Chapter 3

SELIORA POV

Terror sat heavy in my chest, icy and suffocating, as my gaze met Kaelion's furious eyes. He wasn't bluffing. This was truly happening.

I didn't pause, shoving my way past him and taking off in a sprint for the heart of the battle. The heavy smell of smoke, blood, and death hung thick, growing stronger with every pounding heartbeat. The accusations against my father were still tangled in a bewildering mess in my mind, but I couldn't afford to think about that right now. I had one and only one priority at the moment: defending my pack.

I let out an angry snarl as I flung myself into the fight.

Kaelion's soldiers came at me, and I met them with lethal precision. My claws ripped out the throat of the first wolf before he could react, his body dropping as I spun into combat against the next. I dodged a blade thrust towards my ribs, striking back with a brutal kick that sent my attacker crashing. The battle was a whirlwind of rage, claws, teeth, and steel ringing out under the glow of burning buildings.

The ground beneath me was slick with blood.

I spotted one of Ember Fang's Gammas, Merik, locked in a brutal battle with two of Kaelion's men.

I leapt at them, grabbing one of the aggressive wolves by the hair and wrenching his head back before raking my claws across his throat. The second wolf had little time to react before I slammed my elbow into his temple, and he fell to the ground.

"Seliora!" Merik gasped, panting heavily. His armour was dented, his face smeared with dirt and blood.

"Where did they come from?" I demanded, eyes searching the battlefield.

Merik's expression turned grim. "The eastern borders. We weren't expecting them."

My stomach clenched. "No one was."

A second wave of Kaelion's soldiers closed in on us, and then we were battling once more. I slashed, evaded, and struck with ruthless ferocity. As I fought, I yelled orders at Merik. "Get back with any other warriors and hold the inner defences! We need to get the civilians out of here!"

Merik nodded briefly before disappearing into the fray.

I fought on, but it was becoming increasingly clear; Kaelion's army was endless.

For every two I cut down, five more took their position. My breath came in ragged gasps, my muscles burning with exhaustion. Blood, my own and others' soaked and tattered dress. I’d heard Kaelion had the strongest army, but I’d believed foolishly that Ember Fang would have a fighting chance.

Now, watching more of my troops fall, I knew how wrong she'd been.

The ground was littered with the bodies of my pack members, their bodies now motionless.

Then I saw it, the thick, black smoke rising in the distance.

They were burning the homes.

A fresh tide of horror broke over me, and I pushed forward in renewed desperation. I fought through Kaelion's men, forging ahead, my heart pounding with rage and grief. I had to end this.

I had to talk to Kaelion.

I moved in the shadows, killing enemy wolves with silent strikes. The farther I went, the more quiet the battlefield was, the roar reducing. 

My heart tightened.

Ember Fang was losing.

Finally, I spotted him.

Kaelion stood at the edge of the battlefield, looking over the destruction with a cold, unfathomable expression.

I halted before him, panting, my body shaking with rage and exhaustion. "Why are you doing this?" I demanded, my voice hoarse.

Kaelion tilted his head slightly to one side, his eyes glinting in the light of the fires. "Isn't it obvious?" His voice was quiet, too quiet. "This is my revenge."

My fists clenched. "Revenge?" I spat. "On innocents who had no involvement in whatever happened?"

Kaelion's eyes went hard. "Your pack killed my mate," he said, each word a dagger to my throat. "So I will eradicate it."

I took a step closer, my breath coming harshly. "Why don't you seek your vengeance on my father when he comes back?" I pleaded. "These people are innocent! There are children here, other mates, wolves who don't need to die at your hand!"

Kaelion laughed harshly, but there was no humour in it. "And mine did?" His voice cracked a bit, raspy with emotion.

My chest ached. “I’m truly sorry,” I whispered, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “For your mate. For whatever the hell this is between us.” I motioned vaguely between us, acknowledging the cruel joke of fate. “But please, call your men off. Stop this.”  

Kaelion said nothing.  

He simply watched me, his expression unreadable.  

Then, slowly, he took a step forward.

I froze, my instincts screaming at me to run, but I held my ground as his towering form closed in.

The moment was shattered when a voice bellowed from behind me.

"Seliora!"

I spun to see Merik staggering towards me, his face bloodied and torn. He made it around the corner before collapsing to one knee.

"Did you do it?" I demanded, praying for good news.  

Merik's head weakly shook. His voice was hardly a whisper. "We're the only ones left."  

My stomach plummeted.  

"No," I whispered.  

The whole Ember Fang army was decimated.  

I turned back to Kaelion, my body shaking with rage. "You—"  

Kaelion sneered. "You won't be for long."  

Then he attacked.

My reflexes kicked in just in time. I twisted to the side, avoiding barely his claws as I got behind him. I didn't pause, rushing forward and leaping through the nearest window.

I heard the sickening gurgle of Merik choking on his blood as I fell.

Followed by the thud of his body hitting the floor.

I hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact of the fall. My whole body ached, but I had no time to stop.

With a heart that was breaking, I heaved myself to my feet and ran, disappearing into the night of the forest.