Caitlyn's POV
Transforming back into my human form, the weakness from having my strength drained away almost made me want to pass out instantly. Reflecting on the fleeting images just now, if it weren't for the pain coursing through my body, I fear I would have dismissed it as an unbelievable dream.
"Caitlyn, are you okay?" Upon witnessing my weakened state, my father rushed over, softly calling my name while carefully examining my body for any abnormalities.
My father's eyes were filled with heartache and anxiety, completely disregarding the scars on his body that still dripped blood.
"Um, I'm fine," I said as I slowly raised my palms, a gentle stream of air surging from my body to heal my father's wound.
"This small wound is nothing. The most important thing right now is to get out of this place. It's not a suitable place to stay for long."
My father spoke those words, but his eyes always carried a sense of relief.
The little girl who had once followed him and made him swear to protect her for the rest of her life never thought that there would be a day when she could stand in front of him and become his dependence.
"Be careful; I'm afraid they will launch another wave," Talon warned in a deep voice.
I obediently scanned the surroundings. The werewolves that were knocked to the ground by the shockwave earlier now all stood up, each with a trace of scorn in their eyes as they looked at me.
"Don't be afraid. It's impossible for her to unleash that attack a second time. Now, arrest them all. When we reach the palace, everyone will be heavily rewarded!"
Alpha Shaco commanded his men to approach our position, sensing my pale face.
However, he remained in place, watching somewhat apprehensively, so only a few werewolves dared to rush up.
After all, no one could be certain they could withstand my previous attack.
"Caitlyn, meeting you is truly the happiest thing in my life. Honestly, just now, I thought for a moment that I would never see you again, but luckily, the Moon God heard my prayers."
Just as I vigilantly observed the surroundings, Talon raised his head and looked at me somewhat apologetically, his eyes filled with deep love and even a hint of reluctance.
While his words puzzled me, hearing such sentiments on this occasion inevitably stirred a trace of panic in my heart.
"Talon, you..."
"Don't say anything for a moment. I just have something I want to say to you, and I'm afraid that if I don't, I won't have the time."
Talon barely managed to squeeze out a smile before slowly getting to his feet, a golden glow flashing through the depths of his pupils.
"What nonsense are you talking about! We will definitely be able to break out today without any problems!"
Sensing Talon's intentions, I instantly became on guard, suspecting that Talon might be hiding some kind of plan.
"Pantheon, I will charge out a path later. Don't hesitate to take Caitlyn and charge out."
Talon finished speaking, his eyes filled with a blinding golden color. The rays slowly penetrated through his body, making him look like he was wrapped in a golden cocoon.
"Don't worry; I will protect Caitlyn."
My father seemed to understand Talon's plan and nodded solemnly. It felt as if a thread was about to snap inside me as the mark Talon left on my neck erupted with searing heat.
Reason told me that if I didn't stop Talon, I would surely regret it for the rest of my life.
"Looks like I guessed correctly; you really do have a backup plan. The king will definitely be satisfied when I capture you!"
Seeing Talon in this state, Alpha Shaco laughed hysterically and then commanded the other werewolves to attack in the direction where Talon was.
"Come on, you filthy fools!"
Talon braced himself on the ground with his hands, letting out a pained cry from his throat while the wolf inside him struggled wildly, almost ready to burst out of his body the next second. The light on Talon's body grew brighter and brighter, while my body shook from the pain.
A familiar warmth surged through my body as I observed Talon's desperate attempt to shield me. However, this time, the pain was more intense than before.
Tiny beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and the muscles throughout my body seemed to churn as a bloodthirsty desire relentlessly pounded at my sanity.
"Caitlyn, stop pushing yourself," my father urged, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.
"No... I am going to take you back."
Pain wracked my entire body, finally converging on my stomach. The burning sensation, like a blazing fire, continued to intensify, and my consciousness gradually grew drowsy. Yet, the image of Talon's valiant fight played before my eyes, allowing me to cling to the last vestiges of sanity.
In my trance, I thought I heard a baby's cry or the wail of a small beast. Right after that cry abruptly ended, the power that had gathered in my body instantly dissipated. The pain in my stomach became unbearable, and crimson blood spurted out, pooling into a small river at my feet.
"Caitlyn!"
My father was visibly overwhelmed by the scene, subconsciously crying out, "No!"
Talon, his body enveloped in a golden aura, also rushed toward me, tears of despair streaming down his cheeks.
"I'll see what else you guys have up your sleeves. Listen to my orders and come together!" I heard Alpha Shaco's sardonic laughter in my trance. The weakness of my body, combined with the pain, drained all my strength, leaving me with only a vague sense of the world around me.
I had hoped that, after a life of enduring shelter, I could finally rely on my strength to protect my beloved. But it all felt like an absurd dream.
"It's truly so upsetting," I murmured in my heart as I closed my eyes.
If I had been a bit stronger, the outcome probably wouldn't have turned out like this. I sighed softly and patiently awaited the arrival of death.
After a prolonged trance, the surrounding noises gradually faded into an eerie silence, a quietness that felt somewhat perverse.
"Drop your weapons! Surrender where you stand! Any transgressions will be met with lethal force!"
Suddenly, a high, loud voice echoed, and I hazily opened my eyes to see a girl clad in golden armor emerging at the forest's edge.
Behind her trailed a vast group of wolf warriors, each bearing a purple wolf head tattoo on their chests.
"You have no idea what you're doing. Talon is the one the king has ordered us to capture!" Alpha Shaco's voice resounded from the crowd.
"I am Kaisa, Talon's fiancée. I'll see who dares to lay a hand on him!"
As soon as Kaisa uttered these words, she swiftly raised the blade in her hand and beheaded an unsuspecting werewolf nearby.
Silence—deathly silence.
The entire battlefield instantly hushed, with only the wind's whisper remaining audible.
Then, a gush of blood erupted from my throat, and darkness enveloped my vision.