Usher couldn’t risk it. Vione’s safety was at stake and he had to act quickly. His plan was to instruct Garth to send a message to the Nimbria Pack. At the same time, Cora entered the office.
“Alpha, a letter from the Nimbria Pack.”
Usher’s gaze fell on the letter in Cora’s hand. “Give it to me.”
The letter changed hands. Usher read it immediately and was not at all surprised. Everything was as he had suspected. Torin proposed to negotiate, considering their mutual interests. He wanted to save Vione, while Torin could not ignore his own son, the heir of the Nimbria Pack.
“Torin has proposed a meeting in neutral territory,” Usher said, looking at Garth and Cora in turn. “He wants to trade Phillip and Mireya tonight.”
Torin was making an offer that was mutually beneficial, but Usher knew the situation wasn’t that simple. He would not ignore the fact that Torin was cunning and not to be underestimated. Besides, history had recorded numerous deceptions by the Nimbria Pack. It was very likely that Torin’s proposed exchange would turn into a deadly trap for the Frostholm Pack.
“Cora, how is the pack? Especially the border area.”
Cora replied, “The pack is safe, Alpha. The borders are on high alert. In addition, Berg has increased security around the palace.”
“Good. And for that, Cora, I am placing all responsibility for the Palace’s security on you. Do whatever it takes to protect the palace.”
Usher’s order left Cora momentarily stunned before she finally nodded with determination. “Understood, Alpha. I will guard the palace with my life.”
Usher then turned to Garth, who was already on high alert. Their eyes met and Usher was sure that Garth understood his thoughts. Furthermore, Garth was prepared with the orders he was about to give.
Storm was called. They had a brief discussion about the worst-case scenario that could occur during this night-a war.
At exactly nine o’clock in the evening, Usher and the others left the palace, including Mireya and Phillip. They made their way to the agreed upon neutral zone, where Torin was already waiting for them.
Silence surrounded the area. For a moment, no one spoke among them. Both the Frostholm and Nimbria packs were silent, as if observing each other’s situation.
The atmosphere was tense. The tension was thick. The night mist hung low over the ground, and the cold air enveloped them in an ominous silence.
Garth stepped forward with Mireya carrying Phillip. From the opposite direction, James and Vione appeared, seemingly helpless with numerous injuries.
Usher held his breath. The sight of Vione made his blood boil, but he managed to control himself.
The exchange began. Garth and James stayed in their places while Mireya and Vione slowly moved in opposite directions.
Usher watched every movement intently, keeping a watchful eye. He steeled himself to stay focused on his surroundings as Vione approached. His heart pounded and ached as the sight of Vione’s distress became more apparent.
Vione’s steps were weak, almost faltering. Her legs dragged, as if signaling that her strength was nearly gone.
Pain cut through Usher’s heart. He couldn’t wait any longer. He moved closer, intending to greet Vione, but there was an unexpected movement from Mireya.
Especially when Mireya and Vione met halfway. Her quick glance at Torin was met with a command signal. She didn’t waste the opportunity. Taking advantage of Vione’s weakness, she hugged Phillip tightly and then lunged at Vione.
Vione was thrown several meters and Usher reacted quickly. He jumped to catch Vione, but Torin wouldn’t let him.
Torin lunged at Usher with full force. He blocked Usher’s path, preventing him from reaching Vione. Their collision created a thunderous roar that echoed ominously through the night, causing movement on both sides.
The situation became chaotic. As Usher had suspected, Torin was completely unreliable. Torin roared loudly, and the Nimbria pack immediately attacked. They jumped and turned into wolves, ready to tear the Frostholm pack apart.
The battle erupted. The Frostholm warriors didn’t stand still. They too transformed into wolves and met the Nimbria Pack’s attack with full force.
Meanwhile, Usher, who had been knocked to the ground, rose quickly. He quickly surveyed the scene and growled. His eyes burned with anger, especially when he saw Vione lying on the ground in a pitiful state.
Usher moved. He ran to Vione, determined to save her and bring her to safety. But Torin, now a wolf, blocked his way again. Torin lunged, and Usher had no choice but to transform and fight back.
Usher’s priority was to disable Torin as quickly as possible. He couldn’t afford to waste time and risk Vione’s safety. Unfortunately, Torin was not an easy opponent to defeat.
The fight was fierce. Usher and Torin, along with the warriors, clashed with deadly speed and strength. Their claws clashed in the air, making sharp, terrifying sounds. Their fangs bit savagely, sinking into the flesh of their opponents, tearing mercilessly.
Screams and howls filled the night. Blood flowed and stained the ground, mixing with the dust and scattered leaves to create a pungent iron smell. Lifeless bodies began to pile up, presenting a scene of brutality.
There was one oddity that made Usher jump up and distance himself from Torin, giving him a chance to assess the battle situation and observe the pack. He saw that the warriors were fighting unusually. They seemed weak, not as agile and resilient as they should be. Their attacks were easily repelled by the warriors of the Nimbria Pack.
Something was terribly wrong, affecting the entire battle. Usher noticed it. Worse, the same thing was happening to Garth and Storm. They were fighting with less power than usual.
Usher’s chest rumbled. Another harsh reality hit him. The anomaly wasn’t just affecting them, it was affecting him as well. His fighting spirit was dampened, his body felt heavy, and his movements slowed. Every attack he made was stiff, as if an invisible weight was holding back his abilities.
Usher howled long and loud. He ordered the Frostholm Pack to retreat. He couldn’t risk blindly sacrificing the lives of his pack members.
But it was too late. Usher’s command echoed with the cries of pain from the Frostholm pack. They collapsed, falling to the ground and howling in agony.
Confusion and worry hit Usher at the same time. The battle had become unbalanced, and the warriors of the Nimbria Pack seized the opportunity. They attacked mercilessly, pummeling the Frostholm warriors without mercy.
Usher’s concentration was shattered. His thoughts were on Vione’s safety and the well-being of the pack, giving Torin an opening.
Torin seized the opportunity. At the perfect moment, he attacked Usher treacherously. He sent Usher flying several meters through the air, crashing hard to the rocky ground.
Usher groaned in pain. His body was injured. Blood flowed from his wounds and mouth. His condition was grave, and Vione’s anguished scream pierced the chaos.
Vione had never seen Usher in such a bad condition. Usher was badly wounded and Torin obviously wasn’t going to let him go easily.
“Usher. Usher,” Vione whispered, her fear freezing her body. She tried to rise, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Usher, no. Please.”
Vione’s steps trembled. Her body was too weak. Eventually she collapsed and could only crawl towards Usher. She ignored the pain that burned through her as she watched Torin continue to beat Usher so brutally.
A single step on her back immediately stopped Vione’s movements. She turned to see Mireya looking down at her with a haughty look.
“You really are pathetic, Vione. You’re weak, and look what’s happening now. Even Usher is willing to sacrifice his life just to save a clawless wolf like you.”
Vione bit her lower lip. In the midst of her tears, she realized that Mireya’s words were true. The painful reality hit her that she was indeed a weak werewolf, helpless, and Usher had always been there to protect her.
Her eyes closed. Her hands gripped the rocky floor. Vione groaned in desperation and hope. Just once, God. Please, let me protect Usher.
Vione’s heartbeat quickened. Her breathing became faster. Her eyes opened wide, shining with a blinding blue light, and at that moment her body transformed into a werewolf.
Vione growled. She lunged at Mireya and then ran with incredible speed. Ignoring the risks she was taking, she attacked Torin!
*