I looked around, my gaze sweeping over Alpha Albert, Cassandra, and Oliver. They stood beside Damon, their expressions unreadable-but not surprised. So Selena was right. They had been waiting for us to split up, hoping to take advantage and defeat us separately.
I let out a low chuckle, my eyes locking onto Damon. “I also didn’t expect you to be hiding like a coward,” I taunted, a smirk curling at my lips. “The great ancient Warlock King-turns out he’s nothing but a weakling.”
Damon’s eyes flared with fury as he slammed his golden trident against the cave floor, the impact sending a faint tremor through the ground. “Shut up!” he snarled. “I’m not a coward! I was waiting for the right moment.”
“Whatever!” I snorted, my gaze flicking to his so-called army. “Yet here I am, alone, standing right in front of you in your own little domain-and you still need your pathetic lackeys to face me.”
“We’ll see who’s pathetic,” Damon sneered, lifting his trident, ready to strike. But when I didn’t move-when my smirk remained unshaken-his confidence wavered for a brief moment.
His hesitation didn’t last long. A golden beam of magic shot toward me, crackling with raw power. But before it could reach me, another blast-this one a brilliant blue-collided with it midair. The impact sent shockwaves through the cave, the explosion ringing in our ears.
Everyone turned, stunned-everyone except me.
Jasper stepped forward, flanked by Ethan and my warrior, his expression smug. “Long time no see, brother,” he taunted. His gaze flicked to Cassandra, who visibly stiffened under his scrutiny. “Oh, and look at that-my royal witch is here too,” he sneered.
Cassandra’s face paled, guilt flickering in her eyes. She had been caught red-handed.
“It’s good you also came,” Damon said, his voice unwavering. “Now, I can finish all my enemies in one shot.” He lifted his trident once more, determination blazing in his eyes.
“In your dreams,” Jasper bellowed, gripping his staff. It elongated instantly, responding to his power, and he struck first.
I shifted into my wolf form without hesitation, allowing Lyon to take over. Across the battlefield, Cassandra launched her attack, her magic crackling through the air. But Lyon was unshaken. With a swift, brutal lunge, he caught her neck between his powerful jaws. A savage tug-and her head was torn clean from her body.
Albert and Oliver froze, terror flashing in their eyes, but fear alone wouldn’t save them. Ethan and the warrior surged forward, taking them down with swift, merciless efficiency.
Meanwhile, I joined Jasper in battling Damon.
Jasper countered all of Damon’s brutal attacks with equal efficiency, his movements swift and precise. I had to admit-his strength and resilience were remarkable. He truly deserved to be the Vampire King.
Damon, on the other hand, was nothing without the trident. All his power came from the ancient Warlock King.
Lyon let out a deep, guttural growl, and a pulse of magic shot from him, striking a distracted Damon square in the chest. He was thrown backward, his trident slipping from his grasp.
Jasper was faster. In a blink, he seized the golden trident, holding it firmly. Damon’s face twisted in realization-his power was tied to that weapon, and now, in Jasper’s possession, he was utterly helpless.
I shifted back into my human form, stepping toward him. “We’ll give you one last chance,” I said coldly. “Tell us your true motive-and who else is helping you.”
Damon sneered. “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t be able to stop them. They are going to get what they want.”
I clenched my jaw, my patience running thin.
“Don’t push me, Damon,” I warned. “Tell me everything, and maybe I’ll consider letting you live.”
He met my gaze and smirked. “Our goal is simple-wipe you and your pack out, turn all shifters into slaves, and rule the world like kings.” His grin widened. “And you can’t do a damn thing to stop it.”
Anger flared inside me. Without thinking, I grabbed him by the throat. “That’s never going to happen,” I growled. “You’re going straight to hell, and soon, everyone who stood with you will join you there.”
Lyon surged forward, taking partial control. My claws extended, fur spread across my arms and chest, and without hesitation, I slashed Damon’s chest wide open. His breath hitched-then stopped.
I exhaled sharply, turning to Ethan. He and the warrior had Albert and Oliver restrained. The father and son were shaking like leaves.
“What should we do with them, Alpha?” Ethan asked.
I scoffed. “What do we do to traitors?”
Ethan gave a knowing nod before signaling to the warrior. In a swift move, they ended the two without hesitation.
As their bodies fell, I turned to Jasper. He held the trident tightly, and it pulsed with energy, glowing in his grip.
I narrowed my eyes at him, suspicion creeping in. Power could corrupt even the strongest. The last thing I needed was another power-hungry vampire bringing chaos into my world.