chapter 33

The explosion shook the palace from its foundations.

Windows shattered.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

The healers lost their balance as another blast echoed from outside.

"My Alpha!"

Frank burst through the chamber doors, his sword already stained with blood.

"We're under attack!"

Rowan immediately moved in front of Elsie.

"Report."

"They're everywhere."

Frank's breathing was uneven.

"They're dressed like rogues, but they're trained."

"Crimson Fang?"

Frank nodded grimly.

"They've breached the eastern gate."

Outside, the sounds of steel clashing against steel filled the air.

Screams echoed through the palace.

The war had begun.

Elsie barely heard the commotion.

Her eyes remained fixed on Amelia.

"My... mother..."

She whispered the word through trembling lips.

It no longer mattered whether Amelia had given birth to her.

She had been the woman who kissed her bruises.

The woman who stayed awake whenever she was sick.

The woman who loved her without asking for anything in return.

That was enough.

Thomas gently rested a hand on Elsie's shoulder.

"She's still alive."

Elsie looked up hopefully.

The chief healer nodded.

"She's unconscious again."

"But her pulse is still there."

Relief washed over Elsie.

Then another explosion rocked the palace.

Frank cursed under his breath.

"They're getting closer."

Rowan turned toward Frank.

"Get the former Beta and Luna to the underground shelter."

Frank nodded.

"What about the Luna?"

Before Rowan could answer—

"No."

Everyone turned toward Elsie.

She slowly stood.

"I'm not hiding."

Thomas frowned.

"Elsie—"

"No."

She wiped the tears from her face.

"My entire life..."

"I've hidden."

"I hid because people thought I was weak."

"I hid because I couldn't shift."

She looked toward the broken window where smoke now filled the sky.

"I'm done hiding."

Rowan watched her carefully.

"You won't be fighting."

"I know."

"But I won't run."

For a brief moment...

A smile appeared on Rowan's face.

Not because she was brave.

But because she had finally begun believing in herself.

Outside...

Nightcrest warriors fought side by side with Bloom Pack warriors.

The palace courtyard had become a battlefield.

Bodies already littered the stone ground.

Victor stood atop the palace fountain, calmly observing the chaos.

His crimson cloak fluttered in the wind.

"So predictable."

He smiled.

"Rowan..."

"You'll always choose to protect."

"And that's exactly why you'll lose."

A hooded warrior approached him.

"My Commander."

"The western wall has fallen."

"And Jessica?"

"She's inside."

Victor smiled wider.

"Excellent."

Inside the palace...

Jessica walked calmly through the smoke-filled corridors.

No one stopped her.

Everyone was too busy fighting.

She quietly entered the servants' hallway before removing a small dagger from beneath her cloak.

"So close..."

She whispered.

"Just one little cut."

She smiled.

"And all of Nightcrest will blame Bloom Pack."

Suddenly—

A voice behind her made her freeze.

"Looking for someone?"

Jessica spun around.

Rose stood at the end of the corridor.

Her small hands were shaking.

But she held a kitchen knife firmly.

Jessica laughed.

"You?"

Rose swallowed.

"You won't hurt my Luna."

Jessica slowly walked toward her.

"Move."

Rose shook her head.

"I said..."

Jessica's smile disappeared.

"...move."

Rose refused.

Jessica sighed dramatically.

"I was hoping not to dirty my hands."

She lunged.

Steel flashed.

Rose barely blocked the strike with the kitchen knife.

The force threw her backward.

The knife flew from her hands.

Jessica smiled cruelly.

"You're brave."

"But bravery isn't enough."

She raised her dagger.

Ready to strike.

Before the blade could fall—

A sword intercepted it.

Clang!

Jessica stumbled backward.

Frank stepped between Rose and Jessica.

His eyes burned with fury.

"I've wanted an excuse..."

He pointed his sword at her.

"...to do this for a long time."

Jessica's pleasant expression vanished completely.

"So the Beta finally arrived."

Frank smiled coldly.

"Run."

"Because if I catch you..."

"...even the Moon Goddess won't recognize your body."

Jessica's confidence finally cracked.

She turned—

And fled deeper into the palace.

Frank started after her.

"Take Rose somewhere safe!" he shouted to nearby guards.

"I'll deal with Jessica."

Meanwhile...

Rowan escorted Elsie, Thomas, and the healers through the western corridor.

Suddenly...

Everything became quiet.

Too quiet.

Rowan stopped walking.

"Stay behind me."

Elsie immediately obeyed.

A familiar laugh echoed through the hallway.

Victor slowly stepped out from the shadows.

Completely alone.

"As expected."

He smiled.

"The Alpha never leaves his Luna."

Rowan unsheathed his sword.

"You wanted me."

Victor nodded.

"I do."

His gaze shifted toward Elsie.

"But I want her more."

Elsie felt her heartbeat quicken.

Victor looked directly into her emerald eyes.

"Do you know..."

He smiled almost kindly.

"...why your birth mother died?"

"Stop."

Rowan's voice was ice cold.

Victor ignored him.

"She refused to hand you over."

Elsie's breathing became uneven.

"So we killed everyone protecting her."

Thomas gasped.

"No..."

Victor continued smiling.

"And today..."

He slowly drew his own sword.

"...history repeats itself."

The corridor exploded with killing intent.

Rowan stepped forward.

Victor mirrored him.

Two of the strongest Alphas in the werewolf world stood face to face.

Neither looked away.

Victor grinned.

"I've waited twenty years for this."

Rowan's silver eyes flashed dangerously.

"You'll wish you hadn't."

The next heartbeat...

Both men disappeared from sight.

A deafening clash of steel echoed through the palace.