บททั้งหมดของ The Wolfless Doctor: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Over the next week, the coalition headquarters became a hive of constant activity. Strike teams drilled endlessly. Witches practiced coordinated spellwork. Medical teams prepared field hospitals. Supply lines were organized and reorganized.Everyone knew this assault was different. This was the final battle. Win or lose, after this there would be no more chances.I spent my days training with Damon, practicing shadow walking with Aurora, healing wounded wolves, and planning with the council. My nights were filled with nightmares about failing. About watching The Architects break through into reality. About having to use the sacrifice and losing everything.Owen stayed close, supporting me through the fear and exhaustion. He never brought up the sacrifice again but I could see the worry in his eyes. He was terrified of losing me."Three days left," he said one evening as we sat on our balcony watching the sunset. "Are you ready?""No. But I do not think I will ever feel ready. This is

My team responded instantly. Aurora shadow walked directly behind an Elder and drove a silver blade through his back. Serena unleashed a spell that burned two Elders with violet fire. Owen and my mother working together brought down a third.Three Elders fell. Dead or dying. The ritual was falling apart.But the remaining ten Elders were furious now. They abandoned the ritual completely and focused all their power on us."You have destroyed three thousand years of preparation!" the lead Elder roared. His form began to change, growing larger, more monstrous. "For that, you will suffer beyond imagining!"He released a wave of dark magic so powerful it knocked half my team off their feet. I felt my bones crack from the impact. Blood filled my mouth.Through blurred vision, I saw the other Elders transforming as well. Without the renewal complete, they were burning through their remaining immortality. Using everything they had left to destroy us."Retreat!" Owen shouted. "Fall back! We ca

Over the next week, coalition wolves began returning to their home territories. The massive army we had built started to disperse. Pack leaders said their goodbyes and promised to stay in touch.Alpha Reed approached me before his pack departed. "I owe you an apology, Miss Hart. I doubted your leadership many times during this war. Questioned your decisions. But you were right. Your hero complex, as everyone called it, was exactly what we needed. You saved hundreds of lives by refusing to give up on anyone.""Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.""Where will you go now? Back to Westbrook City Hospital?"I had not thought about it. My life at the hospital felt like it belonged to a different person. A naive intern who did not know about royal bloodlines or ancient conspiracies or world ending sacrifices."I do not know yet. I need time to figure out who I am now that the war is over.""Take all the time you need. But know that when you decide, there will always be a place for y

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the bookstore, reading about my ancestors. Learning about their powers and their sacrifices. By the time we left, I felt more connected to my heritage but also more aware of the weight I carried."Thank you for this," I said as we drove home. "For understanding what I needed even when I did not.""That is what mates do. We understand each other in ways no one else can."When we got back to our temporary housing near the construction site, there was a message waiting. From Theodore. Urgent. Come to headquarters immediately."So much for our day off," I said, sighing.We drove to coalition headquarters where Theodore was waiting with Serena and Aurora. Their expressions were serious."The First Born contacted me," Serena said without preamble. "They are calling in the debt. They want to meet with you and Aurora in three days."My stomach dropped. "Did they say what they want?""No. Just that the time has come to fulfill your obligation. They will me

The three First Born looked at each other. Silent communication passed between them."That was always the intention," the lead one finally said. "We never intended for you to be permanent prisoners. The debt is large but not infinite. A yearly renewal for twenty years. After that, the prison will be strong enough to sustain itself without anchors.""Twenty years?" Aurora said. "We have to do this every year for twenty years?""Yes. Twenty renewals. Each will drain you for a few days but you will recover. At the end, your debt will be fulfilled completely. You will be free."Relief flooded through me so powerfully I almost fell. Twenty years. Twenty renewals. It was not ideal but it was survivable. I could have a life. Build the healing center. Be with Owen. And once a year, I would sacrifice a few days to keep The Architects imprisoned.I could live with that."We accept," I said, looking at Aurora for confirmation. She nodded. "We will become the temporary anchors. We will renew the