"Only I or your mother can survive. You must choose soon, Arion. Sooner or later, you will have to confront your father." — Lily
Time frame: present
~~~
Arion's expression softened, and he released his hold on her completely. He took a step back, giving her some space to breathe.
"I know," he replied, surprisingly his voice tinged with regret. "None of this is your fault. You shouldn't have been put in this situation in the first place."
Lily looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of hope, any glimmer of a way out.
Her tears streaming down her face.
She gave him a bitter smile and said. "Arion, end my life right now. I'd rather die than become your father's imprint. Please, kill me now."
Arion's jaw clenched, his emotions swirling like a storm within him. He had always followed his father's orders, obeying the pack's traditions without question.
Seeing Arion start to back away without taking any action, Lily screamed out in desperation.
"Please, kill me now... I can't bear to become your father's imprint and be bound to the murderer of my parents for the rest of my life!!!"
"Please, kill me now... I can't bear to become your father's imprint and be bound to the murderer of my parents for the rest of my life!!!"
Her plea pierced through the tense air, and for a moment, everything seemed to stand still. Arion's heart pounded in his chest as he looked into Lily's tear-filled eyes, her anguish and fear tearing at his soul.
He knew that following his father's orders would mean sealing Lily's fate, subjecting her to a life of captivity and misery. But defying his father would come at a high price – challenging the traditions of the pack and risking the wrath of the Alpha.
"No. Death is too kind for you," Arion retorted coldly. "I will leave you hanging here to die." He turned his back, intending to walk away from Lily.
"But your father will return," Lily shouted, her voice filled with desperation. "He will come back tonight and try again. If you don't do something to me, there will be a civil war in your pack tonight." Her words trembled with fear.
Arion froze. His steps halted. Slowly, he turned back to face Lily.
Strange.
The girl no longer whined and begged. The glimmer in her eyes turned sharp and courageous.
Despite her battered and exposed body, she appeared to be at the limits of her endurance. She seemed on the verge of fainting, her complexion pale.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Xander's loyal followers had gathered, ready to intercept anyone who might try to rescue Lily.
They were instructed to ensure that no one interfered with Xander's plans.
The atmosphere was tense, as the anticipation of what was about to happen hung in the air. The dimly lit room added an air of mystery and intrigue to the unfolding events.
"You and your father may fight until the end of time tonight, Arion. Both of you will defend different Lunas. You have no other choice. You will face your father and his wrath. When I become your father's Luna, the pack will be divided into two, tearing each other apart to protect their own Luna. Only I or your mother can survive. You must choose soon, Arion. Sooner or later, you will have to confront your father." Lily trembled and winced in pain, but her gaze turned hauntingly determined.
Arion's eyes widened as he watched Lily for a moment, then his gaze shifted to the group of people outside the room who were in the midst of undergoing a half-transformation into werewolves.
"You truly are a troublesome girl!" Arion exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration. In a swift motion, he began his own transformation, his body contorting and shifting as he embraced his werewolf form.
The expensive clothes he wore were torn to shreds, disregarded in the face of his powerful metamorphosis.
His muscles bulged and rippled, his once-human features elongating into a snout filled with sharp fangs.
Thick fur sprouted from his skin, covering him in a majestic coat of midnight black. His eyes glowed with an intense, fiery amber, radiating both strength and wildness.
The transformation completed, Arion stood before Lily as a magnificent werewolf, his presence exuding a primal aura.
His powerful frame towered over her, his fur shimmering under the moonlight that streamed through the window.
The room was filled with an otherworldly beauty, as if nature itself had come alive within those walls.
Arion's muscles tensed as he leapt out of the room, his werewolf form towering over the pack that awaited him.
The moonlight bathed his sleek, silver fur, accentuating the power and grace that radiated from his every movement.
His eyes glowed with a fierce determination as he faced the group of werewolves, their snarling jaws revealing rows of sharp, glistening teeth.
The first werewolf lunged at Arion, teeth bared and claws extended. With lightning-fast reflexes, Arion sidestepped the attack, his agile body evading the deadly swipe.
In a swift countermove, he delivered a powerful swipe of his own, his razor-sharp claws tearing through the air and leaving deep gashes on his opponent's flank.
The second werewolf, undeterred by the fate of its comrade, charged at Arion with a ferocious growl. Arion's heightened senses allowed him to anticipate the attack, and he effortlessly dodged the incoming assault.
Seizing the opportunity, he lunged forward, sinking his fangs into the exposed neck of his adversary. A guttural yelp filled the night as the werewolf writhed in pain, unable to break free from Arion's vice-like grip.
The remaining werewolves, witnessing the fate of their fallen companions, hesitated for a moment, their glowing eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Arion, sensing their wavering resolve, took advantage of the momentary pause. With a mighty roar, he charged forward, his powerful muscles propelling him towards his adversaries.
His claws slashed through the air, striking with precision and leaving a trail of blood in their wake.
The battle raged on, a symphony of snarls, growls, and the clash of bodies.
Arion's agility and strength proved to be formidable, as he swiftly dispatched each opponent with calculated strikes and well-timed dodges.
The moonlit clearing became a canvas of chaos and determination, as Arion fought to protect himself and those he held dear.
Finally, the last werewolf, battered and bloodied, stood before Arion, its eyes filled with a mix of fear and respect.
Arion, his chest heaving with exertion, regarded his defeated opponent with a sense of triumph.
With a nod of acknowledgement, Arion allowed the defeated werewolf to retreat, its tail between its legs.
Lily watched the altercation unfold, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She took a deep breath, allowing her body to fully relax as she surrendered to the blissful unconsciousness, finally releasing the pain she had been holding onto for so long.
***