Chapter 12: The Man Behind the Mask

The cottage fell into silence.

Dust drifted through the shattered wall.

Arnold stood protectively in front of Lyra, his silver blade gleaming beneath the moonlight. His broad shoulders blocked her from the three masked hunters.

His golden eyes were no longer warm.

They were cold.

Lethal.

The lead hunter let out a low chuckle.

“So… you’ve finally shown yourself.”

Arnold didn’t respond.

He simply tightened his grip on his sword.

Lyra looked at him in surprise.

She had never seen this side of him before.

The gentle man who had shared his bread with her…

Had disappeared.

Standing before her now was a warrior.

One who looked frighteningly experienced.

“Stay behind me,” Arnold said quietly.

Lyra nodded without argument.

The lead hunter twirled his sword lazily.

“I’ve heard stories about you.”

Arnold’s expression remained unreadable.

“Unfortunately…”

The hunter continued.

“Stories don’t save lives.”

Without warning

He lunged forward.

Clang!

Their swords collided.

The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the cottage, knocking over chairs and shattering the remaining windows.

The other two hunters rushed in from opposite sides.

Arnold ducked beneath one blade before spinning gracefully.

His sword flashed through the air.

Slash!

One hunter cried out as his shoulder armor split open.

Blood stained the wooden floor.

The second hunter swung from behind.

Arnold leaned sideways just in time.

The blade missed his neck by inches.

He drove his elbow into the man’s chest.

Crack!

The hunter stumbled backward, gasping for breath.

Lyra watched with wide eyes.

He’s incredible…

Every movement was calm.

Precise.

Almost effortless.

Outside…

The battle had spread throughout Moonhaven.

Warriors clashed with rogue hunters beneath the moonlight.

Arrows flew through the air.

Steel rang against steel.

Cries echoed across the valley.

Village guards fought bravely, but the hunters were stronger than ordinary mercenaries.

They fought with ruthless discipline.

As though they had trained for years.

Several miles away…

Karl Blackwood rode through the forest atop his black stallion.

Beside him galloped Beta Damien and twenty elite Blackwood warriors.

Karl suddenly pulled hard on the reins.

The horse reared.

“What is it?” Damien asked.

Karl closed his eyes.

His wolf stirred.

She’s in danger.

A faint pulse tugged at the mate bond.

It wasn’t strong.

Their bond had been damaged by his rejection.

But it was enough.

Karl’s silver eyes snapped open.

“This way.”

Without another word, he spurred his horse forward.

Back inside the cottage…

Arnold stood over two unconscious hunters.

Only the leader remained.

The man laughed as he wiped blood from his lip.

“I see why our employer warned us.”

“You’ve grown stronger.”

Arnold frowned.

“Who sent you?”

The hunter ignored the question.

Instead, he slowly removed his black mask.

Lyra gasped.

A long scar stretched from his forehead to his chin.

His icy blue eyes were filled with hatred.

“You don’t remember me…”

Arnold stared at him.

Then recognition flashed across his face.

“…Victor.”

The scarred man smiled.

“So you do remember.”

Lyra looked between them.

“You know each other?”

Victor’s smile widened.

“Oh…”

“We know each other very well.”

He pointed his sword toward Arnold.

“Five years ago…”

“He killed my brother.”

Arnold’s eyes darkened.

“Your brother slaughtered innocent families.”

“He was a monster.”

Victor laughed bitterly.

“He was my family.”

“And tonight…”

“I’m returning the favor.”

And Suddenly

A horn echoed from outside.

One long blast.

Then another.

Victor’s expression changed.

“The Blackwood Pack…”

One of the hunters outside shouted,

“Commander!”

“Another army is approaching!”

Victor cursed under his breath.

“So the Alpha arrived sooner than expected.”

Lyra’s heart skipped.

Karl…?

Victor took several steps backward.

“This isn’t over.”

He looked directly at Lyra.

“The next time we meet…”

“There’ll be nowhere left for you to run.”

He tossed a small black sphere onto the floor.

Boom!

Thick black smoke filled the cottage.

Lyra coughed violently.

She could barely see.

When the smoke finally cleared…

The hunters were gone.

Outside…

Moonhaven’s warriors stood on high alert.

Karl and his men rode into the village just as the last of the hunters disappeared into the forest.

Karl jumped from his horse.

His silver eyes searched frantically.

Then…

He saw her.

Lyra stood beside Arnold, unharmed but shaken.

Relief washed over him so suddenly that he almost stumbled.

His wolf sighed.

She’s alive.

Before Karl could take a step toward her

Arnold instinctively moved in front of Lyra once again.

The two men locked eyes.

Neither spoke.

The tension between them was suffocating.

Karl noticed the sword in Arnold’s hand.

Arnold noticed the possessive look in Karl’s eyes.

Beta Damien glanced between them and quietly muttered,

“This is going to end badly.”

As the cold night wind swept through the ruined village, neither Karl nor Arnold realized that this was only the beginning of a rivalry that would shape the fate of every kingdom.

And from the shadows beyond Moonhaven…

Victor watched with a cruel smile.

“So…” The Alpha and the guardian have finally met.”

“Perfect.”