Chapter 134 The big fight

Avalyn

Bellehaven Cemetery

When I died, my connection with every pack member broke. I couldn't feel anyone or mind-link with anyone except Nik. And that was only because he had marked me.

So when Dimitri told me that Sofiya was dead, the sharp stabbing pain from the news made me breathless. I looked at Nik for confirmation.

His eyes turned darker...almost... haunted when they met mine. "They're all dead. Sofiya. Vladimir. Valeralyn." He knew this, but didn't tell us so we could focus on the war better. Or else it could have put our lives in danger—receiving such a grave news in the middle of a battlefield.

The burden he constantly bares for others...

But unlike him, I couldn't control my emotions.

I covered my mouth as a sob escaped me. No. This can't be. Not them. They had so much more to live, so much more to experience and...and...they were starting a family of their own. But they will never get that chance now.

They will never breathe again. They are gone. Forever.

Just like Papa.

"Ava," Nikolai clutched my hand, bringing me back from my thoughts. "We need to leave before more people die, Love."

I took in a shuddering breath, reeling in my scattered emotions before I nodded.

"Dimitri?" Nikolai asked.

"I'm with you." His voice was firm when he replied but I could feel the demons in his mind. We were bound by blood. And that is forever.

"Take Anna with you, I'm staying here." Jeffry Malone said, looking at his mother and I nodded.

Closing my eyes, I focused on going back home and when I opened my eyes, we were standing on the steps of the palace.

The scene in front of us had changed drastically.

Most of the pack members who were unable to fight were inside the palace.

Outside the palace, armour clad vampires stood in rows. The energy flowing from them was immense, indicating the strength they held.

"Stay inside, Anna." Nikolai said before the three of us stepped out of the safety of the palace and started walking ahead.

The armour clad men parted, creating a straight path for us. We passed warrior after warrior and I realised that there were a lot more of them than I had realised.

I knew they were with Nik at Ovzdusia but I had no idea how that happened.

In front of them, our pack warriors stood, looking at us with respect and relief.

Mikhail stood at the forefront, looking straight ahead at the huge army that had gathered in front of us.

The entire army consisted of male wolves. And standing in front of them were two males. One of them looked familiar. He had the same height, same broad shoulders and strong built as Nikolai. They even looked similar but they were too far to tell.

Nikolai's hands were clenched in a fist and his form was vibrating with fury and controlled power.

I didn't know him but a hatred born from deep within ignited at his sight. This was the man that has been the depreciating voice in my mate's head. He is the reason Nikolai thinks of himself as a monster. He is the real reason Viktoria is dead. It was upon his wish that Emmanuel had her kidnapped. He is the reason so many people are dead.

"You've bought quite the army for yourself, son." Even his voice was like Nikolai. But it had a darker edge to it.

Bought. The way he framed that didn't escape my notice.

"You've lost quite a chunk of your army, father." Nikolai's eyes were focused on his father's.

They had spoken two sentences but they're eyes had spoken a thousand words. And yet, I knew this was the calm before the storm. And when the storm was going to hit, it was going to leave death and destruction in its wake.

"I'm not interested in a war and killing innocent pack members. I challenge you in a duel to death." Nikolai's words snapped in the open air like a whip.

"You were always too soft-hearted." Adrik taunted. "And I'm not interested in killing just you. I will slaughter every single life in this little Kingdom you have created."

"Spoken like a true dictator, letting others fight your battles for you. Why would your men fight for you if you can't fight for them?" Nikolai asked and I noticed a shift in the air.

Adrik's scorching gaze intensified but I knew he felt the change of heart of his warriors. They agreed with Nikolai's words. This entire war, all the attacks that had been made were by the pack members. He was ordering the attacks instead of leading them like a true Alpha. And right now, he was doing the same thing.

"When I win, your entire Kingdom with everything and everyone in it will belong to me." He claimed but in reality, it was an offer extended for us to accept.

Nikolai looked at me.

I knew the implications.

Our home could be his. Our people could be subjected to his torture. I could be subjected to his torcher.

Could. It was a possibility.

It all boiled down to trust.

Do I trust Nikolai enough to fight his own father—his demons, and win? Do I trust him with my and the entire pack's lives?

He was asking me my wish. My permission. Not just as his mate but as Soare-Luna's Queen. As his equal.

Did I trust him? Absolutely.

Did I believe in him? Always.

Did I think he will win against his demons? I could only hope so.

But I had to give him the chance to prove himself. It was a risk. A gamble. But I was willing to take it, I was willing to play. Not because I trusted the game, but because I trusted my player.

"Knock him dead."

His fingers were in his my hair, gripping my head as his mouth slanted on mine with ferocity. A current passed through my entire body, making me feel more alive than ever.

My head spun at the intensity and before I knew it, Nikolai was walking away, towards Adrik.

I saw the man smirk before he started walking forward too.

When they reached the middle and still had a considerable space between the both of them, they stopped.

Everyone waited with bated breath to see what was going to happen.

"Begin!" Adrik's Beta's voice whipped in the air but no one moved.

My heart was in my throat. Use your powers, Nikolai! I said mentally.

Half a minute passed and no one had moved a muscle.

Finally, Nik raised his hand and curled his fingers in his fist, like he did when he was pulling the air out of someone and holding it in his wrist.

I waited for a few seconds till I realised that it had no effect on Adrik.

A small smirk formed on Adrik's face.

Dread filled my entire body. What the hell was happening? This wasn't normal. How was this even possible?

Nik opened his fist and directed his palm towards his father. A burst of flame escaped his hand and in the next second, Adrik's entire body was covered in them.

He didn't scream or cry, or even make a single sound. He kept standing there as if nothing was happening.

Nikolai's fire intensified but again, it had no effect on his father. When he stopped the fire and lowered his hand, Adrik stood there with a smug smirk on his face, his body untouched.

He must be immune to fire like Nikolai was or something. It was only now that I realised that Adrik wasn't just a normal wolf. He was powerful too. All I hoped was that he didn't have any powers.

"I was waiting to see this look on your face, son." His smirk turned into a sadistic smile. Nikolai's back was towards me so I didn't know what Adrik was talking about. But I knew that Nikolai's face was impassive. It usually was when he was serious. Maybe Adrik is just trying to get a rise out of him.

"Now, we can start the duel." Adrik said and I let out a relieved breath. Thank Goddess he didn't have any powers.

With a growl, Nikolai headed straight for Adrik, whose face still wore a sadistic grin. Adrik pulled his arm back and aimed a punch at Nik's face but at the end moment, he turned. Adrik's other arm came out to punch Nik. While Nik blocked that, he didn't see the leg shoot out to trip him.

And this happened so fast, that Nik went down. But my mate didn't go down alone, he pulled Adrik with him. They both rolled on the ground till Nik eventually came on the top and landed a hard punch on Adrik's face.

A resounding crack reverberated throughout the ground. I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding.

This didn't deter Adrik. He flicked out his claws to strike but Nikolai jumped back, successfully evading it. And then they engaged in a full contact fight. Their fighting styles were so dynamic—so quick and so calculated, it was hard to tell who was winning.

Suddenly, Adrik grabbed Nikolai and threw him across the ground. Nikolai went crashing down with a groan and my hand flew to my heart. He looked up and daggers shot out of his eyes as he glared at his father.

Until now, both of them had underestimated each other and overestimated themselves. But it was clear that both of them were tough opponents, especially with their fighting styles being so similar yet extremely different.

Of course they were similar, Adrik was the one who first taught Nikolai how to fight. The basics of their attacks and defence were the same. Their moves were similar, their reflexes and moves were similar. But Adrik's moves were advanced. And Nikolai used a mix of different techniques which were taught to him as he grew up.

A loud, rumbling growl shook the ground before Nik ran towards Adrik faster than I had ever seen him run. Adrik ducked and tried to trip him again but Nik had seen it coming. He manoeuvred out of the way and sent a kick on his back, knocking Adrik off balance. Nik was quick in kicking out his legs, making Adrik fall on the ground face down.

This time, it was Adrik's growl that shook the ground.

Adrik rolled on his back the next second but Nik wasn't letting him stand up anytime soon. Nik's fist landed in the middle of his chest and I could hear the air being knocked out of Adrik. I wondered how Nik's fist just didn't go through his body. The punch was that strong.

Nikolai's claws were out the next second and he laid them down hard, with the perfect strength and angle to tear into Adrik's chest.

But Nik's claw met Adrik's chest instead of tearing it apart. The skin didn't even break.

My breath hitched. How the hell is this possible?

I saw Nik freeze for a split second, probably wondering the same thing.

And then I saw the smug smirk return to Adrik's face.

Thats when I realised. This was Adrik's power. Impenetrable skin.

"Fuck." Dimitri and Mikhail muttered at the same time. This will make it impossible to kill him. How the hell are you supposed to kill someone if their skin does not break?

Using that moment of surprise, Adrik moved and this time, he was on top of Nikolai.

"No," a whisper filled with horror escaped my lips when I saw him punch Nikolai and flick out his claw for what looked like the final blow.

Nikolai thankfully caught his wrists and his knee rose to nail him in the back. Adrik hunched and Nikolai used that to move back to the top. He nailed him in the ribs with a quick but hard punch.

I heard a clear crunch and then Adrik let out a painful grunt. Nikolai followed it by another punch in the ribs on the other side but Adrik still somehow managed to block it. The next moment, both of them were rolling on the ground, exchanging blow after blow, trying to establish dominance and rise on the top. Both of them were growling furiously at each other.

Adrik decided that was enough and jumped away before shifting into his wolf. Nikolai didn't waste any time in shifting either. Both the Alphas looked identical with their similar sizes and fur so black, it almost looked blue under the glow of the moonlight.

They were snarling and salivating as they circled around each other.

The next moment, both of them lunged into the air, knocking each other down. Both their teeth but down into each other's fur. But Nikolai was the only one bleeding.

Nik jumped back, snapping his teeth at Adrik, wanting to bite him into shreds but unable to. Adrik snarled at Nik, licking his lips.

Nik snarled back and slowly, the colour of hid fur began changing, from black to blond with red, fiery streaks. His fur looked like it was made out of fire. His blood began boiling, humming, his Alpha power rolling off of him in waves. Nikolai was still controlling himself. He always had a firm control in his wolf, on his raw power.

Adrik lunged but Nik dodged and turned quickly. He jumped on his father's back and bit down hard on his shoulder and shook his head vigorously. I heard his shoulder bone shatter.

Adrik howled out in pain. But Nik didn't let go. In fact, he clamped down harder and pulled hard. This would've been enough to cripple any wolf and bring him down. It would've easily handicapped the wolf of even tear off the leg, if I take into account the visible strength Nikolai was using.

But all Adrik did was let out a painful howl. He didn't bleed. Not even a drop. Nor did his leg come off.

His skin was truly impenetrable.

Adrik turned his head and snapped his teeth but it into bit down on air because Nikolai was already off him, his eyes watching his move like a hawk.

I know Nik was thinking the same thing everyone was. How do you kill a werewolf without making him bleed? But Nik would have a plan, I was sure of it. He always did.

Adrik was limping but that didn't make him weak. A wounded wolf was even more dangerous.

Nikolai made a move and lunged again, aiming for the other shoulder this time. But Adrik moved out of the way and manoeuvred so that he was on Nik, his teeth sinking into his fur and ripped out a chunk of my mate's side. Before Nik could retaliate, Adrik had backed away. His snapping teeth had my mate's blood dripping off them.

Nikolai was wounded and bleeding. My breaths became shallow and tears erupted in my eyes. I had never seen Nikolai wounded like this. I so desperately wanted to heal him but I knew I couldn't. It would be foul play.

Both the Alphas were wounded and breathing hard. Both of them were in pain but refused to show an ounce of it.

"Breathe, Avalyn," Mikhail whispered. That's when I realised I was holding my breath. I let go and took deep breaths. "He'll find a way, he always does."

I wasn't sure if he was assuring me or himself.

Because there was no way. Nikolai could hurt Adrik all he wanted, break bones even, but that wasn't going to kill him.

But Nik didn't care, he charged at Adrik who tried to dodge but his leg got in the way. Nikolai took the golden opportunity and went for the neck.

Maybe hurting his spinal cord...

Adrenaline pumped through my body at the thought that maybe Nikolai could kill him.

And I was so excited, that I didn't see the arrow that came from the Mystic Lupus, aimed right at Nikolai.

Adrik was positioned such a way what I couldn't see Nik clearly.

I spotted the arrow when they moved a little but it was already too late. And it was followed by a howl filled with so much pain that it broke my heart.