Marco's POV
The night air was thick with tension as my warriors and I crouched in the shadows, just beyond Kade's hideout. The place was well-guarded, his men patrolling every inch of the perimeter.
Darius stood beside me, his expression grim. "We have the element of surprise, but Kade is strong. And if Anita was right about the dragon demon's magic, he won't go down easily."
I clenched my fists. "I don't care how strong he is. He took my mate. My pregnant mate." My voice was a growl, barely restrained rage bubbling beneath my skin. "I'll tear him apart with my bare hands if I have to."
Helena, the witch, stepped forward. "If we can get the pendant off him, his magic will weaken. That's the key to winning."
I exhaled sharply, my wolf snarling in agreement. "Then we go in fast. No mercy."
Darius gave the signal, and my warriors moved like shadows, surrounding the compound.
Then
We struck.
Chaos erupted as we stormed through the gates. The clash of metal and roars of wolves filled the air. I tore through Kade's men, shifting mid-leap, my wolf slashing through.
Snarls and roars echoed through the night as wolves clashed, fangs sinking into flesh, claws ripping through armor. Blades clashed in flashes of silver, the sound of steel meeting steel ringing through the air.
But I had only one target Kade.
I cut through his warriors with brutal efficiency, my claws slicing through bodies like paper. Blood sprayed against my fur, but I didn't stop. I couldn't.
Then, I saw him.
Kade stood at the center of the battlefield, his eyes glowing with dark magic. A smirk tugged at his lips as he held up the cursed pendant around his neck, the one giving him power beyond a normal wolf's strength.
"Ah, finally," he taunted. "I was wondering when you'd stop playing with my men and come for me."
I growled, stepping forward, my wolf roaring inside me. "I'm here to end you."
Kade laughed, rolling his shoulders. "You really think you can?" His body started to shift, his bones cracking and stretching. But unlike a normal transformation, his form was unnatural—warped by the demon magic coursing through his veins. His fur darkened to an inky black, his claws elongating into razor-sharp talons.
Then, he vanished.
A split second later, pain exploded in my side as he appeared behind me, his claws slicing deep into my ribs. I snarled, stumbling forward.
Damn it he was fast.
I turned to counter, swinging my claws toward his throat, but he disappeared again, only to slam into my back, sending me crashing into the dirt.
"You're strong, Marco," Kade sneered, circling me as I pushed myself up, blood dripping from my wounds. "But you're fighting a god now."
I wiped the blood from my mouth, my vision red with fury. "You're just a coward hiding behind stolen power."
Kade's smirk faltered for a brief second then he lunged again.
This time, I was ready.
I twisted at the last second, dodging his claws, and drove my fist into his gut. He grunted in pain, staggering back, and I didn't let up. I slammed my knee into his ribs, then raked my claws across his chest.
Black blood oozed from the wounds, but they healed instantly.
Kade grinned. "You can't kill me, Marco." His body flickered, vanishing again
No. I closed my eyes, feeling the energy shift around me.
At the last second, I ducked just as Kade reappeared behind me.
I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the ground.
His head cracked against the stone, a snarl ripping from his lips.
Before he could vanish again, I clamped my hand around the pendant.
He screamed.
The magic burned against my palm, searing through my skin, but I held on. The veins in his neck bulged, his body convulsing as the power inside him started to unravel.
"No—NO!" Kade howled, clawing at my arms. "You can't take this from me!"
With one final snarl, I ripped the pendant from his neck.
Kade let out a choked gasp. His body shrank, his fur fading back to normal. Without the demon's magic, he was just another wolf a weak one.
He tried to lunge at me, but I was faster.
I slammed my claws into his chest, pushing him back.
Kade staggered, blood pouring from his wounds. His breath was ragged, his body trembling. "Marco," he gasped, desperation flickering in his eyes. "We—we don't have to do this. I—"
I didn't let him finish.
With one final, savage strike, I tore his throat out.
Kade gurgled, his body convulsing then he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
The battlefield went silent.
I stood over his corpse, my own body shaking from the wounds he inflicted, but none of it mattered.
I turned to my warriors, my voice a growl.
"Find Matilda NOW!"
The moment I saw her, everything else faded away.
Matilda was slumped against the cold stone wall, her face pale, her body trembling. Her arm was wrapped in torn fabric, blood seeping through it.
My chest tightened with pure rage she was hurt.
"Matilda!" I rushed to her, dropping to my knees, carefully cradling her face in my hands. Her eyes fluttered open, glazed with exhaustion, but when she saw me, relief flooded them.
"Marco" her voice was weak, barely a whisper.
"I'm here, baby," I murmured, lifting her into my arms with the utmost care. "I got you. You're safe now."
She winced, her body stiff from pain, and I bit back the growl threatening to escape. I wanted to kill Kade all over again.
Darius appeared at my side, his expression grim. "The pack doctor is on the way."
"Make sure they're ready when we get back," I ordered. I didn't care what it took I just needed Matilda healed.
Without wasting another second, I carried her toward the cars waiting just beyond the battlefield.
She clutched onto my shirt, her breathing shallow. "You… came for me."
I looked down at her, my jaw tight with emotion. "Of course, I did," I whispered fiercely. "I will always come for you. I'll never let anyone take you from me again."
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more, but her body was too weak.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead as I placed her gently inside the car, my wolf still restless, desperate to protect her.
"It's okay, baby," I promised, climbing in beside her and holding her close. "I won't leave you. Ever."
The pack doctor carefully examined Matilda while I stood by, tense and restless. My fists clenched at my sides as I watched her fragile body on the bed, her breathing soft but weak.
After what felt like hours, the doctor finally turned to me. "The baby is okay for now, Alpha," she said, her tone calm but serious. "But Luna is severely malnourished from not eating well. Her body is weak from stress, and if she doesn't rest properly, she might lose the baby."
My wolf snapped, a deep growl rumbling in my chest. "Then she'll rest," I said firmly. "Whatever it takes."
The doctor nodded. "She needs complete bed rest for the next few weeks. No stress, no strain just recovery."
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to calm down. "Fine. I'll make sure of it."
Darius, standing at the door, nodded in agreement. "We'll tighten security. No one comes near unless you approve."
I moved to Matilda's side, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking her hand in mine. She stirred slightly, her fingers twitching against my palm, but she didn't wake.
I brushed her damp hair away from her face and leaned in close. "You're safe now," I whispered. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."
She needed rest.
She needed care.
And I would do everything in my power to protect her and our baby.