“I promise that I will do everything I can to make it back alive to you.” I whisper when the kiss ends, feeling his arms tighten around me as he breathes in my scent.
“I promise to do the same too, darling.” With this, he pulls away and takes my hand as the two of us walk towards the palace entrance. I see the worry in his eyes and smile softly at my mate, standing on my toes and pressing a soft kiss against his lips.
We can hear the soft chatter of our army, the wolves from our allies blending in with our pack, all dressed in black. Everyone has a somber face, their eyes filled with every emotion imaginable as they turn to salute me the moment I step onto the top step. Taken aback, I look to find Amberle, Dominic, Geminie, Ariven, Mika, Lace, and Narin standing at the front, my friends looking at me with hope and trust in their eyes.
[Make a speech.] Albot links me, squeezing my hand. I nod, taking in the faces of all the wolves once more before taking a deep breath.
“I first want to start with thanking everyone here for offering their assistance in this war. Know you all have different reasons for fighting, but we share the same end goal and for that, I thank you all.” I say, feeling more confident with each word uttered.
“Today will be a long battle as we face Coro and his army of Rogues and Soulless. Normally, I would say that if they surrender, capture them. But today, we cannot show any mercy. These wolves showed no mercy to their victims for years. They have raped, killed, and stolen for Coro with no regard to anyone. Anyone who sides with Coro is the enemy today. We will send all who stands with Coro to the other side and let Goddess Lisandra decide their fate from there.” Geminie nods in agreement, the Future Moon Goddess knowing that her mother has already agreed to this. The pool of reincarnation will be working hard after today, the souls repenting for the horrible deeds they have committed while under Coro’s leadership.
“Finally, I ask that you consider your own life. I don’t wish for anyone to die today, so be as ruthless as you can. You all have loved ones waiting for your safe return, I am waiting for your safe return. So fight like your life depends on it, until Coro is dead and his army defeated.” Roars of cheering fill the air as the fighting spirit of these wolves is ignited, and I smile. With a nod to the leaders below, I take the lead and start the trek to the moonflower meadow. The sun will rise in an hour and then the white blooms will be dyed with the blood of our enemies.
***
The sounds of muffled footsteps behind me both in wolf and human form reminds me that the final battle is only moments away. The sky is fading from the indigo of night to a darker blue, with hues of red, purple, and pink on the horizon.
[Remember to keep the link open to receive orders.] I hear Albot state through the open link, a resounding “Yes, sir” from the hundreds of wolves joining us in this battle replying back. I smile, already seeing how great a King Albot makes. Once this war is over, I can plan his coronation and then together we can plan a wedding.
It isn’t long until we make it to the meadow, the flower buds still closed, waiting for the right time to bloom. I think back to the first time I met my father, watching the scene of my adoptive mother finding me in this very field, as well as the memories I have of the two of us running around and picking these flowers to decorate the palace halls.
Now, on the edge of the meadow, I can see Coro on the other side, his wolves—both Rogues, some still containing their sanity as well as some on the verge of turning Soulless, mixed with Soulless in various stages of their beast side taking over—spread out along the edge, the stench of filth and rot blowing towards us on the wind.
“Hello, Little Sister.” Coro calls out with a cackle, his sky-blue eyes staring at me.
“Cut the crap, Coro. You know I do not view you as family.” I retort, standing straighter and holding my head high. His smirk drops as he eyes me, and I can only imagine what is going through his mind.
“Whether you see me as family is of no relevance, Crystalline. We share the same blood.” He flippantly says, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. I glare at him, not wanting to play into his word games. Suddenly, his eyes shift from me to the she-wolf standing to my right, a lust-filled look filling his face as he eyes Geminie.
“Ah, my Geminie. So nice to see you are doing well. Maybe I will let you live and take you as a mate after all this. A Queen with Royal Blood, even if diluted, will be perfect by my side.” He taunts. Ariven shifts closer to his mate, a feral growl sounding through the meadow. We all know Coro raped Geminie as a child. He tried to force a mark on her five years ago. The question now is who will kill Coro first—me or Geminie.