*Zander*
As the figure emerged from the shadows, the whole picture became clear. The golden trident in his hand was proof that his intentions were far from good.
“So, this was a trap for me,” I challenged, raising my head with pride.
“I don’t have a problem with you, Alpha. But you were the one who tried to take my mate and started this. Your curiosity has led you to your grave,” Damon mocked, snorting and gesturing around with his arms.
“And you call yourself a king?” I taunted. “Attacking from the shadows like a coward.”
“Zander, I am nothing like you, and your provocations won’t work on me,” Damon scowled smugly.
“That’s right, you are nothing like me. I have Alpha blood and am a real man, not a coward who lacks moral values,” I snarled, baring my teeth.
“Moral values?!” he laughed mockingly. “Are you fucking serious, Alpha Zander? What will I get from moral values? They won’t even bring me victory,” he added arrogantly.
“A victory is not a victory until it is earned through true strength, not by deception and fraud,” I grimaced, my voice filled with disdain.
“Think whatever you want,” Damon sneered. “But get ready to die. With you gone, all my competition will be eliminated. No one can take Selena away from me-not in this life, not ever. She was mine, and she will always be mine,” he declared, his tone dripping with malice.
“You’re fucking delusional, Damon, if you think you can keep Selena forever. She’s not your mate, and she will leave you the moment she sees your true face,” I retorted, my words laced with conviction. But Damon only smirked wickedly.
“That day will never come. I will remove every obstacle between Selena and me, just like I am going to remove you,” he snarled, his voice filthy with hatred. He lifted his trident, ready to strike.
The sparks and lightning crackled in the air as Damon raised his golden trident, its sinister glow casting eerie shadows on the hall. His eyes gleamed with malevolent anticipation, and I knew he was moments away from striking. I was ready for his filthy move, not expecting anything more from him.
“Get ready, Zander. Your end is near,” Damon hissed, his voice echoing with dark magic. He lunged forward, aiming the trident directly at my heart.
In a burst of speed, I sidestepped the attack, summoning my Alpha King powers. Within a moment Lyon took over my body. The ground beneath us trembled as I unleashed a wave of energy, attempting to knock Damon off balance. But he was quick, too quick. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected my magic, his laughter echoing ominously.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Damon taunted, advancing with relentless determination. Then he swirled his wrists and more of his evil army appeared from the shadows, ready to attack anytime.
“They can’t match our powers, Alpha!” Maddox growled as he quickly shifted, overpowering the black magic binding his wolf and attacking those filthy minions.
I was pleased to see the fear on Damon’s face, but he was soon ready to attack again. With one swift lunge, I dodged the strike. I got up to my feet again and, shifting into human form, I took Damon by surprise and punched him, sending him flying across the hall and slamming into the wall behind him.
Before I could launch an attack again, I saw Maddox grappling with one of Damon’s minions nearby. Maddox was outnumbered and struggling, his life hanging by a thread. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards him, my protective instincts overriding all else.
“Maddox, hold on!” I shouted, my voice raw with urgency.
Just as I reached Maddox, Damon appeared in a blur of motion, his trident poised for a deadly strike. In a split-second decision, I pushed Maddox out of the way, taking the full brunt of Damon’s attack. The golden trident pierced through my side, a searing pain engulfing me.
“Alpha!” Maddox’s voice was filled with horror as he watched me fall to my knees, blood pouring from the wound.
Damon laughed cruelly, yanking the trident out with a sickening sound. “Such a noble sacrifice, Alpha King. But ultimately futile.”
I gasped for breath, feeling my strength ebbing away. The world around me blurred, but I forced myself to stay conscious, to fight for every second. My vision darkened as I looked up at Damon, who towered over me with a triumphant sneer.
“You underestimated me, cunning Vampire. You may have wounded me, Damon, but you’ll never break my spirit,” I growled, blood dripping from my mouth.
Damon’s eyes narrowed, his smile fading. “You should have stayed down. Now, I’ll make sure you suffer before you die.”
He raised the trident again, aiming for a fatal blow. Summoning the last of my strength, I conjured a barrier of magical energy, hoping to buy Maddox enough time to escape. The barrier shimmered weakly, barely holding against Damon’s assault.
“Maddox, go!” I choked out, my voice barely a whisper. ” You need to live to save our people. To save Selena. Find her.”
“No, I won’t leave you alone,” he whispered, his voice trembling as he watched me bleed.
“It’s your Alpha’s order, Beta Maddox!” I commanded in my Alpha voice, and he had to obey.
Maddox hesitated, his eyes filled with anguish, but he nodded, looking utterly helpless, “I will be back soon!”
As he turned to flee, I saw Damon’s fury intensify. He struck the barrier with all his might, shattering it into a million fragments.
The impact sent me sprawling onto the ground, pain ripping through my body. I struggled to rise, but my strength was gone, my vision fading rapidly. Damon loomed over me, his trident dripping with my blood.
“This is the end for you, Zander,” he said coldly, preparing to deliver the final blow.
As the world around me grew darker, I felt a surge of defiance. Even in my last moments, I would not bow to this evil Vampire. I summoned the last vestiges of my power, ready to fight until my final breath.
But before Damon could strike, a brilliant light erupted from behind. It seemed the dawn was breaking, and with it came a shrieking voice.
“No, leave him!”