Ch. 161..170

Chapter 161

Nancy jumped down admist the blood bath, dropping right into the bunker.

She ran deep inside, only to gasp as she saw a gun being pointed in her direction.

"Nancy?" The gun dropped, and she breathed a sigh of relief on seeing her father standing there, gun firmly held in his lowered hands.

"Dad." She breathed, and the next second she ran into his arms, reflexively curling her legs around his waist, burying her nose in his neck, the sound of his gun clattering to the floor fading as he hugged her back, almost falling back to the ground from the sudden hug.

"I missed you." She mumbled, but he heard her clearly, only biting his lip as something crossed his mind.

After a few seconds, he let her down, standing back to stare at her. It’s been a while he hadn’t seen her, and aside her look, there was this aura of authority and maturity surrounding her.

The sound of fighting was faint as they were deep underground. She was the only person Alpha Joseph let into the bunker, and she was going to make her time worth it before she went back there.

"The mate mark," his eyes widened on seeing the familiar mark which no one could ever miss. Nancy bashfully lowered her head. "You let Alpha Koan mark you."

She snapped her head up.

"You knew my mate?"

"We had a ’little’ discussion at Ruby Stone’s, and let’s just say... things didn’t go really well between us. I think he hates me." He tried to chuckled, but he ended up coughing, a pained look on his face.

"Why? Did you two fight?!"

"I’m a bad father Nancy. I never made your childhood normal, and I never intended to- especially since your diagnosis... the one time you needed me more than ever, I just sent you away."

"Dad. I... "

The ground shook above them, and crumbles of dirt fell down to where they stood, facing each other.

"Nancy," he inched closer to her. "I know this is not the right time, but I’m sorry. An apology isn’t enough to make up for everything I’ve done to you. I know that, and when this is over I’ll do anything you want... just please. Forgive me Nancy. At least, before I’m being killed."

"No one’s dying!" Nancy yelled at him before she stop herself, backing away when he shrank under her fierce aura, almost lowering his head ’cept for the fact that he still had his Alpha legacy within him.

It was still impossible for a Luna to make an Alpha cower, but Nancy wasn’t just any Luna. She was now of three ranks. Luna of Crescent Moon’s pack, Female Alpha of Ruby Stone’s pack, and the queen, mate to the heir of Foxtune.

Her aura was quite powerful.

"I will not hold onto my title for much longer because now, I have duties to tend to in Crescent Moon’s pack. But I still have the rights to choose my successor as Female Alpha, and it will not and never be Pamela."

"But sweetheart, what’s wrong with Pamela? I know she’s young, but she’ll be a great ruler."

"Now that’s where you’re wrong Dad. Pamela is like a green mamba. A green snake under a green grass. She’s waiting for the opportunity to rule Ruby Stone’s, and she’ll bring it down, all the foundations, everything you’ve ever worked for... She doesn’t deserve to rule."

She didn’t let her father say anything else.

"Send them away... not from Ruby Stone’s, but from the Alpha domain. Luna Angela can still retain her title, but she doesn’t deserve to live there."

The man stared at her in shock.

"You were ignorant, and you never saw it. The way they mistreated me," Tears rolled down her cheeks, startling the man who instinctively got close to her, pulling her in his embrace. Her tears heightened, feeling the sincere comfort of her father after so many years. "They put wolfsbane in my food dad. I always got sick after that, but they still made me do all the work in the house. I always tried to complain to you, but you were too busy training Pamela, because she’s not as disabled as me."

"Nancy," his voice was a strangled whisper, visibly trembling from anger and sadness. "I wished I had listened to you. I never knew, and I never bothered to. Angela always acted as a saint whenever I was around."

"Just like her daughter dad... " Nancy pulled away, fury in her eyes. "A green mamba. I rather let a Kitsune rule, than them. At least they don’t hide their true intentions."

*

Koan paused Midway, feeling a pang of pain in his chest, and he fugutively glanced at the bunker where Nancy had jumped in, wondering what was going on in there.

He could feel her pain, so many emotions flooding her heart, could see her tears rolling down her cheeks. The mate bond was so powerful, he could see what she was thinking about.

His grip on his gun tightened so hard that it smashed in his grip as he saw a little version of Nancy being forced to eat something.

An older looking woman and a young girl stood at both sides, forcing her head into the bowl when Nancy cried and complained about whatever she was eating.

Soon, she fell to the floor, convulsing and gasping as she foamed in the mouth while the other two females tittered, obviously enjoying the scene.

Wolfsbane.

He growled, rushing forward, his renewed hate for Alpha Henry for his ignorance all those years building up in his system, causing him to part shift as he thought of ways to shred the man to pieces.

But suddenly, Hakura appeared behind him. Reflexively, he reached out to smash her head, his anger taking a huge toll on him, but she just vanished, and he saw himself standing in an unfamiliar ground in the Forest.

The anger in his eyes dissipated, but before he could ask questions, Hakura vanished, and the next moment reappeared again with Daniel who had the same confused expression on his face, especially when he saw Koan.

Their looks turned to one of horror on seeing the state the Kitsune was in. This was more treacherous than a brutal death!

"Why did you bring us here?" Daniel asked.

"We’re going to Foxtune." Hakura simply replied.

"What? and leave the others here? Why?"

She glared at Koan, not forgetting the almost near-death experience as he tried to smash her head, but either way she composed herself and patiently tried to explain to them.

"They have Naomi, and they have the necklace on her. And it’s too late to try to snatch it, because she’s already absorbed the spell, and she’s now pure evil. She won’t even recognize you," She turned to Koan after Daniel. "But she will recognize you."

"So... it’s a good thing?" Koan asked, brows etching together.

"I have to find a spell to undo whatever they’ve done, and it will take some time, since most herbs I need are in Foxtune, and we need to stop her from releasing her father before it’s too late."

The Kitsune, head stuck through the tree could move, but she was already so weak from loosing her body parts, that she just stayed still, mute.

"What will happen if she releases him?"

"He will wipe all of us out of existence of course. But without Nancy, the ritual won’t be complete, so we have to get Naomi back here while I get the herbs."

"And you think the two people liable for this mission is us?" Daniel carefully asked .

"Her mate, and her brother. What other choice is better."

"But Nancy... "

"She’s not a child. She’ll be safe. Right now, this is much more important."

"Than my mate?" Koan growled, and Hakura stepped back, head bowed in submission to his aura yet her fist was squeezed tightly as she fought back his aura.

Daniel held his arm, and surprisingly Koan calmed down, glancing away, not forgetting to move his shoulders so that Daniel’s arm fell to his side.

Hakura glared at him.

"Are we going now? Or do you want to get back to your mate." The tone ’mate’ was mocking, but he just ignored her.

Hakura turned to the Kitsune.

"Be quick about it, or you’ll loose your other arm."

"I see you’ve been playing questions and answers with her, am I right?" Daniel asked.

Hakura turned to him, and he stiffened on seeing the almost-pity in her eyes.

"Yes I have... and the answers I’ve gotten, well... let’s just say you might now like them."

Daniel and Koan exchanged glances.

"What’s worse than the King wiping us all out of existence."

"Something’s much more worse," She shuddered in disgust. "Let’s just go"

Grumpily, the Kitsune conjured up the sand below them to rise with her last strength, forming a huge egg shaped rock that shielded the three of them, enclosing them in the space.

Soon, the egg rock shattered, and in it’s place stood a wisp of smoke curling from the ground, no one standing on the previous spot where Hakura, Daniel and Koan had been standing.

 

Chapter 162

A rumbling earthquake shook the entire village, attracting everyone out of their respective houses. They all gathered, whispering and murmuring in hushed voices, forming a circle around what looked like a blistering wisp of white smoke emanating from the ground, upwards to the sky.

Suddenly, they all stepped back in horror seeing three people standing there in place of the earthquake source staring back at them in horror.

"Well, Sh*t." Daniel swore, feeling several pairs of eyes on them.

"That b*tch did this on purpose." Hakura cursed, fist squeezed tightly as one boldly inched towards them, nose flared up as she inhaled their scents.

She turned to the others who were standing behind her, wanting to know who these people were after a while.

"Intru- dahhhs." Her voice was deep and croaky, but before she could say any other word, Hakura swiftly slashed her dagger against her neck, and the Kitsune choked, grabbing onto her bloodied neck as she dropped to the floor.

The Kitsunes around finally stared at them with bloodlust and anger in their eyes.

"Run! Now!" She yelled, and the three sprang from their spots, rushing forward, panting hard as their paced increased, hearing the loud footsteps of over a hundred different elemental species of Kitsunes chasing them.

With each leg they kicked forward, their foot landing firmly on the ground quickly followed by the other, their hearts pounded in the same fervor and speed.

Boom!

The three were lifted up from their feet, onto the air for a few seconds from the blast, grunting and groaning in pain as they dropped hard on the ground, rolling a few distance before they stopped, wincing as they got up.

"Well, I think this is my cue to leave. Those herbs are not going to pick themselves. Try not to get killed." Hakura said with a groan, vanishing before the Kitsunes could get to her, leaving the two men to their fate.

"Do you have a gun with you?" Koan asked, scrambling back on the floor with Daniel as they approached them, but Daniel already had his gun aimed towards them.

"Already ahead of you."

Bang!

Bang!

Bodies dropped from the air like like his of wood, and a few more as he shot continuously while Koan fearlessly ran forward, grabbing onto a Kitsune’s ankle, using her body as a human weapon by tossing her around.

A Kitsune above began letting rain drop to the ground where they stood, and in quick succession, the place got flooded.

Daniel and Koan gasped for air as they were almost buried in the rising water.

But another Kitsune placed her hand in a praying stance, opening it to let them view a spark of lightning in her hand before she menacingly smiled, dropping it into the water.

"Sh*t." Daniel swore again as they both froze, seeing the deadly spark of lightening running mercilessly towards them.

As they closed their eyes, shielding their faces by hugging their heads, they heard a boom! and reflexively grimaced, waiting to brace the pain.

But there was nothing. Only gasps from all around.

The two men glanced up, Bobbing in the water, only to realize that there was something like a force field surrounding them which prevented the lightening to touch the water, thereby preventing them from blacking out in unconsciousness.

"Did you do this?" Daniel turned to Koan.

"I would know if I did, right?" Koan simply said, but Daniel just shrugged.

However they tensed when blood splashed against the force field, watching as a flash of fire killed half the Kitsunes that attacked them earlier. It was Tossing them aside and ripping their heads and tails from their body like ragdolls.

In fear, the rest flew away like missiles, and the two men had two-sided feelings about who the stranger was.

Did they want to know?

She looked like she was evidently protecting them, but then again, she could be aiming to kill them all by herself.

But they were curious.

They wanted to know who she was.

As the water around them dried up, the force field faded, and the men stood properly on their feet to scrutinize who was floating above them, their clothes soaked with water.

Previously, she had been so fast, that all they saw was a speck of fire, but now they could clearly see her face.

"Naomi." Daniel breathed, heart stilling in place, throat running dry as he stared up at her. She had changed so much, she looked almost unrecognizable.

Koan was left speechless, subconsciously glancing at her from top to bottom and back again, taking in the other-worldly beauty of the woman slowly dropping to her feet, her eyes not leaving his.

He didn’t need another vision to tell him who this woman was. He could feel the connection just by sharing a single gaze with her.

Daniel tugged Koan by the shirt, and the man snapped out of the staring contest he was locked in with his sister, missing the glint of anger that passed her eyes when Daniel distracted him.

Her gaze was now fixed on Daniel, a steady murderous gaze.

"Naomi... You don’t know how much I’ve... "

She raised a hand and he froze, not able to utter a single word. It was like his vocal cords were put on hold immediately, rendering him speechless like Koan.

She slowly brought her hand down, the wind tossing her hair to and fro, some falling to stick to her lips which she calmly moved aside with her sword, the two men following the movements with wide eyes, watching the glint of her blade.

"Who... is Naomi?" A brow was raised. If she was joking, then she was really good at hiding a stiffled chuckle or a glint of mischief in her eyes, but there didn’t seem to be any hint of amusement on her face. It looked like she really wanted to know who this Naomi is.

Her eyes caught their attention, and they could see the blue-crimson glow in her eyes before Daniel’s heart dropped.

"Naomi... " Daniel pushed past Koan, moving close to Fiona who tensed, especially when she met with his eyes.

"I know... you’re somewhere in there." He swallowed painfully. "Don’t you know me? Who I am?"

There was a glint in her eyes before she finally backed away, holding firmly onto her hilt, baring the blade before him.

"I am Fiona. I do not know this Naomi you speak about. Now move aside."

Koan grabbed onto Daniel’s slumped shoulders, shooting him a small sympathetic but brief glance before he turned to Fiona who locked gazes wuth him again, this time raking her eyes over him.

"Brother~ " She called in a singsong voice, and Koan shuddered on seeing the mad glint of obsession that settled in her eyes as she inched closer to him, her sword settling on the ground with a heavy thud as she cupped her hands around his cheek, sandwiching his face between her two hands.

Koan reflexively grabbed onto her wrist, eyes widening on meeting with her eyes in a close standoff. There was no single speck of emotion in her eyes; It was just blank.

"S... Sister." He called, eyes narrowing in confusion. He turned to Daniel, but the woman held him close, embracing him in an awkward stance with his head tightly held against her bossom.

"Hey... " He cooed, not wanting to snap at her for hugging him like a child for fear of getting someone as crazy as she was, angry.

"Let me take you to father, brother." She offered, grabbing him hand, stepping back slowly, pulling him forward, completely ignoring Daniel, not casting him a glance since then.

"Father?" His heart leaped at the familiar name he was used to calling some years back before an incident happened, and he hated that word after.

"He wishes to see you."

They turn to Daniel, and her eyes narrowed to anger and disgust on seeing him holding her sword, staring at the gem in irritation and fury.

"What’s all this." Daniel suddenly demanded, tossing the sword aside. "This isn’t you Naomi! Do you know how ridiculous this is right now? You’re using a sword Naomi... you just met a man who you assumed is your father, and you trusted him, you believed all his lies Naomi! You let him do this to you!"

"I." Firy infernos rose in her eyes as she bundled her hands Into fists, fire exploding from within her palms, coating her fists in firy fury. "Am." She took a step forward and Daniel backed away, the fire reflecting in his eyes. "Not." She drew back her hand and punched him across the face, sending him flying backwards. "Naomi!"

He crashed into a building, groaning as he fell along with the debris, but Fiona wasn’t through with him.

She sped after him, and Koan ran after her, horror in his eyes for what she might do to him.

As Daniel was just getting off the ground, pushing demolished walls off his body, a flash of fire flew at him again, and he was sent flying back into Another building.

"I will kill this annoying peasant before anything else!" She growled, briefly turning to Koan before flying towards Daniel again, holding him by the colar and dragging him up, flying high enough to drop him onto a building like a heavy rock.

 

Chapter 163

Another building was destroyed as Daniel was thrown onto one, and a deep spine chilling silence settled on the vicinity like an uncomfortable, uneasy feeling.

Koan just stood there, panting, having run all the way, yet it seemed like he was too late.

He turned in a flash when he noticed a prescence behind, only to see Fiona smiling at him, blood strewn across her face, a mad glint in her bright eyes, her canniness visible, terrifying him a bit.

"Now that the annoying peasant is out of the picture, let’s go, brother."

"What do you mean?" He turned to the demolished building which had fallen walls, and debris all over, yet Daniel hadn’t even risen.

There was no sign of life even.

He faced Fiona, carefully asking with a shaky voice.

"Where is he?"

There was not a single hint of amusement on her face as she replied.

"He won’t bother us anymore, brother."

"No!" He made to turn, to run and check on Daniel, but she held onto his hand.

"Brother... "

"Let go of me, you... crazy woman!" With that, he forcefully pulled his hand away and quickly ran to the demolished building, raising hard bricks and walls up, and tossing them away as he searched for Daniel’s body.

As she stood there, watching him, a glint of dark gold shone in her eyes when she flew after him, fire coating her hands before she punched Koan, sending him flying.

Koan braced himself to fall back, however, settling forward to the ground, bracing his hands and knees on the ground so that he wouldn’t slam into a building.

He glanced up, eyes, dark gold as he saw the flash of light coming towards him. Getting up, he grabbed the fisted hand of fire aimed at his face with just one hand wrapped around it.

Fiona’s eyes widened in shock as she floated in the air, staring right back in his deadly narrowed eyes before he threw her against the floor.

Boom!

Dust was raised in the air as she dropped to the ground.

Koan stepped back, his eyes turning to blue, anger slowly dissipating as he realized what he just did, but as the dust cleared away, he stepped back further, seeing Fiona standing there with a hurt look in her eyes.

"I just... want us to be a family again." She said, hurt in her eyes, tears slowly running down her cheeks.

"Naomi... this wasn’t what I wanted. This.. " He reconstructs his words. "I didn’t want it this way."

"Naomi?" Fiona suddenly whispered, and that murderous glint appeared in her eyes. Suddenly black scales began appearing on her skin, and Koan looked on in horror. "Whose side are you on brother?"

"We can be on the same side, but the side you’re on isn’t... "

Whoosh! Bam!

A flame of fire escaped her outstretched hand, and Koan was send flying back again, and this time, he slammed into a building, going through it like it was a hole.

As he coughed from the dust rising, he placed his hand, back palm, over his mouth, rising up with dust and debris falling off his body, before he staggered out.

As he did, he met with two large eyes, already waiting for him at the entrance. His heart flew right up to his mouth staring at them.

They were so big, he could live in one of them. Dark gold eyes with a midnight black slit at the middle scrutinized him like a bug.

Stepping back, almost falling in shock, he could view the full size of the dragon looming over him, with those intimidating horns curling over its head, the pointy ends, sharp.

Tail swishing behind it, it leaned back, mouth wide open.

"Sh*t." He ran back inside the building, using the exit on the other side to escape, just as a flame of fire was released, burning everything up in its oath, stretching after him.

*

Just as Talia spinned, cutting a Kitsune in half, she heard a blood curling scream behind her and turned to see Jephthah tossing a body aside.

She figured this one was about to attack her while she was finishing off the other one.

Jephthah fondly wiped her lower lip, rubbing off the blood stain on it.

"You should be careful."

She suddenly grabbed him closer by the colar, their lips almost touching, and he heard a swish! followed by a muffled grunt before a loud thud.

His eyes widened as he looked at her, realizing he was also about to be attacked from behind, but she had killed it.

"You too." She finally replied, smiling mockingly before pushing him back, spinning to fight.

His gaze on her lingered before he caught someone’s eyes. Cardin was holding to a Kitsune’s head, and had been staring at them all these while, but when their eyes met, his grip on the head tightened and Jephthah winced as the head exploded, blood and brains flying out.

It was like Cardin was sending him a message.

*

Nancy was still in the bunker with her father, having killed off two Kitsunes who had crept in. Their bodies, tails detached from them were lying on the ground while her father sat at one corner, drained from the emotional moment he had with his daughter.

"My mate is in trouble." Nancy suddenly whispered, hands squeezed, her heart clenching in pain.

"Nancy." Alpha Henry moved forward, coming close to catch her, just as she fell to her knees.

"Koan." She whispered, tears stinging her eyes as she felt pain; deep in her heart.

"You can go up. I’ll be fine." Alpha Henry reassured her, kissing her hair.

She turned to him, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you dad. I’ll be right back, okay?"

He managed a smile before tenderly stroking her hair.

"I love you Nancy, and... I’m so proud to have you as a daughter. You’re really a gem amongst stones."

Her heart flipped at his sincere words, and the tears she’s been holding back finally rolled down her cheeks.

"Dad." She whispered before she turned to bug him again. "I love you too."

She swear she didn’t want to leave, but she had to check on her mate. It was unlike Koan to get into trouble.

As she got up, she searched around for Koan, taking care not to leave the entrance of the bunker.

"Luna Luan!" Someone yelled, and immediately, the Kitsunes left were being brought down by a slash of a sword, and the rest were being chopped down like twigs snapping.

The two left, flew away like missiles.

"Luan." Joseph said, the glaciers in his eyes slowly melting off as he stared at his wife, standing there clad in warrior clothes from Beta Marcy of Dark Risers’s pack, her sword being sheathed and placed at her side.

"Joseph." The stern icicles in her eyes also melted on seeing her mate, and the Kitsune she had in her other hand dropped to the floor with a thud as she ran forward, jumping and catching Joseph around the waist with her two legs as they shared a long passionate kiss, hands roughing their hair.

The others smiled (Aside Cardin) who knew how difficult it was to even spend a second away from your mate.

"Luna Luan. Alpha Joseph." The two part, eyes filled with worry and anxiousness immediately; when Nancy ran up to hug Luna Luan.

The woman, shocked from the sudden hug, just wrapped her hands around Nancy, but she wasn’t surprised.

"I can’t find my mate." She cried, and everyone glanced around.

"Come to think of it, Daniel’s not here either." Barton said.

"And Hakura." John pointed out as Nancy pulled away from the hug.

"They’re in Foxtune." Luan said, and everyone turned to her.

"I found her her on my way here, and she told me everything." She pointed to Emily who they all turned to this time, grimacing at the state she was in. No wonder she told Luan everything she knew, she looked like she was ready to die already.

"I don’t understand... why would Hakura take them there... without us." Nancy asked.

Alpha Joseph was just pulling Alpha Henry out of the bunker.

"Because they need to get Naomi away from the king, her father." Luan replied.

"Why?" Almost Everyone asked, but Luan changed the topic immediately.

"We have to head to Foxtune, immediately."

"Someone has to stay here with Alpha Henry." Alpha Joseph reminded them.

"I know that. Besides, the Kitsune is our only source of going to foxtune, and she’s too weak to transport all of us here, so not everyone’s going." Luan said, and picked a stone.

With a slash of her sword, she made a shape of a wolf’s head on one side of the stone, and a tail of a wolf on the other side.

She tossed it to Talia who was closer, and announced as she clumpsily caught it.

"If you pick heads, that’s your ticket to going to foxtune. If you pick tail, you stay."

Everyone exchanged glances.

"Are we clear?" She asked, those glaciers forming in her eyes again, as Alpha Henry leaned against the tree with the help of Nancy who noticed he’s been weak.

"Yes Luna Luan." Everyone said, and at her glare, Talia swallowed before tossing the stone.

 

Chapter 164:

Everyone had two sided thoughts.

They didn’t want to go because they didn’t know what to expect when they reached there. They had mentally made up their minds to loose their lives trying to protect their love ones. But what if there was something worse than death there?

Yet, their friends were there, and they were in trouble. They had to help them.

Everyone turned as Talia flipped the stone.

Heads.

A shaky sigh escaped her lips as she moved to stand beside Nancy — who gave her a small smile — and the two young women held hands.

Jephthah was the next person to toss the coin, and as he did, everyone glanced down at it.

Cardin scoffed, a taunting smirk on his face.

Tails.

Jephthah glanced up at Talia, and their solemn gazes locked.

"Luna Luan... " Talia began, breaking her gaze to turn to Luan.

"We agreed on this, didn’t we?" The woman snapped, and Talia recoiled, boiling in anger and frustration as the woman concluded. "We can’t just change the rules because of you two."

She glanced away as Nancy held her shoulders sympathetically.

Jephthah just calmly passed the stone down to his twin, stepping back.

John tossed it.

Tails.

He obediently stepped back, passing it to Barton who flipped it.

Heads.

He dutifully stood beside Talia after passing it down to Royce.

Royce flipped the stone and it was Brittany’s turn to tense up more than the others as it flipped in the air before settling to the ground.

Tails.

She left out a shaky sigh as he passed it to her, walking forward before flipping hers, biting her lower lip hard.

Heads.

"No!" She half-whispered in disbelief, already shaking her head vigorously.

On meeting Luna Luan’s dark gaze, with trembling lips, and a small squeeze on the hand from Royce, she sighed in hopelessness, moving to stand beside Barton who held her close by the shoulder while she folded her arms, trying to calm herself down by remembering she was doing this for her friends.

And for Naomi.

Raiden flipped the stone.

Tails.

He joined the rest.

Liliana flipped hers.

Tails.

She stood back, avoiding Raiden just like she’s been doing since last night which earned her a probing look from him.

Cardin nonchalantly flipped the stone. However, his eyes widened on seeing Heads.

Jephthah felt his blood boil as Cardin moved to stand behind Talia. Their eyes met as everyone was focused on Luan who was about to flip the stone.

He smirked, and Jephthah just glanced away.

Luan flipped the stone, and used the blade of her sword to catch it offgaurd on the air, stabbing it to the ground.

Tails.

Not bothering to make a fuse about the decision, she turned to the five who was picked to go on the near-death experience.

Talia, Barton, Brittany, Nancy and Cardin.

After scrutinizing them for a while, she threw her sword towards Talia who caught it, looking surprised, yet honored that she was chosen to use her sword. It looked like Luna Luan was fond of the sword, so it meant a lot to her.

After swinging the sword around for a while, she turned to Luan in time to hear her say to them.

"Try not to get killed, and try to bring home your friends — alive. And Naomi... keep her away from the king. She’s already being turned, and I’m sure Hakura will do everything possible to help her turn back to normal, but remember she’s your friend... don’t let the anger get the best of you." She turned to Cardin this time, who rolled his eyes before she faced them all.

"Anything else?"

"Can I... talk to Talia?" Someone meekly said behind her, and Jephthah swore he wanted to melt into a hot puddle of chocolate at that moment when Luan turned to him with a fierce gaze.

Even Talia swallowed, wondering what would be his fate for bodly standing out.

Luan wanted to decline, but she saw the need and desperation in his eyes, and it made her think back to when she was this young and just newly mated to Joseph, and she couldn’t even stay a minute without knowing where he was... or who he was with...

She understood how he felt.

"Just let the kid, Luan." Alpha Joseph spoke up with a sigh.

Luan turned away from him, waving her hand nonchalantly.

"You all have a minute."

At that moment, Brittany tore from her spot, running towards Royce, almost throwing him to ground as Raiden, Liliana and the others stepped back.

As they stepped back from the duo while Jephthah led Talia away under Cardin’s probing, stern gaze, Liliana bumped into Raiden. Reflexively, she turned to the side, their lips almost brushing as she realized how close they were.

"Oh... Sorry." Liliana mumbled, turning to move away, but Raiden held her back, whispering into her ear.

"Are you Okay?"

Liliana nodded, feeling as though she would start screaming If she opened her mouth.

Of course I’m not okay!!!

Raiden reluctantly let go of her before the two went to say their farewell to Nancy who welcomed them both into her arms with enormous hugs .

Barton grimaced as his sister latched onto Royce like a koala, wondering if she would agree to leave again.

*

"If you had flipped the stone a bit slower, maybe we’d have gotten Heads together." Talia mumbled as he turned to her.

"Are we going to do this, now?" Jephthah sighed.

She glanced down, biting down on her lower lip, sulking.

"Talia... "

"I can’t do this without you Jephthah. What if this is the last time I’ll... "

He suddenly kissed her, pulling her in by the waist, her hands moving up to brace against his strong arms as she kissed him back, tilting her head up to thrust her tongue in, sliding it back and forth on his, parting her lips wider to close against his while he did the same, the two fighting for dominance, not realizing just how deep they’ve gone, not until they pull back, breathing hard in each other’s faces.

"If I had to kiss you to shut up for every time you sprout nonsense, then we’re not leaving this spot." Jephthah said, panting slightly.

Talia just smiled sadly, brushing her hair aside.

"I’ll miss you... I will. Really. But we’re not just doing this because of a stone, we have an entire specie to protect. And when we’re all done, I’ll drive you down to that airport, and you’re going to Paris to resume your career, do you understand?"

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"You remembered."

"Of course I do. If it’s important to you, then I wouldn’t miss it for anything," he rubbed her slightly swollen lips which was stretched into a smile. "Now go out there, and make me proud, okay?"

"Okay." She said in between chuckles before he leaned down to kiss her again.

"Are you two going to keep sucking faces, or are we going to save our entire existence or something." John grumpily said from behind, and they turn to him to laugh, seeing the ’You guys are feeding me dog poop’ expression.

Once they arrive, Talia and Jephthah reluctantly parted hands as she joined her team and he joined his.

Luan stood from where she was crouched on the ground, tending to the Kitsune before giving her a silent order.

Emily grunted as she raised her hands, trembling, lifting rocks from the ground, several of them, joining to form an egg shaped shell.

"Be careful." Jephthah said, just as they were getting enclosed in the shell- like yolks.

Talia managed a smile as whispered, just before they were completely enclosed.

"You too."

Pwushhhh! Boom!

Rocks flew everywhere, scattering on the ground before they all pulled their hands down which was shielding their faces, looking down at the spot where they were standing earlier to see wisps of white smoke emanating from the ground, reaching for the sky.

"May Selena be with you." Luna Luan whispered.

She turned to see Emily, head blown up from her body from using so much energy.

John, Jephthah, Raiden, Liliana and Royce were left.

"Since we’re already south, I would have sent two to the east, two to the west and another two to the north, but you three will go east, while you two," She pointed to Raiden and Liliana. "Will go west." The rest of the pack warriors will go north."

Immediately, at her glare, the pack warriors began moving straight ahead.

John, Jephthah and Royce dutifully made their way to the east while Raiden and Liliana - Liliana reluctant - made their way to the west.

Raiden’s eyes narrowed in confusion as he watched Liliana walking ahead of him very quickly, almost like she was trying to get away from him. He Increased his pace after her.

Alpha Joseph got out of the bunker where he had helped Alpha Henry in after scanning the entire underground man cave for any Kitsune which might have gotten inside.

"Alpha Henry looks Drained. What happened?" Luan asked Joseph who was stretching, obviously tired from lack of sleep.

"I don’t know. But then again, who wouldn’t be drained after everything’s that’s been happening." He replied with a coy boyish small smile and Luan just rolled her eyes at him, hiding a small smile as she looked away.

Chapter 165

Bad Timing!

The five of them were transported to foxtune and just as they opened their eyes, ready to take in the unfamiliar environment, they saw Koan running towards them.

"Alpha Koan?" It was Talia who managed to find her tongue first, and everyone was frozen in shock seeing him all beaten up, with half his clothes burnt off, his hair disheveled as hell.

"Run!" Koan screamed at them. He was surprised to see them here, but nevertheless, his mind was working faster than anything else.

Rather than stand there and mop over their sudden appearance, he suddenly grabbed Nancy — who gasped, reflexively wounding her arms around his neck— carrying her bride style before running ahead, leaving the others.

Talia, Cardin, Barton and Brittany were still in shock, trying to figure out what just happened, but when they heard a loud, ground shaking growl, they simultaneously turned, only for the hair at the back of their necks to stand.

A large dragon, more than twenty feet, with powerful flapping wings, and sulphuric smoke escaping its wild nostrils was flying after them, the horns on its head intimidating.

"Shit!" Brittany swore, voice shaky with fear before they all scattered.

Unlike Koan who had gone far, they knew that running forward would only make them prey to scaly predator, so they scattered, Talia going west, Cardin going south-west, while the twins went east together.

Fortunately-Unfortunately, they all watched as the dragon flew forward, not even bothering to glance at them, a path of black smoke trailing after it, its large several centimeter long tail swishing after its body.

"Come on guys! I think that thing’s after Koan!" Talia yelled, already running forward, pulling her sword to firmly hold it by the hilt.

Barton and Brittany followed while Cardin hesitated for a bit, seeing a sword on the ground where he had just stepped back from.

It was much larger than Talia’s, looked a bit heavier than any sword he’d held, and it had a large crimson gem on the hilt.

Stooping a bit, he bent to grab it, but an electric line zapped him from the gem, and with a wince he abruptly stepped back before glaring at it, turning to join the others.

Koan found a cave dripping of water before he led Nancy inside. He wasn’t confident that the dragon won’t find him, but if he kept running at this rate, he might collapse.

Panting, he lowered Nancy to her feet before slumping to the ground.

"Kona!" Nancy fearfully yelled, falling to her knees to hold him, patiently waiting for him to catch his breath, holding him to her bossom like a child, pushing his bloody stained hair from his bruised forehead, back up on his head.

After he caught his breath, he gently cupped her face before pressing his lips against hers. In fear and confusion, she didn’t return his kiss, her face still in ’I’m kept in the dark’ expression, before she gently moved his hair aside which smelt of syrup from the burning fire.

"Koan, what’s happening?"

"Daniel... did you find him?" He suddenly asked and her eyes widened.

"Daniel’s missing?"

"Naomi... " he grimaced and she held his shoulders, eyes filled with worry. "...tossed him around for a bit, but after then I couldn’t find him anymore. I would If she had let me, but now she’s been trying to kill me ever since. I think they used too much of whatever they wanted to control her with, and now she’s lost it."

"What if... " She covered her mouth with her hand before she whispered. "What if Daniel is... "

"If Daniel dies, I’ll kill him twice. He wouldn’t dare!"

*

King Jacob stared on interestingly at the new guests that had joined his abode just a few minutes ago.

Without raising a finger, the female Alpha and his half-son have come to him, but If he wanted Koan alive, he needed Sakuarr’s help, because it looked like Fiona had gone completely crazy and was trying to kill him.

Before he could summon her, two Kitsunes flew in, looking traumatized and scared, almost like they were being chased by something.

"Where is the last Alpha’s heart? I do not see it with you." His gaze darkened and they gulped. "Or perhaps, have you failed to get it... Again."

"Your majesty, this mission is impossible. We couldn’t get the.. ugh!" Blood spewed from the first one’s mouth before she dropped limply to the floor, a sharp icicle to her forehead.

The second one, a red head, Ceicilia, glanced warily at the king, wondering If she was going to suffer the same fate as her friend too.

King Jacob sighed, placing his thumb and forefinger on the space between his brows, causally lifting his hand where another sharp icicle had grown, strangely enough, shielded by a small flaming fire.

Ceicilia shuddered, the icicle visible in her eyes, yet she dared not move. She could never escape the king.

"We already have everyone on ground for the ritual, EXCEPT THE ALPHA! WHY???"

Ceicilia shuddered, feeling as though a headache, followed by a stomachache was coming in as she anticipated the icicle being shot at her, but it never did.

Wait? It wasn’t a rhetorical question?

She was supposed to answer?

This was unlike the king.

Realizing, he was still waiting for an answer while his patience was slowly thawing out, she stammered before coming up with an answer.

"He’s been protected, your most graciousness of all. I do not know their source, but everyone is on their tails, strictly preventing us from even seeing him. We were outnumbered mentally, and with the lack of a queen, our powers are slowly thawing out. We’re useless against them!"

The King paused, glaring fiercely at her such that Ceicilia gulped, having felt that she had said too much, she floated back a bit.

"So what do you reckon we do?"

"Errrrr... " She wasn’t sure If this was a rhetorical question.

"Do you want to give up?"

She shook her head, pursing her lips, fear eating away at her heart.

"How many warriors do we have left?"

"Not much." She reluctantly replied.

Boom!

His fist connected with the arm of his throne, and Ceicilia swallowed hard as the entire throne shook like it was about to be hit by an incoming earthquake.

There was a silence after a while, before he finally waved his hand nonchalantly.

"How many fire elemental ones?"

"Just three. We’ve been saving them to tame to Sakuarr Incase she finally goes beserk one day and decides to... "

"Well, we have no choice, do we?"

She stiffened at his hoarse voice, not knowing what to say. Was she supposed to answer or...

"Send them... "

"All of them?"

"No, send me as well!" He growled, and with a squeak, Ceicilia dashed off while the king buried his forehead in his hand again.

"Sakuarr!" He summoned, feeling a vein coming in.

Boom!

The wall which the earth elemental Kitsunes had rebuilt for the nth time was smashed in seconds as she flew in, almost running into the king, but stopping with a screech before him.

She didn’t bother to acknowledge the dead Kitsune with an icicle to her forehead.

"Do I need to kill someone again?" She asked, excited, almost like a child who was asking herr guardian If she could play with the toys.

"Your niece," he cleared his throat on seeing her confused expression. "Ahh... Your sister needs help... she’s gone out of control and she’s trying to kill someone."

"Well, what’s wrong with that?"

He sighed.

"Just tame her and bring her with the Alpha and his mate." He waved his hand, and her face was illuminated with the blue soft glow coming from the crystal ball. There, she saw the fierce looking dragon, curled, with its tail looming over its head as it forced his head into what looked like a cave, the walls slowly cracking at the impact of the force of his large nostrils sneaking in.

Inside the cave was a man and woman at the end, staring in horror as sulphuric smoke filled the atmosphere from the large nostrils blocking the entrance of the cave.

"What about the rest?"

He waved nonchalantly.

"Kill them... or do whatsoever."

A mad cackle resounded in the throne room, followed by a loud Boom! as she flew out of the room, smashing through another wall.

From the wall she smashed through, he looked out to see that the sky was already darkening, sprouting tiny specks of stars, the moon yet to emerge

He glanced at his hand, slowly parting his fingers from each, watching as they faded slowly. He stared outside again with a grave expression.

*

Talia and the others were standing behind the dragon who had its nostrils buried in a cave, tail swishing behind it.

"You think they might be in there?" Brittany asked.

"I guess the dragon just wanted to bury his nostrils in there... OF COURSE THEY ARE!!" Cardin yelled at her, and she shrank back under his voice.

Barton shot Cardin a one sided glare, eyes fierce with anger, ready to snap back, probably break a few bones, but just before things got out of hand, Talia stepped forward, raising her sword.

"Its going to fill that cave with enough sulphuric smoke to kill them if we don’t do anything!"

"What are you... "

Before Barton could say anything else, she ran forward, everyone’s jaw falling to the ground as she began running up the tail, sword raised.

"Arghhhhh!" Just when she reached the tip, she stabbed her sword in.

It was sharp enough to settle inside the skin, but the tail was hard- hard enough to break the rest of the sword apart, leaving Talia holding only the hilt before the tail swished forcefully to the left, tossing her to the side.

Talia’s body went flying through a building, and there was a loud resounding smash before the dragon flew out of the cave, letting put a blood curling, pained growl, the sword still buried inches deep in its tail.

 

Chapter 166

"Are you okay?"

Cardin’s voice was filled with worry, accompanied by the clatter of a sword hilt, and a pained grunt from Talia as she rose from the rubble.

He reached down and stretched his hand.

Talia holding one hand to her head stared thoughtfully at his before reaching up to take it, letting him pull her up.

She groaned slightly, rubbing her head.

"I’m fine... just," She showed him the hilt. "I hope Luna Luan doesn’t notice the little change I made to her sword."

He grinned, suppressing his laughter and she smiled back.

"Well," He got closer, holding her other hand, the hilt dropping to the ground with a louder clatter as he pulled her close. "I’m glad you’re okay."

Talia’s eyes widened on seeing his lips get closer. Her heart clenched in panic, but she leaned her head back, waiting for his eyes to open.

"We can’t do this Cardin."

Cardin sighed, turning away from her to run his hand through his hair in frustration.

Another ground shaking growl sounded outside the demolished building and the two had to force themselves to remain on their feet.

Talia sighed, rolling her eyes heavenward before saying.

"Cardin... not now. We can’t do this now, we can’t do this here." Without without waiting for him to speak, she left.

Cardin stared at her retreating back for a moment before chasing after her.

The two stopped side by side; staring at Barton and Brittany who were firing numerous bullets at the flying dragon who was obviously in pain from the ground-shaking growl it released every minute.

Whoosh!

It released another flame of fire, and Cardin flew towards Talia, saving her life as the exact former position she was in was covered in hot burning flames.

Talia gasped in shock of the fall, glancing up to see Cardin above her, holding her down.

"Talia, you really should be more careful! You could have died!" He was scared, so he yelled at her as he yanked her back up.

"I’m... I’m sorry. I didn’t see it coming." She raked her hands through her hair before glancing up at him. "Cardin... thank you."

"Just try to be careful next time." He mumbled grumpily before leaving her standing.

Koan rushed out with Nancy, calling out to Barton and Brittany.

"What the hell are you two doing?!" He yelled, eyes spamming in shock and anger.

Barton and Brittany couldn’t hear him and kept shooting. A normal werewolf would have died from two shots at the head, but to the dragon, the numerous bullets shot at him were like small pins stabbing its body, so it was annoyed by it, coupled with the pain of the sword still buried in its tail and kept flying around in circles, growling and releasing fumes of fire.

"Guys!" Nancy got closer, taking care to avoid getting thrown down by the dragon who swept low before rising up in the air again.

"Guys stop!"

"We have to kill this thing if we have to, Nancy." Barton explained

"And find Naomi." Brittany added, firing alongside him.

"That’s Naomi..." A voice said behind them, and they all looked back to see Koan standing there, hands squeezed into fists, blood stained hair falling over his eyes as he glared at them.

"My sister." He completed and moved towards them. Brittany, Talia and the others stared at the dragon in shock, jaws dropped before they realized they’ve been trying to kill her.

"Sh*t. Alpha Koan we didn’t... " Brittany began apologizing, but he just waved it off.

"It’s okay. You didn’t know. But we have to tame her. She’s obviously in pain. I wonder why."

Talia cleared her throat awkwardly, attracting Koan’s attention. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Spill it."

She hid behind Cardin a bit before saying sheepishly, almost melting under his glare. Nancy held Koan’s arm, aware that he could rip Talia into pieces If she didn’t.

"I didn’t know it was Naomi. I swear." She started.

"What. Did. You. Do."

When Talia looked like she didn’t want to reply, Cardin sighed before replying.

"She was trying to save you guys, okay? So she stabbed her sword right in her tail, and just before any further damage was caused, Talia was slung aside with the hilt of her sword."

"What the f**k?!" Koan growled, and Talia held onto Cardin’s shirt, trembling. Barton and Brittany’s head dropped under the Alpha aura emanating from him.

The only ones able to withstand his aura was Nancy and Cardin, yet Cardin felt cold sweat run down his back at the death look in his eyes.

Another ground-shaking growl, and everyone tried to steady themselves on the ground before they could fall.

Nancy held onto Koan’s arm tightly- just when he was about advancing towards Cardin, and he paused, turning to look back at her.

Without words, only her eyes staring earnestly at him calmed him down. It was like one moment his insides were on fire, he was ready to kill, but just staring at her, a chilling calm sensation spread over his body, extinguishing the fire within him.

Sighing, he turned to the pair again.

"So you’re saying the rest of the sword is buried deep inside her tail?"

Talia peeked from behind, surprised that she wasn’t pleading for life yet, and then she saw Nancy holding onto his arm, and her heart settled down a bit.

"Yeah." She mumbled.

Another growl, and the dragon suddenly spotted them after turning in aerial motions for a while.

"I think we should run before we get fried." Barton said, and they all turn to see the dragon, flying towards them with it’s mouth open, revealing sharp canniness with each teeth taller than everyone of them, the end- sharp like a blade, saliva dripping down from some.

*

Luna Luna helped Alpha Henry into the bunker, spreading out a thick wrap of bedspread which she had with her from Dark Risers’s pack.

As he lay on it, she settled on her legs, knee bent forward as she stared intensely at the Alpha.

"What’s bothering you?"

He glanced at her from where he lay, slouched against the wall.

"How do you know something’s bothering me?"

"It’s a Luna thing." She said, and smiled when he did. "But seriously, you look horrible. I mean... that’s how everyone looks right now, but you get what I mean."

"Well." He sighed. "I guess that’s how I should be, considering that’s how I feel on the inside too."

She sat beside him side by side, taking care not to stay too close on the sheets.

"What happened?"

"I’m a bad father." He groaned. "Nancy’s willing to forgive me, but sitting here now and realizing just how much I never gave her the attention and support she deserved when she was little, I feel so bad."

"But after everything... she’s willing to forgive you, isn’t she?"

"Yes but... "

"So instead of moping around for not being the father she wanted you to be in the past, why not try to stay alive through all these and fight to be with her again, to show her that you can be the father she wants."

"She’s suffered so much, and right under my nose, yet I turned a blind eye to everything. She hates me."

"Henry. If she’s ready to forgive you, it means she’s giving you a chance again because she still loves you very much."

"I want her to know I love her more than she could ever know. I want to make up for everything I didn’t do as her father long ago. I want to ...." As he said, he slowly lay back on the sheets, his eyes getting heavy.

Luna Luan just rubbed his shoulders before getting up, smiling as the emotionally drained man slept off while mumbling.

She climbed up, out of the bunker to see Joseph dropping logs of firewood to the ground.

"You think the kids will be okay?" Alpha Joseph asked as he started the fire, slashing two small, dry woods against each other.

Luan sat on the ground facing him, the pile of wood between them as she replied.

"They can fend for themselves. Besides, this isn’t their first night in the woods."

As he set the things in the fire which he had made, Luan crossed her legs, slowly rubbing them against each other, suddenly feeling hot.

Was it the fire?

But the fire was made in the first place to warm them up since the place was cold. Why was she suddenly feeling so hot.

The searing hot feeling caused her skin to tingle right from between her legs up to her body.

She repeatedly ran her hands through her hair as she got up, walking towards a tree to lean against it. Her face was red, and she bit her lower lip hard as she moaned softly, back against the tree.

Joseph glanced up, casually standing, dusting his hands, but his eyes widened on seeing her state.

"Luan." He crossed over the fire, backing her up against the tree, holding her close. "Luan, what’s... "

He froze as he inched forward to hug her, his nose picking up on a heavy scent before he leaned back to look at her. She was panting hard as she stared at him, lips parted.

"Luan.. you’re... you’re on heat," Without warning he reached down to slip his hand in, feeling her moist area down there, earning him a soft moan from her before he pulled him hand away, showing her his finger, wet and coated with her juice. Slowly he slipped it into his mouth, before leaning in to crash his mouth against hers. She kissed him back in same fierce ardor, but after some seconds, she pushed him back.

"Joseph.. no. We... we can’t." She said, breathless from the kiss, her hands braced against his chest as she panted slightly.

 

Chapter 167:

Joseph leaned back to glance at her, like he was in disbelief. She glared back at him, as If, daring him to continue.

He growled at the resistance she was putting up between them, he could feel it with the mate bond and it frustrated him. Without thinking, he pushed her back against the tree, hands holding hers up, his knee reaching up to hold her in place, resting in-between her legs.

"Joseph." She growled.

"Tell me you don’t want this Luan. Look at me... tell me you don’t want this and I’ll leave you alone. I swear."

"Joseph," She sighed, trying to bring her arms down but he held it up still. "I’ll manage. We can’t... not in this situation. We are on a mission."

"I know that... but this is our chance... the perfect time to plant my seeds in you. Do you know how long we’ve waited for this moment?"

She sighed, tossing her head back, feeling hot all over, subconsciously rocking her waist over his knee which was placed between her legs.

"You think I can’t feel it... your so f**king ho*NY Luan," he leaned close to her, but she moved her head to the side; causing him to step back from her. "We’ve dreamed for this moment. For so many years we’ve sought a child, and now the goddess had granted us a chance again, and you just want to act so selfish right now. "

"I want this as badly as you do, okay? But now is not a good time." She snapped at him, clearly in a bad mood from her condition. She moved past him, her shoulder brushing hard against his.

He barely moved back an inch from the hit, but his heart stung worse than a snake’s bite. When he turned, his heart clenched tighter seeing her lying down, curled like a ball, turning away from the fire and from him.

"I might sound inconsiderate because I’m aware we have Alpha Henry to protect, but I’m also worried about you Luan."

No reply.

"You always act tough, but inside you’re different, your wolf is scrambling around, forcing you to take hold of your identity as Luna and fulfill your duties, but you keep subduing it. You might hurt your wolf."

"I’ll take my chances." She mumbled, and he just glared at her before turning away.

When she heard his footsteps fading away, she turned but he wasn’t in sight. Her eyes shifted a bit, giving a glimpse of her wolf’s crimson red blue eyes before she turned, laying down again.

*

"I feel like you’re avoiding me." Raiden simply pointed out, hands leaning against his knees as he watched Liliana drawing lines on the ground with a thin stick, not glancing up ever since.

"Why do you ask? Of course I’m not avoiding you. I’m not avoiding you. How can I? I mean I can’t avoid you. Why would you say that?" She spoke everything in one breath, still not glancing up, and he gave her bent head a knowing look until she meekly glanced up, their eyes meeting.

She unknowingly sucked in a sharp intake of breath on meeting his eyes, feeling her eyes spam over him before she glanced down again, her grip tightening on the stick until it broke.

"Was that supposed to be my head?" He calmly asked, the fire sparking between them.

"No."

"You’re mad at me."

"I’m not. I’m just... " She pursed her lips. "I’m just nervous." She blurted out without realizing.

"Why are you nervous?"

She froze, realizing what she just said before glancing up at him like he had just told her there was a spider on her neck.

"I’m not."

He frowned.

"Liliana? What’s wrong?"

"Why do you keep asking me weird questions. I’m fine."

"You’re not. You’re acting strange."

"I’m acting strange because I’m not trailing after you like a lost puppy?" She blurted out, dropping a bomb this time that caused the atmosphere to be tense.

Frustrated with her outburst, she glanced down, drawing pointless things again and he just glanced to the side.

"Are you doing this because of our little fight last night?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"We quarrel all the time. Last night was no different." He pointed out.

She didn’t reply, but she paused in the act of drawing something.

"Lilia... "

"Look at that. I think the fire needs more wood. I’ll get it this time." Without waiting for a reply, she got up, turning away from him.

Raiden stared at her retreating back in bewilderment and disbelief.

*

"Where did you disappear off to?" Luan asked without turning.

Sounds of wood hitting the ground resounded in the area, and even though he ignored her after, she guessed he had gone to get some more wood.

She heard him sit beside her, and she naturally moved to lay back on his crossed legs, snuggling into his body.

Joseph ran his hand through her hair, sighing. Why did he have such a stubborn mate?

"How are you?" He grumpily asked and she hid a smile. Even though he was angry, he’d still want to know how she was feeling. He was worried and he wouldn’t admit it.

"Mm." She just said, clearly not okay, but she knew he’d know already.

Just when she thought it was all over, she felt his hand run underneath her shirt, her lips releasing a shudder on feeling his big cold palm on her stomach, sending tingling feelings up her body.

"What are you doing?"

He chuckled.

"I can’t touch you again?"

She narrowed her eyes at him but she didn’t move his hand away, instead she actually felt a little bit better feeling his hand run over her stomach.

She lay there, his scent swirled around her, comforting both her and her wolf. Abruptly, his hand dug through her lace bra, slipping his hand to cup her breast. His touch was anything but gentle yet his arousal from his touches washed over her, luring her, urging her to just take off her clothes and let him have her.

But she grabbed his hand.

"Joseph."

She wasn’t expecting what he did. Gasping, she leaned back, shutting her eyes as he rolled over her, expecting his weight to crush her, but when she didn’t feel anything, she cautiously glanced up, eyes widening on meeting with his eyes above hers with the rest of his body.

"We’ll be done in ten minutes. We’ll be quiet. I promise," Without waiting for a protest, he began kissing her from her neck, up to her colar bone to her face, leaving wet trails down there before crashing his lips against hers. "Please Luan. I’ll go crazy If I don’t have you now. I swear I will."

Chapter 168

He didn’t wait for a reply before he crashed his lips on hers again, plunging his tongue in and merging it with hers, groaning. Luan moaned into the kiss, reaching up to knot her hands in his hair, all her selflessness gone, replaced by desire as she deepened the kiss, pushing his head further down onto hers, tilting her head the other way when he angled his head the other side.

Joseph slowly grinded against her and she broke the kiss, throwing her head back to moan, all the subdued pent-up arousal suddenly emanating from prolonged suppression.

He placed his hand over her mouth and placed a finger to his lips, his eyes moving to the far left where the bunker was made. He almost chuckled at her reaction before leaning down to take off her clothes while she meekly unbuttoned his shirt, the two locking lips together at every chance they got until they were left in their underwear.

Soon, she flipped herself, straddling over him.

"You’re a bad influence on me." She pouted but smirked when he chuckled darkly.

"Are we doing this now or are we going to stay up all night for this. Be my guest." He mumbled, reaching up to pull her down, hands cupping her naked breasts, thumb swirling over her hardened nipples.

She leaned down and kissed him hard and deep which was anything but gentle before she pulled away with a coy smile.

She reached down, pulling his underwear down, watching his eyes widen with satisfaction as she pulled hers off, tossing it aside with his.

"Ahhhh... " She moaned in shock when he reached down to touch her down there.

"F**k, you’re so wet Luan." There was a pleading look in his eyes. "I would really love to eat you out right now. I swear."

She smirked daringly, slowly moving up to position his c*ck over her dripping entrance. His entire body clenched as her warm hand curled around it, his precum already dripping off.

He groaned, leaning back as she rubbed the tip of his c**k against her entrance, watching with an evil smirk. She didn’t budge, pushing him down when he tried to flip himself over her, forcing dominance over him.

"Luan." He groaned, pleadingly.

Bitting her lower lip, they locked eyes as she slowly slipped in, her lips parting further apart the more she moved it in until she slowly sat back down, moaning softly as his entire length was buried inside of her.

She just paused, hands sprawled over his chest, the sensation of his length and breath spreading inside her, accumulating to the size of her was so pleasurable and satisfying.

Joseph reached out, grabbing her naked a*s from behind, digging his fingers in, massaging her from there.

"Are you Okay?" He asked.

She sighed, leaning down so their foreheads could touch.

"Yeah."

Soon, she leaned back and...

"F**k!" He yelled as she landed on him again, abruptly this time, swallowing his entire length again. She almost, nearly screamed, but she pursed her lips hard, muffling it in.

Soon, she got used to his length inside her again and began moving, first at a slow pace, easing it in and out, but soon, she lost control and began going at a fast pace, her back glistening with sweat highlighted by the moonlight, her waist grinding slowly against him, the sound of flesh hitting flesh resounding in the entire fireplace as they tried to muffle their groans and moans, her nails buried deep in his chest as she rode him fasted, his hands holding onto her waist, tightening as he pumped harder into her from down.

"So tight," He groaned and she moaned as she increased her pace further, feeling her release coming in, and she was sure he felt the same way. "Feels so f**king good."

Gasping at the sudden flip, she suddenly found herself underneath him without the two actually parting, and she moaned loud into the night, reaching up to dig her nails into his back, aching her back off the ground as he mercilessly pounded hard Into her, ruthlessly, at a very fast pace.

A growl rumbled up from his chest as her nails further digged into his back. Unable to help it, he dragged her leg up, placing one ankle on the crook of his neck, sandwiching her other leg between his two knees before driving in with so much force that tears filled her eyes as she moaned again, pain and pleasure mixing in sweet harmony. She doubted she would be able to walk If he kept going like this, but she couldn’t tell him to stop. She f**king loved it!

Joseph reached down to part her folds as he hammered in some more, feeling her close to exploding. Just as his other finger reached down to rub her down there, just below her wet entrance, she finally exploded along side him, and he had to lean down to bury his lips in hers, muffling her moan, taking her tongue between his lips and sucking hard on it.

For a few minutes, they just lay there, forehead to forehead, panting in each other’s faces, not aware that he was still buried inside of her until Luan shifted under him, and he felt himself harden Inside her.

Just as she was about to roll to the side, he held her down and kissed her jaw, up to her lips, back down her jaw again, going down her neck.

"Joseph." She complained, her voice croaky. She was getting h**NY again.

"Just one last time Babe. Come on... come on." He pleaded, kissing her neck again, going over to the mate mark on the crook of her neck to give it a big lick that left her eyes rolling in their sockets, especially when his fingers reached down to touch her there again.

"N- No we.. " She tried to protest but he kissed her again, already moving in and out of her, causing her to moan outloud with her throaty voice again, smiling to himself before he increased his pace again, biting his lip as she raked her hands up his back again, digging her fingers in before raising her hips to meet with his thrusts.

After another bliss of orgasm, he finally rolled off her, falling to lie side by side with her, the two breathing hard.

She finally turned to look at him and he did the same.

"I hate you." She snapped but kissed him back when he leaned forward to lock lips with her.

"Do you still hate me now?" He asked as he pulled away, leaning his head on his raised hand, elbow on the ground to support the weight as he glanced down at her, running his hands over her body, watching in amazement as her body reacted to his touch in less than seconds.

"A little less." She whispered an answer, clearly shaken from his touch as his fingers moved down between her legs.

 

Chapter 169

His eyes flew open and he sat up in a bolt; almost like he had just awoken from a bad dream.

Groaning, he ached his back, feeling every part of his body clench in pain.

"Where am I?" He asked, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion and pain as he glanced around the unfamiliar grounds, trying to stand, but his legs seemed to have glued to the ground.

’First of, how are you even alive to begin with?’ Kevin mockingly said and he groaned again.

"Why ask me? I’m not the wolf here."

’Well, the witch brought you here before you suffered any further damage. Right now, you should focus on healing rather than Infuriating your mate who’s not clearly in your league.’

"Way to rub it in Kevin."

The bushes rustled and Hakura stepped out, a brown leather bag slung across her shoulders, budging from the herbs she had picked.

"You’re alive." She simply said, freezing in shock to stare at him, Daniel In surprise, seeing her look so shocked and scared for the first time.

"How long was I out?"

"Like a day or so... " She pulled a bottle of water from her spatial storage and tossed it to him. Wincing as he caught it abruptly in the air, he brought the bottle to his lips, taking several gulps of the water while she readjusted her bag across her shoulder.

"Um... How are you feeling now?" She grumpily asked, clearly not used to being affectionate.

"How did you find me?"

"I was sort of keeping an eye on you guys, and right now, your friends are in serious trouble."

"Friends? What do you mean?"

Hakura leaned down to be of his height before opening her hand, pulling out her crystal ball, waving her hands over it and giving him an exclusive view of some people being trapped in what looked like a fire cage while they stared at a woman who seemed to be taming a dragon.

"Nancy? Barton?... " He stared at the rest in shock. "I don’t understand... "

"Well, I have one last herb to get before I start on creating the potion to reverse the remote spell, but you should know a few things since you missed a lot since you’ve blacked out since then."

He finally got up, steadying his legs, holding onto his head as he forced himself to look her in the eyes, trying to grasp every word she said.

"That woman is the legendary Princess Sakuarr... She’s your... aunt-in-law?"

"Huh? She’s Queen Moana’s sister? She’s Naomi’s aunt?"

"And you could guess who the dragon is."

He stared at the ball for a while, holding it in his arms while Hakura stepped back to watch him apprehensively.

"Naomi." He breathed out one word, and he felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach seeing her in such state... she was a monster.

Nana.

She was a ferocious, blood lusting monster.

"Why are they locked up?" He tilted his head to the fire bars crossed around Kaon and the rest like a cage, preventing from escaping.

"Sakuarr locked them up. Once she takes the dragon, she’ll take them to the king. That’s what I meant when I said they were in trouble."

"Sakuarr’s evil? She’s on the king’s side?"

"It’s complicated, but it’s too late now, you have to make your way to the palace. I can only transport you to the entrance of the palace," When she saw the probing look in his eyes, she added. "Like I said, I haven’t been idle, okay? I’ve been collecting rare herbs and it hasn’t been easy. I think the king’s been watching us because Kitsunes had been coming after me since, and I’ve been in near death experiences more than I could ever count, and I doubt it will be less mild especially when I have to get the last herb."

"Which means the king knows? He knows we’ve been here the entire time," He suddenly realized the bombshell she dropped. "You can take me to him?"

"Only as close to him as I can get which is at the entrance." She stiffly replied, pulling a dagger out her spatial storage again.

"Do you have a gun with you?"

"No." She abruptly placed the dagger in his hand watching as he winced slightly.

"You don’t have to do this," She tensed when he glanced up to look at her. "I mean not now... you don’t look like you can stand on your feet any longer than this, and the king... even if he can’t move, you’re nothing against him in this condition."

"My mate and my friends are liable to die if I don’t do anything but stay here and mop for my sorry state. One way or the other, I have to help them. Is there a way to conceal myself from the king’s prescence in order to get close enough to him without him getting a wiff of my scent?"

"Follow me." She said after a while and he obediently followed her from behind, pausing as she did before the two cornered the dead body of a Kitsune lying on the ground, her body in shreds.

Without warning, she reached down and cupped a handful of thick red blood, reaching up to smear it across her face.

Daniel watched her in horror.

"Come on... do the same."

"What?!"

"The King sensed our presence with just our scent. If you’re going to sneak up on him like this, then you’re a hopeless cause. I’d rather you conceal your scent with the blood of a Kitsune. It won’t do much after a few hours- it will obviously fade, but for the mean time, he won’t be able to pick up on your scent."

He glared warily at her face smeared with blood before he sighed.

Stooping low, he cupped a generous amount of blood before smearing it across his face.

His wolf whimpered and wined in the confinement of his body, not liking this new scent that was taking over, washing over him like an expensive cologne.

"Oh shut up Kevin." Daniel growled silently, shuddering as the cold thick liquid touched the skin of his face, down to his neck.

Hakura’s eyes glinted with something as she stared at him with interest.

"You talk to your wolf?" She didn’t ask, she just pointed out.

Daniel was shocked at first, considering no one knew, and he wasn’t ready to disclose this secret to anyone since they would think he was crazy, but Hakura only found it amusing, almost In awe, and he didn’t even care if she knew at all. She didn’t look like she’d go around, tattling about him.

"Yeah." He tried a casual shrug, but he kept his eyes on her, wanting to know her true reaction.

"That’s. Not. Normal."

"You think I don’t know?"

"But I guess it has something to do with being mates with a Kitsune and sharing some sort of connection with her... "

"But... "

She raised a finger as she finished up. "... Even If you haven’t marked her yet."

After a long while of silence, she pursed her lips before asking.

"Are you ready to go?"

He sighed before nodding, staring ahead like he was building a firm resolve in his mind to go no matter what.

"Yeah."

The environment suddenly began swirling around him in the next moment, and just when he thought he was going to pass out again, already shutting his eyes, his eyes flew open, feeling the air around him change.

"Well," If Hakura was surprised about standing Infront of an ancient castle, she didn’t show it, unlike him who had his jaw dropped to the ground.

"I’ll be off now, and oh. Try not... "

"Try not to die. I know." He waved her off, and she couldn’t help but smile, both sympathetically and coyishly before disappearing.

Once she did, appearing in the midst of herbs and flowers, her former searching ground, a kick went straight to the side of her jaw and with a gasp, she flew back, scraping the ground before she rested roughly against the bark of a tree, leaves falling to drop on her head.

Glancing up, she sees a menacing person coming quickly at her, and Hakura felt her legs lift up into the air as she faced the Kitsune.

"Finally got you where I wanted." The Kitsune sneered, and Hakura cried in pain as blood gushed down her neck, feeling the ice emanating from the Kitsune, striking her at all parts of her neck, lowering her to the ground.

"I will make you pay for the blood you shed you you disgusting specie... " She snarled some more and that’s when Hakura snapped, hearing her insult her specie thereby mocking her legacy and her rights as a witch, a witch princess.

With a grunt, she pushed her leg forward and watched as the Kitsune staggered back, clearly not expecting Hakura to have anything left in her to fight back anymore.

As she staggered back, almost falling to the ground, Hakura flew forward, crashing down, falling above the Kitsune, straddling her.

Before the creature could react from the sudden attack, Hakura pulled a dagger and struck it forward so many times until the creature stopped struggling underneath her, her legs quaking before finally freezing.

Just as the witch was catching her breath, she felt a prescence behind her, but before she could even turn, everything around her went black.

 

Chapter 170

"Daniel!" Talia, Nancy and the others rushed towards the bar of the dungeon they were locked in for so many hours when they see Daniel run towards them.

He held onto the bar of the cage, anxious and scared, yet relieved as he stared at their faces stained with blood and dirt.

Anxious, because he didn’t have a clue on how to let them out, and he was all on his own until he could.

Scared, because he knew he was taking a risk walking down the palace’s hallways until he found himself here. From the medieval time books he’s read, he guessed there had to be an under ground dungeon like the one he was in right now. He was just relieved that he was able to get here without being spotted, and that his friends were okay.

"How come you’re not dead." Koan asked. There was a confused frown etched on his face aside the worry and relief he tried to suppress in his eyes which betrayed his true emotions.

"And what the f**k is on your face." Barton asked, stepping back like the others had done, the repellent smell, spreading around the entire cage.

Daniel rolled his eyes.

"Where’s Naomi and Sakuarr?"

"We don’t know...and.. who’s Sakuarr?"

"The woman who tried to tame her. Her aunt."

Everyone stared at him In shock.

"Well," Nancy was the first to snap out of shock. "Naomi’s back to her normal state, but I don’t know where she is right now."

Daniel stepped back a bit, seeing the key hole where the cage was locked up with the dungeon keys. Sakuarr could be with the key or maybe the Kitsune guards? Where were they? Were they so confident that they wouldn’t escape?

"I’ll be back." He didn’t wait for a word of protest before he turned away to run down the hall, passing rows and rows of empty dungeon cells.

"Daniel’s going to try and get the keys from ...um... Sakuarr. He’s taking a big risk and could get killed." Brittany complained, clearly afraid.

"We have to find a way out of here." Talia added.

"There’s no way out of here." Cardin bluntly pointed out, unmoving from his spot at the far end of the cell, knees raised up, arms around them.

"There has to be." Nancy dejectedly looked around the walls, feeling as though they were closing in.

"Good luck." Cardin snorted.

As Nancy kept prancing about the cell, Koan had his gaze fixed on her while others just sat around in the cell, waiting for goddess knows what.

Soon, under his watchful gaze, she bent to the ground, taking her dagger and digging it into the ground. Soon, she digged further and pulled out... dirt?

Soil.

She reached up for the dirt and ran her fingers around it. Like the others, she had initially thought this was a hardened, more metallic covered floor, but it turns out that it was just black soil spread out evenly.

Koan’s eyes widened and Nancy looked up, the two cracking a knowing smile on their faces, her knees still bent on the ground.

"Everyone’s got a dagger?" Koan asked, his small smile not breaking, his gaze still fixed on Nancy’s. Every single person stared at him in confusion, especially when he wouldn’t stop looking at Nancy, as If he could show her all love he wished to muster to her in his eyes.

"I guess so... " Talia replied, noting everyone pulling out a dagger.

"Then start digging. Everyone," He turned to Cardin who looked reluctant but mostly confused. "No slacking. Daniel needs us."

*

The bright sunlight kissed her skin as she swung the Kitsune by the ankle before releasing her hand, watching as she hit the side of the rocks standing guard around a lake, dropping to the ground with a thud— louder than the previous.

Liliana’s chest rose and fell before Raiden joined her, abruptly stopping beside her, panting hard as well.

"Do you think she’s... " Liliana began mumbling but then...

Whoosh!

Boom!

The Kitsune flew after her in a rage of fury— evident from the flame of fire and black smoke trailing after her tails— slamming right into Liliana, lifting her off the ground and into the air before Liliana braced herself to crash on the ground again.

"I will so f**king kill you!" She growled as she grunted in pain, feeling her back retract and ach off the ground in pain before grabbing onto the Kitsune’s hair, flipping her so that this time around she was straddling her.

She tried to punch the fox, but it held her wrists and Liliana screamed in pain as her skin began to fry and squeeze underneath her hot hand.

There was a glint of firy madness in her eyes as she stared with bliss at the damage she caused to Liliana’s wrist before pushing out her two legs, pushing Liliana off her to fly backwards, rolling on the ground like a light log of wood.

Just as she was about getting up, Raiden went after her, aiming to punch her, a growl rumbling from his chest as he drew his hand back, fisting it to push it forward, aiming for the side of her face, but she moved her head the other way, just tilting it to the side with an amused expression on her face.

An evil smirk crawled up on her lips.

"I thought I was just wasting my time here, but it seems you two really don’t learn, do you? You’re playing with fire, and you’ll get burnt up pretty badly If you don’t stop this." With that, she coated her two fists with fire before attacking him, landing several blows- approximately 5 punches in a second. Raiden managed to dodge a few, attacking her while he could as well, also backing up, swaying his head to and fro, left and right, ducking and rising up just as she did, avoiding getting hit.

Liliana began crawling on the floor, her hair over her eyes as she glanced at the Kitsune preoccupied with Raiden before crawling on the ground again, her fingers itching to take told of the hilt of a small dagger which had fallen off in a fight with the Kitsune.

She still had her eyes glued to the fighting pair once in a while, monitoring the fox’s movements before her hand curled over the hilt of her dagger, watching expectantly, almost hungrily before she and Raiden exchanged more blows, dragging their feet to where she lay, feigning weak, dagger poised.

Once Raiden unknowingly led her close to her, Liliana dug the dagger into her feet, grunting with blood running down the sides of her lips at the satisfied shrill scream the Kitsune let out before dropping to the floor.

Even Raiden stepped back from the sudden attack, clearly stupidified, mortified If not shocked to disbelief, but he was snapped back into reality by Liliana.

"Raiden. Now."

Without wasting time, aware that the fox would heal super quickly, faster than the others they had fought previously, he dropped to his knees, pulling out his daggers to cut off her tails while Liliana held her down.

Once they were done, just before Raiden could show his gratitude for what she had done, she fell limply to the ground, lips parted as she gasped for breath.

In shock, he crawled close, but sighed in relief when he discovered she was just exhausted. They’d been fighting this thing for as long as dusk, and she was the one who got all the hits considering she kept pissing the Kitsune off.

He suspected the others would also face the same issue, he just hoped they’d work it out and that Alpha Henry was safe.

With that, he got up, wincing in pain before carrying Liliana bride style, moving to their former fireplace.

*

"Aw. Come on!" John was clearly irritated as he was flung aside for the nth time, aching his back off the tree as he fell face down, staining the ground he lay on with the blood that pooled from his mouth.

He slowly crawled up, hands searching over Royce’s still body, looking for a gun which he had been using. His hand moved over the scorched clothes, the bloody bruises slowly healing on his body before he found the gun.

"Die you beautiful b*tch!" He yelled menacingly, turning to fire bullets at the Kitsune who was in a ’dagger to fist’ fight to Jephthah.

She wasn’t expecting to feel sharp hard pain at her back, causing her steps to slow down to an unmeasurable slow pace before she fell to her knees.

"Finish her off." John yelled to his twin, slowly getting up, knees trembling from the hit.

Jephthah pulled out his dagger, the blade glinting under the sunlight. However, his eyes widened on locking gazes with her.

She suddenly smiled, blood running down her lips as she searched his eyes and he froze, dagger poised to kill her when she began shifting and in her place knelt... Talia.