Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Cedric
Magic seared through my fur, the burning pain nearly shredding what was left of my sanity. I couldn't even bear to think—if I hadn't made it in time, that spell would've hit Alice.
The witch still held her casting pose, black magic pooling in her palm. When she saw me burst out, terror flashed in her eyes.
She didn't even get a chance to scream. I was already on her, claws tearing through her throat. Hot blood sprayed out, soaking my fur. Her eyes went wide. She clutched at her neck in disbelief as blood gushed between her fingers, pooling on the ground.
I released her. Her body crumpled, the light in her eyes snuffed out.
Only then did I turn to Alice. She sat collapsed on the ground, dress torn, hair wild, exposed skin covered in blood and bruises.
I shifted back, practically stumbling to her. My hands shook as I reached for her, terrified of hurting her more.
"Are you hurt?" My voice came out raw, trembling. "Where does it hurt? Tell me."
"I'm fine." Alice shook her head. Her hand came up to touch my face, worry in her eyes. "You... your wounds from before haven't healed. You shouldn't be fighting."
"I'm fine." I gripped her hand—so cold it made my chest ache. "Alice, listen. The Black Witches are with us now. They'll help us defeat Serena. I've arranged for people to get you out of here. It's too dangerous."
"No!" Alice cut me off, her eyes so fierce it stopped me cold. "Whatever happens, I'm staying with you."
"Alice—"
"You fucking bitch, I'll kill you!" Victoria's shriek tore through the night.
I whipped around. She charged out of the darkness, face twisted with madness and hate, jealousy blazing in her eyes. She gripped a dagger, aimed straight at Alice.
"Die! All of you, die!"
I shoved Alice behind me, catching Victoria's wrist. I wrenched hard.
Crack.
She flew like a rag doll, slamming into a tree. The dagger clattered to the ground.
"Victoria." I walked toward her, each step heavy with threat. My Alpha authority pressed down without restraint. "You do have a death wish."
"Why?" Victoria struggled up, voice shrill. "Cedric! You're still protecting her! This woman's carrying someone else's bastard! All this danger—she brought it! I'm the one who's been by your side, so why can't you see me? Why her?"
"Enough!" My voice was ice. Each word ground out through clenched teeth. "I've made it clear, Victoria. I never loved you. I only looked after you because of Arcales's dying wish. So I tolerated you. Again and again."
I stepped closer, fury burning in my eyes. "But you shouldn't have hurt Alice. You framed her. You conspired with witches to kill her. Victoria, stand down now, and I'll leave you a whole corpse."
Victoria suddenly laughed—a wild, broken sound that echoed through the forest. "You think I care anymore? Cedric, you'll regret this!"
She spun, screaming into the darkness, "Kill them! Kill them both! Leave no one alive!"
The moment the words left her mouth, countless black figures poured from the forest—all White Witches under Serena's command.
They gathered black magic in their hands, madness glinting in their eyes, dark cloaks billowing in the wind.
"Kill them!" the lead White Witch shrieked. "Take the woman alive. Kill everyone else!"
Black magic beams rained down, lighting up the night sky.
"Now!" Melvina shouted behind me. The Black Witches surged forward. Dark purple magic collided with black in midair, explosions thundering.
Light flashed. Blasts erupted everywhere.
I shifted again, roaring as I charged the White Witches.
Claws tore. Fangs crushed. Blood flew.
One witch tried to attack—a black beam shot at my head. I dodged, jaws clamping down on her throat. Blood bloomed in the moonlight.
Another tried to ambush me from the side. I whirled, crushing her skull with one swipe.
Then I saw Victoria rushing at Alice.
"Bitch! This is all you! You ruined me! Go to hell!" She screamed, eyes crazed.
Alice shifted fast, leaping at Victoria like a streak of gold.
"Ugh—" Victoria's eyes went wide. Before she could shift, Alice's jaws locked on her throat. Blood poured from her neck, staining Alice's fangs.
Seconds later, Victoria's body went limp, light fading from her eyes. Her arm fell slack.
Alice released her, shifting back. She looked down coldly at the corpse. "That's what you deserved."
Relief washed through me—but then a massive surge of magic hit from the side. The force was so strong the air twisted, humming with a piercing whine.
I spun. Serena stood nearby, a massive ball of black magic in her hands. The energy was like a miniature black hole, swallowing light.
"Cedric." She smiled coldly, her withered face vicious. "Today, you all die here. Your corpses will feed my power. And that woman—"
She looked at Alice with hunger. "The power inside her will be mine."
She hurled the magic straight at Alice. I crashed through the witches surrounding me, roaring as I threw myself in front of it.
The explosion was deafening. The shockwave ripped trees from the ground. My body flew, crashing hard.
Fur scorched. Flesh raw. Ribs cracking. Pain everywhere.
I struggled to stand. My body had hit its limit. My limbs shook.
"Cedric!" Alice's scream tore through—full of terror and desperation.
I lifted my head. Serena was gathering magic again. Bigger. Deadlier. The killing blow.
"Die, wolf king."
The black sphere flew at me, reeking of death—
A golden figure blocked me.
Alice.
She shifted back, arms spread wide. Black magic slammed into her back. She gasped, body swaying. Blood trickled from her mouth.
"Alice!"
I used my last strength to shift, catching her fast. But the magic's aftershock was still brutal. I pulled her tight against me, taking most of the blast.
Blood filled my throat. But I held on. I couldn't let Serena see my weakness. I had to protect Alice. Get her out safe.
I forced myself to stand, shielding Alice behind me. I shouted to the Black Witches, "Protect Alice at any cost. Keep her safe, and I'll give you more land. More wealth."
Alice coughed, gripping my hand. "Don't talk nonsense, Cedric. We'll both be fine."
Then—the sound of rushing footsteps and hoofbeats. My heart pounded.
"Princess Alice!" Adrian's men burst out with a battalion of guards, silver armor gleaming in the moonlight.
"Kill these witches!" He drew his sword. "Protect the princess!"
Guards flooded the battlefield like a tide. Steel clashed with magic. Black and dark purple light tangled. Chaos consumed the fight.
The Black Witches fought hard too, purple beams firing, dropping witch after witch.
But I couldn't focus on that. I could feel my life slipping away.
My vision blurred. My body grew cold. Light. Like my soul was leaving.
"Cedric?" Alice's voice trembled, breaking. "Cedric, what's wrong? Open your eyes. Look at me!"
"It's nothing..." I forced a smile. "Just tired..."
"No!" Her tears fell, landing on my face. "You can't die! You said you'd make it up to me. I haven't forgiven you yet. You can't just leave me..."
"Alice..." I lifted my hand to wipe her tears. But my fingers had no strength. I barely touched her cheek. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't talk!" She sobbed. "I'm taking you back. You'll be fine. You will. Where's the healer?"
"Listen," I cut her off, using the last of my strength to grip her hand. "I was so stupid before. I hurt you again and again. Now my death can atone for those mistakes. Alice, don't cry for me. Just live well..."
"Don't say that!" Alice shook her head, tears streaming. "You're not dying! You hear me?"
"Alice," my voice faded, weaker and weaker. "I have one last request..."
"Tell me." She leaned close, ear to my lips.
"Could you... kiss me again?" I looked into her eyes—those green eyes reflecting my face. A final plea. "Like... like when you still loved me..."
She froze. Tears kept falling, dropping on my lips.
Then she lowered her head and kissed me.
The kiss was gentle. Desperate. Tasting of salt and tears.
I closed my eyes, at peace. No regrets. Dying like this was enough.
But in that instant—
A warm energy flooded my body. Like countless warm streams repairing my wounds. Flesh regrew. Bones cracked back into place. Blood flowed. My heart beat strong again.
I opened my eyes. Alice stared at me in shock, disbelief in her gaze—but more than that, wild joy. "Cedric, you... you're okay? What just happened?"
I sat up, feeling the power coursing through me. Stronger than ever. "Maybe it's a miracle, Alice. Thank you. You brought the miracle."
I wanted to hold her. Kiss her. Tell her how grateful and elated I was. But I knew now wasn't the time. Only when these witches were dead would Alice truly be safe.
I stood, stretching. Bones popped. All wounds healed. Stronger than before. Like new energy flowed inside me.
I looked at Serena, still fighting.
"Now," I cracked my knuckles. "Time to settle this."
Alice stood beside me.
"Together," she said.
"Together."
We shifted and lunged at Serena. Her face changed. She looked at us, fear flickering in her eyes.
"Impossible... how can you—"
She didn't finish. We were already on her.
Through the bond, I sensed Alice's every thought. I attacked head-on, claws slicing air with a whistle.
Serena raised a black shield. Alice leaped from the side, bypassing it, jaws locking on her arm.
Serena screamed. The shield shattered. But she recovered fast—magic hit my ribs. Pain shot through me. But I didn't stop. I lunged through it, slamming my paw into her chest. The force sent her flying, crashing through three trees.
She struggled up, black blood dripping from her mouth. "Damn... damn wolves..."
She raised her hands, chanting an ancient spell. Black magic converged from all directions, swirling bigger and bigger into a massive vortex.
"If I die, I'm taking you with—"
I didn't dodge. I charged straight into her magic at full speed. Fur burned. Pain nearly made me howl. But I knew I had to kill Serena now.
I shattered her magic midair. Her face went white. I didn't give her another chance. I bit down hard on her throat.
"Ahh—" Her final scream rang out. Blood gushed. Her body went limp. That withered face still held resentment and rage.
Serena was dead.
The battlefield fell silent.
All the White Witches saw their leader fall. Terror-stricken, they tried to flee. But the Black Witches and guards had them surrounded.
"Surrender and live!" Rhine's warriors raised their swords. "Resist and die!"
Soon, the remaining witches dropped their weapons, kneeling in surrender.
The war was over.
I immediately shifted back, ignoring my body's pain as I rushed to Alice. I stared at her face for a long moment. Then I pulled her into my arms, voice breaking as I said over and over, "Alice, you're okay. Thank Goddess."