Chapter 87: The Last Stand
Melissa’s POV
The smell of blood and conflict-filled the air. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears as I stood on the chilly stone floor of Darius’s cave, my wrists shackled by gleaming silver chains. As Kane led the packs against The Forsaken’s fortress, I could feel the chaos outside through the small barred window-wolves fighting, metal scrapping, warrior shouts.
I tried to sense him by reaching out with my senses. He was there, powerful and uncompromising, yet aloof as if he were being drawn away by something. My heart tightened. I was unable to let him go. I wouldn’t.
“Don’t you feel him?” Through the darkened room, Darius’s voice slithered. His amused red eyes gleamed as he took a step closer. “His despair. His suffering.
I yanked at my bindings and stared at him. “You’re not going to prevail.”
He shook his head and laughed. “This isn’t about winning or losing, Melissa, my dear. This has to do with fate. Our fate.
At his feet, I spat. “Kane and my pack are my destiny. Not with you.
Darius let out a sigh as if I had let him down. “You continue to resist. That’s excellent. I like the challenge. But you’ll see it in due time.
Kane. I closed my eyes and mentally uttered his name. Once more, his presence was fleeting but resolute. I pictured his fiery love, his golden gaze, and the warmth of his arms encircling me. No matter what Darius did to me, I had to keep that in mind.
“I notice that your thoughts are straying.” Darius’s voice was as sharp as a dagger, piercing my thoughts. “How about we fix that?”
He moved in closer and touched my forehead with his fingers. I felt a scorching feeling, and then my surroundings became hazy. I no longer had my thoughts.
Swirling darkness gave way to pictures. Encircled by adversaries, Kane was injured and bleeding. I could hear the cries of pain coming from the packs as they were being killed. And then-me, stood by Darius’s side, witnessing everything with a detached gaze, my eyes the same eerie crimson as his.
“No!” I shook my head and yelled. “This isn’t real!”
In my ear, Darius’s voice was a whisper. “Not just yet. However, it will be.
I clung to my rationality as I struggled against the pictures. I wasn’t his. This darkness wasn’t meant for me. I made myself concentrate on Kane, our love, and the inner fire that had sustained me during the years. I wouldn’t shatter.
I felt a tremendous surge of power come from deep inside of me. The metal cracked and the chains burnt across my wrists. Darius’s face darkened as he scowled.
It’s interesting,” he thought. “Melissa, you still surprise me.”
In the meantime, the initial line of defenses had been overcome by Kane and his men. The ground was covered in blood, and the battlefield was a flurry of claws and fangs. The packs were determined to get to me, so they battled hard.
Then, when they got closer to the stronghold’s entrance, a man moved forward and blocked their way.
Zephyr.
With strained gasps, Kane’s chest rose and fell as he skidded to a stop. He squinted his eyes. “Get moving, Zephyr.”
Zephyr grinned and eased his posture. “I don’t believe so.”
Kane’s throat rumbled with a low growl. Thus, that is accurate. You deceived us.
Zephyr pulled a sword from his belt and laughed. “Oh, Kane. The wider picture was never visible to you. You’ve already lost the struggle you’re in.
Behind Kane, the warriors moved nervously. Like a storm approaching, tension crackled in the air.
Kane’s hands clenched. “I’ll hold you accountable for this.”
Zephyr spun his blade around. “You could give it a shot.”
Kane snarled and lunged.
I was getting stronger back within the stronghold. It was rushing through my veins, resisting Darius’s grip. But then I noticed a flash in the chamber’s corner.
The mirror.
It was an ancient, elaborate object, dusty and cracked, and it had been there since I woke up. Now, though, something had changed. The surface moved and shimmered as if it were alive.
Attracted to it, I took a step closer. I looked back at my reflection, but it wasn’t me. Not at all.
Her lips curled in a way that chilled my blood, and the lady in the mirror grinned. Like Darius, she had a red light in her eyes. It felt strange and twisted to have her around.
Then she started talking.
“You are already ours.”
I felt a shock of terror, but I made myself remain steadfast. “No, I don’t.”
Amused, she cocked her head. “Oh, but you’ll.”
The room whirled. Around me, shadows huddled, talking in voices other than mine. Like a nightmare coming to reality, images of Kane, the packs, and a future in which I stood next to Darius and ruled over them all flashed before my eyes.
I gasped and gripped my head. “No… I refuse to allow this to occur.
The reflection laughed. “It has already started.”
Then, darkness swallowed me whole.