The fall of mooncrest

Chapter 17 – The Fall of Mooncrest

The battlefield was a nightmare.

Smoke darkened the sky.

Fire spread through parts of the forest.

The sound of fighting echoed from every direction.

Growls.

Cries.

The clash of warriors fighting for survival.

And right in the middle of it,

Ethan was running toward danger.

His heart pounded as he raced through the trees.

He knew he had disobeyed.

He knew Liam would be furious.

But he couldn't stay behind while others fought for their home.

Not when people were getting hurt.

Not when warriors were risking their lives to protect his family.

A violent roar erupted ahead.

Ethan's eyes widened.

Three enemy wolves were attacking a wounded warrior.

The man could barely stand.

Blood covered his shoulder.

He was losing.

Fast.

Without thinking, Ethan charged.

Pure instinct.

Pure rage.

The first wolf never saw him coming.

Ethan slammed into him with enough force to send both crashing through a tree.

Wood exploded around them.

The enemy wolf hit the ground hard.

Unconscious.

The other two wolves froze.

Shock flashing across their faces.

Ethan rose slowly.

Golden eyes blazing.

Power crackling beneath his skin.

"Leave."

The command sounded far deeper than his normal voice.

More Alpha.

More dangerous.

The wolves hesitated.

Then attacked anyway.

Big mistake.

The battle lasted less than thirty seconds.

When it ended, both enemy wolves were fleeing.

Terrified.

The wounded warrior stared at Ethan.

Breathless.

Confused.

"Heir..."

Ethan immediately looked away.

"Don't tell my dad."

The warrior laughed despite his injuries.

Unfortunately—

It was already too late.

Back at the command center, Liam was listening to reports.

Until Ryan suddenly stopped talking.

"What?"

Ryan looked uncomfortable.

Very uncomfortable.

Liam narrowed his eyes.

"What happened?"

"The young heir is fighting."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Liam blinked once.

Slowly.

Dangerously.

"Repeat that."

Ryan sighed.

"Ethan is on the battlefield."

The room immediately felt colder.

Victor actually took a step backward.

Which told everyone exactly how angry Liam was.

"He did what?"

Ryan wisely remained silent.

Liam closed his eyes.

For exactly two seconds.

Then opened them again.

"Find him."

The Alpha aura that exploded from him shook the room.

Several wolves physically stepped back.

"NOW."

Meanwhile—

Ethan had absolutely no idea how much trouble he was in.

Because another problem had appeared.

A much bigger problem.

Kaiden.

The silver-eyed Alpha stood in the middle of a clearing.

Waiting.

Watching.

Ethan froze.

Immediately recognizing him.

"So you're the famous heir."

Kaiden smiled slightly.

Ethan squared his shoulders "You started this war."

Kaiden's expression changed.

Almost amused.

"No."

He shook his head.

"My father did."

The answer surprised Ethan.

"What?"

Kaiden's silver eyes darkened.

"This isn't what I wanted."

For the first time.

Ethan noticed something strange.

Kaiden looked tired.

Not evil.

Not cruel.

Just tired.

Before Ethan could respond,

A howl split through the forest.

Then another.

Then dozens more.

Kaiden's expression immediately changed.

"Damn it."

"What?"

Kaiden turned sharply toward the eastern side of the territory.

"My father moved early."

A terrible feeling settled in Ethan's stomach.

"What are you talking about?"

Kaiden looked directly at him.

"The attack wasn't the real plan."

Fear flashed through Ethan.

"What was it?"

Kaiden's answer froze his blood.

"You."

At that exact moment,

The forest exploded.

Enemy wolves burst from every direction.

Not attacking the territory.

Attacking Ethan.

The realization hit instantly.

This entire battle.

The entire siege.

The army.

The destruction.

It had all been a distraction.

To separate the heirs from their family.

And now Ethan was alone.

"Oh no."

The wolves attacked.

Ethan fought immediately.

But there were too many.

Far too many.

One wolf lunged.

Another attacked from behind.

A third rushed from the side.Pain exploded through Ethan's shoulder.

He staggered.

Then another attack landed.

And another.

For the first time in the battle—

Fear appeared.

Real fear.

Because he suddenly understood something terrible.

He might not make it home.

Back at the estate—

Elena suddenly gasped.

The cup in her hands shattered.

Lia rushed toward her.

"Elena?"

Her face had gone completely pale.

"Ethan."

Fear filled the room instantly.

"What about him?" Lia demanded.

Elena's voice trembled.

"He's hurt."

Lia's entire world stopped.

"No."

Elena's eyes filled with tears.

"They're trying to kill him."

The room erupted.

Liam was already moving before anyone else reacted.

The moment he heard those words—

Nothing else mattered.

Not the war.

Not the territory.

Not the army.

Only his son.

The Alpha power that burst from him shook the entire estate.

Windows rattled.

Walls trembled.

Even veteran wolves stared.

Because they had never seen Liam lose control before.

Never.

Lia grabbed his arm as he stormed toward the door.

Their eyes met.

Fear.

Love.

Desperation.

Everything neither of them could say.

"Bring him back."

Her voice cracked.

The pain in it nearly destroyed him.

For one brief second

Liam cupped her face.

A rare display of emotion.

Raw.

Unfiltered.

"I will."

Then he was gone.Racing into the burning forest.

Toward his son.

Toward the trap.

Toward whatever waited in the darkness.

And far away

Hidden among the trees

Alpha Magnus smiled.

Because exactly as planned,

The heirs were finally vulnerable.