Chapter 125 Secret Tunnel

Nikolai

"Get someone to contact King Ciro. Tell him to help out Mozog and Poziarne." I told Mikhail who gave me a sharp nod.

Next, I immediately contacted Max. 'Are you okay?'

'A bit shaken up.' His voice didn't sound good.

'How bad is it?'

'Motherfucker blew up Volkov Corps.' Fucking hell. It is in the heart of the city. 'Most of the city is burning. Thank God I was not in my house and in my club— it's in the outskirts.' His house was fifteen minutes away from the office. He would died on the spot if he were there. For a second I felt like the Gods and Goddess are looking over my family, making sure that all of us were safe. 'We felt the effects here too. Thought that it was an earthquake or something first. Got myself fucking shot in the stomach. But I'm better now. The city, not so much.'

'The entire island is under attack.' I informed him.

'I know. I already had a word with Andrei, he filled me up on everything. How is Avalyn?' He asked.

'Safe.' I replied. But she's still passed out. So not as good. 'Can you lead half of the Neos army to Wintercrown and Red Moon?'

'I'm already half way home.'

'Then it will be best if you just return to Soare-Luna. Don't go near Alvar and Imporia. It's not safe. Stay where you are, the Neos army will soon be on it's way there, headed by Mikhail. Move forward with them and stay in touch with Mikhail.'

'Fine. Don't get yourself killed.'

'You too.' He replied and then I cut the link.

I spotted two anchored cargo ships about fifty meters away. The sharks started slowing as we neared them. The water was growing shallow and this was as far as they could go.

"Just to the ships, buddy." I patted the shark. She increased her speed and swam to the biggest ship in front of us.

She was just against the ship so I pounded the metal. "Is anyone there?"

In under a minute, a head appeared on the top. The vampire was shocked to see us on top of a shark. "K-King Nikolai?"

"Yes." I replied.

He immediately shouted something to his crew. The next thing I know, a ladder was thrown from down from the side.

"Everyone, on the ship." I announced, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

The guy on top of the ship understood and threw many more ladders down. The entire Neos Army began climbing up the ship.

"Thank you so much." I patted the shark one last time before I picked up Ava and gently placed her over my shoulder.

I got on the ladder and caught a hold of the side rope with one hand and my other hand was holding Ava. "Pull us up." And they did. I normally would have simply climbed up myself but I had precious cargo on me.

While they pulled us up, I mindlinked Andrei. "Status?"

'The people are in the pack house, the main gates are shut, so are the main doors and the window shutters.' It will be difficult to break in now. 'Twenty dead, thirty injured. We have only forty people who can fight and all of us are on the terrace with guns. We are out of bullets but they don't know it yet. They are standing out of range and planning something from the looks of it. They will soon figure it out and then attack. We don't have more than twenty minutes.'

'How many?'

'A thousand.' His voice was gruff with emotions. 'We are wildly outnumbered but I vow to do my best.' My brother was willing to lay down his life.

'Shut up.' I growled. 'You're not fucking dying. We will be there in fifteen minutes. Just hang on, alright? You have to lead half of the Neos army to Wintercrown and Red Moon. We have a war to win. No need to become a damn martyr.'

He remained silent, taking it in. 'Yes, Alpha.' His voice laced with gratitude and respect.

'Once the war begins and everyone is busy, send Symon to the Estate and tell him to be quick. I need to get Ava to safety. We will be heading home.'

'Yes, Alpha.' He replied.

When I reached the top, the man whom I had first seen gently took Ava and placed her on a seat nearby. And I then easily jumped inside. That's when I realised that it took about three people to pull us up.

"No one came to take the goods, King Nikolai. So as per King Ciro's orders we have been waiting for someone to come since an hour. We hope everything is okay." He said with a bow.

"Rise." I said and he stood straight, "are you the captain?"

"Yes, King Nikolai." He nodded.

"Very well." I said. "First, I want dry clothes for my mate. In the meantime, make sure that all of my people are on the ships. I will address them in five minutes."

"As you command." He bowed. "River will help you with the clothes and a towel."

A young man stood straighter, "please allow me, King Nikolai."

I picked up Ava in my arms and followed River to a small room near the cabin. He handed me a couple of towels and clothes. Another man's clothes.

"Thank you," I said dismissively and he left with another bow.

I took off my wet t-shirt that clung to Ava's shivering body. I dried her with the towel, rubbing thoroughly to warm her up a little. And then gritting my teeth as I began putting another man's t-shirt over her head and her arms through the sleeves. My wolf wasn't a fan of her smelling like another man but he understood. Her staying dry and warm is more important. I put on a pair of shorts on her as well.

Her long hair was still wet so I rested her on my chest and rubbed the towel on her head and then on the tips of her hair. I've always admired her long hair but it's a pain in the ass to dry it. I hope she doesn't fall sick because of this again. Her cheeks looked a little pale and I knew she needed more rest.

There was no bed here but I spotted a couch so I laid her on it. "I'll be back soon, Ava." I caressed her cheek. "Rest as much as you want, okay? I'll take care of everything. I love you." I kissed her parted lips before I stood up straight.

I left the room and beckoned a couple of Neos soldiers. There was no reason to not trust Ciro's men but I didn't really trust anyone with Avalyn. But the Neos were wired differently. They didn't do anything without my order. So it was different.

"You two." I pointed and they immediately came up to me and bowed before they stood in attention.

"Guard this door with your life. No one enters except me." I ordered.

"As you command, King Nikolai." They bowed and then stood in front of the door, their backs to it and their hands on the hilt of their swords.

With an an appreciative nod, I left to go to elevated area of the ship.

The Neos army was so in tuned with each other and disciplined that exactly half of them were on this ship and the other half were on the other ship, along with Mikhail. All of them stood in attention, awaiting their next order.

The crew fell silent upon my arrival and watched the Neos army with apprehension and awe before their eyes rested on me with respect. I looked at my army and decided to keep it short. We don't have time and all they need right now are my orders, not a long motivational speech or an explanation. Not that they would ask for one.

"We are in the middle of a war. The crates are filled with stones that will protect you from black magic of zombie witches you will face later on. Everyone will start unloading them, keep one for themselves and hold on to the extra ones. Once we are on the land, our enemies, the wolves of Verdura await us. The people of Silverwitch Bay—our people are in the pack house. Protect them and slaughter the enemies. Disperse!" I commanded, my voice loud enough to reach both the ships.

The very next second, all of them got to work. The crates were being unloaded systematically and the stones were being passed among everyone. One by one, the boxes and crates were empties and the pockets of the army were getting full.

"King Nikolai." Ratmir bowed before he stood upright.

I looked at him in question.

"It has been our greatest honour to be un-"

"I don't know what you are used to but you don't need to suck up to me." I cut him off. "Speak freely and honestly." I wasn't some lowlife Master with poor self confidence who needed people to make him feel great about himself.

He lowered his head. "Thank you for letting me know, King Nikolai."

I nodded. "Get your second in command and two best men and come to me."

"Yes, King Nikolai." He replied. In the next second, three men stood in front of me. One stood in front of the other two. He must be the second in command.

They bowed deeply and the second in command spoke, "Jan at your command, King Nikolai."

"Rise." I said and gave them a good, hard look. All of them looked like strong, hardened warriors. The energy flowing through them assured me of the same. I mind-linked Mikhail so that he was kept in the loop too. "After securing Silverwitch Bay, Ratmir, you will lead half of the army to Wintercrown Pack and Red Moon Pack. My brother Andrei—you'll find him with rest of the pack members— will lead you there. The other half of the army will head directly to Alvar and Imporia. Mikhail will lead them. And Max will join you on the way."

Ratmir bowed his head in reply.

"I will stay towards the back and will directly fly there. Avalyn— Queen Avalyn is resting. Her security is of utmost importance, along with the security of J-" my jaw clenched, "Javier." He's fucking dead now. Would've been better if I had taken care of his security earlier. But the circumstances didn't allow that. Another death that rests heavily on my heart. I looked at Jan and his two men, "you three will be protecting us."

All of them bowed.

'We won't fail you.' Mikhail replied. 'Take care of Avalyn and Javier.'

'With my life,' I replied.

"The goods are secured by the army, King Nikolai." Ratmir said.

I gave him a meaningful look and gave him a nod. With a last bow, he left. They must be well connected through the mind link because the entire army arranged themselves in lines and began filling the boats and started lowering them in the water.

I went to the room where Avalyn was resting, with the three Neos following me. The two guarding the door bowed and then left. I opened the door and entered.

Avalyn was lying in the same position I left her in. And I instantly knew things were terribly wrong. Her lips were chapped and she looked extremely pale. Her heart wasn't beating rhythmically either.

Worry gripped my heart as I rushed to her side. I placed my hand on her forehead and realised that her temperature had dropped as well. Goddess. I need to get her a healer.

No.

I need to get her to the bonsai tree.

That fruit had been the only thing that had been able to cure her the last time she wasn't feeling well. And I know it deep within my bones that those white fruits are the only thing that will heal her right now.

I picked her up and strode out. Jan and his men flanked my sides immediately. We climbed into one of the lifeboats and the crew began lowering it in the water.

"Everyone's first priority will be your Queen's safety. We will not be taking part in the fight. There is a house at the end of the pack. Once we have Javier, we will head there and take the helicopter to the palace. The moment you spot an enemy, inform me." I instructed as the men led the boat to the shore.

What I saw in front of me was organised chaos. The army was standing in attention, waiting for the rest as others ran around, getting in their correct position, according to their ranks. I spotted Mikhail heading towards us with Javier on his shoulder.

One of the men took Javier from him and put him over his own.

I gave Mikhail a look. "Nothing is going as we planned. This is the worst situation we could have faced." I said bluntly. He nodded. This could be the end. This could be beginning of the end. This could be the last time we were seeing each other. But this can't be. This isn't a goodbye. "See you home."

"See you home." He nodded.

We went our separate ways. We maintained a steady pace as we walked silently through the forest. I know this land like the back of my hand. I know which rock is steady, which is the best land to walk on so the least noise will be made. I know which tree to walk around to stay hidden from the view. Because a couple of feet away was the training ground. And anyone could spot us if we get too close to the open land.

I maintained a steady heartbeat, knowing how imperative each passing second was. My bond with Ava was withering away and my wolf was in pain. I couldn't feel her wolf but I knew she was in pain too.

The estate quickly came into view and I took a deep breath to check for scents. I found a few but they were faint. Like they had come here to check if anyone was here and then left when they didn't find anyone.

I put the code in and we entered through the side door. I smelled human blood and knew that they had killed the two slaves we had staying here to take care of the house. We kept walking up the stairs to the terrace. I buckled up Ava in the seat besides mine and Jan buckled up Javier.

We paced around, waiting for Symon to arrive.

'Where are you?' I asked him through the mind-link.

'Two wolves were following me. I killed them but I need to make sure no one else is here.' He replied.

'Doesn't matter. We have a helicopter. Just get here quickly.'

'Yes, Alpha.'

In the next ten minutes, I heard footsteps. Symon jogged to to us and we quickly took our seats. I quickly did all the checks before we were airborne.

Symon opened the door when we were few feet above the training ground and took two shots from his gun. "I knew there were more." He hissed after he slid the door shut again.

"Javier is dead?" He whispered.

I gave him a single nod and let him process the news.

We flew in silence for the next three hours.

"There is a place to land on that mountain," Symon directed and I changed direction accordingly. Just as he said, I found a flat land to lower the helicopter on.

I picked up Ava before I got off.

"There is a cave after a mile's walk." We instantly began walking. I trusted Symon with this completely. He knows the mountains and the ins and outs of all the caves too.

Symon stopped in front of a tree. It was a tree I didn't recognise but it had a lot of wines wrapped around the trunk and on the rocks besides it. Symon opened a couple of intertwined wines, revealing a small cave. He entered and I followed after him. Jan was behind me, then the warrior with Javier and then the other warrior.

The cave was small and dark, made for only one person to walk at a time. After twenty minutes, we reached an intersection of six caves.

"We can either get directly to the Alvar town or to the outskirts. Where do you want to go?" He asked.

Alvar is under attack. I can't fight with Ava. "Outskirts."

He gave me a sharp nod and we continued on our walk. The cave we entered this time was bigger but there was a little stream running by our legs. It seemed a lot like the cave we came in through for the first time but I knew it isn't. Most caves seemed familiar and Goddess knew how Symon kept a track of them all.

Another thirty minutes later, we caught sunlight and breathed fresh air. We were on the other side of the mountain and I could see Alvar clearly from here. I saw smoke in the air before the houses on fire. And the screams pierced my ears first and then my heart.

My people. Those are my people that are getting hurt.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on extinguishing all the fires. It was a considerable distance way so it was hard but I did it.

"They're dying." Symon's voice was low and sad. All of is could feel the pain of links snapping in our minds. Each link snapped was one life lost. And each life lost rested heavy on my heart. "There are children there."

And then suddenly, dust appeared in the sky above the town and dozens of zombie witches popped up before falling on the ground. I saw them walking around and causing more destruction. The distant screams intensified. The pain in my chest intensified. It was bizzare to watch, especially when I couldn't do anything. Not yet, at least. My heart was breaking in pieces watching my pack being attacked in front of my eyes.

I need to save my people. But I need to protect Ava first.

I heard a whimper and I looked down at Ava. Her face was twisted in agony but her eyes were still closed shut. She must be feeling the pain of the ones who are dying too.

Her heart rate was decreasing further and further and she her temperature was dropping by the second. This is not good. Not at all. Maybe I shouldn't let her rest, I should make her stay awake and conscious. Resting hasn't done her any good so far.

And it's taking us too much time on foot anyways. I'll be faster in my wolf form.

I crouched down and placed Ava down, holding her upper body up. I patted her cheek, "wake up, Love." I hope the green ring and collar helps. "Ava, open your eyes."

Her eyes fluttered open. Her blue eyes were paler than ever. They were almost silver. "I'm going to shift in my wolf, I need you to climb on me and hold on tight."

Her breaths were shallow and her eyes were fluttering close.

Fuck. This is bad. No. No. No.

She felt like... don't cry, don't fucking cry Nikolai... she felt like she was dying.

Were the powers too much for her? Is her body rejecting them?

"Avalyn please wake up," I choked, patting her cheek again.

"Is she okay?" Symon was next to me in an instant.

"No." I whispered.

And then I got an idea. There was a big chance that this won't work. But there is a little hope. In the beginning, when Ava used to get nightmares, she wouldn't wake up no matter how much I pleaded and cajoled her or whispered sweet words. The only thing that worked was me snapping at her firmly. In the authoritative Master tone. "Avalyn wake up," I snapped.

"Yes?" A shuddering breath of relief escaped my body when her eyes snapped open.

"Goddess, you scared me," I hugged her.

"Everything hurts, Nikolai." She whispered in my ear weakly.

"I'm taking you home, Love. I'll make sure you're okay," I pecked her lips and then turned my voice firm again. "I'm going to shift and you will climb on my back and hold on tight. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Nikolai." She whispered. Good. She looked a little more conscious now.

I released her and she swayed but Symon placed a hand on her back and supported her to sit up.

I quickly and silently shifted into my wolf.

Symon helped Ava climb on my back before he too shifted into his dark brown wolf.

I tried to mind-link Ava to hold on tight but I couldn't fucking get to her. I couldn't feel her anymore. At all.

Fucking hell.

Ava laid on me and wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs tightened around my stomach. This should do. And like that, we took off, Jan and his men just after us.

For life-threatening moments like these, I had built secret tunnels throughout the palace. I had imagined one tunnel that started at the foot of the mountain and led directly into the palace when that woman had asked us to build the palace. I had never checked it but I hoped it was there. Because technically, this tunnel wasn't a part of the palace.

We silently made our way through the foothills surrounding Alvar, making sure to stay out of sight.

Every rock, every root I jumped over, I slowed down so Ava wouldn't fall down. But her hold on me was tight, her fingers clutching on to my fur tight enough to hurt. But it was the kind of hurt that I welcomed with open arms if it meant that she was safe.

Every second, I kept count of her breaths and I kept my senses attuned to hers. I could feel her pain through her laboured breaths. And her heart rate hadn't gotten any better but the speed at which it was diminishing had decreased ever since I had told her to stay awake.

The smell of blood, fire burning, the sounds of screams and cries and grunts increased as we got closer to the Soare-Luna mountain. The situation here was worse than Alvar. And there was no way I could afford to go through the city. We would never make it to the palace in time or in one piece.

"Nikolai," Ava whimpered, heart breaking pain in her voice. "It-It hurts."

I let out a soft whine, hoping that she knows that I'm here for her and that I'd make everything okay.

'We will have to go through the city, Alpha.' Symon said through the mind-link.

'No, it's not safe. There should be a tunnel near the river that leads directly to the palace. Follow me,' I replied and continued running in that direction. There has to be.

We followed the sound of the fast flowing water to reach the river. And then I saw the exact spot I had seen the first time Ava and we had been the victim to the illusion of this mountain. The rock in front of me was the same rock Ava was standing on the edge of, wanting to go ahead to save the 'child' from the 'snow leopards'. And then the vast river was just behind it, flowing with great energy.

'The tunnel is under the rock in front of that huge rock.' I said and carefully crept towards it, jumping from one rock to another to reach it. Symon reached to it before me, shifted to his skin and began trying to move it.

It did not move an inch.

'Only my imprint will be able to open it,' Just like the doors of the tunnels in the palace. I walked ahead and placed my paw on it, praying to the Moon Goddess for the tunnel to really be there.

The rock began vibrating and shaking so I took my paw off and took a couple of steps back till I was standing on a rock that wasn't moving.

Slowly, the rocks started shifting and a circular opening was created in front of us. This is it. This is the tunnel. The tunnel that was going to safe Ava's life.

'Alpha,' Symon's anxious voice made me look up at him. But he wasn't looking at me. He was looking ahead, towards the river.

I followed his gaze to the other side of river. On the other back I saw a man with red eyes. I took a deep whiff. He smelt like a rotten corpse.

Is he...is he...?

And then I saw his lips move before he cracked a smile in our direction.

I heard a loud burst and then red dust fell over me.

I looked up to see a cloud of red dust.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

And then hundreds of zombie witches appeared in the air before they began dropping on the ground. Their eyes were red and most of them were stick thin. Their skin was pale blue and green, their teeth either gone or decaying. They truly were dead. They were wearing rags for clothes or nothing at all. And then they were running. Towards us.

I used my powers and concentrated on pulling all the oxygen from their body.

It didn't affect them.

Fucking hell. Of course not. They're dead! They don't need oxygen!

"Run!" Jan hissed. "Protect the King!" And then the three Neos were off—after transferring Javier to Symon of course, their swords out and they hacked the enemies left and right.

"Run, Alpha. Protect Luna." Symon growled and took a defending position in front of me as we began backing towards the cave.

They won't make it alive. I know it. They know it.

And they are ready to sacrifice their life for mine.

Not on my watch. I tried fire next. The smell of rotten corpses burning raised in the air and so did the sounds of their bones crackling and burning.

More red dust fell on me and I looked up to see more zombie witches popping up.

I increased the fury of my fire but then the fire was causing the grass, plants and trees around us to start burning too. This can cause a forest fire.

'The fire will only burn down our entire forest. And they will keep coming till we are all dead,' Symon whispered in realisation and then placed Javier on my back, in front of Avalyn so that she'd make sure he didn't fall off, 'you need to extinguish it. And then you need to leave, Alpha.'

Fucking hell. There really was no other way. And even if there was, I didn't have the time to think for one or implement it. I had to take action. Right fucking now.

I extinguished all the fire, 'you will not be forgotten,' I said and then jumped in the tunnel.

The second I was inside, Symon came in and began placing Javier on my back, in front of Ava so she could hold on to him and keep him from falling off, "hold on to him, Luna." Ava did, really well for her condition.

And then a few zombies came extremely close to the opening of the cave and he ran with a growl out to kill them and keep them from coming in. And then the sound of the growl earned him more attention from the zombies who began running towards us, 'close it! Save your life!'

Me eyes met his for the last time. His eyes held pride and the kind of finality that a dying man's eyes held. But they also held the fire and determination to fight till his last breath, "I am thankful to have taken the right decision by helping you sneak into Montana. It was an honour serving you, Alpha King Nikolai.''

My heart tore apart at the love and respect in his eyes. But if I could do anything to save even one life here, I would be happy.

'Shut up. Run inside, they're not fast enough,' I growled through the mind-link as I saw one of the Neos warrior be swallowed up by a swarm of zombie witches. Jan and the other one were too far now, too deep into fighting off the zombies to make it here alive. The only reason Symon was so close was Javier and I wasn't going to let him die when there was a chance for him to survive. Even in his death, Javier would be the reason for someone's survival.

'Alp—" he started unsurely as he tore apart the head of a zombie.

I let out a low, threatening growl, daring him to be even a second late in following my order.

And then he had shifted into his fur in the next second and was running towards me. My breath stopped as I watching him run, hoping and praying he made it.

The zombies were running behind him like starved rabid animals.

And just when he stepped inside, I slammed my paw on the rock, making the rocks shudder back their place and closing the tunnel forever.

Symon whirled around and killed the two that had made in inside.

The last sight I saw was both the remaining Neos being swallowed up by the zombies. Another life that I would forever be grateful for.

Symon was breathing hard, his chest heaving up and down, as his eyes that held sheer terror met mine.

Both of us realised the intensity of the situation. We had the stones to protect us from their black magic but not the strength to protect ourselves from their sheer volume.

One could be fighting four witches at a time but another fifty would come together and rip you apart.

Nothing short of a miracle from God Sol and Goddess Luna would save us now.