As a former warrior leader, Vione had seen every kind of wound, every kind of pain. She had felt every kind of agony and suffering, but none compared to the searing pain that suddenly gripped her.
Vione fought with all her strength, but the pain she felt was excruciating. She could no longer move or breathe, and suddenly her vision went completely dark.
Everything disappeared. Everything was gone. There was nothing left of this world as Vione realized where the source of the pain was coming from.
Right from her heart. An indescribable agony was tearing at her from within, as if invisible claws were grabbing her and crushing her until nothing was left.
Vione shook. Her body shook violently. In that split second, she realized this wasn’t a physical wound. Something much deeper, much darker, had taken hold of her.
In the midst of the overwhelming pain, Vione tried to hold on. But the encroaching darkness continued to suffocate and haunt her. Her equilibrium was shaken, and her worst nightmare, one that had never appeared in her sleep, had become her most painful reality.
Vione froze in the unbearable cold. Her body felt as if it had been sliced by razor-sharp blades, her bones pierced by thousands of needles, and every dream, every beautiful hope that had once guided her steps, shattered beyond recognition with Usher’s death.
No. Please, Usher, Vione begged silently. She scanned the battlefield, desperately searching for Usher to relieve the horrible feeling and excruciating pain that continued to overwhelm her.
Then Vione saw it with her own eyes. Usher was thrown dozens of meters into the air and Torin was mercilessly snatching him away.
Vione could do nothing. She could only stand still and watch as Usher died, utterly destroyed.
Torin howled. The Nimbria pack rejoiced amidst the still raging battle. Meanwhile, Vione’s mind went blank, her world truly at an end.
The atmosphere of the battle changed. The momentum had shifted completely to the Nimbria Pack. Chaos engulfed everything, and Vione remained trapped in this devastating truth. Usher was dead. She had lost her mate and the man she loved most.
The roar of pain and howls of anguish brought Vione back to reality for a moment. She blinked and surveyed the devastated state of the Frostholm Pack. So many were injured and lying motionless on the ground, while the remaining warriors fought in a pitiful condition.
Vione shook her head once, trying to control herself and push away the pain she felt. She couldn’t allow herself to wallow in grief. The pack was losing its way and she had to act immediately. She wouldn’t let the pack fall apart.
Vione’s long howl echoed across the battlefield. She ordered all remaining warriors to retreat at once.
Vione didn’t have much time to grieve when she returned to the palace. She had lost Usher, but the looming shadow of destruction over the pack prevented her from shedding a single tear.
All of Vione’s sadness and sense of loss had to be held back. She was wounded, she was suffering, but she had to remain strong for the pack.
The situation of the pack was truly dire. They had been forced to retreat and had lost their Alpha. The morale of the pack was tested and Vione’s task was to restore it before it was too late.
But it wouldn’t be that easy. The Nimbria Pack wouldn’t waste the golden opportunity in front of them.
“What did you say?” Vione asked Berg, her eyes wide. “The Nimbria Pack is on the move again?”
Berg nodded. “Yes, Luna. A large number of warriors are heading for the palace.”
That wasn’t the news Vione had hoped for. Then she turned to Storm. “How are the warriors?”
“I’m sorry, Luna,” Storm said with a helpless look on his face. He forced himself to be honest. “The condition of the warriors is terrible. Those who survived are in great pain. None of them is ready to fight.”
Vione tried to control her anger. She couldn’t blame the warriors, especially when she remembered the strange events within the pack. “Something is happening to us. It seems the Nimbria Pack has devised another cunning plan to sabotage our strength.”
Storm frowned, looking pensive. “It seems you’re right, Luna. I can feel that something is wrong with me. I can’t unleash my abilities as usual.”
Storm’s confession strengthened Vione’s suspicion. Especially when she remembered Usher’s death. It couldn’t be that simple. Usher wouldn’t be defeated that easily. There had to be something behind it all.
Vione would soon investigate the cause of all the anomalies, but her priority now was to ensure the safety of the pack. If the Nimbria pack was planning to attack the palace, the first thing she had to do was evacuate the wounded and Omegas to a safe place.
“Order the evacuation immediately, Berg. Take them to the west side of Amerotha Forest.”
Berg nodded. “Understood, Luna.”
Now Vione had to focus on the more difficult task of devising a plan to counter the Nimbria Pack’s attack. But her options were limited. The pack could neither attack nor defend effectively.
Vione closed her eyes and clenched her fists. What should I do now?
Time passed, and Vione tried to think of a solution to the critical situation. But soon more bad news arrived. She was stunned by the information Garth gave her.
“The Nimbria Pack intercepted Berg, Luna. They attacked and many of the evacuees were killed.”
Vione’s body immediately stiffened. “That’s impossible.” She shook her head, her face turning pale. “How many survived?”
“Not many, Luna. They attacked so suddenly and-”
Vione’s brow furrowed as she noticed Garth leaving. An uneasy feeling continued to swirl in her mind. “What happened?”
“Ivan came to help them. But the Nimbria Pack came in large numbers.”
Vione was silent for a moment. She needed time to process Garth’s answer. “Pa-Papa?”
“I’m sorry, Luna,” Garth continued, lowering his head. His eyes closed as he forced himself to continue. “Ivan was killed trying to protect the victims of the evacuation.”
It’s impossible. It can’t be. Vione shook her head and clenched her mouth tightly. She tried again and again to deny reality, but the grief was too real.
Vione was shaken. She could barely think, and at the same time, the attack of the Nimbria Pack came.
The palace was unable to repel the attack of the Nimbria Pack. The efforts of the remaining warriors and guards seemed insignificant compared to the superior power of the Nimbria Pack.
The Frostholm Pack was on the brink of destruction. Vione could not bear to watch the situation deteriorate. Despair began to set in, but she would not give up so easily. With what strength she had left, she snarled and continued to attack the Nimbria warriors.
It’s not over yet, Vione swore to herself with determination. As long as I stand, they will never win. They will never be able to destroy the Frostholm Pack.
Garth, Cora, and Storm had the same thoughts. Usher’s death was a devastating blow to them and the pack. So, they wouldn’t let the misfortune continue. Vione was the last symbol of the Frostholm Pack. No matter what happened, they wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Vione.
So, Cora ignored the weakness and pain that constantly gripped her whole body. She jumped up and blocked an attack aimed at Vione.
Vione instinctively backed away as Cora shielded her. She saw Cora motion for her to leave. She refused, but Cora insisted.
Helplessness weakened Vione’s heart. Her emotions were a whirlwind. The palace was in ruins and the pack was in chaos while she could do nothing. She couldn’t protect them, and now she was forced to flee to save the pack’s last hope.
Vione gritted her teeth. Her heart was filled with a guilt that gnawed at her. She wanted to stay and fight with the remaining warriors and guards, but the hope that rested on her shoulders forced her to make a difficult decision. In the end, she forced herself to retreat, despite the heavy burden. She ran towards the west side of the Amerotha Forest.
*