"Back for more?" She drawled, in a sultry tone, and Cedric had to reel himself back when he jumped out of bed, grabbing their clothes off the floor.
"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked as he began to hastily dress her, her eyes searching for his.
Cedric doesn't reply as he moves to put on his own clothes. It wasn't that he didn't want to. He couldn't. A lot of things were running through his mind, his panicked thoughts mixing with fear.
The witch was right. Marisol was far from ready to face any enemy and if the force coming was as formidable as he'd sensed then there was no way he was thrusting her into that unprepared.
With both of them dressed, he hurriedly pulled her out of bed and, with quick steps, they moved into the depths of the hidden castle, Marisol's questions carried away by the wind.
"Wait." She tried again, "Listen..."
He couldn't afford to listen. His wolf, who'd never felt an ounce of fear, was trembling and it was all because it feared for her safety. He needed to keep her safe before anything else.
'Where are you? They're close. Nothing is stopping them, not even Leticia's magic. I think it's out of her control too.' he heard Caleb's panicked voice in his head.
'Who are they?' Cedric asked.
'We don't know. We're blindly navigating a sudden haze as it is."
"Cedric, w-"
Cedric shut the door before Marisol could finish.
"I love you." He muttered against the wood before turning around and letting his wolf take over, the sound of its footsteps echoing through the empty corridors.
As he burst outside, the chilling sight before him sent shivers down his spine. A formidable figure stood at the edge of the boundary, a massive black wolf exuding power and dominance. Beside it, a pure white wolf with blood-red eyes paced restlessly, emanating a menacing aura.
The ground seemed to tremble as the black wolf released a bone-chilling roar, the sheer force of it rattling Cedric to his core. It was the roar of another Alpha, a force to be reckoned with, more powerful than anything Cedric had ever encountered.
Instinctively, Cedric's own wolf growls in response, battle-ready, but its voice is drowned out by the overwhelming presence of the newcomers. With a sense of foreboding, Cedric transformed into his human form and approached cautiously, his eyes fixed on the imposing figures before him.
"Who are you?" Cedric demanded, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and defiance. He couldn't show his fear, not when he was supposed to be the protector of his pack.
The black and white wolves prowled menacingly, their eyes ablaze with fury. They seemed to communicate silently, their intentions unclear as they sniffed the air, their senses on high alert.
Finally, one of the other wolves in their company shifts into human form, his voice filled with urgency. "Where's Caleb Coveton and where is Marisol?" he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.
At the mention of his name, Caleb's wolf whimpers in fear and tries to retreat. Before Cedric could react, the black wolf lunged forward at lightning speed, seizing Caleb in its powerful jaws. Panic surged through Cedric as he watched helplessly, his mind racing with questions and a looming sense of dread.
Then, the white wolf shifted way too quickly and easily for it to be normal, a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Marisol now standing before them. Just as quick as she appeared, she disappeared into thin air, only to materialize right in front of Leticia, her fingers pressing into the witch's throat as she held her in a chokehold.
Cedric's breath catched in his throat as realization dawned upon him. These were Marisol's parents; leaders of the powerful Dark Moon pack, and the threat in their every step and demeanor was owing to their missing daughter that was traced back here, to Redwood.
"Where is my daughter?" the woman yelled, her voice laced with raw emotion.
Cedric's mind raced as he struggled to process the situation. Marisol's parents had come for her, and they were prepared to do whatever it took to take her back home.
"You're the witch who trapped her!" The woman accused, her fingers not letting up around Leticia's throat.
The looming threat to his pack and his people triggered Cedric's wolf and, in the blink of an eye, he'd shifted back into his wolf form. This did not go unnoticed by the Dark Moon warriors and, taking it as a challenge, they descended upon Redwood with savage ferocity, their strength overwhelming Cedric and his allies. Cedric fought valiantly, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he was fighting not only for his pack but for the woman he loved.
Cedric's thoughts were consumed by Marisol. He couldn't let her parents take her away, not when they had only just found each other. He still needed to tell her so many things and he doubted her parents would let that happen, or even believe him not after Redwood had deceived them once already. With every ounce of strength he possessed, he vowed to protect her, no matter the cost.
They were losing heavily. The black and white wolves were a formidable force, especially together. They moved like ghosts, effectively knocking out everything in their path. The army that followed them was even more deadly. Redwood had nothing on them. It was almost too easy for them.
Amidst the chaos, Cedric realized that Liam Hallows, the imposing black wolf Marisol's father, was intent on razing the entirety of Redwood to the ground. His heart sank as he surveyed the scene. The battle had taken its toll, leaving him and his allies battered and bruised, with no hope of victory.
Despite his injuries and knowing well that they were fighting a losing battle, Cedric fought on, his determination unwavering.
Desperation claws at Cedric's chest, watching Redwood's Army dwindled by the minute, his mind racing for a way to turn the tide of the battle. He knew that if Liam succeeded in his ruthless onslaught, there would be nothing left of Redwood but ashes and ruin.
Just as Cedric receives a blow that almost sends him tumbling to the floor, a loud voice pierces through the clamor like a blade. "Stop!." The command in her voice rang out with an authority that effectively silenced the battlefield.
Time seemed to stand still as they all turned to look at Marisol, their expressions a mixture of shock and awe. Even Liam, the fierce Alpha of the Dark Moon pack, halted at the sound of his daughter's voice.
Cedric felt a surge of pride and admiration swell within him as he watched Marisol stand tall amidst the chaos, her eyes blazing with determination. She had always possessed a strength and resilience that amazed him, but in that moment, she seemed to shine with an otherworldly power.
As the echoes of her command faded, a tense silence enveloped the battlefield, broken only by the sound of labored breathing and the distant rumble of thunder. Cedric held his breath, his heart pounding with anticipation as he followed her every move.