78. Vampire and Werewolves' War.

Arthur was frustrated. He couldn't believe that he had yet again failed at his duty of protecting his woman and child, that he had allowed her be taken for the third time. Xavier took her. Snatched her away right under his nose. His eyes widened, and a sudden pain went through his chest and he almost doubled over. His stomach lurched, and his hands shook beside him. He shuddered as he thought of the things Xavier might have done or be doing to her. How she was at his mercy. She had been thrust back into the darkness she’d been running from. And it was all his fault. He had one simple job to do. Protect her. But he failed. He failed his Sugar.

The only thing that mattered was getting Winifred back safely. And making sure Xavier was no longer a threat. In that moment, Arthur's vengeance was forgotten. The reason why he needed to finish the Vampires was forgotten. It was replaced with another purpose. Getting rid of every single person who had hurt his woman. Slowly and painfully. Until they wished they had never laid eyes on her.

The thought of him hurting Winifred drove him insane. His vision was covered with a red layer as he seethed. He destroyed everything around him. Nobody stopped him, because they knew he would destroy them too. His body trembled with the need to kill. He was caught in the bloodlust. There would be bloodshed. People were going to die, even those who were innocent. There was only death for those who would be in his path.

“This is war,” he growled, his voice as sharp as razors. His chest was heaving, his breathing ragged as he imagined blood around him. He wanted to watch Xavier's blood pour out his body as he breathed his last breath. He needed it. His blood boiled under his skin, fiery with a searing burn, prompting him to kill. Death. The monster roared, and this time he unleashed it. He embraced the darkness inside of him. Because this was war. Xavier started it. And Arthur was going to end it.

His eyes closed, his fingers tightening into fists at the thought of Winifred being in pain. “I will find her,” he said, his voice gruff from the effort of keeping his emotions in check. He will find her. It was a vow spoken out loud.

Walking down the hall his quarters, Arthur only heard Winifred's beautiful laughter and sweet voice. She was everywhere yet nowhere at all. A sudden surge of anger coursed through his body. Xavier had to die. But first he had to find him. And the fucker was smart. A coward, but smart. The moment Winifred was in his trap, he went off the grid. Nowhere to be found. It had only been hours since Winifred and his son was taken, but it felt like years.

I’m going to bring Winifred home.Xavier didn’t know what was coming for him. He may have taken his family away, but he was coming for her. He wouldn’t stop until he had delivered all their corpses at Winifred's feet. His blood roared with the need to seek vengeance against the men who caused them pain. He would burn everything in his path to find her. It was the beginning of destruction. A bloodbath. And Arthur wasn’t going to stop looking. Not until he found his woman.

He didn't bother wasting time planning the fight back and how to get his family back as he went to battle immediately with Xavier but then he was shocked as he discovered that Xavier was prepared. He has multiplied his army and Arthur's was like only a quarter of his. Weaker also. But he knew that he couldn't give up without trying anyways. It was a matter of saving Winifred and his son.

The air went from cold to deadly. It smelled like death even though nobody had died yet. It chilled Arthur to the bones, and he shivered, fear slithering its way into his spine. His knees buckled, but he held on. He wasn't going to be a coward now.

Nobody had died yet. But there would only be one end. Bloodshed. War. They were all going to bathe in blood until one side would be left standing. And in that moment, even Arthur wasn’t sure which one it was. The Vampires or the Lycans.

“Take your fucking eyes off her,” Arthur snapped.

“Well, get the fuck off my property. You do not want to start war.” Xavier said to him.

“I’m not here to wage war. As soon as I get what I’m here for, I will leave. This does not have to end in bloodshed, Xavier. Give me what I want and I’ll leave without any disturbance,” Arthur said calmly, as if he was discussing a business deal.

And that was when it happened. Swords were drawn, and Arthur was pushed behind. “Get out,” Xavier growled. “Or I’m going to have your fucking brain splattered on the ground and trust me when I say I’ll drink every drop of it.”

Arthur raised his hands up and let out a low chuckle. “Do you see my men in their battle stance too? No. As I said, I’m just here to take back Winifred — my soon-to-be wife. She comes with me, and no blood needs to be spilled.”

Xavier shook his head and then looked at Arthur. His eyes went back to the other men, glaring. “Only over my dead body will you take Winifred away,” he finally growled menacingly.

:This doesn’t have to be hard. Arthur, as a king, I’m sure your people are more important than just a measly whore who keeps your bed warm.” Xavier chuckled. His laughter rang through the air, and Arthur's blood roared. It felt like his ears were bleeding. Xavier's voice, his presence, his sadistic laughter, it was all too much for him. His last words finally got a reaction from Arthur. But not one he expected.

“Get the fuck out of here, Arthur. This is the last time I am going to say this. It takes only one lycan's head to be cut off to be fired and war will be upon us. Leave my property or my men will be forced to start it. Arthur raised an eyebrow and started to back away slowly, acting like he was taking their threats into action but then he suddenly came up behind them. He struck Xavier like a battering ram with all his weight, he shoved him against the glass, he hit it with his face.

Perhaps he cried out, but Arthur saw only his open mouth, a black hole in the enclosure of his even, white teeth. Meanwhile, he grabbed another vampire, who was turning around with frightened eyes, his nose bleeding as it had turned into a full fledged fight amongst all of them, Lycans and Vampires facing one another and he looked at him full of terror and astonishment at once.

Arthur repeatedly struck Xavier, causing him to collapse onto the sidewalk. He kicked him one, two, three times. Strangely, Xavier didn't defend himself, his movements were clumsy, shielding his face with his arms instead of protecting his ribs. Perhaps it was shame, a difficult emotion to decipher.

However, in a sudden turn of events, Xavier grabbed Arthur and forcefully pushed him away as if he were an object. He had never displayed such intense hatred towards Arthur before. Xavier threatened him, bloodstained and in a state of distress. Yet, his demeanor appeared almost artificial, like someone delivering a speech behind a shop window. Instead of appearing dangerous, it felt sordid to Arthur. From a distance, a distance that seemed immeasurable, perhaps the gap between falsehood and truth, Xavier pointed an accusing finger at him from the end of his torn shirt sleeve.

Arthur couldn't hear what Xavier was saying, but he felt an urge to laugh at Xavier's fabricated sense of authority. The laughter drained his desire to retaliate. But then, out of nowhere, individuals who didn't resemble vampires suddenly kicked Arthur in the back. He realized it was a trap, skillfully set and effortlessly ensnaring him. Before he could comprehend the situation, he lost consciousness.

When Arthur opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar place, unable to determine his exact location. On one side stood the humans, and on the other side were the vampires.

"I've brought you their king, just as I promised. Do whatever you want with him, but it would be great if you decapitated him and put his head on public display. He's a heartless scoundrel who has mercilessly taken the lives of many of your people," Xavier proclaimed to the humans, throwing a smirk in Arthur's direction.