle.

Valen sensed her first.

“Ella what are you doing down here?” Valen asked, his voice edged with concern.

Derek also came closer on seeing her.

Derek’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not fully recovered yet. You can’t be here, you should be resting right now.”.

Ella’s jaw tightened “How can I rest when we’re on the brink of a war? I’m fine. I can join in the fight.” Ella snapped at both of them.

Their entire existence was threatened and they were bothered by her fighting?

Don’t they get it? They need all the help they can get.

Don’t they understand this is not a regular war?

Valen’s expression hardened. “Oh no! You won’t. I will not stand for it.” His voice was final. “You’re barely strong enough to walk, much less engage in battle. Go up into the manor, we’ve got this, Ella.”

There was no way he was letting her fight.

He had lost his first mate in battle.

A battle that he eventually won.

She could have been alive if only he had told her to seat the battle out.

He would never have a repeat of that.

Ella’s voice rose “Don’t tell me to sit in the manor while you all risk your lives on the battlefield. I’m not as fragile as you think!”

The frustration in her tone was raw, but so was the fear in Valen’s eyes.

“Okay. Okay. Okay. I can’t watch this any longer,” Scottie muttered, she stepped forward, glancing between them.

“Valen, Derek, I think I can have this conversation with Ella.”

Valen raised his hands up in exasperation and Derek shook his head in surrender, stepping back.

Scottie turned to Ella, her voice gentle but firm.

Ella was a stubborn wolf, but they couldn’t risk her being out on the battlefield.

If she’s the one that would save this war, then she needs to be protected at all cost.

Hopefully she would listen to the voice of reason.

“Ella, I know you want to join in and fight but the truth is you’re not battle-trained and I don’t think your wolf is either.” Scottie said softly.

Ella was already set to disagree, her lips parted.

“But,” Scottie continued, “that doesn’t mean you won’t have something important to do while we fight. You should do what you do best-heal. If you stay with the injured, healing them, our warriors have a higher chance of survival. That way we have a higher chance of winning because we’re not losing our warriors. We need you to win this war.”

Scottie was right. She has been blessed with the gift of healing and she should practically use it to support them at this time. Besides, she has never fought a battle before.

But she still had this feeling of dread settled in her stomach as she recalled the war from her nightmares.

Is this war going to be the same as the ones in her nightmares?

Is this what the moon goddess wants her to do?

Hesitantly, Ella nodded, “Okay then, as long as I get to do something.” she murmured

Scottie smiled. “You can put on one of my fighting gear as you will be on the battlefield but at least, this will protect you so you don’t get injured from the effect of the war.”

Ella nodded, heading off to change.

Valen caught Scottie’s gaze and nodded his thanks to her.

As they moved to the battle front, Kael, Dorian, Valen and Derek and other leaders took the forefront.

Scottie and Morgana stood behind them.

Valen’s expression was unreadable as he looked at his warriors.

Derek’s wolf was on edge and his claws flexed.

Then the sound of movement and marching from the opposite direction filled the night.

There was a deep guttural laugh as well.

Then, a voice-mocking, cruel.

Sebastian had arrived and he was pleasantly surprised to see that they were somewhat prepared.

“Valen,” Sebastian called, stepping forward, his lips curled into a smirk. “I see you got a whiff of the impending war but this is not enough to withstand our army. Don’t you think so?” Sebastian bellowed from where he stood.

Valen’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Sebastian, War is not always about numbers… another thing you failed to learn.” Valen replied, his voice ice cold.

Sebastian chuckled coldly. “Let’s see then”

From the shadows, Sebastian’s army emerged, werewolves and vampires under his command. They advanced forward slowly, howling and hissing.

“Hold the line!” Derek roared.

Sebastian also moved forward, leading the line with other fallen leaders, Alpha Kevin and Sandra.

Suddenly, he began to transform into something.

The beast was larger than anything they had imagined, he towered over his own army like a nightmare. His body had dark fur that moved with unnatural power and his eyes shone with bloodlust. Warriors in his army jeered and laughed with pride.

Valen stared at Sebastian, his eyes narrowing. “What have you done to yourself dear brother.” he muttered under his breath.

The sight of Sebastian sent gasps and quiet sounds of surprise on Valen and Derek’s side.

But it was short lived as true warriors would fight to the end.

No matter what…

Sebastian raised his deep evil reverberating voice.

“Charge!!!.”