Ch. 581..590

Chapter 581

"Sir Nicholas, I have an urgent need for information regarding Damon," I stated, my voice betraying the urgency of my request. Time was of the essence, and I could ill afford any delays.

Nicholas regarded me with a knowing look, his lips curling into a mysterious smile. "Of course, my dear. I am more than willing to assist you," he said, his tone laden with intrigue. "Follow me," he commanded, gesturing for me to accompany him.

"Where?" I asked, furrowing my brow in confusion.

"To a place where you can find all the answers to your questions," he replied cryptically, leading the way. I followed him through a long, dimly lit corridor adorned with ancient hand-painted portraits hanging on the walls.

We entered a dimly lit room located three layers down in the basement, and the atmosphere felt unsettling. I could sense something off in the air. While vampires typically exuded a dark aura, this energy was different. As I stepped further into the room, the door closed behind me automatically, causing me to furrow my brow in suspicion.

"What was that?" I growled, my voice low and filled with irritation.

"Relax, Selena," Nicholas said calmly, his demeanor unaffected by the situation.

"No, first tell me why did you close the door," I demanded fiercely, my eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"You need to know about Damon's past, don't you?!" he shot back, his tone defensive.

"Then tell me quickly," I ordered, my gaze unwavering as I stared him down. Despite my demand, he remained silent, only smirking in response. It was clear he had no intention of sharing the information with me anytime soon.

"You know, if I don't return quickly, Damon will unleash hell upon you," I threatened, my voice laced with menace.

"Calm down and sit peacefully," he grimaced, his tone betraying a hint of unease.

"You know Damon won't be pleased if he finds out you've harmed me," I said, narrowing my eyes in warning.

"Damon! Damon! Damon!" He raised a brow before letting out a chuckle that grated on my nerves. I furrowed my brow at his mocking laughter.

"That man has taken everything away from me. He has all that I should have had. So I can at least take his mate away from him, can't I?" he gritted his teeth, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "What do you mean?" I frowned, confusion clouding my thoughts.

"I should have ascended to the throne, not him. Now I have his mate in my possession. I'm intrigued to see whether he will choose you or his crown," he explained, a sinister smirk playing on his lips.

So, he set a trap to lure Damon using me. I needed to think fast to get out of this place before Damon arrived and fell into danger because of me. Urgency coursed through me as his guards captured me.

"You're making a big mistake, and you're going to regret it," I warned, struggling against their grip. "If you let me go, I won't tell Damon about your deceit, and we can pretend it never happened," I offered, desperation evident in my voice.

"You useless wolf, you can't do anything to me," Nicholas laughed cruelly. "Take her to the sacrificial altar" he ordered his guards, his tone filled with malice.

"Don't you dare touch me!" I protested, trying to free myself from their restraint, but to no avail.

"Cooperate with us, and we will not harm you," Nicholas cautioned, his voice dripping with false sincerity.

"Selena, let me take control," Arena's howl reverberated through my mind, prompting us to swiftly exchange positions, yielding command to her. In response, I seamlessly

transitioned into my form as ael.ng

towering golden wolf, a sight that sent shivers of horror down the spines of the guards and making them take a step back.

"A golden wolf!" Nicholas gasped, his eyes widening in astonishment. "That's quite the prize. If I can possess you, golden wolf, I can wield your formidable powers," he muttered covetously.

"In your dreams, you despicable wretch," Arena snarled, launching herself forward as the guards hurled silver chains in her direction. With the agility of a seasoned predator, she effortlessly evaded the chains, retaliating with a ferocious assault that swiftly subdued the guards.

"Now it's your turn, Nicholas," she bellowed furiously, crimson droplets of blood staining her menacing jaws.

Nicholas grinned malevolently as his palms radiated with an eerie glow, softly chanting an incantation that left me feeling paralyzed, frozen in place.

"Golden Wolf, now you're within my grasp. Surrender, and bestow upon me your powers. I shan't bring harm to you," Nicholas declared boldly, his voice laced with an audacious tone as he dared to threaten my wolf.

"You've got to be kidding me," Arena growled, her voice a low, menacing rumble.

"Your wish, for I shan't show mercy as I strip your soul and power from your very being," he sneered, his eyes darkening ominously. With a muttered incantation under his breath, his palm began to emit a sinister glow, signaling that the moment of confrontation had arrived. "Now, Arena!" I cried out, channeling all of my strength to her aid, urging her to break free from the oppressive magic that ensnared her and reclaim her freedom.

Arena howled ferociously before she

sprang into action, her powerful

form soaring through the air. In the

blink of an eye, Nicholas found himself pinned beneath the weight of Arena's massive paws, her growls resonating with unrestrained anger. Terror flickered in Nicholas's widened eyes, a stark reflection of the imminent threat of death that loomed over him.

But before Arena could carry out her lethal intent and end that bastard's life, the door was violently flung open, and an arrow pierced Arena's body with precision. She crashed fo the ground, her cries of pain echoing through the arena. The arrow coated with wolfbane, sapped our powers, rendering us utterly defenseless. Helplessly, Arena's helpless eyes watched as I saw

through her eyes, witnessing our attacker approach.

Chapter 582

*Selena*

My eyes widened with surprise as the figure showed up; Grotesque and menacing.

How was it possible? No one had seen him in the shifter's realm. He never left his dark realm. So why was he here?

"Demon King? What are you doing here?" I gasped with shock. Arena was still in pain. The healing was not happening because of the wolfbane.

"I was right about it and was lucky enough to encounter a golden wolf," the demon king said as his eyes glowed with excitement. "It happened in centuries," The Demon King drawled.

"So you are with Nicholas and planned to catch me. But you won't get what you want, and I will make sure of it," Arena growled lowly.

"Precious golden wolf, right now you have to worry about your situation," he snickered.

"It's a misconception that you can make me helpless. I am still powerful without my magical power," Arena howled loudly, but her breath was heavy as she fought against the poisoning effect of the wolfbane. "I can't wait to see this," Demon King laughed.

"Demon King!" Nicholas greeted, smiling cunningly. "I fulfilled my promise and gave you what you wanted. I hope you will keep your promise and help me get my power and kingdom back."

"Of course, I never back down from my words. I have promised to help you get your kingdom back, and I will help you," the Demon King affirmed smugly. They both harbored very evil intentions.

'They're trying to destroy Damon and take his kingdom. I need to do something and alert him before it's too late,' I mindlinked Arena.

'But, Selena, first we have to get out of this situation, and this wolfbane is making me weak. I can't heal faster,' Arena expressed her helplessness.

'Then we have to distract them and buy some time to think about how we can alert Damon,' I suggested.

Arena grinned inwardly as I told her my plan.

"Nicholas, you are such a fool. You're giving me away to the demon King when you could have all my power to yourself and get your kingdom back, plus rule the world with me," Arena mocked the stupid vampire. Nicholas looked torn for a moment before he looked at the demon king.

"Nicholas, don't listen to her. She is trying to provoke you. Even if you get power, you cannot use them without knowledge of them, which only I have," the demon king countered.

"He is again ordering you, Nicholas. You're so stupid," Arena provoked him again. This time it worked as Nicholas glared at the demon king.

"I think she might be right, and I am the one who got the golden wolf first," Nicholas retorted.

Nicholas and the demon king began arguing fiercely. It was a perfect opportunity for us and our only chance. Arena grabbed the arrow in her jaws and pulled it out of her body, suppressing the cry. We then shifted back to my human form, which was difficult and slow due to the wolfbane. However, Arena's special powers seemed unaffected

by the wolfbane and helped us shift

back.

I frantically searched for a way out of the room and saw that the door was open with no one around. Seizing the chance, I sprinted for my freedom from that place.

"Oh no, she ran!" I heard Nicholas' panicked voice as he shouted, but I had already dashed through the door and felt them chasing after me. I ran as fast as I could but had to come to a sudden stop when the demon king appeared in front of me abruptly. He laughed menacingly, throwing his head back as I took a cautious step away from him.

"Where do you think you were running, golden wolf?" the demon king snorted.

"You can't keep me here," Arena growled as we centered our strength and prepared to strike at the demon king.

"The powerful magical golden wolf, you can't beat me. I am the demon king, the master of dark powers," he announced as he easily absorbed all of my magical shots.

"Yet you want me, the demon king. So who is more powerful?" Arena taunted and the demon king let out an unpleasant chuckle.

"I didn't want to harm you, but you've left me no other option. I'm giving you one last chance to surrender or prepare to get hurt. I won't kill you; I need you alive. But I will take you with me, by hook or by crook," he threatened.

I watched in horror as he raised his magic scepter, with a large red stone on top that glowed before emitting a red beam.

"I dare you to hurt my queen, demon

king, and prepare to bear consequences," a deep authoritative voice boomed, causing the demon king to curse under his breath and redirect the beam. The deadly light narrowly missed me, scorching the pillar behind me instead.

I craned my neck to see Damon standing there, his expression furious. "What the hell is going on here?" he growled.

"Damon!" Nicholas gasped, surprised.

"Nicholas! I never expected anything good from you, but abducting my mate and conspiring with the Demon King against me? I never thought you could be so bold," Damon taunted his uncle.

His army stood behind him, a united force that made it clear he wasn't alone. They formed a protective shield around him, surrounding Nicholas and leaving him with no means of escape.

"Tell me your last wish, Nicholas, because all your guards are dead. Now, no one can save you from me," Damon warned, his voice dripping with menace.

"Not this time, Damon," Nicholas sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "I have the demon king by my side."

"The demon king?" Damon chuckled,

his confidence unwavering. "The combined strength of you both cannot even match my power. I am the Vampire king, the mightiest of magic and sorcery," he declared boldly. I could see Nicholas visibly tremble, and the demon king remained silent, his expression blank.

 

Chapter 583

"Selena!" Damon's voice sliced through the tense air as he hurried over to me. His eyes swept over me, filled with concern, as he reached out to touch my shoulder, checking for injuries.

"I'm furious with you right now," he muttered, his grip tight with worry. "But I'm relieved you're safe. These wounds will heal, but I won't forgive those who did this to you." His gaze turned deadly as he glared at the demon king and Nicholas. Damon closed his eyes briefly, muttering something under his breath. Suddenly, he summoned a golden trident, causing both Nicholas and the demon king to gasp in fear.

"Wait, that's... that's the warlock king, Zephyr's trident," the demon king stammered, his eyes wide with shock. "How did you get this?"

I stared at Damon in shock. But he seemed unfazed as his smirk was smug and confident.

"Now you're scared, huh, demon king?" Damon sneered.

The demon king shook his head, his gaze fixed on Damon.

"Alpha Alexander will come for his mate," he announced, his eyes flicking to me.

Confusion clouded my mind.

"Who's Alpha Alexander? What are you talking about?" I demanded, but before the demon king could respond, Damon attacked him with his golden trident, and the demon king vanished. I didn't know if he was dead or just banished back to his realm. "Now it's your turn, Nicholas," Damon growled, turning his attention to the next threat. With a swift motion, Damon struck Nicholas with the trident, and Nicholas disintegrated into ashes.

Then Damon turned to me, his hand reaching out to mine.

"Let's go, Selena," he said firmly.

"But what was he saying about Alpha Alexander?" I demanded, my voice urgent.

"That was just a reckless comment by the evil demon king. It doesn't mean anything. Let's go," he said firmly, grabbing my hand and leading me away.

But his words only added another puzzle to my quest. Why did the demon king mention the trident belonging to the warlock king, and why did he bring up Alpha Alexander while looking at me? There were still so many unanswered questions swirling in my mind. As we returned to the castle, I could feel Damon's anger simmering beneath the surface throughout the entire ride back.

"What were you thinking, going to my uncle?" he exploded as soon as we entered the castle. I had expected his interrogation.

"I was just trying to find some answers to my questions," I replied calmly, trying to keep my own emotions in check.

"What questions?" he asked, his brow furrowing with confusion.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "The questions that have been bothering me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"What do you want to know?" he snapped, irritation clear in his voice. "I've already told you everything, Selena. My whole life is an open book to you."

"I want to know about Arabella and your past life," I demanded, feeling a surge of determination.

"Why do you care?" he scoffed, his eyes narrowing.

"Because... because I feel a strong connection to her," I improvised quickly, hoping he wouldn't see through my excuse.

"It's just a coincidence. You have no connection to her," he insisted angrily.

"Then why do you get so upset whenever I bring her up? And why won't you tell me the truth about her?" I countered, my frustration boiling over. "There's nothing to tell. She died," he said flatly.

"Died?" I repeated, my anger flaring. "How did she die?"

"She... she died in a war," he admitted reluctantly.

"In a war!" I exclaimed, my frustration reaching its peak. "And what about you? What were you before you became the Vampire Prince?"

"Selena, your questions are making

me suspicious. Why do you want to know about my past life? Don't you trust me? I'm your mate, for crying out loud!" he growled, throwing his hands up as his dark aura intensified.

Yet

"Look, I don't care about your past life or anything before you met me. You were mated to an alpha, and I never doubted you," he countered, trying to make me feel guilty. "But you keep bombarding me with questions, making me feel miserable by my own mate," he grimaced, making me feel like a bad mate. Great!

But this time, I wasn't going to let it go.

"Why can't you just give me a straight answer? Tell me, what were you in your past life? Were you the warlock of King Zephyr?" I asked straightforwardly, refusing to let him dodge my questions. He looked startled for a moment, but then his poker face returned, as I had expected.

"You're saying this because his trident follows my instructions!" he said.

"Yes, because this divine trident cannot be wielded by just anyone," I protested.

"You're very smart and clever, Selena, and that's why I'm so happy you're my mate," he grinned before continuing. "Yes, you're right. The trident listens to me because I am its owner."

Though I had suspected it, hearing him admit it surprised me. "So you were the warlock king who ruled over the land?"

"Yes," he nodded, smirking. "Yes, I was King Zephyr, and I lost my mate and died in sorrow because of her loss," he confessed.

"Oh!" I gasped, feeling sorry for him. I must have hurt him by asking. He looked truly pained remembering the past.

"I'm sorry, Damon," I whispered, holding his hand. "But I needed to know everything. It's my right as your mate."

"I understand, Selena. But I was

waiting for the right time to tell you everything. didn't want you to feel overshadowed by my past or Arabella That's all in the past now. But you're my present and very important to me," he smiled sweetly before his eyes gleamed with joy, looking at me as he always used to do.

"I understand losing a mate is very painful," I murmured, thinking of Zander.

"But now I have found my mate, you," Damon announced, bringing me back to the present.

"You're lying, Damon," a loud growl interrupted before the imposing figure of the Alpha king appeared, his guards trying to stop him. Zander stood beside me swiftly, glancing at me intently before glaring at Damon. "You are not her mate, Damon" Zander declared, leaving everyone in the room, including me, confused.

 

Chapter 584

Ther Cursed Land *Selena*

Zander stood there, flanked by his beta, Maddox, and gamma, Ethan. His aura exuded intimidation, demanding submission from those around him. Despite the urge to run and jump into his arms, I resisted. He still held that effect on me. But then he dropped the bombshell: he claimed that Damon and my mate bond was fake. How could he say such a thing? I knew what I felt, and the undeniable pull of the mate bond between Damon and me confirmed its authenticity.

"What are you saying, Zander?" I retorted, my voice laced with confusion. "I can feel the bond too. How can you claim that Damon is faking it?"

"Because it's true. Avery revealed it before she died," he declared solemnly.

"What? Avery has died?" I gasped, my heart sinking. "H...how? What happened to her?"

"It's a long story, Selena, and I'll explain everything. But now is not the time. You need to leave from here," he demanded, his tone firm.

"So you're trusting Avery over me?!" I countered defensively, incredulous that he would believe Avery's words over my own. It was absurd.

"Selena, a dying person never lies," he gritted his teeth, his annoyance evident through his expression.

"I understand that she was your best friend, but every time you choose her over me, believing her more than you believe me, it makes me realize that being with Damon was the right decision," I returned with rage, but regret flooded me when I saw the hurt in his eyes. "Selena is right. You're trusting a liar, and you have no idea how long Avery has been deceiving you," Damon interjected, standing beside me and dropping an arm over my shoulder.

"Shut the fuck up and leave my mate," Zander growled with anger. "I'd sooner believe a demon than believe you."

"That's your mistake, Zander," Damon grimaced.

This time, Zander appeared to be in the wrong, while Damon was right. Zander always behaved harshly toward me, never pausing to consider his actions or decisions.

But Zander became even more furious after Damon's next words, "You can't just yell and prove anything true; you need to accept that Selena is my mate." With a swift punch, Zander sent Damon stumbling backward, nearly causing him to fall. I rushed to Damon's side, catching him before he hit the ground. As our eyes met, I could see fury reflected in his gaze. His golden trident gleamed ominously, and I couldn't help but feel a shiver of terror, remembering what he had done to Demon Kong.

"What are you doing, Zander? You'll hurt him," I protested.

"Are you worried about him?!" Zander's gaze darkened with jealousy and anger. "I haven't hit him properly yet; otherwise, he wouldn't still be standing in front of me," he declared menacingly.

Then he grabbed my hand authoritatively and began tugging me with him, "Let's go, Selena."

"Selena won't go anywhere," Damon growled as he held my other hand. I felt like a pawn caught between two men, both vying for dominance.

"Let go of me," I growled aggressively, snatching my hands free from both of my mates and glaring at them. "Go to hell, both of you!" I shouted as I broke away and ran.

"Selena!" I heard Zander bellowing, but I didn't care. I was fed up with being used as a tool. Even if one of them was my fated mate and the other was the man I loved, they didn't have the right to hurt me and manipulate my emotions like this.

I didn't know how long I had been running, but when I finally stopped, I found myself in a dense forest. A beautiful river flowed nearby, surrounded by divine flora and fauna.

"Selena, wait!" A voice called out, halting my steps. I turned and saw Harper approaching.

"Harper?! What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised.

"The king sent me to follow you, to ensure that you are safe," Harper explained.

"But I don't need anyone, and why would I be unsafe in his territory?" I questioned, puzzled.

"You might not know, but our king has more enemies than friends. One of his enemies is challenging him in court," Harper replied solemnly.

Enemy?! So she was talking about Zander.

"Go away, Harper. I don't need company. I'm not in a good mood, and I might say something that will hurt you," I said firmly, trying to push her away.

"No worries, my queen, but it's my duty to accompany you whether you want it or not," she insisted firmly.

"I am not your queen yet," I glared with frustration.

I was fed up with being claimed by others. I was a free entity, capable of living without needing a man by my side. Zander and Damon were on the verge of facing off, willing to do whatever it took to find their own happiness. But I didn't want to be caught in the middle. I refused to be used as an excuse for them to vent their frustrations on each other.

"No, Your Highness, I want to warn you not to enter this garden," she called out, causing me to turn toward her. "It is cursed and locked for a reason. No one has ever gone inside."

"But why is it cursed? What happened here?" I asked, furrowing my brow and turning my head to look at the alluring garden that was calling out to me.

"I don't know the whole story, but

they say that someone was killed there. They were mates, and it's believed they died due to the curse of this land. It's also said that in ancient times, when gods and goddesses were angry and couldn't find anyone or anything suitable to curse, they cursed this land. Since then, it has brought misfortune to every living creature that enters it.

"But, Harper, I don't believe in those superstitions," I said, starting to move my feet toward the garden. However, Harper grabbed my hand and pulled me back with horror evident in her expression. "Oh my God, Selena, what were you going to do?" she yelped. "The king will punish me if he finds out I let you go to the cursed land," she said solemnly.

"But I won't go to the palace. I'm still angry with your King," I announced grumpily.

"That's not a problem. If you don't want to go to the palace, you can come to my place," she offered.

"Thank you for inviting me to your place," I smiled softly. "But don't you think your king will be upset if you give me shelter at your home?" I lifted one of my brows in question.

"It's my duty and pleasure, my

queen. The king would be happy to

find you safe and with me," she assured me, leading the way. Glancing over my shoulder, I felt torn and couldn't believe what she told me because the land was inviting me, calling me towards it.

 

Chapter 585

Past And Present *Zander*

The tension crackled in the air as Damon's accusing words pierced through the atmosphere. "See, you made our mate run!" he accused me, his voice laced with anger and frustration.

"She is not your mate," I snapped back, my own emotions boiling beneath the surface. "And you made her upset and run, you asshole."

Damon's eyes flared with fury, and he took a menacing step forward. "Don't dare to disrespect me in my kingdom and my palace and think you can get away alive," he threatened, his voice low and dangerous. But I didn't flinch at his words. I damn care about his threat.

"You think you can threaten the Alpha king?!" I challenged, my voice rising with authority. "Your territory or mine, it doesn't matter because I only need my two bare hands to rip your head apart from your body, and you'll be dead," I declared boldly, Lyon surfacing and trying to take over me to show him who the true alpha was.

"You want to see who is the king!" Damon roared, baring his teeth and picking up his filthy trident.

"Don't provoke the Alpha King, King Damon, if you want peace in your kingdom and don't want to start a war," Maddox intervened before things got worse.

"Leave now!" Damon shouted, making everyone tremble in the room. The audacity of that filthy vampire! I swiftly stood before him, our noses almost touching as we both glared at each other, heaving with anger.

"I won't leave without my mate!" I gritted out.

"You won't get her!" Damon ground his teeth. "She is mine!"

My hands grabbed his throat as he spat the words I never wanted to hear.

"She is only mine, and don't you dare claim her. You fucking liar!" I snarled, throwing him into the adjacent pillar. The impact was loud and thunderous, making the pillar shatter as if it were made of dirt. Damon groaned in pain as he got to his feet. "You've made the worst mistake of your life, Zander!" he bellowed, lifting his trident.

I was ready for his magical strike, my power swirling around me to counterattack. But before he could unleash his strike, a lady hurried in and stopped him.

"No, my king!" she said, shaking her head.

"Stay away, Cassandra," Damon growled.

"My king, this is not the right time," she tried to reason with him, her voice laced with urgency.

"Leave my kingdom right now if you don't want all hell to break loose," Damon warned Maddox, his tone dripping with authority. Finally, he realized who the true king was.

Alpha! We need to leave. We will deal with him later,' Maddox mind linked to me, and although I wanted to teach that filthy vampire a lesson, I agreed with Maddox. I needed to find Selena first and take her with me before this liar and fraud of a king could manipulate her further. "This is not over yet, Damon," I warned him before turning and leaving with my people.

'I need to find Selena first,' I told Maddox through the mind link.

'But Damon's people are following us, and they will escort us to the border,' Maddox mindlinked me.

'I don't care, do something,' I ordered through the mind link.

'Let me think of something,' Maddox replied, glancing at the guards and observing our surroundings. After a moment, he mindlinked again, 'I will distract the guards, Alpha, and you need to take the opportunity to search for Luna.' 'Okay!' I replied, determination flooding through me.

"We will go through the forest. It will be a shorter route to our territory," Maddox told the guards, who looked at each other in confusion.

"We don't have instructions about that," one of them said, uncertainty clear in his voice.

Maddox stepped closer, exuding authority. "Look, we're trying to avoid unnecessary conflict and make this as smooth as possible. Do you want to explain to your king why you delayed us and potentially caused more trouble?" The guards hesitated, then finally nodded. "Fine, but we're keeping an eye on you," one of them muttered.

As we moved towards the forest,

Maddox skillfully created a diversion,

drawing the guards' attention away from me. Taking my chance, I slipped into the shadows, determined to find Selena and get her out of Damon's reach. The dense forest provided the perfect cover, and I moved swiftly, my

senses heightened, every fiber of my

being focused on locating my mate.

I lifted my head, trying to focus on Selena's scent. It seemed some magic was in the air, making me lose focus, but I felt myself drawn in a particular direction.

Determined, I moved through the

dense underbrush, my senses on high alert. The forest was thick and shadowy, the trees towering above me like silent sentinels. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs made my heart race, but I pushed forward, driven by my need to find Selena. But nothing seemed familiar. How could it be possible? I couldn't even sense her despite using all my powers. But again an invisible force pulled me and I was startled by the intensity.

"What happened, Alpha?" Maddox asked with concern, but I couldn't reply immediately.

"Alpha," he repeated, shaking me and grabbing my shoulder. I turned to look at him.

"I don't know what happened, but it felt like I had been here in the past," I murmured, almost unconsciously.

"I never remember you coming here, Alpha, and not to this side of the earth," Maddox said, shaking his head in confusion. He was right. We had been in the vampire kingdom before, but I never came to this mysterious forest.

"I know, Maddox, but why is this land

calling me towards it?" I furrowed my brow, the pull so strong that I

removed Maddox's hand from met

shoulder and began walking toward an unknown place. My feet seemed to move of their own accord as if they already knew this place.

'Lyon, do you know what is going on?' I asked my alpha wolf through our mind connection.

'I don't know, Zander, but I am also curious to find out,' he replied, equally intrigued.

As I walked deeper into the forest, the sensation of familiarity grew stronger. The trees seemed to whisper secrets, their branches swaying as if pointing the way. The air was thick with an ancient magic, and I could feel its energy humming through my veins. Maddox followed closely, his concern evident, but he trusted me enough to let me lead. We moved in silence, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves beneath our feet and the occasional rustle of wildlife.

Suddenly, we emerged into a clearing bathed in soft, ethereal light. At the center stood an ancient stone altar, covered in moss and vines. It looked like it had been untouched for centuries, a relic of a forgotten time.

I approached the altar, my heart pounding with a mixture of awe and trepidation. As I laid my hand on the cool stone, a surge of energy coursed through me, and visions flashed before my eyes-images of battles, of rituals, of wolves and men united in purpose. Then I saw two shadows intertwined as one. What were they? I couldn't understand, but it felt like they were in love before one of them fell and then the other fell after that. I was so startled as my hand burned making me remove it with a jerk from the stone. "What happened, Alpha?" Maddox was instantly beside me.

"I don't know, Maddox. I saw something so disturbing, but it felt as if I had lived that moment. I need to understand what this means," I muttered, lost in thought as I stared at the place.

Maddox nodded, his eyes wide with amazement. "What do you want to do, Alpha?"

"I need to investigate this place further. There's something here, something connected to our past and possibly our present," I replied, feeling the weight of destiny settle upon my shoulders.

 

Chapter 586

Unending Fear *Zander*

"My alpha, this seems to be just an altar and nothing special about it. Are you sure we could get some links about it from the past and that it's worth our time?" Maddox asked.

I understood his curiosity and confusion because what I could feel was beyond what he could see. I knew I felt a connection with this altar as if every stone on its wall wanted to tell me something. "Yes, Maddox, I am very sure. I need to know what other secrets it's hiding," I admitted, affirming my resolve.

"Okay, my alpha, let's leave this place. I will send a sample and information about it to our research team. I'm certain they will uncover everything about it," Maddox assured.

"No, I won't leave without Selena, Maddox. My instincts are telling me that something is about to happen and she isn't safe here," I declared, the restlessness still lingering in my chest.

"But she is the true descendant of the moon goddess, and no one can harm her," Maddox said, looking at me as if I had lost my mind. "She is more powerful than all of us."

Powerful or not, she was mine. Mine to care for, mine to protect, and I was not going to leave her alone. I had let her go once, and I regretted that day. Now I knew Damon was not her mate. He was surely up to no good, and I wouldn't leave my mate alone in this difficult time, whether she wanted me to or not.

"My Alpha instinct is never wrong, and I know how powerful she is, but she is equally emotional. She needs me, and I won't leave without her, and that's final," I announced with authority.

Maddox let out a breath in defeat and frustration before he finally conceded, "Okay, my Alpha, as you say."

Then he clicked some pictures and quickly sent them to our research team. He gave them an ultimatum, demanding every piece of information as soon as possible. We waited there, trying to decipher what was written in the ancient language. I had learned some ancient languages, but this seemed older as if it dated back to the creation of the world. The weirder thing was, that I still could not find Selena.

I winced at the possibility that she might have returned to the castle. The thought of that cunning vampire manipulating my mate and claiming her as his made me lose my mind. I wanted to kill that filthy vampire, tearing him apart with my bare hands.

The sun was setting, and the mysterious altar began emitting an ethereal light that seemed to illuminate everything in the encroaching darkness. I could feel the dark magic intensifying, almost overwhelming our senses.

"Alpha, we need to leave," Maddox murmured, sensing the dark force as well.

I nodded, but my mind disagreed. "Let's stay a while and observe this place more in the magical light. Maybe we can find some clue," I suggested, looking at the sky. The moon did not show up. Everything was mysterious about this night. "Alpha!" Maddox sighed, his shoulders slumping in surrender. "Your safety is my responsibility. I can't afford any harm to come to you."

"Don't worry, Maddox. Nothing will happen, and I promise our safety," I assured him. As their Alpha, it was my duty to keep my people safe, and I wouldn't let anything happen to Maddox. He was my beta, my sister's mate, and my best friend. He was the only person I could trust with my pack and my family when I was gone... forever. The lump in my throat swelled at the thought of my impending death.

However, it wasn't long before

Maddox's phone tinged with a notification. He checked the email and showed it to me. "Look at this Alpha. Qur research team dug deep into the ancient literature and found that this altar is thousands of years old. It's not mentioned for any specific reason, but it was under the kingdom of the Warlock King," he read aloud.

No specific information! Then why was I seeing those strange things about it? It was possible that the magic in the air was playing with my mind, making me see illusions. The eerie light from the altar and the thick, dark magic that surrounded us seemed almost sentient, trying to manipulate our senses and

thoughts, I stared at the information. The research team had even sent all the spreadsheets and related proofs about the altar's age. The details confirmed its ancient origins, stretching back thousands of years, and tied it to the reign of the

Warlock King.

Suddenly, Maddox's phone began ringing. It was a video call from Blair. I handed his phone back to him. He blushed as he saw his mate was calling him.

"Excuse me, Alpha," he muttered hesitantly before stepping away to a corner. Though I could hear everything, I chose not to pay attention to my sister and his mate's conversation.

I continued observing the

surroundings and noticed a path

leading to a river, the sound of

flowing water reaching my ears.

Ret

felt like déjà vu as if I had been here

before in another lifetime. I was lost

in my thoughts, not realizing Maddox was calling my name.

"Alpha! Alpha!"

"Yes, Maddox. What happened?" I asked, furrowing my brow at the urgency on his face.

"There's something that needs your attention," he informed me, handing me his phone.

Holding Maddox's phone, I glanced at my sister on the screen. "Yes, Blair. What happened? Is everything alright in the pack?" I inquired.

"Yes, Zander, everything is going fine," she replied, but there was a note of panic in her voice. "But suddenly the Seer came, and she wanted to talk to you urgently."

The Seer?! If she wanted to talk to me, it must be something very and really important. She never appeared before anyone without a reason.

"Okay," I approved, feeling a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.

Blair nodded and then passed her phone to the Seer. The screen shifted, and the Seer's solemn face came into view. Her eyes, deep and knowing, seemed to pierce through the screen. "Alpha! I need you to return quickly," the Seer said. No, she literally commanded, desperation and fear were clear in her voice.

"What's wrong?" I asked, frowning.

"I saw blood and dead bodies everywhere, signs of war," the Seer said, her voice trembling. "And you... you lay lifeless among them while our Luna was crying." Her voice broke as she described the vision. I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. Her words brought my unending fear, the fear I couldn't escape.

 

Chapter 587

Black Magic Zander

As I was talking to Seer, my eyes suddenly fell on the altar. The top stone abruptly changed its color, emitting a beam of red light that shot straight into the distance. My eyes followed the path and I saw the light fall on dense bushes.

I handed the phone back to Maddox without finishing our conversation, as this event had me strangely intrigued, and I walked towards the bushes.

"Alpha, where are you going?" Maddox was hot on my heels.

"Look at this, Maddox," I said, pointing to the beam of light falling on the bushes. "There's something there, and I need to find out what it is." Maddox didn't argue. As we reached the bushes, the light suddenly faded, making the corner darken abruptly.

"What the fuck just happened?" Maddox groaned. "This place is full of puzzles and I still think we should find Luna and leave immediately," he mumbled as advice. "Maddox, you wait here and let me see what is behind these bushes," I said as I stepped forward.

"Wait, Alpha, I can't let you go alone," he responded firmly. "I will come with you." I smiled amusedly at my Beta, knowing how protective he was of me. "Let's go then," I nodded as I led the way.

I separated the bushes and made a path through.

"Oh my goddess!" Maddox gasped as an illuminated circle appeared out of nowhere between the bushes. "What is this?" he mumbled again.

"Frankly, I don't know Maddox, but my instinct tells me I can find answers to my questions here," I said, taking a deep breath as I stepped forward.

As soon as my foot landed on the illuminated circle, it sank into the ground, and the earth beside it shifted to reveal a downward path.

"What the fuck!" Maddox blinked in astonishment.

Throwing a quick glance at him, I looked at the newly opened way in the earth and took a determined step forward, not knowing where it would lead me. But I knew I had to do it. To my surprise, stairs abruptly appeared beneath my feet, and the hollow was illuminated with an ethereal gleam.

"Oh my goddess! It's a secret passage to somewhere underground," Maddox mumbled.

"It seems like it," I sighed deeply and began descending. Maddox followed close behind, and we kept going down with no end in sight to the steps.

The air grew cooler as we descended further, each step echoing in the vast emptiness below. The flickering light emitting from its walls eerily penetrated the thick darkness, casting shadows on the rough stone walls.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we emerged into a vast underground chamber.

I stopped in my tracks, astonished

by the scene before us. Before us lay what it seemed the centre of an ancient temple, its grandeur both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Massive stone columns, etched with intricate runes and symbols, rose from the ground to support a ceiling lost in the shadows above. The walls were adorned with faded murals depicting scenes of worship and arcane rituals, their colors muted but still visible.

At the center of the temple stood a colossal statue of a godlike entity, his stern face gazing down at us. His eyes, though carved from stone, seemed to follow our every move. Around the statue were altars and offering tables, now covered in dust but still bearing the remnants of ancient sacrifices.

I walked slowly around the chamber, my footsteps echoing in the silence. The walls told a story through the carvings upon them. It seemed as if the entity was the warlock God, and the king and his people used to worship it. Maddox moved beside me, his face a mix of wonder and apprehension. "This place... it's incredible," he said, barely above a whisper. "And this seems like a ritual," he pointed to a story depicted through the carvings. "The King offered something to the God, and he was granted his wish," I mumbled while examining it. "But what could the wish have been, and how did the kingdom end up doomed?" I couldn't help but wonder.

There was also something written in

ancient warlock language which we couldn't decipher. So, it seemed like the vampire kingdom was once the warlock kingdom in ancient times. Maddox took out his phone and

snapped some pictures.

"I'll send these to the research team and see what they find," he muttered while photographing all the corners of the temple.

"Imagine the power that must have been wielded here, the secrets these walls have witnessed." I glanced around, still feeling the powerful magic in the air.

"Zander, leave this place immediately," Lyon suddenly growled in my mind.

"What's wrong?" I mind-linked, growing as my eyes searched the surroundings once more for sign of something unusual.

"My wolf instinct is sensing danger here," Lyon uttered with urgency, and then it seemed the shadows around us began to move.

Suddenly, I heard a hissing sound in the air and my senses made my head move along with the movement.

"Maddox, watch out!" I shouted, lunging at Maddox and falling to the ground, taking him with me before the silver arrow touched him.

It pierced through the air and stuck into the wall behind Maddox. Fuck! It was a close shot. But why couldn't Maddox's wolf sense the attack on him? My eyes widened with realization. The black magic!

The magic in the air was blocking our senses. However it couldn't affect Lyon.

I got to my feet and gave Maddox a hand, pulling him to his feet.

"Attacking from behind shadows? Show yourself, you coward," I growled in my alpha voice.

Maddox looked at me in shock, then his eyes lifted to glance over my shoulder. Breathing heavily, I turned to follow Maddox's gaze as a shadow came into physical form.

Chapter 588

Final Blow *Zander*

As the figure emerged from the shadows, the whole picture became clear. The golden trident in his hand was proof that his intentions were far from good.

"So, this was a trap for me," I challenged, raising my head with pride.

"I don't have a problem with you, Alpha. But you were the one who tried to take my mate and started this. Your curiosity has led you to your grave," Damon mocked, snorting and gesturing around with his arms. "And you call yourself a king?" I taunted. "Attacking from the shadows like a coward."

"Zander, I am nothing like you, and your provocations won't work on me," Damon scowled smugly.

"That's right, you are nothing like me. I have Alpha blood and am a real man, not a coward who lacks moral values," I snarled, baring my teeth.

"Moral values?!" he laughed mockingly. "Are you fucking serious, Alpha Zander? What will I get from moral values? They won't even bring me victory," he added arrogantly.

"A victory is not a victory until it is earned through true strength, not by deception and fraud," I grimaced, my voice filled with disdain.

"Think whatever you want," Damon sneered. "But get ready to die. With you gone, all my competition will be eliminated. No one can take Selena away from me not in this life, not ever. She was mine, and she will always be mine," he declared, his tone dripping with malice.

"You're fucking delusional, Damon, if you think you can keep Selena forever. She's not your mate, and she will leave you the moment she sees your true face," I retorted, my words laced with conviction. But Damon only smirked wickedly.

"That day will never come. I will remove every obstacle between Selena and me, just like I am going to remove you," he snarled, his voice filthy with hatred. He lifted his trident, ready to strike.

The sparks and lightning crackled in the air as Damon raised his golden trident, its sinister glow casting eerie shadows on the hall. His eyes gleamed with malevolent anticipation, and I knew he was moments away from striking. I was ready for his filthy move, not expecting anything more from him.

"Get ready, Zander. Your end is near," Damon hissed, his voice echoing with dark magic. He lunged forward, aiming the trident directly at my heart.

In a burst of speed, I sidestepped the attack, summoning my Alpha King powers. Within a moment Lyon took over my body. The ground beneath us trembled as I unleashed a wave of energy, attempting to knock Damon off balance. But he was quick, too quick. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected my magic, his laughter echoing ominously.

"Is that all you've got?" Damon taunted, advancing with relentless determination. Then he swirled his wrists and more of his evil army appeared from the shadows, ready to attack anytime.

"They can't match our powers, Alpha!" Maddox growled as he quickly shifted, overpowering the black magic binding his wolf and attacking those filthy minions.

I was pleased to see the fear on Damon's face, but he was soon ready to attack again. With one swift lunge, I dodged the strike. I got up to my feet again and, shifting into human form, I took Damon by surprise and punched him, sending him flying across the hall and slamming into the wall behind him.

Before I could launch an attack

again, I saw Maddox grappling with

one of Damon's minions nearby.

Maddox was outnumbered and

struggling, his life hanging by anet

thread. Without a second thought, I sprinted towards him, my protective instincts overriding all else.

"Maddox, hold on!" I shouted, my voice raw with urgency.

Just as I reached Maddox, Damon appeared in a blur of motion, his trident poised for a deadly strike. In a split-second decision, I pushed Maddox out of the way, taking the full brunt of Damon's attack. The golden trident pierced through my side, a searing pain engulfing me.

"Alpha!" Maddox's voice was filled with horror as he watched me fall to my knees, blood pouring from the wound.

Damon laughed cruelly, yanking the trident out with a sickening sound. "Such a noble sacrifice, Alpha King. But ultimately futile."

I gasped for breath, feeling my strength ebbing away. The world around me blurred, but I forced myself to stay conscious, to fight for every second. My vision darkened as I looked up at Damon, who towered over me with a triumphant sneer. "You underestimated me, cunning Vampire. You may have wounded me, Damon, but you'll never break my spirit," I growled, blood dripping from my mouth.

Damon's eyes narrowed, his smile fading. "You should have stayed down. Now, I'll make sure you suffer before you die."

He raised the trident again, aiming

for a fatal blow. Summoning the last of my strength, I conjured a barrier of magical energy, hoping to buy Maddox enough time to escape. The barrier shimmered weakly, barely hotding against Damon's assault.

"Maddox, go!" I choked out, my voice barely a whisper." You need to live to save our people. To save Selena. Find her."

"No, I won't leave you alone," he whispered, his voice trembling as he watched me bleed.

"It's your Alpha's order, Beta Maddox!" I commanded in my Alpha voice, and he had to obey.

Maddox hesitated, his eyes filled with anguish, but he nodded, looking utterly helpless, "I will be back soon!"

As he turned to flee, I saw Damon's fury intensify. He struck the barrier with all his might, shattering it into a million fragments.

The impact sent me sprawling onto the ground, pain ripping through my body. I struggled to rise, but my strength was gone, my vision fading rapidly. Damon loomed over me, his trident dripping with my blood. "This is the end for you, Zander," he said coldly, preparing to deliver the final blow.

As the world around me grew darker, I felt a surge of defiance. Even in my last moments, I would not bow to this evil Vampire. I summoned the last vestiges of my power, ready to fight until my final breath. But before Damon could strike, a brilliant light erupted from behind. It seemed the dawn was breaking, and with it came a shrieking voice.

"No, leave him!"

 

Chapter 589

Last Breath *Selena*

As I headed to Harper's house, a strange feeling washed over me. Some instinct was holding me back, making each step forward an effort. It was as if someone was calling out to me, needing me urgently. I stopped in my tracks and looked behind me. Everything seemed

normal, yet the feeling persisted, an invisible force pulling at me, making it difficult to move ahead.

I turned around again, my gaze drawn to the garden Harper referred to as the cursed land. Something about it seemed to call out to me, a whisper of unease. Arena, my wolf, was restless. She howled in my mind, "I think we need to investigate that cursed land. It's strange why everyone is forbidden from going there."

"You're right," I replied through our mindlink. "I feel it too. Why is it cursed? We need to uncover the mystery behind it."

"What happened? Why aren't you moving?" Harper asked, confusion evident as she stopped and turned back when she realized I had left behind.

"Harper, I need to go back to the cursed land," I told her.

"What? No, you can't go there. It's very dangerous," Harper countered, her expression turning panicked.

"Harper, you don't need to come. I will go and see if the rumors about the curse are true or not," I assured her.

"Please, my queen, I cannot let you put yourself in danger. It is my duty to keep you safe," she insisted, her voice laced with desperation.

"Then you are bound to follow my orders as well. As your queen, I order you to stay here and wait for further instructions," I commanded, using my authoritative voice. Harper froze in her place, bowing her head without argument.

I quickly rushed toward the cursed land, feeling something strange stir inside me as I approached. Then suddenly, I was hit with intense pain as if the mate bond itself was fading. "No, it's Zander..." Arena gasped in pain, panic rising within me.

"What happened to him?" I cried out, my voice trembling. "We need to find him. Where is he?" Breathing became difficult, as if my lungs had been punched hard.

"The cursed land," Arena uttered urgently. We sped toward it with lightning-fast speed. There was

barrier at the entrance, but nothing could stop me from reaching my alpha mate in this desperate moment. I broke through the barrier and entered the land. It appeared to be a normal forest, but the magic in the air was palpable. A mystical breeze blew, carrying whispers that surrounded us, impossible to ignore.

Ignoring the distractions, I focused solely on finding Zander. The night was dark, the only light coming from the stars above us. My frantic eyes scanned the dense forest, searching for him in the darkness, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then my eyes landed on an illuminated altar.

I approached it, my heart pounding. No one was there, but I could feel his presence, so close. Yet, why couldn't I see him?

"Selena, I have a strong feeling Zander was here. I can still smell his scent," Arena said, her voice filled with urgency. My eyes halted at the altar.

"And this altar," Arena paused, her

gaze fixed. "holds some mysterious secret. I hear whispers in my head. I don't know if they're real or not but I feel like there's an underground ancient temple hidden from modern eyes."

"An underground temple?" I repeated, furrowing. "What kind of temple could it be?"

I tapped my foot impatiently, testing if the ground beneath us was hollow. Desperation to find Zander consumed me, and the pain intensified suddenly, making me feel as if I were about to collapse.

"Goddess, Arena! We have to find Zander soon. He is in danger," I shouted, my voice thick with desperation, even though I could have mindlinked her.

"There!" My eyes shot in a direction

as if the goddess was showing me a path. My feet started moving on their own, leading me behind some bushes There, I saw an opening at the earth's surface, revealing an entrance covered by vines and dirt. We quickly cleared the entrance, uncovering a path that led down into the unknown.

"What the hell is that?!" I gasped as I saw it.

"I told you, it would be the temple," Arena whispered in my head.

"Is Zander there? But why would he have gone to an underground temple in an unknown territory?" I mused. There was only one way to find all the answers-we needed to go there.

"Let's go," I said, raising my hands horizontally. My powers lifted us into the air, descending us into the underground.

When we finally reached the bottom, my eyes widened with shock, and my heart stopped as I witnessed Damon striking Zander with his golden trident.

"No, leave him!" I screamed. My hands lifted on their own, unleashing a powerful magical blast at Damon, pushing him away from Zander.

Damon's eyes mirrored my shock as

he was thrown into the air by my shot, slamming into the wall hard. He groaned in pain, but he was the least of my concerns. I rushed toward Zander, tears streaming from my eyes as I saw the wound on his chest, inflicted by the golden trident, burning red and scorching his soul.

"No, this can't be happening. You can't die, Zander," I cried, taking him in my arms and resting his head on my lap. The walls vibrated, and pillars crumbled from the intensity of my grief. "It's time, Selena. The prophecy..." Zander muttered before he closed his eyes and took his last breath in my arms.

Chapter 590

Ancient Wolf *Selena*

"Why are you crying for our enemy? He tried to kill me, and so he had to die," Damon growled, his voice strained from the impact of Selena's powerful blow.

"No!" I roared, my eyes flashing with a mix of pain and fury. "He doesn't deserve death. It's you who will pay for killing my Zander!" my scream echoed through the room as I unleashed another devastating strike, sending Damon hurtling across the room to crash against a distant wall.

"I can't believe you would defend him over me. I am your mate, and yet you choose to protect our enemy," Damon snarled, struggling to rise to his feet amidst the wreckage.

"No!" my voice boomed, my entire demeanor now a terrifying force of vengeance. "I have loved only one man my entire life, and when will you understand that it's not you!" my words were a declaration, punctuated by the raw power of my attacks as I closed in on Damon

once more.

"Then you are a fool, Selena. If you had chosen me, I would have let you live. But you chose death. Perhaps we'll meet in the next life," Damon smirked wickedly and summoned his golden trident, which appeared in his right hand. "Goodbye, Selena!" he whispered sternly, his stony gaze fixed upon me, before aiming the weapon at me.

"Not so soon, Zephyr!" Arena's voice echoed, and the next moment I felt my entire being start glowing, emitting a brilliant golden light. Arena overtook me.

Damon instinctively raised his arm to shield his eyes as the glow intensified, fearing he would be blinded.

Suddenly, my body lifted into the air, and the entire underground temple trembled, rising towards the earth's surface.

The ground shook violently as if a powerful earthquake had struck. When the trembling finally ceased, Damon cautiously opened his eyes, only to be confronted by a sight that shocked him to the core.

"How... how is this possible?" he stammered in disbelief as Arena revealed herself hovering over me. The two figures appeared inseparable, not two individual entities but one-a phenomenon that could only mean Arena was... "The ancient wolf!" Damon gasped with horror.

Before him stood the embodiment of an ancient prophecy, which foretold the reincarnation of the ancient wolf for a sacred purpose.

"No! No! This can't be possible. This can't be true," Damon muttered in shock, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"Now it's time for you to pay for it, Damon, or should I say Warlock King Zephyr," Arena snarled, her voice reverberating through the ancient temple. Damon visibly trembled, his arrogance shaken by the presence of the powerful entity before him. "You... you can't do anything to me," Damon managed to utter, though his voice faltered with fear as Arena's form expanded, filling the entire space from floor to the towering ceiling of the ancient temple.

"I will end you in your own temple, and you will witness it," Arena challenged, her voice echoing with authority and determination. Damon, however, seemed determined to make a final stand. He lifted his golden trident and pointed it threateningly at Arena and Selena. "You can't touch me because I won't let you live another second," Damon declared, his eyes filled with a mixture of apprehension and disgust.

As Damon stood there, bewildered

by Arena's display of invulnerability, she suddenly sprang into action. With a speed that defied human. comprehension, Arena closed the distance between them in an instant. Her movements were fluid yet powerful, reminiscent of a predator toying with its prey.

Damon, caught off guard by Arena's sudden attack barely managed to summon his own dark energies in defense. He conjured swirling shadows and launched them toward Arena, attempting to ensnare her in

a web of malevolent energy to

However, Arena anticipated his every move with uncanny foresight, effortlessly evading or dispersing the shadowy tendrils with a flick of her hand.

She circled him like a hawk eying its prey, her golden eyes gleaming with anger and revenge. With each dodge and parry, she seemed to be studying Damon's tactics, understanding his strengths and weaknesses with a predator's instinct.

As their battle reached its peak, Damon realized he couldn't overpower the ancient wolf with his own abilities. Arena's strength seemed insurmountable. However, in the chaos of their fierce confrontation, a crumbling pillar created a split-second distraction.

Damon seized the opportunity. With

a whispered incantation, he drew

upon his formidable powers, tapping into the dark energies that flowed through him. Shadows coalesced around him, wrapping him in a shroud of darkness. He blended seamlessly into the obsidian void, becoming one with the shadows that flickered and danced in the dim light of the ancient temple.

Arena's golden eyes scanned the area, searching for any trace of her elusive adversary.

"Coward!" Arena howled.

"We will find him later, Arena. First, we need to bring Zander back," I pleaded desperately with my wolf, feeling the weight of grief pressing down on me. Arena acquiesced silently, relinquishing control as she shifted back.

I ran towards Zander's lifeless body and held him in a tight embrace, willing him to wake up.

"Arena, if you're an ancient wolf, use your power and bring him back to life," I commanded, desperation creeping into my voice.

"I'm sorry, Selena," Arena whispered sorrowfully, her own anguish evident. "Bringing back the dead is not within my abilities. It's beyond my power."

Tears streamed down my face as hopelessness threatened to overwhelm me. I summoned all the inherited powers from my lineage as a descendant of the moon goddess, but despite my efforts, nothing happened. Zander remained still, his chest unmoving. "Come on, Moon Goddess! You can't be so unfair," I shouted in anger and despair, my voice echoing through the cavernous temple. "Give me back my Zander, or I will join him in death!"