5

My spiritual connection with the warriors has been completely severed, rendering them defenseless.

Our warriors were stumbling blind through the Ancient Woods without my guidance, like pups lost in the dark.

"Damn it, how did they find Claire?" Ash's frustrated growl echoed through the trees, tinged with pain from his wounds.

"Our tactical commander's never been compromised before!"

No one could have guessed that I, his supposedly weak mate, was the mysterious tactical commander.

No one imagined I would be caught, least of all Ash who thought he needed to protect me.

I slowly woke up with a pain in the back of my head. My head was covered, and through the thick burlap hood, I heard the pitiful whimpers of those around me.

I endured the headache, focused my attention, and tried to slowly extend my mental energy outward, but I failed.

"Please don't hurt me... Alpha will kill you all if you touch me." Scarlett's voice trembled with fear.

"He loves me, he'll destroy your entire pack for touching what's his!"

It was Scarlett, who had foolishly insisted on following Ash into danger just to keep him in her bed.

The wolfsbane-laced drugs they injected into me prevented me from speaking or using my powers.

But they hadn't gagged Scarlett, letting her pitiful cries echo through the cave.

I summoned the Moon Goddess, and thankfully she was still there.

"Child, bear with me a little longer, the time will soon be up. "

"Beloved Goddess, when can I leave? "

True to my prediction, Ash burst through the door moments later, his breath ragged.

"Samuel Eclipse." His voice was rough with pain, and I could smell his blood - he was badly injured from the fight.

A clawed hand gripped my shoulder painfully. Samuel laughed, the sound echoing off stone walls,

"Finally here. I've been waiting to play this little game with you, mighty Alpha."

"Your weeping mistress or your loyal commander Claire..."

"Which one matters more to the great Ash Blackwood?"

My spiritual strength is slowly recovering.Through the hood, I could sense Scarlett looking pathetic, stripped and terrified on the cold cave floor.

Her mascara ran down her cheeks as she sobbed, reaching for Ash with trembling hands.

Samuel's men had the cave completely surrounded, their yellow eyes gleaming in the darkness.

I saw Ash's face twisted with crimson rage and desperation.

His Alpha power surged uselessly against Samuel's magical barriers.

Scarlett kept crying for help, begging him desperately between hiccuping sobs.

"Alpha, please! Don't let them hurt me! You promised to protect me!"

Samuel's grip tightened until I thought my shoulder would shatter, his claws drawing blood.

Then he helped Ash make his choice in the cruelest way possible.

His men tore off Scarlett's remaining clothes and pinned her down, their intentions clear.

"Stop!"

Ash's roar shook the cave, making dust rain from the ceiling. "I choose her!"

Samuel smiled a sadistic, satisfied smile as he tossed Ash a silver, magical crossbow, which he ordered him to prove his choice by shooting me through my body with it.

I saw his hands trembling through my dying power, his conflict visible.

"She came with me, I have to take responsibility for her." His voice cracked.

He seemed to be explaining to me, almost pleading for understanding.

"Claire, you'll understand. You're a warrior, you know about duty."

"This is my last mission. After this, we'll never cross paths again."

Samuel impatiently urged him to start spraying, pressing his claws deeper into my flesh.

Under the pressure, under Scarlett's continued screams, He pulled the trigger of the crossbow.

In that instant, Samuel howled with mad laughter that bounced off the cave walls.

The silver arrows pierced my body one after another, leaving dozens of bloody holes.

He yanked off my hood roughly, grabbing my hair to lift my face.

"Look at your choice, Ash Blackwood. Look who you just shot!"

His pupils suddenly contracted, clearly he recognized his Luna. He screamed:

"NO!!!"

When he realized what he had done, the crossbow in his hand had already fired the last silver arrow.

Amidst the chaos, only the voice of the Moon Goddess rang clearly in my ears.

[Countdown complete.]

[Initiating world departure...]

I opened my eyes and saw the scene before me, the fresh blood had stained my clothes, dripping onto the ground. Many soldiers looked at me in horror.

Looking into Ash's shattered eyes, I managed a smile, tasting blood on my lips.

I had deliberately leaked my location to Samuel's spies.

He would never have found me otherwise - I was too good at staying hidden.

This was my parting gift to you, Ash. Living with the knowledge of what you'd done.