Ch. 171..180

Chapter 171

"Jephthah!" John screamed at him, wondering why he was hesitating. In frustration, he made his way close to them and froze when ’Talia’ turned to look at him. With brows etching into a frown after, he turned to Jephthah.

"Why are you hesitating? Kill her!"

"No." ’Talia’ meekly said, scrambling up on her feet, wobbling slightly to hold onto Jephthah, ignoring John whose eyes twitched. "Please don’t... Jephthah. You know you don’t want to do this."

He was left speechless, his grip on the dagger loosening.

"Don’t." John fired a bullet and Jephthah stepped back like he was electrocuted, watching as ’Talia’ dropped to the floor, screaming in pain as her hand was blown off. "Mess." With another word he fired another bullet, clearing a quarter of her face, a blood curling scream echoing in the place. "With." He fired another one and Jephthah stepped back again, feeling her blood splash his clothes, turning away from the scene, not wanting to see the Kitsune bearing the face of Talia in so much pain. "My." He shot another one and she screamed again. "Twin. You f**king... "

The woman, half dead, her arm blown off, scrambled up and like a mad woman, ran after him, screaming loudly, her face twisted scornfully.

Her entire body was suddenly covered in flames as she pounced on him, punching him so hard, bones broke under the impact of her punches.

John grunted, feeling blood run down his nose before he flipped himself over her, holding her hands down before reaching for his gun beside her head, forcing the nuzzle In her mouth.

Her muffled scream attracted Royce whose eyes were slowly fluttering open as he tried to glance at what was happening, his eyes narrowed, however, Increasing on seeing the scene.

Bam! Boom!

With a swift kick of her legs, John flew back again, the gun falling off his hand to clatter somewhere else as he flew after Jephthah who broke his fall as the two crashed on the back, scraping the ground.

As she slowly got up, her flames dying due to the amount of blood and energy that had depleted from her system, Royce’s brain began working fast as he searched his body for his gun, and that’s when he looked up and realized that the gun which had clattered not to far from him was his.

Sh*t.

The Kitsune looked like she was leaving, heading to Alpha Henry’s direction. South.

Suddenly, another Kitsune burst out of the bushes. This one had bubble gum hair and the one they’d been fighting had raven dark hair. (Bubblegum and raven) She looked like she’d been in a cage fight, and followed closely behind were three pack warriors and one wolf chasing her.

Bubblegum screamed, her mouth wide open, revealing her bloodied canniness before the wolf pounced on her, followed by the other pack warriors.

As Raven was distracted by the commotion, Royce had limped towards the gun and had grabbed it off the ground just before she turned to him.

"I thought I shut you down for good." She was in disbelief.

"You had your chance. Now’s my turn." With that, he fired at her and she swiftly dodged it by tilting her head, hearing the bullet wheez past her ear.

His eyes widen, but he shot at her again and again, and again, but she kept dodging them as she walked closer to him, a mad glint in her eyes.

She paused when she noticed his eyes darting left, but before she could realize who he was motioning from behind, a wolf pounced on her, and she was shredded into pieces immediately.

"No!!!" Just as Raven was ravished thoroughly, bubblegum escaped their clutches and flew south like a missile, towards Alpha Henry. South.

John sighed in frustration, standing there amongst his brother and Royce who had motioned for the pack warriors to go back North Incase something of such similar sort happened.

*

"Alpha Henry, for the nth time, I don’t think it’s safe for you to be out here. It’s not an order, I’m just worried." Luan cautioned, rolling her eyes when Alpha Henry just smiled, not replying.

"Joseph." She said in a complaining tone, and Joseph cleared his throat before turning to Henry.

"You know she’s right... "

"You two don’t have to treat me like I’m a child. I’m an Alpha for goddess’s sake. And the bunker is really not a place to be in. I’ll be fine."

"If you say so." Alpha Joseph reluctantly replied.

"You sure Nancy and the others will be okay?" Alpha Henry asked, the tone of his voice filled with worry.

"They’ll make us proud." Luan said and grinned at him, however her smile faltered when she saw a speck of fire flying towards them at full speed.

"Alpha Henry!" She jolted out of her seat, flying towards the confused Alpha who grunted in shock as she fell over him, the two rolling on the ground before they finally stopped, Luan straddling him.

However, they didn’t care about their comprising situation right now, and so did Joseph, because right where Alpha Henry was sitting previously, there was a smothering black hole there, and beside it, on the air floating, was Bubblegum.

"Luan, take him to the bunker." Joseph said, already pulling his gun. Luan snapped out of her reverie of shock and so did Henry as he got up alongside her, but just as she hastily led him to the bunker, Bubblegum completely avoided Joseph after nonchalantly kicking the gun in his hand, turning to go after Henry.

Henry’s eyes widened on seeing her get close, but he squeezed his fist, throwing his hand up when she got close, but she countered it with her own firy fist. The connection of their hands hitting was so strong that Luna staggered back a bit.

Bubblegum, raised her other hand in the air, shifting partly to expose her long claws, ready to dig it into his chest and kill him, but Alpha Henry had other ideas.

He pushed his leg forward in a graceful manner, his feet catching her by the waist, throwing her backwards such that she staggered a bit.

When she was confused, yet to recover, Luan went after her, holding her two hands behind like a prisoner, locking her in.

"Sh*t." The Luna growled when the Kitsune butted her head backwards— hard— onto her lips, and Luan turned away to hold her bleeding lips, giving bubblegum the chance to swiftly turn and grab a hold of her hair.

Bang!

"Arrgh!!" Bubblegum violently screamed on seeing the clean shot made on her arm holding onto Luan’s hair.

She glared at Joseph, bloodlust emanating in her eyes, but that was enough distraction for Luan to flip her over her head so that she landed hard on her back.

Bam!

Dust rose up everywhere, and Joseph already had a clean aim before he fired again, this time at her left eye.

She screamed. It was so loud that it echoed in the entire forest, yet Luna didn’t hesitate to kick her at the side of her jaw, sending her flying down.

"Henry!" Luan turned, clearly angry that he was still standing there staring at bubblegum in shock.

"Luan!" Joseph cried out, but Luan released a muffled scream, pursing her lips as she felt something claw deep into her legs.

She swayed and fell to the ground and Joseph stared hard at the Kitsune who had a ludicrous smirk on her lips as she licked her claws which was stained with the blood seeping out from the Luna’s legs.

"I forgot how delicious a werewolf’s blood tasted." She moved her eyes towards Luan who was trying to crawl up, but the wound was deep and the arteries and veins had been Intentionally damaged so badly that it would take her some time to heal.

"Stay away from my mate you f**ked up a**hole!" Joseph screamed as he fired at her, eyes wide in anger and shock from what just happened as he kept firing.

At that moment, Raiden, Liliana, John and the others appeared from the bushes, having guessed that Luna Luan and Alpha Joseph might need some help, but they weren’t prepared to see the scene of the Kitsune holding Luan down while bullets were being fired into her body, the snarling smile on her face not faltering. q

Henry suddenly snatched the gun from Joseph and the infuriated Alpha naturally growled at him.

"You would have shot her. The Kitsune was clearly going to use your mate as a werewolf shield, and you almost fell Into her trap."

And that’s when the anger in his eyes dissipated as he turned to see the Kitsune clawing her nails deep into Luan’s shoulders who cried outloud in pain, clearly not enjoying the torment as she watched her own blood pool Infront of her.

Unfortunately, the Kitsune had her eyes on Henry, waiting for when she would make her move on him that she failed to notice Raiden rearing up behind her, not until he landed a feet at the back of her neck, and she reflexively released Luan who gasped for air, almost like her life was been squeezed out of her earlier.

She quickly rolled onto her side, towards Joseph who had already fallen to his knees, shaken in shock, seeing the blood all over her.

The Kitsune growled in pain, but she kept her eyes fixed on Henry. His eyes widened on meeting hers, but suddenly she said, loud for everyone to hear.

"It has come to this. If you won’t let me have him then I’ll have to eliminate every single one of you... "

Chapter 172

With that, she lifts herself off the ground, floating in the air with her back arched to push her chest up to the sky, her hands and legs sprawled out behind her as she closed her eyes, the wind snaking up behind her ear to blow her hair backwards.

"What is she... " John paused, seeing her entire skin turn red, almost like she was turning to a flame of fireball itself. "What is she doing?"

Luan sighed in pain as Joseph helped her up, her hand slung over his shoulders, his arm snaked around her waist, holding her protectively to his side.

"It’s like she’s turning into a fireball or something." Jephthah pointed out. .

"Alpha Henry... " It looked like Joseph was about to tell him off, but Luan sighed heavily again as she forced herself to speak.

"It’s no use If he stays in the bunker. The entire forest will erupt in flames."

"What do you mean?" Liliana was in disbelief. Just like the others, they wanted an explanation.

"She’s going to commit suicide," She saw the further looks of confusion in her eyes before sighing. "She’s already weak as it is, so there’s no use fighting. She’ll over heat her body, drawing out all her internal energy, using them all at once... and then... "

"She’ll self-destruct.. like a bomb." Jephthah finishes off, mouth dropped open as he stared at her.

Liliana hurriedly turned to them.

"Well, what do we do? Try to diffuse the... bomb?"

"Well, there’s not use running... we might as well do something of that sort."

"What If we bury her in the bunker instead." Raiden inquired, already wiping the sweat off his brows as the environment got hot, heat waves travelling from her body around the atmosphere.

Luan’s mouth parted in surprise.

"T- that might actually work... " She turned to Joseph.

"How do we get her down?" He also inquired, his grip not letting go of her waist, sure she was going to try something diabolical If he let her go.

Liliana sighed before nodding to herself, like she had made a decision in her head, she turned to them, hands already fidling with the zipper of her jacket.

"I’ll do it. I’ll shift, and probably my weight will be heavy enough to bring her down." She glared at the males, including the Alphas and they respectfully looked away, knowing they couldn’t argue further since it was her decision to bring her down, John smirking as he turned away, getting elbowed by Jephthah who noticed Raiden glaring at him as he smirked.

Liliana’s jacket went down along with her other clothes until she was bare before them.

She stumbled for a bit- just like the others- feeling the heat waves shaking the ground, the sand getting hot underneath her feet.

Soon, they all heard the cracking of bones as Talia shifted, and naturally they turned when they didn’t hear the bones cracking no more, seeing her leap up a tree, digging her claws into the bark as she made her way up.

Just when she reached the top, she pounced forward, throwing bubblegum down to the ground, lying above her, canniness snarling with saliva dripping down as she held the creature down with her paws.

But suddenly, the wolf suddenly whimpered as it stepped back, and they could see her fur peeling off the spot on her paws, realizing that she was scorched from so much heat.

"Get her!" Henry yelled this time, and all the men charged forward, grabbing hold of the Kitsune who struggled vehemently in their arms.

She was scorching hot, they weren’t going to lie, but only a fool who was yearning death would let go of her. Any slightest stumble and when she was free from their grip, she would rain fire on them mercilessly; turning them to ashes.

With a loud scream stretching out even as she fell into the bunker, they began digging, pouring sand into the bunker to shield the entrance.

Liliana took her chance to shift back, putting on her clothes before she began racing forward to help them. Just as she spotted the Kitsune stubbornly crawling out of the hole, her head peeking out, Henry yelled, taking Joseph’s gun and firing it.

"Leave me the f**k alone!"

Bang!

Bang!

Another muffled scream and the head disappeared into the bunker before it was finally concealed with sand heaped against each other.

"So... " Everyone stepped back, staring at the musky dark brown shade of sand that had started glowing brightly, almost like it was about to explode. "What do we do now?"

"Run... " Luan yelled, and Joseph reflexively carried her, speeding away with the others right behind him, panting hard.

There was a loud sound, almost like a siren... counting off the moment when she would self destruct, and their paces increased, faster than they’ve ever ran in their lives.

Liliana who was far behind them, just a bit close to Raiden slipped and staggered, almost falling, but something wound around her arm, and she glanced up, eyes widening on seeing Raiden flashing her that heart throb smile, his hand protectively wrapped around her arm.

Without a word— the two clearly hearing the sound of the siren getting louder and Luan screaming at them to run faster— they ran ahead, hands entwining without them realizing.

"There’s a cliff at the edge." It was Royce who spoke up, clearly having reached the end before everyone, glancing down below.

Everyone all stopped at the edge, John almost slipping down, sending small pebbles down to the large body of water below before steadying himself.

Boooooom!!!!!

A loud sound, loud enough to cause everyone to shake on their feet, the ground rumbling underneath them echoed in the entire place, and Henry’s eyes widened as he glanced back to see the roaring fire that consumed the entire forest, coming straight for them.

"F**k it. Just jump!" He yelled, and without waiting for a word of protest or attestation, he jumped down.

Joseph glared at the teenagers who were obviously reluctant.

"You want to get burnt alive? Be my guest." With that, he lowered Luan and the couples simultaneously jumped down.

John just shrugged, turning to the others before turning back to jump down, Royce following closely from behind.

Liliana dragged Raiden and Jephthah along, holding them with each hand, the three screaming like the rest as they dropped down, loud splashes of water resounding before the exact spots they had stood in was damaged and destroyed.

 

Chapter 173

All eight of them bobbing around in the water swam to the side when debris and large rocks from the cliff began dropping into the water, loud splashes wetting their hair and faces.

Liliana’s face lit up on seeing the pack warriors swimming towards them. Apparently, they weren’t warned about the fire, but on hearing the loud explosion, they had taken to their heels and fell down the cliff into the lake without a single thought.

"Come on." Joseph ordered everyone, glancing around, content that they were all safe, including the ones that had shifted who were trying to paw their way through the waves of water. He smiled. "Let’s find land."

With that he began swimming, the rest following from behind.

*

Hakura groaned as she groggily opened her eyes, feeling excruciating pain all over her body.

"That b**ch." She murmured as she lay back there with her head along with her body, something cold behind her as she remembered how she drifted off into unconsciousness.

She calmly sat up after a while of just laying there, waiting for her aching back and bones to ache a bit bearably. Her head instinctively turned to the cell gate and she scoffed, realizing they had locked her in.

Just outside the gates, hanging alongside the dungeon key was her bag full of herbs, bulging.

"A**holes."

Whoever locked her in here must be really stupid.

Her eyes turned a shade of bright yellow with a dark red slit in the middle as she morphed into a large python, crawling out of the cage with ease.

Once she got out, she morphed back, panting as she held the wall. Due to loss of blood and strength, shifting was hard as she thought, almost impossible for a witch in this state, but she was special, and determined to help the others. She didn’t think she could shift again.

Prying her bag off the wall, she took the keys, sure she might need them since it looked like it might open the other dungeon cages around, and Daniel might not be able to get the others out without it.

Staring at the cage again as If she was missing something, she ran off, passing rows and rows of dungeon cells, keys tightly held in one hand, the other bag hung across her shoulders.

*

They had already digged down to eight feet, and it was already night; they could tell from the moonlight that seeped into the dungeon cell from the small window above their heads.

If anyone happened to pass their cell, they’d only see a wide span hole, and heads which looked like they were growing from the hole.

"I think this is just ridiculous." Cardin puffed out, red in the face like the others from having to dig so much, non-stop for many hours. "We’re literally burying ourselves."

No one said anything, but Talia and the rest looked to Koan and Nancy for answers since they didn’t have a clue to why they had to dig.

Koan pointed forward to a wall of soil blocking their path.

"We’re moving forward now. I remember the way they had brought us in. If we can follow this path, we might be able to go outside of the palace and look for another way to infiltrate the enemy’s territory without being caught this time."

"We just needed to dig enough space down to enable us stand as we already are." Nancy concluded.

Talia collapsed on the ground and Brittany pushed her head up on her twin’s body, sighing. Their faces were completely stained with dirt and their daggers were blunt from digging into rocks.

Cardin threw his dagger down, moving to another far corner to sit down, resting his head against the wall.

Koan and Nancy exchanged glances.

Their true fears were coming to reality.

Were they finally tired?

Were they giving up?

Was this it?

Was it over?

"Guys come on... " Nancy said, and the only person who managed to even look up was Talia. She just shook her head slowly, eyes drooping weakly before settling her head down.

"Are you all joking? Because I can’t take you seriously right now." Koan pointed out, glaring at every one of their faces. "What happened to sticking together... I didn’t ask you to be here, did I ? You all came here of your free will, and now you’re giving up? You’re tired?"

"We’ve been digging all day Alpha Koan. We’ve not eaten... we’ve not had a rest for even a single minute. This is pointless." Brittany blurted out.

"Pointless?" Koan chuckled. It was dark and painful. "Saving Naomi is pointless? Helping Daniel is Pointless? Saving the entire werewolf existence is pointless?"

"Koan... " Nancy tried to touch him but he pulled away from her, stepping forward and turning so that he could see everyone. Talia and Cardin got up.

"You... you want to give up, don’t you?" He turned to them, including Nancy who shook her head, tears in her eyes on seeing the accusing look in his.

He turned away, hands fisting in his hair.

"You all act like you’re alone in this. You act like you’re going to die If you don’t just push yourself further. Well, you aren’t doing enough!" He yelled.

Nancy held her chest, fisting her cloth in her squeezed up palm as tears dropped down her cheeks.

"You sound just like my father... " She whispered painfully, and Koan’s anger vanished like a mist in his eyes as he stared at her. Talia hugged Nancy to herself, glaring hard at Koan before turning to comfort her friend.

"Nan... " Koan stretched a hand out to touch her, but the next second, the ground underneath them began shaking, rumbling due to the constant weight gathered above it, and it opened up like a hole, swallowing everyone in and they fell deeper into the ground.

Bwuoohhh!

The sound of a large heap of black soil falling onto another dry land echoed in the place, and everyone groaned in pain, dust rising in the air.

While everyone staggered up from the ground, raking soil off their hair, coughing from the dust still rising in the air, adjusting their eyes to the new environment, Cardin, yet to rise from the floor, noticed that something... actually someone broke his fall.

His eyes on meeting with large olive colored eyes, widened.

 

Chapter 174

"Ha... "

"You can get off from me now. Thank you." She said, glaring at him, but as he hurriedly got up, she dropped her angry facade and smiled sheepishly.

Everyone stared in shock as the two got up, clearly not expecting Hakura to be here. Where was ’here’ by the way?

If she was surprised to see them here, she didn’t show it as she said, staring up at where they had fallen from.

"How did you guys get here?" She turned to Talia who explained how they’d been digging before dropping here, probability digging to a point where the ground couldn’t accommodate their weight and collapsed like a building.

"Well, If you think you’re out of the dungeon, you’re wrong. You just came down to the under-under ground dungeon it seems, and I’ve been trying to find my way out of here for hours." She sighed, stepping back to fold her arms, not aware that she was standing right Infront of Cardin who stiffened on feeling her so close to him. "Apparently, the Kitsunes weren’t as stupid as I thought."

"There really is no way?" Barton asked again.

"Well, since you guys are here, I guess we could cover more grounds. There are so many paths yet to discover here. It’s like a cave or something."

"Okay... let’s split up then. We haven’t got time." Barton said turning to Brittany. "I’ll go with Brittany."

"I saw a fork-pathway just down the corner where I’m coming from. We’ll need to split into three." Hakura explained.

Talia turned to Nancy, and Koan hurriedly spoke up on seeing the women entwine hands, like they were seriously going to partner up and what? Leave him with Cardin and Hakura?

"Nancy," Nancy glanced up and his heart clenched in pain on seeing the softness in her eyes turn to apprehensiveness and fear when it met his.

"Well, pretty face and I here would take the middle path. Try not to die, okay?" Before anyone could even utter a single wound, she grabbed Cardin by the colar and pulled him with her.

Talia’s brows rose. What’s up with Hakura and Cardin?

"Uh... " Barton scracted the back of his neck. "So... Talia? Are you joining us or... "

"I don’t know," Talia turned to Koan with raised brows. "What do you think Koan?"

Koan glared at her.

Nancy stepped in between them.

Turning to Talia, she bit her lower lip and gave her a pleading look.

"Koan and I... " She glanced briefly at her Mate before returning her gaze to Talia. "We need to talk."

Talia raised her head to lock eyes with Koan again before giving Nancy a reluctant nod which meant she understood that she had to give them their privacy.

"I just shouldn’t feel this way when my best friend and her mate are alone together." Talia whispered, but Koan and the rest clearly heard her.

A vein popped at the side of his forehead.

"How?"

The air around him began changing and his eyes darkened, narrowing down to horizontal slits.

Talia didn’t seem to notice this, but she didn’t notice the look Brittany gave her either; her index finger pressed against her pursed lips as a silent gesture for her to keep quiet but Talia... even If she noticed, she was too caught up in the heat of the argument to care.

"Scared... terrified." Talia pointed out.

"Of what?" Koan stealthily walked closer, and Nancy reached out to touch him but dreaded what he might say to her next and retreated, cupping her hands.

"Of what you’re going to do to her!" She yelled, louder, and the place went silent. "Mates are supposed to be caring and loving towards each other. But I can’t help but feel cautious whenever Nancy’s around you, because... because... " She turned to Nancy and their eyes met. "I don’t trust you."

"How dare you!"

Bam!

"Talia! Koan! Koan, stop!"

Koan had one hand around her neck and was pinning her back to the black soiled wall, small debris falling to the ground and on her hair as she struggled, digging her claws into the hand to free herself, but he didn’t even budge even as he bled.

"You’re only mad because it’s true. You know every f**king thing I said is true!" Her voice was raspy, but she wasn’t willing to plead for her life.

"I would never hurt Nancy... you don’t know me, so don’t assume things about me. The only person liable to get hurt by me is you, and it’s because I don’t think you know your standards anymore, Talia."

"Koan stop this, this instant!" Nancy yelled, but he was so consumed by the anger. He wasn’t angry because she didn’t respect her standard as a Beta’s daughter and his as an Alpha. He was scared. Scared that her words may be true. What If he hurts Nancy due to his anger? Then what? He hated that she may be right. And hearing Nancy plead for him to stop, caused his heart to clench. She probably hates him more now.

Those words she uttered previously kept echoing in his mind...

"You sound just like my father... "

"You sound just like my father... "

"You sound just like my father... "

"Arrggghh!" He increased his grip, and Talia saw black, blood slowly running down the side of her lips as her eyes narrowed down weakly.

"Koan stop!!!" Nancy screamed, tears running down her cheeks.

Barton and Brittany looked on hysterically, but they weren’t stupid. They were risking their lives If they came close to an Alpha; an angry one at that.

Nancy suddenly grabbed her dagger off the holster on her waist and pushed it to her forehead, holding the hilt with both hands while glaring hard at Koan from behind.

Barton and Brittany tensed up now.

Nancy wasn’t normal, remember?

"If you don’t stop this minute," tears flowed down her cheeks, washing down the dirt, down her jaw. "I swear... I’ll kill myself. I’ll sink this blade into my forehead right now, I’ll end me."

 

Chapter 175

Koan stilled, his hand automatically releasing from its tight grip on Talia’s neck before backing away, watching as her body slid to the ground, slumping sideways like a log of wood.

He just stood there, eyes wide, the anger clearing from his eyes as he watched Nancy and Brittany run to her, falling to their knees to check If she was still conscious, fussing over her.

"I think it’s better if we go... " Barton whispered from behind, seeing as Koan looked dumbstruck, his gaze still fixed on the three women.

"Besides, I don’t think it’s wise if you and your mate go together since you two are the main pawns on whatever the king’s up to. You two need to split up."

Koan just sighed, shoulders drooping which Barton didn’t take notice of as he moved close to Brittany, bending to her height on the ground.

"We’ll take the left pathway. That leaves you three to the right." He whispered before he turned away. Koan turned to follow him, and that’s when Nancy glanced up at him, tears in her eyes before glancing back down, holding Talia’s head In her arms.

*

Kitsunes flew to the side, slamming onto the wall, creating a quaking atmosphere in the throne room before they dropped to the floor for the nth time.

"You worthless fools!" The King growled and the throne room shook; even more than the previous quake.

Fiona just sat there on the throne, face stoic as she stared blankly in space, sitting upright on her throne, clad fully In her royal attire.

She was other-worldly beautiful and bore the exact physical features as Sakuarr who stood next to the throne, the same blank expression in her eyes.

The princess’s hair was parted at the middle and held up in a high ponytail, a shiny red gemmed tiara placed atop her neatly brushed up hair.

Her gown was long and swept the floors as she crossed her legs, exposing her thighs at the side due to the double side split, embroidered in gold.

Her sword, the gem, red and shiny was to the holster at her side, adding a sense of warrior to royalty. Even the King couldn’t take his eyes off her when she appeared before him after Sakuarr had calmed her down.

King Jacob was angry that the Kitsunes has once again failed in bringing the heart of the last Alpha needed for the ritual, and time was running out.

The fire elemental Kitsunes, Bubblegum, Raven and Starfire were breed and kept for years in case Sakuarr lost control and tried to kill him or destroy the entire Foxtune clan. Just one of them could wipe half the werewolves’ territory, but now, the three of them combined couldn’t even perform a single task as killing a single Alpha.

It wasn’t a Joke anymore. Their powers were failing, and his existence was failing as well.

They didn’t have time.

He wouldn’t dare to send Fiona and risk having to loose another person for the ritual. No. There had to be another way.

As he thrashed the Kitsunes— who were unfortunate evough to have been tasked with informing the king of the bad news, around the throne room— Daniel’s head poked out from the side of the wall which was right behind the thrones (which would lead him back to the dungeons).

He saw Fiona’s back turned to him and his expression turned wistful as he stared at her sitting there, ever so graceful, not even flinching as the Kitsunes were tossed around like Ragdolls.

His eyes grew cold on seeing the king, yelling words he couldn’t understand while thrashing his subjects around. He couldn’t see his face, but he felt a spine chilling sensation run down his entire body. It was like he was thrilled, but not in a way which would excite him. It was out of dread.

"King Jacob, I haven’t seen you crack a genuine smile since all these commotions started. You don’t even seem to acknowledge the fact that your wife returned... you’ve just had your face kept like it’s the end of the world." Sakuarr scoffed, turning to float Infront of him with folded arms while the Kitsunes lay dead below her.

Daniel frowned.

’Wife?’

"Queen Moana is Alive?’ Kevin said, but Daniel was submerged in shock to acknowledge that the question was meant for him. He dismissed it off as rhetorical, not wanting to even whisper and attract attention to himself.

The King sighed.

"Sakuarr, you’re my only hope right now. Don’t fail me." He said for the nth time after instructing her on what to do.

"I’m not the Fire Princess for nothing." She seductively said and he glared at her before she cackled, backing away into the air, using one hand to lift the bodies up before turning them to ashes without much attempt.

"You know," She slowly brought her hands down, smirking at Fiona whose expression hadn’t faltered since then before she turned to King Jacob. "The reason you’re doing all these is to attain your full powers and finally rule the entire werewolf territory right?"

"I have to actually get up from this cursed throne." He snapped at her, sighing to finally place his chin on his hand, elbow on the throne arm.

"You need enough powers to absorb more internal energy from her to enable you do that... "

’I don’t like where this is going.’ Kevin stated and Daniel’s heart pounded faster as he listened, not daring to peek for fear of Sakuarr catching sight of him. He just hoped his current scent wouldn’t fade off and expose his prescence.

"Get. To. The. Point." He spat, clearly irritated.

"If you mate with Queen Moana... then you can attain all the powers you could ever need. You don’t even need the Alpha’s heart anymore. You can get all the energy you want.. just from her." She turned to Fiona who only blinked, turning to her father with a confused expression.

"Father... what is she talking about?"

"Don’t mind your crazy aunt, dearest," he shot her a dark look and Sakuarr only smiled as she floated back. "She’s saying nonsense."

"You were going to mate with her anyway. So why not do it there," She spoke so casually and this further irritated the King. "If you are considering the mating position while sitting, I can .. "

"Sakuarr. Leave!"

Daniel’s jaw almost dropped to the ground on hearing her words.

Now it made sense. For some reason, Sakuarr must have confused Fiona for Moana since they shared very similar physical qualities. So when she said something about the king mating with queen Moana, he meant her??

HIS mate?

 

Chapter 176

Naomi?

Hell, No!

’I rather watch her get run over by a truck. Daniel, you can’t just stay here and watch this unfold right before your eyes.’ Kevin stubbornly growled in his head, and Daniel unintentionally growled out loud, holding onto his head, hands placed on either sides of his head, sandwiching it as he growled in pain.

It was like his head was a ticking bomb, about to go off, and undoubtedly he attracted the attention of all three of them who were present in the throne room.

Fiona got up abruptly, eyes reeking of disgust and anger.

"I thought I killed him." She looked angry, and slowly, black scales began forming on her skin. "I know I did. How is he still here?"

"Calm down dearest," The King held her down to her seat and Daniel who was slowing calming down a bit grimaced at the sight of the king’s hand placed on his mate’s arm. "Sakuarr will handle this."

"Don’t touch me," Daniel glared hard at Sakuarr who turned in time to see the intimidating glare in Daniel’s eyes. She suddenly froze, and for a second, she was still as she scrutinized the person standing before her with interest and curiosity.

This wasn’t a normal person and it didn’t have to do with his status as Alpha.

Daniel turned to King Jacob who was clearly irritated that Sakuarr hadn’t finished him off already and he flinched, almost feeling the cold-hot aura emanating from the king Infront of him.

He had never seen a man as beautiful and ethereal as he was. He was perfect, almost like he was sculptured by the blessed hands of a goddess herself and breathed life into.

But he was evil, and Daniel didn’t care who he was at the moment. He was touching his mate. Who was his! And he didn’t like it one bit.

"Take your filthy hands away from my mate." Daniel growled and Fiona felt a shiver run down her spine on meeting with the fierce gaze in his eyes. It wasn’t a shiver of fear. No... she was not scared of this Alpha at all. It was something else. Something that made her insides tingle ... she couldn’t quite fathom.

"This hand?" Fiona gasped as the king suddenly dragged her into his arms so that she was sitting on his legs, backing him, her eyes wide when she felt his hands squeeze her thighs.

Daniel growled and she squealed, not from the grip on her thighs, but from the loud rumbling voice from his throat. She and Daniel locked eyes, and she felt her throat run dry on seeing the shades of blue swirling in them.

He advanced towards them, but Sakuarr stepped in between him and the king.

"Move aside." He snapped. He inculcated his Alpha aura, half doubting it’d work, but to his amazement, she stepped aside, her eyes suddenly glinting between blue and a blue-crimson glow.

"Sakuarr!!" The King roared, holding Fiona to himself, wounding his arms around her waist. "Wipe him out of existence immediately."

"I... " She trembled. "I... I can’t."

"You think you’re smart, but you should really read in-between the lines, Your Majesty." The King snarked at the mockery in which he called him by his rightful endearment.

"I’m mated to your daughter who’s rightfully Queen of Foxtune, the only female pure-breed female Kitsune with a royal blood."

"That makes him King... " Someone said, and they all turn to see Koan and Barton creep up the hole which was previously made In the throne room for the witches. Apparently, the path they followed had led them here.

"Brother." Fiona naturally acknowledged, a longing look in her eyes.

Koan smirked as he widened his arms.

"Won’t you give this big brother of yours a hug?" There was a knowing glint in his eyes. He definitely wanted her away from the evil King’s embrace.

A mad glint in her eyes, she dashed out of her father’s arms, running into Koan’s which wrapped around her immediately, engulfing her in a hug.

"Sakuarr." Daniel suddenly said, and King Jacob stared at him in disbelief, especially when Sakuarr turned to him.

"Take my mate away from here. Far away."

She looked reluctant about complying with his order, but she was compelled to do so.

"No!!! I won’t allow it. I’m so close. No! This can’t happen." The King roared and suddenly a blast of fire was released from his open palm, and everyone was thrown back, off their feet to the ground, leaving Fiona who returned to her father.

"Fiona. Kill him... " She turned to Daniel who was struggling to stand on his feet, a menacing look in the King’s eyes. "He wants me dead Fiona. He wants to kill me."

"He wants to kill father?" Fiona softly asked, her eyes darkening.

"Nao...Fiona.. No... he wants to help you. We all do." Koan pleads, but Fiona was already staring at Daniel with a killing intent.

Before Daniel could recover from his fall, she flew at him, aiming to punch him, her fist coated with fire, but the next second, Daniel grabbed her hand and flipped her against the wall just close to where he landed, and without warning, he crashed his lips against hers, angling his head the other way to hurriedly deepen the kiss, holding her back against the wall.

Sakuarr frowned as she turned to King Jacob who looked so angry that he could have killed Daniel If he wanted.

If that was the King, then who was he?

Koan suddenly stepped Infront of King Jacob and the king turned to him with a menacing dark look, however it cleared on recognizing him.

"Son... " He forced a smile. He could manipulate him into prying his sister off that peasant’s hands.

Koan scoffed.

"Save it."

As Daniel slowly tore his lips off the kiss, gradually opening his eyes, he saw that she had her eyes fixed in his.

"Why... " She stuttered, and he smirked, finding her cute. "Why do I ... Why do you make me feel this way?"

He didn’t reply her immediately.

"How do you feel? Do you... like it?"

Fiona turned to her father.

"Father... " She shot Daniel a strange look, like she didn’t know who he was. "Is... he truly my mate?"

"What nonsense!" He roared. "He is an impostor Fiona! Kill him!"

Kitsunes began gathering in the throne room and Barton turned cautious, pulling out his gun, dagger in his holster as he glared around, taking care to make sure they were all far from him.

They seemed to be attracted to the commotion going on and were shocked to see what was ensuing before their very eyes.

Fiona glanced at Daniel again. There was a confused expression in her eyes, and his heart clenched as she held her head between her hands.

"I don’t... I don’t know father.. "

"Daniel, take her away from here." Koan snapped and Daniel grabbed Fiona’s arm.

She turned cautious the next moment and stiffened in his grip, holding him back when he made to walk away.

"Everyone of you!" The King roared at them. "Do not let him take her away. She’s your future queen."

"And I’m the future king!" Daniel roared louder with a vein to his forehead.

 

Chapter 177

Gasps and murmurs echoed in the entire room. They were so perplexed and shocked about the whole ordeal that they didn’t bother to even move from their spots nor did they notice the three women that climbed out of the hole in the throne room.

"What’s going on." Brittany whispered to Talia and Nancy.

"I don’t know. Let’s just watch. Oh My Gosh! Is that Naomi. She’s looks so pretty!!! Oh look... I guess that should be the king... Wow. There are so many Kitsunes. Are they here to attck us or something?" Nancy whispered really fast and enthusiastically and Talia had to hold her arm and pull her to one side of the throne room before she attracted any attention.

"You’re are supposed to executed for what you’ve done. You don’t deserve to be the king," he turned to the Kitsunes who stiffened on seeing a werewolf. They were led to believe that these ’things’ were dangerous creatures that had to be destroyed. But despite being a bit unwelcoming to him, they felt a sense of loyalty to this stranger that stood before them, emitting a fierce but somewhat calming aura.

"You all don’t deserve to be ruled by someone who remotes every one of your moves... who treats you like lowly creatures... is that what you want?"

His voice was loud and echoed in the entire vicinity. Everyone exchanged glances, but no one said a word.

"They will only listen to the one and only true King of Foxtune. Don’t be ridiculous, you could never rule as King. You’re just a worthless Alpha."

Daniel smirked.

"I’d like to see you stand Infront of me and repeat that."

Barton and the rest fisted their hands in their mouths to prevent a chuckle which ended up being muffled.

The King glared hard at him before turning to Fiona.

"Fiona listen to your father. This impostor wants to... "

"He’s not an impostor. He’s her mate." Koan spat and the crowd also stared at him in interest, feeling some sense of power and authority also emanating from him.

"It’s diabolical, it’s impossible and it’s ridiculous to order your own daughter to kill her mate. She feels the bond, even without her realizing yet. A mate shouldn’t and can’t hurt her mate." As he spoke he caught Nancy’s eyes in the crowd before whispering. "Or his."

"If you claim to be our King, then who is he?" A Kitsune turned to the werewolves, referring to King Jacob at the end.

Daniel turned to Jacob with a smirk.

"He’s an Impostor."

"My father is not an impostor!" Fiona growled and he shot her a look which sent those tingling sensations spreading around her body, abruptly shutting her up as they locked eyes.

"Why not make peace with us and end all of this? We wouldn’t have to loose anyone and you wouldn’t have to loose anyone as well." Daniel suggests, a pleading look in his eyes as he stared at everyone who had a confused, contemplating look in their eyes.

"I won’t allow this!" The King raised his hand and there were several sharp icicles rising above his open palm. "This ... is Forbidden. A mutual relationship between a werewolf and a Kitsune is forbidden... an abomination!"

"Well," Koan flipped his dagger and flung it, a growl echoing in the throne room as the king’s hand dropped to his side, palm bleeding. "I guess I’m a walking abomination then. An evidence that a werewolf and a Kitsune can be together. Just like my mother, Queen Moana and my father. The Late Alpha."

More gasps and murmurs.

"The Moon goddess didn’t make a mistake when she chose us as mates." Daniel snapped at him, dragging Fiona to stand before the King, entwining her hands in his.

’Ha. Ha. I’m so rubbing this in your face when this is all over, Mr. ’I don’t want a mate.’ Kevin chuckled and Daniel rolled his eyes with a smile, not noticing when Fiona glanced down to their entwined hands, her heart leaping each time their skin touched, the scent of pancake syrup and peanut butter winding up her nose like a refreshing air, her heart beat pulsing faster than before, the urge to bite him, sending hot exciting motions to her blood to cause her skin to tingle again.

Without realizing, she tightened her hands around his, her eyes widening when Daniel turned to her and she realized what she just did.

"You shouldn’t be proud of who you are," The king disdainfully spat at Koan. "You’re a hybrid. No one would want you. You’re a wasted creature."

Koan’s eyes narrowed down in hurt. Though he would never admit that his words hurt him, his heart felt like it was being seated upon by King Jacob himself.

Nancy suddenly pushed through the crowd and that’s when they noticed her.

"That’s where you’re wrong." Koan’s heart leaped when she took his hands in hers, entwining her fingers around his before flashing him a smile that caused his eyes to water. She turned to King Jacob who stiffened on meeting her fierce gaze which could pry holes in his head If it was possible. "I don’t love him because we’re destined to be together. I only appreciate that," Her words were filled with so much emotions that tears ran down her eyes before she could stop them. "I love him because of who he is. Be it Kitsune or a witch or a f**king hybrid. I don’t care. I just want to be his. Every single day... I really just want to be with him, every single second of the day without having to worry that’s he’s going to leave me one day or... turn into a monster. I really don’t care Koan. I love you, and I accept you, your flaws and perfections... I accept them all."

Talia smiled sadly amongst the crowd alongside Brittany and Barton. Even the crowd was rendered speechless as they stared at this scene.

"Nancy... " It seemed as though, it was just the two of them and no one else as he turned to her, cupping her face between his hands before wiping her tears with his thumbs. "I don’t deserve you."

"Then make my time worth knowing that we deserve each other." She whispered back, smiling before he leaned down to kiss her.

 

Chapter 178

"Arggh! Another dead end." Hakura groaned in frustration.

Cardin shrugged.

"I don’t see why you can’t teleport us out of here."

"I can only disappear and materialize within the underground dungeon. That’s my capacitance right now. If I push too far, I might die."

"Well, don’t you have something in your storage space to help us out of here?"

"What? Like a dagger to dig us out of here? That’s ridiculous. It will take an entire day before we leave here, and we don’t have time."

Cardin rolled his eyes, feeling especially uncomfortable when her gaze wouldn’t leave his face even the entire time they were talking. It was like she was scrutinizing him.

"But... " She abruptly cut in before he said anything else. "I can get us out of here." Hakura got closer and closer to him, invading his personal space, causing him to move away from her till his back was against the dead end wall.

"H- How?"

F**k he was stammering. Why was he stammering? Was he nervous? Of what? Her?

"If my energy’s restored, then I can get us out of here." Her hand snaked up his shirt, and he released a shuddering gasp as she roughly tugged him down to be of her height.

He refused to be intimated. He was freaking Alpha. So he locked his eyes in hers and tried to look as nonchalant as possible.

"What? You got some life squirrel in your spatial storage or something?"

"I need blood Cardin, that’s how I eat. I eat every possible part of their organs that stores enough blood, and No. I can’t store things like that in my spatial space, idiot."

The way she stared at him like she was a hungry predator while he was a small little prey made him put two and two together.

"I’m not letting you feed on any of my organs." He broke out of her grip and flipped her around so that this time her back was against the wall, but it didn’t look she minded at all. She just kept grinning at him.

"There’s no need, I can just suck the blood off you."

He stepped back but she just stood back there, scrutinizing him with a smile in her eyes. She was clearly amused and was enjoying this.

"There is no way I’m going to let you suck me off like I’m some wild helpless squirrel."

"Mm~" He turned sharply at the small moan she let out and saw the glint in her eyes. "I’m not sucking you off, Cardin... Now’s not a good time." He actually turned red when he realized what he said earlier.

"You know what I mean." He snapped at her and she laughed. He found himself turning speechless as he stared at her, a melodious pleasant tune escaping her lips which was rare since she was either teasing him or frowning.

Whatever was happening to him, he didn’t have a single clue, because he still wanted Talia, so badly, he really did. He loved her, he wanted her to be his, he wanted to be the one for her. But now Hakura’s in the picture and she was clearly one of those other girls who wanted his attention, but in this case his reaction to her teasing and everything was quite different. He was always thinking about Talia, but the few minutes he and Hakura were together, he didn’t even remember to do so. It was just Hakura.

But she was doing this for the fun of it right?

She just found it amusing to tease him this way, right?

She was not actually serious about them... being together because he was sure she knew that a werewolf and a witch could NEVER have any bond between them. The two species had signed a treaty between them long ago, but that was where it ended. A werewolf and witch bonding together was just going too far, and it had never been recorded in the history of supernaturals. And he was an Alpha at that. Another war could break out between them, and it would not end well, he was sure.

"I rather we stay here." He forced a smile and her smile fell before she stated.

"I have a potion to make... which could reverse whatever spell they put on Naomi, and if I don’t do that as soon as possible, we’re all as good as dead. Now are we doing this or not?"

"You do realize that you’re asking to suck my blood."

"Yes."

"Off my body."

"Yes."

"My blood."

"What? Are you scared." She backed off the wall and sauntered close to him, a ludicrous smirk on her face before she finally placed her hand over his chest. "It will just be a little bite... it won’t take too long."

"I’m . Not . Scared."

"Then help us out of here, or... are you just a pretty face?" She takes off her bag and it drops with a thud on the ground.

He rolled his eyes and after contemplating for a while, he thrust his wrist out and Hakura just backed away as she scrutinized his arm with her sharp eyes before travelling it up; back to his face.

"Make it quick." He snapped at her, but the next second, she slapped his hand away and jumped on him, curling her legs around his waist, pushing him back with her weight until his back was against the wall, and without warning, she curled her arms around his neck and bit him!

"Mgh!" He groaned, feeling a slight sharp pain at the crook of his neck. This b*tch dared to bite an Alpha’s neck? A mere witch at that. How dare she?! He naturally moved to drag her down, cupping her waist with both hands, but as Hakura moaned, drawing in his blood Into her mouth, she realized what he was about to do and began grinding hard against him, abruptly stopping his earlier plan to push her off.

"Hakura... I’m so going to kill you for.. ahh.. " His face was a shade of red as she sucked harder, her arms around his neck tightening, her hips gradually whining against him.

Why the f**k was she doing that?!!

Each time he held tightly, onto her waist, trying to pull her down, she would grind harder against him and his hand would weaken, and he would end up pulling her closer to him.

"F**k" He groaned when she leaned away, licking the spot she had just bitten, watching in amusement as it healed immediately. Cardin used that chance to push her off him, and she landed on her bottom and hands.

She laughed, blood all over her mouth and neck, eyes glinting with something mad in them.

"You’re crazy!! You’re fucking crazy!! Do you know that. You’re a mad woman. You’re a psychopath."

She laughed harder.

"You have to stop this." He growled at her.

"Stop what? I’m already done." With that, her tongue snaked out of her mouth, curling around to lick the blood off her lips. "You’re so delicious~"

"That’s.. No. That’s not what I mean." He snapped at her.

She shot him an inquisitive glance as she got up, picking the bag of herbs up from the ground and hanging it around her neck and shoulders.

"What do you mean then?"

"I know you like me Hakura." There was a small glint in her eyes as she stared blankly at him, almost like she didn’t understand what he was saying.

"I don’t feel the same way, so you can stop this. Just stop it. Stop with the attention seeking and the disrespect. I’m an Alpha for freaking sake, and you don’t just bite an Alpha’s neck, and what makes it more lowly is that you’re a witch. Werewolves and witches don’t mix Incase you’ve forgotten that, so just stop this Hakura. I will never like you in the same way that you want me to. It’s never going to happen. Keep your distance, or I’ll forget you’re helping us and snap your neck like a twig."

Silence.

She just blankly stared at him while he panted, staring hard at her, wondering why she hadn’t said anything yet. She didn’t even display any single iota of expression. She just... stared at him.

"I think I have enough energy to teleport us out here. Let’s go." She said, walking forward, closer, and the environment began swirling around him. Soon, he found himself in what looked like a garden.

Even the sight of a Kitsune lying on the floor who looked like she had been stabbed several times didn’t move him. He was just looking at her, as if still expecting her to say something about what he said earlier. But she didn’t. She was acting like he didn’t even say anything previously and it was driving him more crazy than he already was.

"I’m definitely sure the last herb was here," She starts moving around, smelling flowers and herbs, cutting some off their stem and dropping them down when she had scrutinized it.

Suddenly he couldn’t take it anymore, he yanked her wrist and roughly pulled her so that they were faced off squarely, her head tilted up to meet with his eyes. And then he saw it.

There was that glint in her eyes coupled with a smirk. Almost like she knew what she was doing to him.

B*tch.

 

Chapter 179

"Why aren’t you saying anything?" He wheezed out, clearly annoyed by her ignorance. She was doing this on purpose because it was driving him crazy. Why was she acting like all he said earlier was just nothing. He knew of countless woman who’d break down when he turned them down, but Hakura... She didn’t even say a word about what just happened!

"Saying anything?" She echoed his words back at him, grimacing like she didn’t have a clue of what he was saying. "Like what?"

"Don’t act ignorant Damnit!!!" He growled, but she only scoffed, pulling her wrist from his grip abruptly such that his hand still lingered in the air for a moment.

"I doubt you’d be of any use helping me to find the last herb since you barely know any despite someone of your mighty status, so just leave me alone right now."

He watched, mouth open in disbelief as she turned away from him, scrutinizing and smelling the herbs and flowers again- this time- keeping her distance.

She was probably acting according to what he said, right? She had decided to keep her distance from him since he wasn’t interested in her like he mentioned. So why was he so bothered about it? Why was the fact that she was acting like he was just air driving him insane?

He just stood there, feeling restless inside, but finally perked up after a few minutes when she raised a strange looking herb over her head.

"Found it!"

"So how do we start? Do we need a cauldron or something?" He asked sacarstically, but she ignored him.

"I have enough energy to crush everything." With that she let the bag drop to the floor, and using her hand, she raised all the herbs she had picked in the air, making them swirl around in a quick circle while Cardin watched in amazement.

She suddenly brought down her hands, digging into her spatial space while the herbs continued spinning around each other automatically.

"Here."

He abruptly caught it and glared at her since she threw it at him without warning.

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

It was a small glass container, wide enough to contain a few raisins.

"Open it up and tilt the tip down, just incline It to the spinning herbs. I’m going to crush them down and it’s going to flow into the bottle, so I need you to get every single possible drops that you can."

"Sure." He did as she said and watched as she did strange hand motions in the air, the sight of the herbs lidiquifying amazing him more and more. He remembered times his father would take him to festivals and fares and how the sight of witches performing tricks like this always enlightened him.

It seems like it never grew old.

"Get ready." It was Hakura’s voice that pulled him out of his reverie, and he silently berrated himself for getting distracted as he positioned the jar properly. In the next second, a thin orange stream of the potion snaked into the jar, and Cardin had to resteady his grip on the jar as it flowed in. It felt cold in his grip.

Once he was done and was shutting the jar, Hakura walked up to him and he tensed up, reflexively putting up the jar Infront of him like a barrier between them.

"Uh... What are you doing?" He glanced down to see her face, grimacing in inquiry.

"N- Nothing." He was stuttering again? Why???

She yanked the jar from his grip, and he acted nonchalant about it, turning aside to dust something invisible off his shirt, when suddenly, he was yanked down and his eyes widened on feeling something long and wet rub on the side of his face. She licked him!

Hakura leaned back, one hand holding the jar, and the other holding onto the arm of his shirt as she smiled, saying...

"Whenever I want something Cardin, nothing, and when I say nothing, I mean nothing at all will get in my way of having it." With that, she abruptly pulled away, stepping back with a ludicrous wink before turning to walk away, sauntering her hips, rendering his eyes spellbound to her body before he finally blinked, realizing what just happened.

Was he angry? Shocked? Frustrated? If having so many emotions all at once was possible, then that was how he felt right now.

Grinding his teeth and squeezing his fists, he finally went after her, keeping his anger in check Incase he tried to pounce on her.

Soon, he and Hakura got closer to the palace. As they approached the building, anyone around would take note of the sound of leaves crunching underneath their feet, the noise of the crickets and the looming stars above, sending light down to the ground, the dark gloomy clouds shielding the full moon up ahead.

"Do you hear that?" Hakura whispered.

"What? I don’t hear anything." He grumpily replied.

"Exactly. Nothing. It’s like a graveyard here. It’s so quiet. I don’t feel too good about this." She sidestepped a dead Kitsune, and he followed suit. For a second, his gaze lingered on her body again before he quickly looked away, silently cursing.

"You seem to feel good about almost everything until now. I’m shocked." He snobbishly said, and she glanced at him.

"If you say anything that doesn’t revolve around the mission, I’ll kiss you," she smirked at the expression on his face. F**k, he was so cute. "I dare you."

As she walked ahead of him, he parted his lips to talk, but he shut it up immediately. She... She wasn’t serious right? She was just joking around. But why was she having this effect on him? Was he scared of her? Then why is it that he couldn’t even utter a word again? Arggh! Why is he thinking of how good her lips would be; moulded with his. How could he even betray Talia by thinking like that? What was wrong with him?!

"Look at this." She whispered in that hushed voice, and he berrated himself again for slipping into thoughts. They were on a mission! He was never this distracted. He hoped this will all come to an end so that he could stay as far away as he wanted from her.

He made his way close to where she stood, bent low, peeking through an opening.

She leaned back and gestured for him to do the same and when he did, his jaw dropped. Standing before hundreds of Kitsunes gathered together, right Infront of the king and that mad woman who had locked them up from earlier was Koan and Nancy, Daniel and... Naomi.

He leaned away.

"What’s going on?"

"Come on. Let’s check it out."

"Wait. What are... "

Murmurs and gasps broke out amongst the crowd as Hakura and Cardin materialized before them startling Koan and the rest since they appeared very close to where they stood, right before the elevated throne stands.

Cardin face palmed himself while she grinned at him.

"Guys you made it." Nancy excitedly announced and more murmurs echoed around the place. Talia, Barton and Brittany felt a bit intimidated standing amongst them, so they tore through the crowd and joined the rest standing before the king. Cardin automatically stood beside Talia who smiled at him as he did the same.

Hakura noticed, but she said nothing.

Fiona stared at her father, and like the others, she noticed he was fading. Naturally, she moved close to touch him and Koan held Daniel’s shoulder, giving him a sombre look.

Reluctantly, he let go of Fiona, and the girl climbed up the step, majestic and powerful, commanding silence in the entire place with only her graceful movements and she stooped low before he father, holding his hands.

"Father... " She frowned in confusion. "Father what’s happening?"

"I’ll tell you." Hakura stepped forward, casually opening up the jar, the orange color attracting the attention of everyone. "He’s fading away into extinction. It’s part of the curse. He had all the time to get himself out of that throne, but now his time is up."

"No!! No!!" He yelled so abruptly that Fiona stepped back in shock, looking at the man who screamed like a drowning victim in need of help. "This can’t happen!! I was so close!!! So close!!"

"Can’t we help him" Daniel’s heart clenched seeing the pain, helplessness and distress in her eyes as she looked to them all for help.

"Naomi... " Koan stretched his hand, but Fiona didn’t take it. Tears dropped from her eyes.

"Father’s dying."

Daniel’s eyes welled up as he stretched his hand as well.

"We’re here for you Naomi. You don’t need him... He’s evil. He never wanted good for you. He only wanted to use you. "

"Lies!!!" The King roared, and Fiona turned to him. "End them Fiona! They want nothing but to kill you once they’ve finished with me. Do not trust them."

Fiona glanced at them again, tensing up when she sees the outstretched hands before her.

Every Kitsune was on the watch, ready to adapt to whatever decision she’d make. If she’d take their hands, then they’ll be ready to accept a truce with the werewolves.

She is the queen after all.

But If she did not accept them...

Killing every single one of them off will be easy.

 

Chapter 180

"Naomi." Daniel insistently called, his hands still out in the air, a passionate look of belief and hope still glimmering in his eyes, his hair- dark and stained with thick blood- looming over his eyes as he stared at her.

"I know you can do this. I know you can make the right decision." He said, so much emotions in his words that it was almost a whisper.

She glanced to Koan, stiffening again on seeing his outstretched arm, her eyes moved around, taking in Talia, Hakura and the others before moving it to her people who were standing there, some floating to get a good view from the back, before she turned to her side to see Sakuarr.

She finally backed the two men, staring wistfully at her father.

"Fiona or Naomi... which is it?" She almost burst into tears. "I don’t even know who I am." She whispered.

"You are Fiona. Princess of the Foxtune clan, soon to be Queen. They are liars, and you need to end their existence right now." He growled angrily at her, almost loosing his patience. He didn’t have time now.

Fiona shrank under his growl before helplessly turning to Daniel and Koan again.

"I’m so confused right now." She blinked, and they all saw a small light of blue before it went back to the blue-crimson glow.

"He’s right," Koan started. "You are Fiona. Well, until now, you’re the queen of Foxtune... You’re royalty. But... before now, you’ve been Naomi."

Daniel butted in, reaching out to suddenly grab her hand and pull her close. She staggered a bit from the unexpected pull, but Koan held her other hand and slowly brought her down the levated platform.

"That’s all we’ve ever known you as." Brittany said, smiling with tears in her eyes.

"Always wearing that silly mask to cover up your face even though you were really pretty. And you had the nicest voice too... when you sang me a song on my birthday." Nancy added.

"You usually put yourself first amongst others even though you were risking your life. You were annoyingly selfless." Talia pointed out.

"You were always timid, but you weren’t weak. You were weak in status, but that didn’t deter you of being unsubmissive to people like... " Barton paused before he finishes. "Like Dora." Brittany squeezed his fingers and smiled at him.

Fiona blinked, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"She doesn’t sound like me... "

"Because you’re not you right now," Daniel on cue, grabs the bottle from Hakura and Fiona turns rigid on seeing the bottle of a glowing orange mixture inside. He tried to touch her but she backed away.

"I know you wouldn’t remember anything right now, and I know you wouldn’t trust me, but I want you to know that... all my years, I was never planning on spending the rest of my life with someone who wasn’t you."

Fiona gave him a blank stare.

"Fiona kill him! They’re only messing with... "

"Another word from you, and I’ll slice your head off your neck, impostor." Sakuarr whispered, and he stiffened, feeling the woman standing behind his throne, finally noticing the blade of her sword against his throat.

He gulped. How did things take a turn so fast?

Daniel chuckled bitterly.

"Sure I was a kid, and I knew nothing about love, and you were my nanny, but I didn’t f**king care. Do you know what I cared about? You. I didn’t want to spend even a second without you. Every single time I made sure you read a bedtime story, so I’d sleep knowing you were right by my side. I always threw tantrums at school to get suspended because I was tired of all the fake attention I received at school for being the Alpha’s son. I just wanted to come home, Naomi. I wanted to come home to you. My father didn’t give a f**k about where I was or what was going on in my life —my life sucked as a kid... it was darkness until you came along and you were that... that...." He was looking for the right word for her. Naomi was just one particular word in his life. "That light. That tiny speck of light, so tiny, yet enough to brighten up my life. You brought me out of that darkness, you remoulded my life into something worth living for, and I knew that if I’d ever have to spend the rest of my life with someone, it had to be you... Nana."

Fiona gulped and tears spilled down her cheeks again, she turned away from Daniel and shielded her face with her hands.

"Danny." She whispered, but everyone clearly heard her.

Daniel glanced back at the others. Even Hakura was mortified with shock.

Carefully, as If approaching a bomb, he pushed her hair off her face, but he saw the changes in her eyes, shifting from blue to a blue-crimson glow. She looked like she was in so much pain.

"Naomi... " His heart ached for her as he tilted the jar in her direction. "Naomi pease... just drink this. Trust me. Please... "

But she kept muttering words to herself, tears running down her cheeks, her hands to her head.

"What will happen If I drink this..." Daniel turned to Hakura.

She gave him a blank stared before narrowing her eyes.

"I don’t know, but you won’t die" She shrugged as she answered. "Hey. Why are you aski... "

Daniel suddenly tilted his head back, emptying half the content of the bottle into his mouth before throwing it at Hakura, who caught the half-empty bottle with a shocked gaze just like everyone else, watching as Daniel suddenly grabbed Naomi, cupping her cheeks, before tilting his head to crash his lips against hers.

Fiona instinctively moaned against his lips, the wrinkles on her forehead ceasing, feeling the slightly warm liquid run down her throat before feeling his hands snake up her cheek to hold the side of her head.

"No!!! No!!!" The King growled so loudly that the throne room shook, and the two couples parted abruptly, Fiona dropping face-down to the floor.

"You foolish girl!!! You’re just as stupid and useless as your mother. I will finish you off the way I ended her."

Suddenly Koan raised his head just as Nancy was helping Fiona up. The entire throne room was filled with gasps and murmurs from the Kitsunes.

"Uh-Oh." Hakura whispered.

"What?" Cardin asked.

"Naomi’s mum is Koan’s mother remember? No one really knew what happened to her... but now we do." She turned to the Kitsunes who were livid with pure anger. They were just hearing this now?!

"My mother... Y- you killed her?"

"She deserved to die. She was foolish to fall in love with a pathetic, powerless werewolf. She’s the reason I’m in this... ugh!"

Koan reached out, grabbing Sakuarr’s sword before slashing the King’s neck with it.

Sakuarr backed away, a mad glint in her eyes as she watched the King struggle for his life as he faded at a quicker pace.

Koan watched, sword in his hand, blade to the ground, the tip stained with thick red blood as the King, his half-father struggled for his life, blood spurting from his mouth.

"That pathetic, powerless werewolf was my father." His whispered, watching as the King faded off completely.