Chapter 8

Von

I rushed down the stairs, sprinting through the halls until I got closer to my men.

“Secure the doors to the entrance!” I bellowed. “No one gets in or out unless I say so!”

My men scrambled to follow my orders, spreading out to fortify the entrances. As I darted to another corridor, one of my soldiers came rushing toward me. His face looked.

“What’s wrong?” I demanded.

He tried to catch his breath before speaking up.

“Your majesty,” he gasped, clutching his side. “The rogues, they have found their way inside. I saw them coming down the hall!”

I clenched my fists, anger boiling in my veins. “Get every man we have on standby. Now!”

He nodded and disappeared into the fray. Just as I turned to assess the situation, a loud war cry erupted, sending chills down my spine.

I didn’t hesitate. I ran toward the source of the noise, my body shifting instinctively.

My hands transformed into sharp claws, ready to strike them all. The scent of blood and sweat filled my nostrils as I got closer to the sounds.

The first rogue lunged at me, his blade aimed for my chest. But I was faster than him. I slashed him with my claws. He fell to the ground with a scream.

Another came at me from the side, and I spun around, sinking my claws into his side. The thrill of the fight coursed through me as I tore through the wave of attackers.

As I fought, I noticed a group of rogues slipping away from the fight, heading upstairs. My heart skipped a beat.

Rae.

I couldn’t let them get to her.

She was my breeder.

I pushed my way through the fight, trying to reach the staircase. Before I could take more than a few steps, three rogues blocked my path. One tackled me, slamming me to the ground.

“You’re going to regret doing that!” I said in a loud voice.

“Regret is never in my books Lycan.” He sneered. “But there’s surely one thing I might end up regretting, and that’s not making you feel powerless.”

“You can only dream,” I growled through clenched teeth, baring my fangs.

The rogue smirked, stepping closer, but I was faster. In one swift motion, I grabbed him by the throat and sank my fangs into his neck.

His blood filled my mouth, the metallic taste leaving a refreshing feeling. I tossed his lifeless body aside and turned to face the others.

They lunged at me, but they were no match. When the last one fell, I didn’t waste a second. I bolted up the stairs, my claws clicking against the marble steps.

When I reached the room where I had locked Rae, I stopped dead in my tracks. The door was ajar, swinging slightly in the breeze. My heart dropped at the sight.

“No,” I muttered, stepping inside.

The room was empty. Rae was gone.

Without wasting another moment, I ran out of the room. I had a feeling they couldn’t have gotten far.

I burst out of the palace, and onto the winding paths that led away from the grounds.

I ran faster, my breath coming in ragged bursts. The trail twisted and turned. Even when I got weary, I didn’t stop. I couldn’t, and suddenly I heard the sound of voices.

“Walk faster or I will kill you!” a hoarse voice said.

“I don’t mind death.” I heard Rae’s voice.

“You pathetic little girl.” Cane another voice making me aware they were two.

“How dare you talk back to us?” He snapped.

“What are you going to do about it?” Rae questioned. “Threaten to kill me, or actually do it.”

“Watch your mouth, little one.” He replied. “Don’t make me do what I don’t want to.”

“What’s stopping you?” She questioned. “Are you scared of a little girl or what?”

I knew what she was doing. She was trying to provoke them. She wanted them to kill her.

I wasn’t going to let that happen.

I took a step forward, and finally, I spotted them. Two rogues stood at the edge of a cliff.

“Hey, you!” I called out in a growl. “Going somewhere?”

The rogues turned to face me, their faces twisting into sneers. One of them appeared muscular, and he had a scar across his cheek. The other looked lanky.

The muscular one stepped forward, yanking Rae closer to him by the rope that he used to tie her wrists.

“She’s ours now,” he spat.

I took a step forward, my claws flexing. “Let her go, and I’ll make your death quick.”

“We don’t fear you!” The one with a scar spoke. “And we never will.”

“I’m about to change that.” I ran in their direction when the second one spoke up.

“Wait!” He said, and I turned to look at him.

“We don’t want to fight you. We have already spilled enough blood, and disrupted Your kingdom.”

He exchanged a glance with his partner, who smirked and began untying the rope around Rae’s wrists.

For a brief moment, I thought they were going to let her go, but I was wrong. During that moment, the rogue with the scar shoved Rae close to the edge of the cliff.

“Don’t do this!” I pleaded, but a sinister smile crawled up his lips.

“It’s not your lucky day Lycan.” He said boldly.

Time seemed to slow as Rae was pushed over the edge of the cliff. Her terrified scream echoed loudly.

“No!” I screamed, my voice cracking as I watched the scene unfold.

I moved forward, my legs burning as I pushed myself forward, but I was too late.

Rae’s body slipped over the edge, disappearing into the darkness below.

“NO!” I roared, my voice echoing across the mountains.

I turned towards the rogue who had pushed her, my claws sinking into his chest. He gasped as I tore him apart. The other one tried to flee, but I stopped him.

When the last rogue fell, I stood at the edge of the cliff, staring down into the abyss where Rae had disappeared.

I wanted to turn back and leave, but I couldn’t. Without thinking, I threw myself over the cliff.