Chapter 124

The battle erupted in a blur of fangs, claws, silver, and wooden daggers.

Sebastian tore through warriors, his monstrous strength overwhelming both vampires and werewolves. A vampire leaped at him but he crushed his skull in one swipe. A werewolf lunged at him but Sebastian ripped out his throat without hesitation.

Valen and Derek fought side by side, cutting through anyone coming closer to the Manor, where Ella was tirelessly healing those being brought back with injuries.

Despite their efforts, It was obvious to the two men that they were losing. But in war, no one says it’s over until the very end so they fought on.

Ella looked up from where she was, the scene before her was pure terror, there was blood everywhere, the air was thick with death.

Ella’s heart tightened as she saw warriors falling. She heard movement beside her, she held onto the dagger by her side, a part of Scottie’s war gear.

It was Sandra.

“Oh! You think healing can help you in this case?” Sandra sneered. “Take a look at the battlefield. The war is already over and you’re on the losing side.”

Ella didn’t bother to look up at her. “No Sandra. That’s not what the moon goddess wants. This isn’t how it ends.” Ella replied, her focus returning to the warrior she was healing.

Sandra scoffed. “Pathetic. Moon goddess this, moon goddess that. Well, beloved of the moon goddess. It’s not about what your goddess wants anymore, it’s about what Sebastian wants now.” She took a step closer, a huge smirk on her face. “And as for you? You’ll lose everything today, your mates and your life, just as you’ve lost that bastard child of yours before.” She chuckled mockingly.

That was it.

Lila surged to the surface consumed by rage, her eyes glowing red.

She lunged at Sandra with all the speed she could muster, her claws slashing the smirk off her face.

“How dare you!” She growled.

“This is for poisoning me” she said, slashing her other side of the face.

“And this is for my innocent pup” she snarled as she pierced the silver dagger in her hand into Sandra’s heart.

Sandra gagged, her eyes bulged from fear. She clutched Ella’s arms struggling to breathe as she stared at Ella.

“I will see you soon in hell” she cursed before dropping dead on the ground.

Ella’s hands tightened into fist as she stared at the lifeless body of the one she had once called sister.

“You chose your fate Sandra.”

She raised her eyes and saw their armies dropping dead on the ground one after the other like flies just like in her nightmares.

Her chest immediately tightened.

Her eyes glistened with tears.

With blood soaked hands, she screamed.

“No! This can’t be how it ends.” A bitter cry tore from her throat.

She raised her eyes to the heavens, “Moon Goddess, will you stand and watch your people die? Help us against this abominable beast.”

“Show me the way, I beg of you”

“How am I supposed to end this war?” she cried out, falling to her knees.

And as she cried out… time froze.

Everything stilled, the battle field paused, as if the earth was frozen in place.

A soft glow surrounded Ella, and before her stood the Moon Goddess, her presence both serene and powerful.

“My dear child, to win this battle, you must be marked by both your mates. The combined power surge will give you the strength to end this war.” The Moon Goddess said as she stretched her hand towards Ella as if to dry her tears.

Suddenly, time resumed. Ella gasped. She wasted no time as she whirled around searching for her mates.

“Mark me!” She screamed as she found them.

“Both of you, mark me at the same time! It’s the only way.”

Valen and Derek stared at each other confused.

They didn’t understand but they trusted her and didn’t hesitate.

Derek grabbed her first on the right, his teeth sinking into her neck and claiming her.

At the exact same time, Valen’s fangs pierced her skin on the left side, his bite just as possessive.

Ella screamed

The moment they marked her, everything changed. A surge of strong, raw and uncontainable power exploded from Ella’s body.

The battlefield was bathed in light, light that shined brightly in the night. Ella’s transformation was not something that had been seen before.

Everyone stood still in awe.

Her hair immediately turned into glowing silver like the moon and her eyes changed color into silver, shining and blinding. Valen was surprised with what was happening as it seemed like she was almost beginning to levitate.

Derek was in awe but concentrated on marking her.

Ella had changed from being an ordinary wolf to being a divine creature.

Kael stared at the image before him in astonishment, the pendant on her neck levitating.

He paused as he stared at the familiar pendant around her neck.

His throat tightened.

Could she…?

On the other end, reinforcements arrived from the Northern parts. They saw the bright light as they charged in but they didn’t have the luxury of time to stop and stare, it was obvious they had arrived late into the fight.

They charged into Sebastian’s troops with a fire, Kael immediately switching to half wolf and half human, his claws out, his fangs elongated. His fierce eyes were also silver but not glowing as Ella’s.

Sebastian saw what was happening to Ella and knew this would be detrimental to his victory.

He hadn’t seen such a powerful display before, but he wasn’t going to sit-by and watch what her newly discovered powers could do.

With a loud deafening growl, he charged towards Ella. But Scottie clocked it and also charged at him, joined by some other vampires and werewolves to try to overpower him.

Kevin spotted an opening and charged at the trio still locked in marking. He lunged with a poisoned dagger wanting to take down Ella.

But Derek moved swiftly without thinking, he shielded Ella with his body.

The dagger sank deep into his chest, almost passing through.

Ella screamed as the surge broke.

Valen snarled as he drew out his sword and began fighting with Kevin.

Ella collapsed beside Derek, she pressed her hands against his wound. “It’s no problem. I’ll heal you.” she said desperately.

Derek caught her hands and pushed them away from his body. He shook his head, “I can feel it, this is wolfsbane. If you try to heal this, you will lose the baby.”

Ella’s breath caught

“What baby?”

“You still don’t know, right?” Derek gave her a tired smile.

“You’re pregnant Ella.”

“I can smell it.”

Ella froze.

Derek weakly raised his hands to her cheek. “Now you’re with child, you need to be more careful”

Tears fell from her eyes.

She doesn’t understand what Derek was saying.

She was pregnant?

Her hands unconsciously went to her flat tummy.

But then she noticed the color draining from Derek. “No.”

“Please, Derek. I can heal you, I feel stronger.”

“Just let me please.” Ella begged trying to place her hands on his bleeding chest.

Derek smiled weakly, his bloodied hand still holding hers away from his body. “That strength is not to heal me. It’s to defeat Sebastian.”

His other hand stroked her cheek, brushing her tears away.

“Don’t feel sorry for me Ella,” he whispered. “This is my punishment for making you suffer.”

“For letting you go in the first place.”

“For the pain and humiliation I caused you”

His breathing grew strained but he continued.

“I never thought you would leave the pack because of my actions.”

“I thought I could keep my promise to Alpha Clark and still keep you around.”

He let out a low weak laugh. “How foolish of me. Thanks to the moon goddess for giving you a second chance to the happiness I never gave to you.”

“You deserve it Ella. I’m sure Valen will protect you with his life.”

His chest rose and fell but slower now.

Ella shook her head as hot tears spilled from her eyes down to her cheek.

“No Derek. Let me at least try to get the wolfsbane out and you can heal on your own.” She tried to push but Derek wasn’t budging.

“No. This is it. It’s too far gone.”

He let out a strained cough as he continued. “I don’t think I have much time left, I can already feel my body failing, but before I go, I want to make it up to you.” He said, trying to force a smile.

“Tell me Ella, what is that one thing you want me to do for you? Please tell me I will do anything.”

Ella shook her head. “Just stay alive Derek, you have done more than enough already. Have you forgotten you’ve saved my life times without numbers?”

She sobbed bitterly as she continued. “Even before you asked, I had already forgiven you. I knew your arrogance wouldn’t let you ask for my forgiveness easily, but your actions proved how sorry you were.”

She used one of her hands to brush away her tears. “So Derek, please let me heal you. I can’t lose you, the baby will need you too.”

Derek smiled sadly. “Valen will take good care of the both of you. Don’t worry about me, this is a befitting end for an Alpha like me.” Derek said softly.

His breath hitched, his eyes locked onto hers one last time.

“You’re the best sight for a dying man.” He smiled weakly. “I love you.”

“

Ella pressed her lips to his, her cries muffled against his mouth as his hands dropped and his body stilled.

Valen growled loudly as he slashed the throat of Kevin, he rushed back to Ella’s side, his jaw clenched and his eyes filled with admiration and grief.

Derek had died a warrior. A true Alpha.

But the battle wasn’t over.