Chapter 64: The Arrival of the Enemy
Melissa’s POV
As I stood in the centre of the chapel, watching the scouts approach, the atmosphere was tense. Their eyes were wide with terror and their fur was matted with grime. As I prepared for their report, my heart raced.
One of them remarked, his voice shaking, “They’re coming.” “We are less than a day away from the enemy’s forces.”
With a gritted jaw, Kane moved up next to me. “How many?”
“There are too many to count,” the scout answered. They’re more than simply wolves, too. They are accompanied by monsters. Monsters.
Among the assembled wolves, there was a murmur. I could sense the fear spreading like wildfire because it was infectious.
“Enough!” My voice rose as I spoke. “We’ve been getting ready for this, and we knew it was coming. We shouldn’t lose our minds now.
Kane gave a nod of agreement. Melissa is correct. We will confront this threat head-on because we are stronger as a team. However, we need all of the strong wolves to come forward.
I glanced around at my packmates’ faces. “This is where we call home. Our households. Our future. We must not allow them to take it away from us. Are you with me?
For a moment, the terror gave way to resolve as a chorus of howls broke forth.
The hours that followed were a haze of activity. Kane and I divided the pack into groups, assigning them to fortify the sanctuary’s defences.
“Reinforce the southern wall,” Kane instructed one group. “That’s where we’re most vulnerable.”
I turned to another group. “Set traps along the northern perimeter. We’ll have a better chance if we can slow them down.
I couldn’t help but notice the anxious looks and whispered conversations as I moved through the camp. I was afraid, and everyone else was. However, I was unable to display it.
Kane jogged over to me and screamed out, “Melissa.” “We must discuss strategy.”
He led me to the command tent, where a map of the sanctuary was laid out on the table, and I nodded.
Drawing a line on the map, Kane stated, “Holding them at the perimeter is our best option.” “It’s over if they breach the sanctuary.”
My thoughts were racing as I looked over the map. “We’ll station our strongest fighters here and here,” I said, pointing to key choke points. “And I’ll be on the front lines.”
Kane’s head snapped up. “Not. It’s too risky.
“I’m the Luna,” I said confidently. “I must keep my pack safe.”
His voice was steely, yet his eyes softened. Melissa, you’re more than that. Our hope lies in you. Suppose something were to happen to you.
My hand touched his arm. “I shall not be harmed. I swear.
The sanctuary was as secure as we could make it by nightfall. However, I couldn’t get rid of the sensation that it wouldn’t be enough as I stood on the southern wall and gazed into the darkness.
Kane came over to me, his face serious. They are near. I sense it.
“I can, too,” I said.
The wait wasn’t very long. With luminous eyes that pierced the night, the first wave of the enemy’s forces appeared out of the shadows.
“They’re here!” a voice said.
The pack immediately jumped into positions. When I first saw the enemy up close, my heart raced. The wolves’ bodies were distorted and out of character. The creatures, huge, hulking creatures with blazing red eyes and razor-sharp claws, appeared behind them.
“Pay attention to the wolves first!” Kane gave the order. “Demolish them before they get to the walls!”
The battle broke out in a clamour of screams, snarls, and howls. I fought with my pack, using all of my strength to bite and slash.
However, no matter how many we eliminated, more continued to appear.
One of the animals rushed toward the sanctuary after breaching the front lines. I changed into my wolf form in the middle of my sprint to intercept it.
“Melissa, wait!” Kane shouted, but I didn’t stop.
The creature was massive, its muscles rippling as it lunged at me. I dodged its attack, striking back with my claws.
“Remain motionless!” I growled, but the creature roared and swiped at me, sending me flying.
I landed hard, agony searing through my side. But I couldn’t give up. My pack was counting on me.
I drew into the heavenly force that had been developing inside me, feeling it flow through my veins. Golden light filled my body as I climbed to my feet.
The creature hesitated, its red eyes narrowing.
“Not so tough now, are you?” I said, channelling the energy into a single, forceful shot.
The light hit the creature right in the chest, and it let out a thunderous screech as it disintegrated into ash.
A cheer went up from the pack, but it was short-lived.
Before I could regain my breath, the ashes began to stir. Slowly, the monster rebuilt, its body weaving itself back together.
“No,” I said, my heart sinking.
The beast let forth a bone-chilling growl, its eyes latching upon me.
“It is renewing itself!” Kane yelled and hurried over to me.
“How do we stop it?” Panic rising in my chest, I asked.
He said in a sombre tone, “I don’t know.”
I became fully aware of our enemy’s strength as the creature moved forward. These were something much worse than mere monsters.
And we had no chance if we couldn’t figure out how to beat them.
As I prepared to be struck by the creature’s lunge, I heard a voice in my head that I hadn’t heard in years. Melissa, you don’t realize how strong you are. However, you will need to choose.