Chapter 42: A Last-Ditch Runaway
Melissa’s POV
The icy darkness closed in on me, draining my power every second. As I struggled to stay upright, I breathed in short gasps. I was running out of time, and the Shadow Realm was crumbling.
I heard a faint, familiar voice say, “You have the power within you.” Calm but forceful, the goddess’ voice pushed me to act.
I shut my eyes and concentrated. There was still a glimmer of light a piece of the goddess’s strength somewhere deep within me. Even if it was dim, it was sufficient.
I muttered, using all my last willpower, “I’m not done yet.”
The oppressive darkness was pushed aside by the flare of brightness inside me. I felt the electricity coursing through me as I lifted my hands. It was reassuring, warm, and painfully strong.
I whispered, directing the light toward the exploding heavens above, “Get me out of here.”
A golden portal started to develop, and the ground underneath me trembled furiously. My body trembled with fatigue from the effort.
I pushed myself to do just a bit more.
I entered the gate with a last burst of vitality. Everything froze as the light enveloped me.
I was lying on soft grass beneath a familiar sky when I opened my eyes. My lungs filled with the new woodland aroma, and I knew I had returned.
“Melissa!”
When I looked back, I saw Kane coming toward me with a worried yet relieved look on his face. Members of the pack gathered behind him, their features brightening at my presence.
“You’re still alive!” With his hands lingering uncertainly, Kane knelt next to me and softly grasped my shoulders. “We believed you were gone.”
“I nearly didn’t make it,” I said in a raspy voice. “He betrayed me, Damon.”
Kane’s eyes blazed with rage, and his jaw tightened. That coward. Now, where is he?
Even though I was feeling weak, I forced myself to sit up and say, “He escaped.” There’s more. He possesses a second, potent item. He has a worse plan than the last one.
Fear rippled through their ranks as the wolves whispered to one another.
My arm was steadied by Kane’s hand. We’ll stop him after that. Together.
Despite the dismal circumstances, I felt a glimmer of optimism as I caught his stare. “We must. Kane, he’s gathering an army. It will be too late if we don’t take quick action.
“We’ll locate him,” Kane assured in a stern tone. “And we’ll get it done this time.”
We met in the pack’s meeting hall a few hours later. Scouts brought sobering updates, and the table was covered with maps and reports. The second item offered Damon an advantage we couldn’t ignore as his soldiers grew.
I moved aside as the conversations went on because I needed some time to collect my thoughts. Everything weighed hard on me, including Damon’s betrayal, my abilities, and the impending confrontation.
At the edge of the woodland, Kane discovered me sitting beneath a tree and gazing at the horizon.
He sat next to me and murmured, “Hey,” quietly. “What are you thinking about?”
I paused, not knowing how to express what I was thinking. At last, I said, “Kane, I’m afraid.” Not only of Damon but also of me. I feel like I’m losing a piece of myself each time I use these abilities.
Kane’s forehead furrowed in worry as he scowled. “What do you mean?”
My voice was shaking as I uttered, “It seems like the more I depend on the goddess’ power, the less I feel… human.” “What if I lose myself? What if I change into something completely different?
Kane extended his arm and grasped my hand. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, Melissa. You’ve persevered through a lot and always come out stronger. If you have us to remind you of who you are, you won’t lose yourself.
I stared at him, taking in what he had said. I’m grateful, Kane. That was just what I needed to hear.
A scout hurried toward us, pale and out of breath, before either of us could say another word.
“Alpha Kane! Melissa!
The seriousness in his voice startled us both, and we stood.
“What is it?” Kane inquired.
With a shaky voice, the scout swallowed. It’s Damon. He has launched his last attack. Attacks are being made on packs throughout the area. They are requesting assistance.
The weight of his words struck me, and my heart fell. Damon was ready to make his move and wasn’t going to wait any longer.
Despite the panic swirling inside of me, I added, “We need to act now,” in a firm voice.
With a bleak yet resolute gaze, Kane nodded. Bring everyone together. We leave right away.
I tightened my hands as the scout hurried off to relay the orders, feeling a wave of resolve sweep over me.
I told Kane, “This is it.” “The last battle.”
He touched my shoulder with a kind hand. And together, we’ll confront it. Whatever occurs.
I nodded, bracing myself for the next move. The chances were against us, and the stakes had never been higher.
I wasn’t going to give up, though.
A cool breeze carried an unsettling whisper through the trees as the pack mobilized.
“I’ll wait, Melissa.”
I could still hear Damon’s voice, his mocking remarks chilling me to the bone.
There was no going back, and the battle was about to start.