Castor PoV
“Alpha Castor, dawn is approaching.”
Godiva’s voice brought my steps to a halt. When I turned around, nearly two-thirds of the warriors from Moonstone and Blackmoon were gravely injured. Their wounds were healing far too slowly due to exhaustion.
I considered Godiva’s words. The approaching dawn would force the vampires to retreat. Despite the severe injuries among our warriors, I saw the bodies of fallen vampires strewn across the battlefield, staining the white sand with crimson.
But my fleeting confidence shattered when I noticed one vampire corpse not far from me stirring. Its broken neck straightened as it rose to its feet. I froze momentarily, but I refused to let fear consume me. Growling deeply, I lunged at the creature, sinking my fangs into its neck.
Its strangled cries fueled my disgust for vampires, and I unleashed every ounce of hatred upon it. With a savage twist, I severed its head and grabbed its heart, smashing it against the rocks.
[Cas, Kruglov is calling for a ceasefire.]
Pollux’s faint voice reached me through the mind link. I immediately agreed. Seeing the battered state of our warriors in their wolf forms, it would be cruel to push them further without rest. I responded to Pollux and observed the retreating movements of the vampires in the distance.
A one-day ceasefire was finally established, granting our pack a brief reprieve after the grueling battle against Kruglov’s vampires. Yet the respite, which should have been a relief, instead felt like a heavy burden. The wounds of our warriors worsened, and despair hung over the pack like a dark cloud.
I forced myself to mask my exhaustion. I knew despair was a far more dangerous enemy than the vampires themselves. Determined, I led the pack to a cave by the shore. It offered not only protection from our enemies but also a temporary refuge where we could plan our next steps.
Inside the cave, the flickering firelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, reminiscent of haunting memories. I surveyed my warriors-some too weak to stand. Among them was Pollux, my brother and trusted second, injured yet standing steadfast. We sat together, discussing our dire circumstances.
“We can’t keep going like this,” Pollux said hoarsely. “Kruglov’s vampires are too strong. We’ve lost too many warriors.”
I nodded slowly, my eyes heavy with concern. “I know. But surrender isn’t an option. We need to understand their power. How are they so strong? Why can’t they die even after we injure them?”
From the corner of the cave, a young hunter named Beni approached cautiously. “Permission to speak, Alpha,” he said softly. “I overheard something about Kruglov from one of the vampires I fought earlier. Apparently, they possess a power not of this world-a secret passed down among the Sanguine Shadows’ elite.”
I fixed a sharp gaze on Beni. “If that’s true, then we must uncover that secret. It might be the only way to defeat them.”
As we deliberated, footsteps echoed outside the cave. Our warriors readied what weapons they could, but the tension eased when we saw it was a group of allied warriors. Their leader, Aldric, a towering and robust werewolf, approached Pollux and me. Beside him stood Beta Alvise and a nervous-looking scientist, clutching a bag filled with research tools.
“We bring crucial information, Alpha Castor and Alpha Pollux,” Aldric declared without preamble. “We believe it will aid you.”
I gestured for him to continue. The scientist stepped forward, retrieving a glass tube containing a dark red liquid. Inside, a faintly glowing fragment of crystal shimmered.
“This is the source of their power,” the scientist explained. “Blood crystal. It enhances their physical abilities and regenerative capabilities to almost inhuman levels. These crystals are formed from the blood of Lunas, fused with ancient magic.”
His words silenced everyone. Pollux eventually broke the quiet. “So, how do we destroy them? Can the crystals be shattered?”
The scientist shook his head grimly. “It’s not that simple. These crystals are protected by powerful magic and serve as a life source for the vampires. If we can destroy the crystals, the vampires will lose their power and become as vulnerable as any ordinary vampire.”
“How do we destroy them?” I demanded urgently.
The scientist hesitated before answering, “We must find the energy of the strongest Luna ever known. According to our research, this energy is said to be found within one of the Moon Goddess’ temples.”
Pollux furrowed his brow. “The strongest Luna ever known? Why does that sound oddly familiar?”
Aldric interjected, “Unfortunately, the Moon Goddess’ temples have been destroyed by vampire attacks. I’ve searched one myself, but all I found were ruins.”
I stood, addressing everyone in the cave. “Do you have something to say, brother?”
Pollux and I turned our gaze to Godiva, who was tending to the injured warriors. My thoughts lingered on the scientist’s words about the strongest Luna. I’d never heard of a Luna with such unparalleled strength.
To my knowledge, a Luna’s power manifests through synergy with their Alpha. None of the packs I know, even within our alliance, have such a Luna. It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack.
“Haven’t found the answer yet, Cas?” Pollux teased.
“Have you?” I retorted, half-irritated. “I can’t think straight with this exhaustion.”
“Look toward nine o’clock.”
I turned my head to see Godiva adding wood to the fire. Despite her weariness, her beauty and aura of strength shone through.
Wait-strength?
“You could’ve just said it was Godiva, Pol,” I snapped, cutting off his reply as I saw his mouth half-open. “In times like this, you’re still joking?”
“Yeah, but at least I can think clearer than you, brother,” Pollux smirked.
Tension rose. Some warriors looked uncertain, while others displayed newfound determination. I stood, gathering every pack member who could still stand or walk, including Godiva, who now stood beside Pollux.
“We know who the strongest Luna is,” I declared.
My words drew the attention of every pack member and allied warrior. I revealed Godiva’s identity, which I had kept secret until now. Cheers of admiration and awe erupted, especially from the allied forces.
Pollux spoke to calm them. “Our next step is to head to the Moon Goddess’ temple and align Luna Godiva’s power with its energy. I’m confident we’ll uncover the clues we need there.”
In the corner of the cave, the firelight dimmed, but the flames of resolve rekindled in the hearts of our warriors. I knew the road ahead would be fraught with mysteries and danger, but I also knew that courage and unity were our strongest weapons.
That night, under the pale glow of the moon, our plan to confront Kruglov’s vampires began to take shape.
Yet in the eerie silence, a question lingered in my mind: Could we truly uncover the clues and defeat the vampires this way? The battle was far from over, and our fate depended on the strategies we forged together.