On the rooftop of a house.
Krynda gazed ahead at where the opposing camp was located while cleaning the blood.
His mind was occupied by the ambush from earlier.
'As expected, the rumours stand true. Soone there can bypass my senses—that could even sense an invisible entity easily and hone over hundreds of years. Whoever that person was, he must be a mber of the Silverstar Pack.'
'Is this really a natural selection…? What are we even fighting for if Prince Alaric already surrendered?'
A hand slipped from behind and brushed his chest.
Instinctively, Krynda grabbed it and turned around in alert.
But his expression eased when he realized that it was his Luna, a female Werewolf with an odd cheerful smile, which was uncharacteristic for a Werewolf to have. She has warm brown fur, but the fur on her core was pristine white, a beautiful contrast of color.
Maarka.
"Give it to , let clean you up…"
Maarka took the bloodied cloth from Krynda's hand and began wiping the blood on his claws.
She did it dutifully, gently, full of care.
"How was the skirmish?"
"It went well. We've taken down at least a hundred, but that's nothing for them."
"Is that it? You looked like you experienced sothing more."
Krynda's lips were sealed, hesitating whether he should tell Maarka what was in his mind or not.
Seeing her taking care of him with care, he sighed.
"I think a Silverstar Pack mber caught our skirmish earlier. We only lost one, but I can't sense that person even with my indirect Moon Ability. I can't help but wonder if those Werewolves, the ones who ca from that pack, are superior…"
"And you want to surrender to them, because as the Origin said, there's only one rule to assud—his throne. Strength. You're hesitant because you don't know how the others would react if you surrender. Am I right?"
Upon hearing this, Krynda grabbed the cloth and put it away before pulling Maarka close.
He pulled her by her waist and gently pressed their foreheads together.
"You're the only one whom I could tell everything. I'd tossed it all for you, I really an it."
"Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to toss it all. I only want what's best for you."
For a mont, the two stayed in silence.
One could see that they really enjoyed each other's company, thus, the silence beca pleasant.
"Do what your heart wants. Regardless of your decision, I'll stay by your side." She murmured.
Krynda's face turned determined.
It seed he already knew what decision he was going to make.
Just then, the rowdy symphony of howls and roars could be heard from the distance.
All of it ca from the main gate.
Krynda looked down and saw the others, the Werewolves around who were ssing around earlier, were now running straight to the main gate. A loud howl of a trumpet soon followed—alerting the entire city that a war was going to break.
A Werewolf landed on the rooftop, standing behind him.
"Alpha, the enemy has made their move. We have to move right now. The others are waiting."
"Go call the others. et downstairs."
Nodding his head, the Werewolf stood once again, bowed at Maarka, before leaping away.
Krynda turned to look at Maarka and cupped her face.
"Don't go anywhere. Stay here. If anything goes wrong, I'll co here to get you."
Maarka held his hands, giving him strength.
"Co back. You are not allowed to die."
"I promise. I will not die until you give permission to."
Averting his face, Krynda leaped away, grouping with his pack and dashed for the main gate.
From behind, Maarka watched him sprint away before her expression darkened.
Upon arriving at the main gate, Krynda regrouped with the other Alpha Pris who were now standing on the walls, gazing ahead at the marching army on the horizon. Knowing the full strength of the enemy, this approaching army should be barely a quarter of them.
Still, the march of thousands shook the entire ground with each step.
On the frontline, Werewolves mixed with Orcs and Tigerman could be seen.
Reinforcing the flank with powerful war bears at the sixth-rank realm and above were the Dwarves.
And behind, providing support as well as ranged prowess, were the Elves.
It was a perfect army that made use of each race's strength.
A new generation army.
"Look at them…" An Alpha Pri with orange furs spat. "Lower-ranking races daring to fight against us, acting brave, not knowing their bravery stemd from anything but themselves. A false bravery. I'll show them true fear."
"Our task is to guard the city!" Another growled aggressively. "You will do well to rember."
Krynda, who was watching with his arms crossed, narrowed his eyes.
"I don't see an Alpha Pri leading them," He frowned. "This is unusual for them."
Just then, a Werewolf sprinted from behind.
"South gate! More at the south gate!!"
Upon hearing this, the Alpha Pris snapped their heads to the south entrance and growled.
Eight of them were gathered at the main gate, so the south gate was weak, with only three Alpha Pris.
Not even needing any command, moving instinctively, three Alpha Pris leaped down from the walls, called the packs—under their rule, and headed for the south gate. Krynda stayed at the main gate; most of his Alphas were here, so he was in charge of the main gate defense.
He looked up at the cliffs, calculating the enemy's moves.
"Stop!" He stopped two Alpha Pris who were about to leave for the south entrance. "One is enough."
"One is enough? There are only three back there!"
"Are you underestimating them?"
Both Alpha Pris showed their doubt instantly.
Kyrnda stood by his decision, "To reach the southern entrance, they'll have to pass through the forest. Large units moving through there will only draw the attention of the Order Beasts. I doubt more than a thousand managed to make it to the rear gate."
Realizing that it was most likely to be true, the two Alpha Pris swallowed their pride and stopped.
Now is not the ti to assert dominance.
"You," Krynda pointed at the Werewolf who ca to report to them about the southern entrance situation. "Go back and tell the Alpha Pris to go out of the walls and hunt the enemies down. Keep a few for interrogation."
Nodding, the Werewolf turned and sprinted away on all four to deliver the ssage.
Krynda faced the army again, that has co to an abrupt stop, "A pincer attack? No. Unlikely."
On the side, the orange-furred Alpha Pri, Zavran, approached him.
"Seems like we're going to be pincered."
"No, I don't think the army has any intention of attacking."
"Then what?"
"I think they are trying to besiege us."
"Siege? Isn't that good for us? Let them waste their ti, the fortress will be done tomorrow night."
Krynda's eyes narrowed, feeling that the enemy had more in store than this.
'Just what is that Empress thinking…? I can't predict her at all.' He thought inwardly.
It was then, a sudden stillness gripped Krynda, as if ti itself faltered.
His breath was caught—his heart skipped a hollow beat that was stolen by dread. A ringing sound rattled his eardrums as the tether between him and soone dear to him thrumd with panic. Pain, not his own, lanced through his chest, sharp and real.
Realizing where it ca from, Krynda turned to look over his shoulder.
Both of his golden eyes widened, primal instinct howling in silence.
Sothing was wrong.
Maarka was hurt, and the Inner Fang inside of him thrumd in his mind, alerting to an incoming rage, which readied him to tear through the world to find her. Not even saying a single word, he leapt off the walls and sprinted away.
All of the Werewolves around him were confused, but none of them moved.
anwhile, back on the rooftop.
Once Krynda's silhouette disappeared in the distance, Maarka turned her head a little.
"He's already gone. Why don't you co out and show yourself?"
From the darkness of the house, two pairs of azure eyes glowed—cold and spectral.
Considering the sharpness of a Werewolf's senses, able to hear the sound of a rabbit eating from miles away as long as they focus, being able to stand behind them—and go unnoticed showed that this figure was anything but normal.
Even so, Maarka was able to sense his presence.
"I'm impressed, truly impressed."
A haunting voice echoed as the figure stepped outside, revealing his monstrous form.
Kyran.
Pivoting around, Maarka looked at Kyran, still composed despite the killing intent he was emitting.
"You must be the Silverstar Pack mber Krynda was talking about. You forced Krynda to retreat and follow him back to the city. Why? Except for Krynda, you could kill them all and report our activities to your Luna."
"Why… you ask? Of course, it is to et you."
Upon hearing this, Maarka's forehead creased a little, but she quickly realized what he ant.
He wasn't here because he knew her.
But he was here because she was Krynda's weakness.
Kyran stepped closer and stood directly beside her.
At this range, he could easily rip Maarka's neck and kill her on the spot, but she remained composed.
"You knew I was watching, but you didn't tell your Alpha, why?"
"Because I know you didn't co here to fight. You ca here for a reason. What's the reason?"
"Sharp. It's easy to talk with you then."
Kyran gazed ahead to the cityscape, watching as Werewolves ran around frantically to defend the walls from Valkis' army. He paused for a second, letting the tension hang in the air longer, before he finally spoke, "I want the city to surrender without bloodshed."
"No chance they're going to do that," Maarka shook her head.
She knew the other Alpha Pris' temper, and they would rather die than surrender.
"I'm sure they would. All they need is a little push."
"What are you insinuating?"
Kyran turned towards her and leaned to whisper in her ear.
"I'm asking for you to woe Krynda—do your little magic on him, make him surrender in front of the other Alpha Pris. My past self would loathe for saying this, but I know what a good partner could make you feel. I'd do anything for my… partner. I'm sure Krynda would do the sa."
Upon hearing this, Maarka turned to look at Kyran in disbelief.
Her eyes t his, and she could see that he was being serious.
And to imagine Krynda doing that, Maarka couldn't stand it, as it doesn't feel right.
"No…?" Kyran asked, his eyes rounding as if demanding her to reconsider. "Then I'd have no choice."
Suddenly, Kyran grabbed Maarka's shoulder and pressed his thumb against her collarbone.
Krrk!
A disturbing sound of bone breaking echoed as he broke her collarbone.
Naturally, Maarka struggled, trying to push Kyran's hand away, but she couldn't.
Compared to Kyran, who has the power of a ninth-rank realm entity, while she was at a asly seventh-rank realm, there's no way she could do anything in retaliation. With relative ease, Kyran brought her into the house.
"Co, let's wait for your Alpha." He said as the two stepped back into the house.
Minutes later.
From a distance, the sound of rushed footsteps could be heard approaching the house.
Krynda was running as fast as he could when he sensed that Maarka was wounded, and upon reaching the house, he imdiately fixated on Maarka's scent on the second floor. Activating his Hunter Moon King Mark, he leaped to the balcony and crashed inside through the window.
His bulky form destroyed the wall, and he rolled across the floor before stopping in a prowl position.
Scanning the room, he found Maarka.
She was sitting on the sofa, completely fine other than her broken collarbone.
Resting on her shoulder was a hand—there was a figure standing behind her.
"Let go of her!" Krynda growled, his eyes steaming with kingly energy, ready to pounce at any mont.
Kyran smirked at his arrival.
"Don't," he muttered, eyes flicking to Krynda. "Try anything, and she dies before you even reach ."
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