*Zander*
“Who are you?!” I called out, still confused by the sudden appearance of that beautiful woman in the middle of the battlefield. She had helped me when I was all alone fighting those bloodthirsty vampires, but before I could get a proper look or a response, she vanished into thin air. It was as if she had never been there at all.
I stared at the empty space where she had stood, my mind racing. Was I imagining things?
My thoughts were cut short when a vampire lunged at me from the side. I barely dodged in time, his claws missing me by inches. Grabbing his neck, I twisted hard, the sharp crack of bone echoing in the chaos. Without pausing, I tore his body apart and tossed the pieces in opposite directions, ensuring he wouldn’t get back up.
“Alpha!” Maddox’s voice called out, snapping me back to reality.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he approached, his face tight with concern.
I took a quick look around. Our warriors had turned the tide. With weapons in hand and the ability to shift now restored, they were taking down the remaining vampires efficiently. I noticed two of the creatures being restrained-clearly alive and meant for interrogation.
“Yeah,” I said with a short nod, turning back to him.
“Here, take this,” Maddox said, holding out a small vial.
I took it and glanced at the shimmering liquid inside.
“It’ll break the spell keeping you from shifting,” he explained quickly.
I ordered, “Take every guard to the hospital and call all the healers and doctors immediately to tend to them.”
Maddox nodded, and I saw that they had already begun carrying the injured guards while he barked orders to hurry up. Without wasting another moment, I uncorked the vial and drank the potion, feeling my wolf returning. However, seeing the casualties caused by the vampire attack, my heart burned with vengeance. I would make Damon pay for this.
“Interrogate the captured vampires thoroughly and find Damon’s location as soon as possible,” I commanded before walking toward where the injured guards were being taken.
“Did you see that woman when you arrived?” I asked Maddox, hoping he had also seen her and that it wasn’t just an illusion.
“No, Alpha. I didn’t see any woman there,” Maddox said, shrugging with uncertainty. “Why? What happened?”
“Nothing,” I replied, waving it off dismissively.
But it couldn’t have been my imagination. She was there. She saved me.
Who was she? An illusion? A witch? Or… a goddess?
I went to the hospital with the injured guards to ensure they received proper treatment. While I was there, I met their families as well, reassuring them that the guards would be rewarded for their bravery and given the best care to recover as quickly as possible.
After a long day, I headed to the dungeon where Maddox was interrogating the captured vampires. The air was thick with tension, and the faint sound of cries echoed down the cold stone halls.
When I arrived at the cell, the vampires were being whipped with an enchanted lash by the pack’s witch. A guard hurried to place a chair in the center of the room for me, positioning it so I could oversee everything clearly.
I sat down, crossing one leg over the other as I leaned back in the chair. My eyes locked onto the scene before me as my heart grew impatient with each passing second. I needed the information quickly.
A few minutes later, Maddox stepped out of the cell. His breathing was heavy, and his face was flushed with anger. His knuckles were bloody, and his clothes were disheveled.
“Did you get any information?” I asked as Maddox took a water bottle from a guard. He uncapped it and poured the water into his mouth, gulping it down quickly.
“Yes,” he replied, wiping the water from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. “They confirmed that they’re working with Damon and came here on his command.”
“That coward,” I muttered in disgust. “He doesn’t have the guts to face us himself, so he sends his pawns instead.”
“I tried to get his location,” Maddox continued, his tone frustrated. “But they don’t know where he’s hiding. Either they’re clueless or too scared to betray him.”
“Are you sure they’re telling the truth?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“Yes, Alpha,” Maddox said with a firm nod. “I think they are. After everything we put them through, they would’ve spilled if they knew anything. Damon is very clever, We can’t underestimate him,” he added wisely.
I considered this for a moment before nodding.
“Then what do we do with them now?” Maddox asked in a steady but expectant tone.
“Kill them. They’re useless to us now,” I ordered, standing up and heading toward the exit.
“Yes, Alpha,” Maddox responded behind me.
As I reached the door, a piercing scream reverberated through the dungeon. It was cut off abruptly, replaced by an eerie silence that settled over the space.
Damon Shadowborn, you can’t hide for long. I’ll find you, and you’ll pay for hurting my people.