Chapter 10: The Ritual Darkness
Melissa's POV
As Kane huddled close to the entrance of the deserted sanctuary, the night air was damp and cold. His keen eyes searched the space for anything out of the ordinary. The thought of Melissa made his heart tighten. He had to find her; she was out there, in danger.
One of his fighters came forward. "We have examined the perimeter, Alpha. She is nowhere to be found.
With a tense voice, Kane commanded, "Continue your search."
He entered the sanctuary, looking around the floor and walls. He sensed something was wrong, but he couldn't place it. Then a faint symbol carved into the wooden floor attracted his attention.
He knelt and touched the symbol with his fingertips. His eyes sparked with recognition.
He whispered, "She was here."
Behind him, Ethan showed up, his face white. "What is it?"
Kane stood up, his face serious. "She left me a sign." They have led her to Damon's fortress.
Ethan paused. "Alpha, this might be a trap if Damon and Lyra are collaborating."
Kane angrily said, "I don't care." "I will not leave Melissa in danger." assemble the fighters. We're on the move.
Kane's thoughts were racing as they got ready to depart. Damon and Lyra allied with the goal of dominance, not just power. Unless he took immediate action, they were unstoppable together.
With the runes' illumination creating unsettling shadows on the walls, I fought against the shackles securing me to the altar. My blood boiled at Damon's arrogant smile as he stood in front of me.
"Calm down, Melissa," he remarked sarcastically. "This will soon come to an end."
I spat, "You'll never win." "My authority will not yield to your wishes."
The sound of Damon's laughter annoyed me. Yes, but it will. Even the strongest wills are intended to be broken by the ceremony. You will soon be reduced to a tool for my victory.
He sang in a language I couldn't understand while raising his hands. My body started to heat up as the runes around me started to pulse.
"No!" I thrashed against the chains and shouted.
I could feel my wolf goddess strength stirring deep inside of me. There was a glimmer of hope in the shadows, but it was small.
As I closed my eyes and concentrated on that flame, I muttered, "Help me." "Give me strength, please."
I felt a sudden rush of energy and snarled in a guttural way. Damon's chant wavered as the runes flickered.
"What's going on?" He turned to his supporters and demanded.
I smirked, feeling a sudden strength rise within me. "Damon, you underestimated me."
I roared and tugged at the chains, shattering the altar below. Damon's eyes went wide with surprise, but he soon collected himself.
"Amazing," he replied in a poisonous tone. "But it won't be sufficient."
Overwhelming energy filled the room as he resumed his chant. Even if my strength faltered, I persisted.
As Kane and his warriors charged into the stronghold, the sound of crashing steel and vicious snarls reverberated throughout the building.
"Kane!" With optimism rushing through my chest, I let out a cry.
Damon stepped between us with a grimace. "Alpha, it's too late."
Kane turned to confront Damon, his eyes blazing with rage. "I'll tear you to pieces if you don't let her go."
Damon's laugh was hollow and icy. "You believe that you can stop me? My troops are prepared to meet you.
As Damon's troops launched their attack, the room descended into mayhem. Kane's pack battled valiantly, motivated by their devotion to their Alpha.
In a desperate attempt to join the battle, I fought against my restraints. Even when my strength wavered, it was insufficient to release me.
"Kane!" My voice could hardly be heard over the battle as I yelled once again.
His features hardened with purpose as he looked in my direction. However, a huge wolf rushed at him before he could get to me, knocking him to the ground.
"No!" Panic rushing through me, I screamed.
With lethal accuracy, Kane slashed at the wolf as he rolled to his feet. His eyes never left mine as he ripped through his opponent, spraying blood.
He snarled, his voice a vow, "I'm coming, Melissa."
As the fight continued, Damon maintained his composure and returned his attention to me. The runes surrounding me came alive with a bright burst of light when he lifted a hand.
With a tone that bordered on mockery, he remarked, "You've fought well, Melissa." "But this needs to stop now."
With a searing sense of defiance in my chest, I scowled at him. "Damon, you'll never prevail."
He grinned. "Oh, I have it already."
The image of a black, whirling vortex appeared as the light changed with a wave of his hand.
"Are you familiar with this?" With a sinister amusement in his voice, he questioned.
With terror beginning to seep into my heart, I shook my head.
With words that stabbed like a dagger, he declared, "It's the curse tied to your child." "A curse so old and strong it could wipe out everything, including you."
My throat tightened with each breath. "You're telling lies."
Damon grinned more broadly. "Am I? The prophecy mentions more than only your child's strength. It talks of the devastation they will cause.
At Damon's comments, Kane, who had finally arrived at my side, froze. With a mixture of fear and resolve, his eyes locked with mine.
With a calm voice, Kane declared, "We'll stop you."
Damon chuckled. I wish you luck in that endeavour. The ceremony has already started. The curse will soon come to life and cannot be stopped.
The ground trembled beneath us as he spoke, and the runes became more radiant.
"Kane," I said in a tremulous murmur. "What are we going to do?"
His hand grounded me by resting it on my shoulder. "We battle. We fight no matter what.
As the vortex gets bigger and its force threatens to swallow everything, the chapter closes with Damon's spooky laughter resonating throughout the room.