Tension in the room grew heavier as Pollux’s trembling hand gently yet firmly rested on my shoulder. His yellow eyes glimmered as I looked into them, full of emotions he might have been holding back.
For a moment, his vulnerability broke through the strong exterior he had always maintained. The strength I had always associated with him seemed to waver, and the way he looked at me-like he was memorizing every detail-sent a chill down my spine.
“Luna Godiva,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “Do you believe in destiny?”
My breath caught in my throat. I hated conversations that revolved around inevitable tragedy. My fingers instinctively gripped his arm, desperate to anchor him here, to stop him from slipping into the abyss his words hinted at.
“Stop it,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Stop talking like this, Alpha Pollux Fabrizio Melucci. Whatever it is, we’ll face it. Together. We’re strong enough.”
He gave me a faint smile, one that wasn’t meant to reassure me but to convey something far more somber.
“You’ve always been stubborn, sweet pea,” he said, his thumb brushing away tears I hadn’t realized were falling. “But this… this is a battle only I can end.”
Before I could argue, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. Castor entered the room, his usual calm demeanor disrupted by unease. The weight of our situation was etched in his tense jawline and furrowed brows.
“Kruglov’s patience is wearing thin,” Castor announced, his voice deep yet grim. “He’s demanding we step out of the protection dome. He… he says he will threat the villagers now.”
My heart sank. The protection dome I had created over our cottage had held for several days, but I knew it wasn’t invincible. Kruglov, the Death Sanguine vampire, had relentlessly besieged us like a predator waiting for its prey to exhaust itself. He wanted us-he wanted me-and he was willing to destroy the world to get what he desired.
“We can’t go out,” I said firmly, stepping away from Pollux to face Castor. “The children-they’re not safe yet. We need more time to get them away from here.”
“Time is something we don’t have,” Castor replied sharply. “Kruglov won’t wait much longer. If we don’t act, he’ll start slaughtering humans.”
Pollux stepped forward, his usual confidence returning as he placed a hand on Castor’s shoulder. “Then let’s give him what he wants.”
“No!” I shouted, the word escaping before I could stop it. “You can’t-we can’t just hand ourselves over to him. That’s exactly what he wants, and you know he won’t stop there. He’ll attack. He’ll kill all of us with the army of vampires at his disposal.”
Pollux’s gaze softened as he turned to me. “Godiva, this isn’t about us anymore. It’s about the children. They are the future. If we can give them just a few more minutes to escape, it will be worth it.”
Castor crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. “If we do this, we do it together. No one faces Kruglov alone.”
Pollux sighed, his shoulders slumping as he turned to his brother. “You always make the final call, Cas. Fine. Together, then. But Godiva stays here. Promise me that.”
Before I could argue, a deafening crack echoed from outside, followed by a chilling voice that froze my blood.
“Time’s up, Alphas!” Kruglov’s voice boomed, dripping with malice. “Come out, or I’ll start painting the village red.”
Pollux and Castor exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. Without a word, they turned and strode toward the door, their movements purposeful and unwavering. Both shifted into their massive brown wolf forms and dashed outside.
“Wait!” I called after them, my voice trembling. “If you… if you’re going out there, take this with you.”
I extended my hand, conjuring a small, glowing silver orb. It pulsed with raw energy, the essence of my protection power.
“This will shield you,” I said, my voice steady despite the fear gripping my chest. “It won’t last long, but it might give you an edge.”
Pollux hesitated, his eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I thought he might refuse, but then he reached out, his fingers brushing mine as he took the orb.
“Thank you, my love,” he said softly, his voice filled with a tenderness that shattered my heart. “Stay strong. For all of us.”
And with that, they were gone, stepping out into the storm that awaited them.
As the door closed behind them, a wave of helplessness washed over me. I collapsed to my knees, gripping the edge of the table as I struggled to steady my breathing. Outside, I could hear Kruglov’s cruel laughter, followed by the clash of metal and the crackle of magic.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the bond I shared with Pollux and Castor. Through the haze of fear and uncertainty, I could feel their resolve, their unwavering determination to protect what mattered most.
Minutes felt like an eternity as the sounds of battle raged on. My heart pounded with every blow, every cry, every silence that followed. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the noise ceased.
Fear thickened the air, suffocating and heavy. I stumbled to my feet, my legs trembling as I made my way to the window. Through the shimmering barrier of the dome, I saw them.
Pollux and Castor stood side by side, bloodied but undefeated. Kruglov lay at their feet, motionless, his reign of terror finally ended. Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. I could see the toll the battle had taken on them-the exhaustion in their eyes, the wounds bleeding freely.
As the dome began to flicker and fade, Pollux turned his gaze to me, his expression a mix of triumph and sorrow. He raised his hand, a silent promise that he would return. And in that moment, I knew-no matter what the future held, we would face it together.
There were still enemies out there.