Chapter 79: The Initial Assault
Melissa’s POV
There was silence in the night. Too still.
As I stood at the edge of the pack, looking out over the shadows of the trees, a shiver ran down my spine. The fighters at my side were stiff, their fists clenched around their rifles.
Then the night was filled with a low, guttural snarl.
I made a quick turn. Dozens of bright red eyes glowed out of the darkness. The air was heavy with the smell of rot. I felt my gut tighten.
I muttered, “They’re here.”
A sharp howl broke the stillness.
With their hideous shapes moving at an unusually high speed, the Forsaken sprang out of the shadows. As they collided with our men, their claws gleamed in the moonlight.
One jumped at me, its teeth bared, before I could even respond. I twisted away and evaded, but my arm was slashed by its claws. I was in pain, but I chose to ignore it.
“Remain on the line!” From behind, Kane’s voice thundered.
The Forsaken were unrelenting despite the warriors’ intense combat. They tested our defences by playing with us in addition to attacking.
As he was pulled into the darkness, a warrior let out a cry.
I balled my fists up. I will not allow this to occur.
I inhaled deeply and called forth my energy. Golden light flared in my palms, and I felt a surge of power, my veins burning.
I then let it go.
The Forsaken flew backwards as a blast of energy shot outward. Where the light touched them, their flesh smoked as they screamed.
Everything was silent for a while.
Then, as abruptly as they had appeared, they were gone.
Breathing heavily, I stumbled back. My vision became hazy.
There was a problem.
The world shook, and I was completely engulfed in darkness.
Something chilly was pressing against my forehead when I woke up.
I blinked to see Kane kneeling next to me, his face storm-torn with concern.
He brushed my hair back and said, “You scared the hell out of me.”
I attempted to sit up, but I was pulled down by a sharp weakness. I felt as though my limbs were quite heavy.
“What happened?”
Kane’s mouth clenched. “You applied your abilities. Then you passed out.
I took a deep breath. The energy that had once blazed through me vanished. As though I had exhausted myself.
I balled my fists up. That onslaught served as a test for me as much as the pack.
I remarked, “The Forsaken retreated too quickly.” “They wanted to see our capabilities.”
Kane gave a nod. “And they know now.”
I gave a quick breath. “I will be a liability in combat if I am unable to control this power.”
Kane firmly answered, “No.” “We’ll work it out.” Melissa, you’re stronger than you realize.
But doubt twisted in my chest as I stared at my quivering hands.
I was secretly unsure of how much more I could handle.
Even though the Forsaken withdrew, their message was unmistakable: they were pushing the boundaries of our capabilities.
Kane was determined not to leave that question unanswered.
I stood next to him in the war room the following evening. It was oppressively tense. A map of our territories was laid out in front of the Betas and Warriors seated around the big table. Where the Forsaken had attacked was marked in blood-red.
Kane tapped the designated areas and remarked, “They struck here, here, and here.” All in a matter of hours. They were testing our strength, not going hunting.
Kane’s beta, Ronan, frowned. “They’ll return.” More powerful.
Kane remarked, “We can’t wait for that.” “We fight to the death.”
There was silence in the room.
I took a deep breath. Is that a smart move? We have no idea where they originated.
“Now we do.” Determination flashed in Kane’s eyes. They were located in the Hollow Woods by our scouts. They are concealing themselves there.
My heart was racing. Few people who went into the Hollow Woods ever came back because they were cursed places.
Kane faced his fighters. “We attack at first light. A little, privileged force. Stop waiting for them to dissect us.
With dismal yet determined expressions, everyone nodded.
When we looked at each other, Kane’s eyes softened. “You’ll remain here.”
I tensed up. “No, I won’t.”
“You passed out last night, Melissa. You are still getting better.
I argued, “I’m still strong enough to fight.” “You’ll also require my abilities.”
I could see the glimmer of struggle in Kane’s eyes as he hesitated. He was aware of my correctness.
He finally let out a breath. “All right. However, you remain by my side.
I gave a nod. “Always.”
There was a deathly silence in the Hollow Woods.
Like spectral fingers, the early mist clung to the earth and curled around our legs. With his men in perfect order behind him, Kane spearheaded the attack.
I maintained my sensitivity, and feeling for any change in the atmosphere or strange presence.
Then I sensed it.
A pulsating, black energy. Observing us.
“Kane”
I was about to complete when the Forsaken struck.
Their distorted bodies were scarcely discernible from the darkness as they emerged from the shadows. In an instant, the combat broke out-snarls filled the air, bodies slammed, and claws stabbed.
I called forth my might by raising my hands. Two Forsaken were destroyed in one explosion as light blazed from my fingertips. Where my power touched them, they screamed and their skin burned.
Beside me, Kane was a natural power. His motions were deadly and accurate as he tore through foes in his wolf form.
Then-something was different.
Something was wrong, and the air became thicker.
I saw him at that point.
At the battlefield’s edge, a person was standing.
His silver eyes gleamed like twin moons, and he stood tall and dark.
Darius.
The Forsaken’s leader.
My blood became icy.
He wasn’t engaged in combat. He was observing. Researching me.
Then he disappeared as fast as he had come.
And one terrifying idea reverberated in my head throughout the quiet he left behind.
We weren’t on a hunt. We were being led here.