Mandy slammed Dina into the ground. Her fangs sink into her shoulder, causing Dina to yelp in pain. Dina used her back legs to kick Mandy off her, but she only had a moment to recover before Mandy was on her again.
'She's too fast. How is she this fast?' Dina thought.
'Calm down. Remember what we did with Garrett? When we can't fight our opponent, we need to run,' Lily answered.
'I refuse to run away from her!' Dina exclaimed.
'No, we won't run, but we can focus on dodging,' Lily recommended. The memory of Garrett's sparring resurfaced in Dina's mind. He emphasized the importance of staying on the defensive, striking only when there was a proper opening. Dina adjusted her tactics accordingly, hoping to tire Mandy out.
Mandy, growing increasingly frustrated by Dina's defensive approach, lunged forward with a powerful attack. Dina evaded, causing Mandy to stumble and briefly lose her balance. In that moment of vulnerability, Dina seized her opportunity and delivered a well-aimed strike to Mandy's side.
Mandy gasped in pain, her overconfidence momentarily shattered. Dina's attack had taken its toll, and her relentless defensive strategy was beginning to wear her opponent down.
However, Mandy, a seasoned warrior, quickly regained her composure. With a sneer, she delivered a devastating blow that landed squarely on Dina's side. Dina cried out in agony and staggered, her strength waning.
Mandy, reveling in her advantage, taunted Dina as she struggled to maintain her footing. "Is that all you've got, Dina? I expected more from you. You're supposed to be this mystical red wolf, and you are nothing but an Omega."
As Dina's vision blurred and her body weakened, she felt herself slipping into unconsciousness. Her limbs grew heavy, and the pain from her injuries intensified. She knew she was on the brink of defeat, her body unable to withstand the continued assault.
In the distance, Brandy watched in despair, feeling powerless to intervene. 'Get up! Get to your feet, or she is going to kill her,' Brandy's wolf howled in her mind. Brandy slowly stood, biting her lip as she put pressure on her left leg, which was clearly broken. She shifted mid-run, slamming into Mandy and knocking Mandy away from Dina.
"What do you think you're doing, Brandy?" Mandy snarled, swiping at Brandy.
"I won't let you kill her," Brandy responded.
"You stupid girl, she's already dead, and you're going to join her in the afterlife," Mandy snarled, charging forward.
Dina's world shifted. She found herself lying in a vast field of vibrant blue flowers, their scent filling the air with a soothing, almost ethereal fragrance.
And there, amidst the sea of blossoms, stood a figure bathed in a soft, golden light. Dina allowed Lily control, and she shifted back into their human form. "Mom?" Lily said it in disbelief. The woman smiled at her as she approached Lily.
"You have grown so much," Abigail said as she helped Lily to her feet. "I am so proud of you, my little Lily."
"Is it... Is it my time? Did I lose?" Lily asked.
Abigail shook her head gently, a serene smile gracing her lips. "No, Lily. It is not your time to leave this world." She placed her hand over Lily's heart.
Lily's brow furrowed in confusion. "No, wait. There's so much I want to ask you."
Abigail's voice was gentle and reassuring. "You have more to do and more to experience in this life. There is much you must live for. I will always be with you." The field of flowers faded away as Lily's consciousness gradually returned.
Brandy slowly crawled away from Mandy. She could no longer shift anymore and lay defenseless in her human form, barely able to move. Mandy looks at Brandy in disgust. "You did all of this, for what? She's dead."
"I don't believe you. She can't die," Brandy managed to say over her broken ribs.
Mandy put her foot on Brandy's head, pressing down slowly. "Beg for forgiveness, and I will let you leave. Tell me that you were wrong."
'We have company. Lunas are coming,' Mandy's wolf said within her. She frowned and cursed. Mandy spent too much time messing around with Brandy.
Mandy snatched Brandy off the ground, placing her in front of her with her forearm pressed hard on her throat. The trio that Mandy did not want to face arrived at the scene: Debra, Kelly, and Tiffany.
"Lily!" Tiffany exclaimed. She rushed to Lily's side, her expression filled with concern. Lily was covered in wounds and lying in a pool of her own blood. "What did you do to her, you evil bitch?"
"What I should've done when she was first born-the weak serve no purpose," Mandy growled.
Tiffany propped Lily up in her lap and then said, "Wait." Tiffany's eyes widened as she observed Lily's body slowly regaining strength. The wounds that had marred her friend's form began to heal at an alarming rate.
"No! That's not possible! I killed her!" Mandy exclaimed.
"My mother doesn't agree," Lily said as Tiffany helped her regain her composure. "I'm okay, Tiffany."
Tiffany turned her attention back to Mandy, her teeth barred, as she stood up to stand alongside Debra and Kelly.
Debra, her eyes fixed on Mandy. "Release your daughter, Mandy. You won't escape this judgment."
Mandy, a malevolent smirk curling her lips, refused to comply. "I don't think so." She knew that they wouldn't harm Brandy if they got to her. Mandy continued to back up to keep them from circling around her.
"You would use your own daughter as a shield. How low will you go?" Kelly said.
"I never wanted to have children. I can't stand children. I only got pregnant because Kenneth wanted me to. I thought she was useless, but she's useful now," Mandy stated.
But then a shadow fell over her from behind. Bethan had crept up unnoticed, her movements soundless as she closed in on Mandy.
With a swift, silent strike, Bethany delivered a powerful blow that sent Mandy sprawling. The impact forced her to release Brandy, who quickly seized the opportunity to escape.
Mandy became aware that Debra, Kelly, and Bethany were now surrounding her. The Lunas, empowered by their collective authority, spoke in unison.
"As Lunas of our respective packs, we have the right to judge you without the supervision of the Elders. Mandy, you are found guilty of your actions."
Mandy, refusing to accept her fate, attempted to put up a fight, but it was futile. Debra, Kelly, and Bethany, as the embodiments of leadership, tore her apart as Brandy watched, a complex mixture of sorrow and relief in her eyes.