Chapter 165
1100words
'Ben," I said while trying very hard to keep my voice steady. I wanted to sound calm, but inside I felt like there was a huge storm of emotions raging.
'You have decided to side with a person who is completely out of his mind. How could you make that choice? You are a brother to me. You were one of the good people in our pack!"
'There is no connection between us, only the pursuit of power!" he exclaimed with anger, with his eyes narrowing in a way that showed an intense bitterness I could hardly recognize.
'And you, my dear King, are blocking the path forward. You must make your choice carefully and think it through."
'Choose death instead of being a servant?" I laughed bitterly, anger burning inside me. 'Do you really think I'd submit to Augustus? Tell him to stick his offer somewhere. You've become a worse person and his darkness will swallow you just like it has your soul!"
'No!" Ben shouted loudly with his voice filled with anger and frustration. It was as if a dark and twisted part of himself was coming to the surface. 'So you have made your decision! If that is the case, then it looks like the only option left for you is death!"
At that very moment, a skilled archer stood nervously filled with excitement and a little bit of fear. With a quick motion, he let go of his arrow, which soared gracefully through the air. It shimmered like polished silver as it flew aimed straight at Ben who was standing nearby.
The tension was thick... and suddenly everyone present—the warriors gathered around—let out a collective gasp with their surprise and concern echoing throughout the space.
In an astonishing and almost unbelievable show of incredible speed, Ben quickly extended his arm. He moved so fast that he was able to slice right through the air and grab the arrow mid-flight.
With a shocking sound that was like a sickening crack, he broke the arrow into two separate pieces. Afterward, he let the broken parts fall from his hands and land on the ground.
'You're such a fool!" Ronan shouted angrily, turning around quickly to look directly at the archer. His face was filled with intense anger and frustration.
'I—I apologize!" the archer said with his eyes wide with surprise. 'My hand felt really itchy! I truly didn't intend to do that!"
The chaos in the air at that moment was overwhelming. I looked at Ronan with a serious expression and said, 'Ronan, please! We need to stay focused on what we are doing. We cannot allow him to distract us from our goal. We are getting ready for a real fight, not just listening to his meaningless threats!"
Ben let out a laugh that was empty and eerie, causing a shiver to run down my back. He continued, 'Very well, King Adams! You have made your decision about which way to go. Now get ready to accept the ruin that will follow as a result of that choice."
With those words, the ghostly-looking figure turned his horse around and disappeared into the mist.
I stood there at that instant, and whispered quietly to myself in disbelief, 'What happened to you Ben?" The sadness felt suffocating.
'Your Highness," Ronan said with his voice interrupting the gloomy thoughts that were filling my mind. 'What should be our next line of action?"
I inhaled deeply and tried to discard all the confusion that was swirling in my mind. 'We need to get ourselves ready. We cannot change our plans now. Please tell the soldiers to prepare for a flanking maneuver. As soon as that mist starts to clear up, we will make our move and attack."
Before Ronan had the chance to say anything, a voice broke through the tense atmosphere. It was a voice that was both pleasant and firm at the same time. The voice addressed me directly, 'You have seen what Ben has become Adams?"
I turned around in surprise and was amazed to see Lilith standing right there next to Adeline. Lilith was wearing battle armor and the silver color of it shone like the moon, making her look fierce.
But even though she looked tough and strong on the outside, I could see a different side of her beneath that tough exterior.
I caught a glimpse of the understanding and compassion in her eyes, qualities that made her not just a powerful fighter, but also my mate and my Luna.
'Lilith, it really isn't a good idea for you to be here right now," I said, reaching out to her with a soft but urgent touch. 'Tell me where is it that you should be if you're not safe and sound inside the palace?"
'Isn't this the place where you actually need my strength?" she asked as she moved a little closer to me.
'Adams, I want you to understand that I am not some fragile little flower that you can just keep hidden away. You are well aware of that. We are going to face this challenge side by side."
My heart became full of warmth and pride as I thought about her strong loyalty towards me. However, at the same time, I was anxious for her sake.
I expressed my worries, 'I would much prefer for you to be safe and sound inside the palace where no one can harm you, my love. You have no idea how dangerous Augustus could be if he ever managed to get his hands on you."
With a strong sense of resolve, she shook her head firmly. 'Adams, you are not giving enough credit to what I can do. My role is so much more than simply being your partner. I am fully committed to standing with you in this. I will not hide while my pack is facing an enemy."
I smiled at her determination, which was clear on her face, and said to her, 'In that case, please make sure to stay close to me."
Immediately, a soldier leaned in closely and whispered softly. His voice was quiet and fragile, conveying an important message.
I stared at the fog below.
It was fading away, disappearing like a bad dream.
And there, clearly seen in the bright moonlight, was an army.
A huge pack of wolves.
Each one was as big and scary as a bear, their fur a mix of black and gray and their eyes shining with an unusual brightness.
They were the army of the rogue king, and they had come…
