Ralph's POV "I'm not here for you," their leader fired at me."Ugh!" I exclaimed, holding my nose."At least have the decency to wash your mouth before you battle words," I complained, and he got pissed off."What are you here for?" Damian asked him."For the women you took away after killing my men," he explained."Let's get this over with, I have something important to do later," I interrupted them."The pregnant lady is my wife, and I can't allow you to be anywhere close to her," I alerted him."This should be fun," he smirked."So when I kill your Alpha, you'll be submissive to me," I gestured to his soldiers."Let's have a battle to the death," I suggested.It's usually done when a werewolf challenges the Alpha, one of them must die, and the victorious one becomes the Alpha.They stepped back, and we were left with him in the middle. It would be a shame for Damian to allow someone else to defend his pack.But I wasn't taking any chances with Athena. I wanted it to be over as soo
Ralph's POV Determined to unravel the mystery and seek aid for Athena, I initiated an investigation, summoning the gathered sniffers for a crucial task. "These belonged to your former Luna. Sniff them out, and any substantial lead will earn you two kilos of gold," I declared, noting the widening of their eyes. "You would give us two kilos just like that?" one ventured. "Yes. Explore every corner of the house," I authorized, and they nodded in understanding. "I expect answers by sundown," I declared before departing. As they commenced their work, I monitored their progress, occasionally checking on Athena. Noticing Damian, I approached with a pressing question about Ulf. "Is she buried?" I inquired. "No," came his surprising response. "Why not?" "She's in the same condition as Athena," he revealed, prompting a shocked reaction from me. "What do you mean?" I pressed. "Follow me," he directed, leading me down the corridors, where two guards stood sentinel in front of a door.
Ralph's POVHiding behind a tree, I knew her werewolf senses might betray my location to Ashina. As she checked behind the tree, I managed to sneak away to another, keeping a careful distance. She began walking cautiously but faster.I trailed behind her silently, and she abruptly halted, evidently trying to discern the source of her unease."Come out, you coward!" she screamed, prompting a scoff from me."Coward?" I replied, teasing her before emerging before her. "You!" she exclaimed, charging at me with her sword. Swiftly, I dodged her attack.Engaging in a sword fight, I kept my sword shielded, considering it more a leisurely dance than a true contest. Her skills and strength paled in comparison, with or without wolfsbane in her blood. Using my left hand, I effortlessly defended against her every move. When boredom set in, I delivered a powerful blow under her ribs with the handle of my sword. She flew backwards, colliding with a tree and crumpling to the ground, vomiting blood
Ralph's POV "Why, Ashina? Why?" Damian questioned, desperation echoing in his voice."Damian, you won't leave me in the clutches of this monster, will you? I'm your mate!" she pleaded, stubbornness in her eyes."Ashina, I, Damian, the Alpha of the Cone pack, reject you as my mate," he declared, his words hanging heavy in the air.She clutched her chest suddenly, overwhelmed by pain. Even though Damian attempted to appear strong, the struggle was visible as he departed the dungeon.Rejection is a bitter pill, and its taste is most unbearable for the one cast aside. I instructed a soldier to provide her with something to wear before setting out to find Damian.In his secluded garden, I discovered him, chin resting on his elbows. A sigh escaped me, I knew I needed to carry out my duty and check on him."Are you okay?" I inquired, taking a seat beside him."No," he responded, shaking his head in disagreement."You'll be fine," I offered comfort"I've been a fool. I'm not even fit to lead
Athena's POVThe moment the sword pierced below my ribs, my life flashed before my eyes. Yet, amidst the searing pain, I wished Ulf wasn't present, I didn't want her gone because of me.As I drifted into unconsciousness, the pain in my heart overshadowed the physical agony. Upon opening my eyes, I stood before the Tree of the Moon Goddess, my body was not stained with blood, no visible wound. Confusion gripped me. Was I dead, or was this another vision? What has happened to Ulf, and where do I go from here? The questions swirled in my mind as I pondered my situation. Suddenly, the guardian of the tree appeared before me.“What is happening? Am I dead?” I implored“No,” she replied cryptically.“And Ulf?”“Patience.“Please, no vague answers. I need clarity,” I insisted, but she maintained silence“What is happening?” I pressed again.“Your spirit was in an abyss. The ongoing ritual for you is why you find yourself here,” she explained.“Ritual? Abyss? Has it been long since it happen
Ralph's POVI wanted to rush to her side, relieved to see her breathing, but Damian held me back, advising patience as the shaman continued his work.Though I was certain I saw her open her eyes, they were shut again. Nevertheless, the joy flooded over me as she finally resumed breathing.“She's back in our world now. Give her some time, she'll be up anytime soon,” the shaman assured us.“Thank you so much,” I expressed my gratitude, hugging him unconsciously.“I'll be around to ensure she is stable,” he reassured me.Sitting close to her, holding her arms, I couldn't tear my eyes away. Damian returned after they took Ulf away.“I'm so happy, I don't know how to contain it,” I confessed to him.“Well, I'm happy I don't have to fear for my life anymore,” he chuckled softly, making me giggle in response.“Where did you find that shaman?” I couldn't hel
Athena's POVI glimpsed a blurry vision of Ralph. How could he be there? I questioned my reality in Cone pack, was I hallucinating or witnessing visions again?Drifting into unconsciousness once more, I found myself alone near a waterfall, a familiar sight from Stormwind.Flashes of memories with Ralph at that very waterfall flooded my mind. Then, my majestic wolf approached.Upon closer inspection, I gaped at its enormous and beautiful form, its white fur sparkling.“Athena!” Ralph's voice called out as he sprinted toward me. The wolf vanished.“Ralph? What brings you here?” I inquired, perplexed.“What do you mean? I said I'd be back with fruits right away,” he chuckled, leaving me bewildered.As we sat for a picnic, he seemed unusually cheerful. His ordinary conduct raised suspicions, prompting me to probe with questions.“What about the pack?” I inquired, my gaze
Ralph's POVI burst into the room, urgency in my steps. Despite the visible pain etched on her face, she managed a smile, a fragile connection to the reality that she was here with me."Ralph," she whispered, and I gently reached for her face. Our reunion was interrupted by another piercing scream."Guards!" I yelled, and within moments, they rushed in."Fetch any elderly woman within the house immediately!" I commanded, and they hurriedly left."I'm so glad you're up, I love you, Athena," I confessed, my hands trembling."I love you too, but I think the baby is coming," she uttered with a strained voice.Excitement and confusion tangled within me, I darted to the door to call for the women and then rushed back to Athena.Suddenly, I halted. Confusion and amusement flickered across my face. The room was bathed in an unexpected brightness. something I had never witnessed before. The emitted light, tinged with a faint green