Talon's POV
"Alpha, their people are tailing us," Bard warned as we moved forward.
"I know," I responded in a hushed voice before peeking around to realize that Alpha Shaco's men were not slow to follow. They circled like hungry wolves toying with panicked prey.
"Alpha, what should we do? If we continue like this, we'll be completely surrounded by them," Braum said, gripping his weapon tightly and frowning in worry. I could see how nervous he was, a fine bead of sweat appearing on his forehead.
"Wait a little longer," I straightened up and looked forward. I was afraid that Alpha Shaco had been dragging his feet because it hadn't yet come to what he deemed the perfect time.
Not far away was a cramped canyon, the way we had to return to the pack. If we encountered another group of werewolves guarding that place, we would be in a bad situation today.
"Bard, target Jayce later. If we can take the lead and get him under control, our chances of winning this time will be much better," I lowered my voice, glancing towards Jayce, who stood back with a smug look on his face.
"Alpha, what about me?" Braum couldn't help but come over upon hearing my arrangement.
"Keep an eye on the encirclement ahead. We're going to strike the moment we enter the canyon later. You just need to pinpoint the weak point in their defense to tear a gap. We'll be able to retreat nicely, and that's our only chance."
"And you?" Braum and Bard inquired in unison.
"Me? Didn't Alpha Shaco say he wanted to see what I was made of?" I said as I slowly stood up. A cramped path was faintly visible in the canyon ahead, and dozens of fierce-faced werewolves warriors shadowed the dense forest on either side of the canyon.
"Do it!"
With hardly any hesitation, the warriors in the group swiftly moved according to our pre-assigned targets. I locked eyes with Alpha Shaco, my bloodthirsty gaze aiming at him.
"It seems that you have a death wish!"
Alpha Shaco obviously didn't anticipate me formulating a battle plan in such a short period. A hint of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained composure. He slumped to the ground and instantly transformed into a giant black wolf, revealing sharp fangs, meeting my attack head-on.
The collision caused me to take several steps back, while Alpha Shaco gained momentum and came at me again with a berserk howl. At this moment, I transformed into a werewolf, the power filling my body spreading towards my limbs.
Immediately after, I dodged Alpha Shaco's attack with a sidestep. Panic flashed in his eyes, indicating this was our first encounter, and he lacked a clear understanding of my speed. Alpha Shaco's body rushed forward with inertia, and I accelerated violently to catch up, launching an attack towards his back.
"Wait!" Jayce's proud voice echoed from a distance.
My attack slowed down with that sound, but Alpha Shaco still curled up and planted himself heavily to the side. I looked toward Jayce's voice, and between us, Braum lay dying at his feet, his body appearing extremely battered.
Evidently, Braum's battle plan had failed. Unexpectedly, Alpha Shaco had planted several times as many werewolves ahead of us. Just as I aimed to catch up with Alpha Shaco and take him hostage, another werewolf emerged out of nowhere, rescuing Alpha Shaco.
And not far from Bard's battle circle came the roar of his struggle.
Instantly, a wave of sadness surged through my heart.
Was it true that I was going to die here today?
"So damn!"
My heart cried out in indignation.
"Knelt down, or I'll slaughter him in front of you!" Jayce kicked Braum, who was lying on the ground, with his foot, and took a bright, sharp knife out of his pocket, playing with it in his hand.
"No, Alpha, you don't..."
Braum slowly struggled to his feet and gently shook his head.
"Shut up."
Jayce frowned and slowly raised his spiked knife, about to stab towards Braum.
Thud!
The blood-splattering scene in my mind didn't appear; instead, Jayce, standing on the high platform, flew straight backward.
A tall figure appeared in front of us.
"Pantheon? You traitor!" Seeing the true face of the visitor, Alpha Shaco shouted angrily.
"Not too late." Pantheon ignored Alpha Shaco's words, turning his head to look at me, with Caitlyn behind him, looking at me with a worried face.
"Do you realize what you're doing?" Jayce slowly got up off the ground, looking at Pantheon and Caitlyn with a spiteful expression.
"Of course I know, but I don't want the baby in my daughter's womb to be born without a father."
Pantheon shrugged, picking Braum up slowly and walking toward me.
"Are you okay." Caitlyn's eyes were full of heartache as she carefully surveyed my entire body.
I shook my head gently, and Caitlyn breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that I hadn't sustained any serious injuries.
"Pantheon, if you take Caitlyn and leave now, I can pretend nothing happened. You can continue to enjoy your rightful place in the pack, and I'll do what I can to help Caitlyn, just like I helped you and Gwen."
Alpha Shaco slowly stood up, his face holding the arrogance of a superior being, as if everything could be exchanged for profit in his eyes.
"Gwen?"
Pantheon chanted softly, his body stifling a shudder.
"You have no business mentioning her name," Pantheon slowly twisted his head, his voice carrying a cold, murderous aura.
"You ungrateful villain. If it weren't for my father who took you in in the first place, I'm afraid you would have already fallen into rogue and been killed by the other werewolves."
Seeing Pantheon in this state, Jayce couldn't help but shout indignantly.
"Shut up! Shaco, do you still think I'm as clueless as before?"
Pantheon glanced at Jayce contemptuously before turning his head towards Alpha Shaco in question. Alpha Shaco's eyes instantly narrowed when he heard this, and he glanced first at Pantheon and then in my direction.
"Pantheon, it seems like you're really getting old. Why do you believe in the words of an outsider who casually says a few words? We've been in a relationship for so many years. You're really giving me a bit of a chill like this." Alpha Shaco gently shook his head, the expression on his face even showing some aggravation. "What the truth looks like, I think you know better than I do."
Pantheon frowned gently. It was evident that after so many years had passed, trying to make him turn against Alpha Shaco all of a sudden, his heart must have been struggling.
"My friend, I didn't think this day would come."
Alpha Shaco sighed, then his fingers quietly made a gesture in the dark.
"Father, look out!"
Just at this moment, Caitlyn suddenly shouted, her whole body blocking in front of Pantheon. I twisted around to look towards the back, and out of nowhere, another black mass of werewolves appeared, their uniforms embroidered with a bright moon tattoo. It was clearly the members of The Glorious Moon pack, Alpha Shaco's alliance!