Vayne's POV
I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I surveyed my surroundings, searching for a crevice through which I could make my escape. Judging by the Hecarim's reaction to my capabilities, it was evident that they had anticipated this move. They commanded their soldiers to slowly advance, leaving me with no breathing room.
The noise from the previous battle failed to attract any assistance from the pack. With Karma, who I remained oblivious to her true purpose, not far away, it seemed nearly impossible for me to retreat unscathed.
"Vayne, let's see what else you can do. Why don't you surrender obediently? You're not bad looking. If you promise to return and become my Luna, I might consider letting you live," Hecarim taunted, clasping his hands to his chest and looking at me longingly.
"Daydreaming. How is a defeated man qualified to talk that?" I spat to the side, lowering myself to emit an intimidating growl, staring Hecarim directly in the face as I assessed my surroundings.
Even if I were to meet my end today, it would be alongside Hecarim.
"What a pity," Hecarim mused, shaking his head before commanding, "Go kill her!"
At his command, the surrounding werewolf soldiers raised their heads as if on stimulants, letting out a loud howl before charging at me violently. My gaze was fixed on their line of attack, but the multitude of enemies behind me made it a challenging situation.
Undeterred, I rushed forward, knocking down two werewolves with a flying lunge. Simultaneously, the two werewolves behind me seized the opportunity, wearing sardonic smiles as they waved sharp blades, poised to pierce my body.
"Go to hell!" Their maniacal laughter echoed behind me. Taking a deep breath, my physical exhaustion prevented me from regaining the strength to dodge their attack. I slowly closed my eyes, envisioning the impending pain as the sharp blades pierced my body.
It is said that, before one dies, the person one most wants to see will appear in one's mind. When I opened my eyes again, Talon stood before me, a cruel smile on his cold face, and his eyes' pupils glowed with a bloodthirsty light.
"Strange?" I chanted subconsciously, unable to believe the sight before me.
"Death to all of you!" With Talon's roar, the surrounding werewolves received a massive shock, scattering in all directions.
I gazed at Talon, resembling a god of war, and then accepted the reality that it wasn't my imagination; he had truly appeared here.
As I turned my eyes towards him, Talon, who had just vacated his position, walked towards me, concern written on his face. His eyes scanned me, and upon seeing the wounds on my body, a hint of heartache appeared in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Talon, pursing my lips to suppress my excitement. Essentially, Talon's presence at this moment was a romantic accident.
"Are you alright? I noticed you weren't with the pack, and coincidentally, I heard some unusual noises in the forest. I rushed over, unaware that you were actually here." Talon crouched down, using a bandage to staunch my still-bleeding wound. He then turned his head to glare at Hecarim, anger blazing in his eyes.
"What the hell is going on here? Shouldn't you be at camp?" Talon regained his footing, scanned the area, and looked at Karma, who stood nearby, his forehead furrowing.
"A warrior informed me this morning that Karma had been kidnapped by the Blackmoon Pack. In a moment of impatience, I followed them myself, not realizing there were so many of them." After a short rest, feeling mostly recovered, I got back to my feet, standing side by side with Talon.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple; there's a lot you didn't expect..." Talon narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved up.
"Good, Vayne! So, this is all your plan. I fear this werewolf who invaded our pack is the one you found, pretending to put on a show in front of the Alpha. When I go back, I'll definitely report you to the Alpha for this shameful deed!"
No sooner had Talon's words left his mouth than Karma cut through the blockade of werewolves nearby, pointing her nose at me and cursing. It was at this moment that she truly revealed herself.
"I'm afraid the werewolf soldier from earlier was also a spy you planted in our pack. I don't know if the Alpha were here to witness this scene, would he believe you or me?" I revealed a faint smile; Karma's purpose was evidently to lure me here today. Apparently, she had allied with the Blackmoon Pack long ago to find a secluded place to eliminate me.
"What are you saying? I can't understand." Hearing my words, panic flickered in Karma's eyes. She vigorously shook her head before quickly retreating behind Hecarim.
"Sir, this is a dispute between us and the Full Moon Pack. If you leave now, you'll be our Blackmoon Pack's most honored guest." Talon's earlier attack had made Hecarim recognize his strength. To avoid complications, Hecarim restrained his anger, wore a pleading expression, and gestured toward Talon.
Standing behind Talon, I gently bit my lip, looking at his steadfast back, eagerly anticipating his response. Talon let out a soft chuckle. "I'm not interested in being a guest of your pack."
Hecarim frowned as Talon finished speaking, giving him a deadly stare. "Of course, I'm not interested in meddling in your issues with the Full Moon Pack either," Talon shrugged, then turned his head to look at me.
"Okay, okay, then you..."
Hecarim visibly relaxed when Talon finished speaking. Even the surrounding werewolf soldiers immediately let their guard down; after all, no one wanted to make an enemy of the demon in front of them.
"But today, I'm taking this woman away. There's no room for negotiation," Talon lowered his voice, decisively delivering his order. Talon's deep voice conveyed the most pleasing words I had heard so far.
"Sir..." A hint of embarrassment crossed Hecarim's face.
"Do I have to repeat myself a second time?"
Roar!
Talon transformed instantly into a massive black wolf. The sunlight fell on his dark fur through the tree branches, and Talon, standing tall, coldly scrutinized the surrounding werewolves, resembling a wolf god from ancient myth.