Page 31 of Wolf Revealed

"But why?" she persisted, her gaze returning to me. "Why would they willingly fight a battle that's not theirs?"

I held her gaze, letting the silence stretch between us before answering. "Because I made them see what's at stake. I told them about you, your sisters, our pack, and the unjust threat looming over our heads. I told them that today it's us, tomorrow it could be them."

"And they understood?"

"More than that, Artemis," I replied, the memory of those myriad conversations painting a smile on my face. "They saw an opportunity for unity, a chance to stand against oppression. They agreed to fight not just for us but for the promise of a future where every shifter can live free from fear. They agreed to help you reclaim our mountain and protect your sisters."

Artemis fell silent, her eyes absorbing the vista stretched out before us. "I see," she finally murmured. She turned her gaze back to me, a newfound determination glowing in her eyes. "Then let's not keep them waiting, Ronan. Let's reclaim what's ours."

As we began our ascent again, I felt the chill of the mountain air blend with the warmth of Artemis's resolve. Above us, the stars shone brighter as if bearing witness to the momentous night that lay ahead. It was a path fraught with uncertainty, but as I looked at Artemis, her spirit burning bright, I knew we had already won half the battle.

The final stretch of our climb was a battle against time and fatigue, each step resonating with the urgency of the impending showdown. As we finally broke through the tree line, the sight that greeted us was both exhilarating and terrifying. Bathed in the moon's silvery glow, the mountaintop was a whirling canvas of snarling bodies, clashing fangs, and fur flying in a deadly dance of dominance.

Artemis took a sharp breath beside me, her eyes scanning the chaos. "They're holding their own," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion and surprise. I followed her gaze to where her sisters stood, their figures outlined against the luminescent moon, directing their pack with a ferocity that made my chest swell with pride.

"They're stronger than you give them credit for," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. She turned to me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. I could see the mix of relief and fear etched into the fine lines of her face. She was their leader, sister, and protector, and the burden of that responsibility weighed heavily on her.

"But they shouldn't have to fight this battle," Artemis murmured, her gaze returning to the deadly ballet unfolding before us. I felt a pang in my chest at her words. Her strength was undeniable, but the vulnerability she revealed in that moment made me realize how much this struggle had cost her.

"We're here now, Artemis," I reassured her, squeezing her shoulder. "With our reinforcements, we can turn the tide."

"Charge!" I roared, my voice echoing through the mountain range as we stormed toward the battleground. The shifters at my side, allies from far and wide, answered with growls of determination, throwing themselves into the fray.

The tide of the battle shifted almost instantly, our forces pressing against Kadence's traitorous pack with a ferocity born of desperation and unity. It was a brutal, raw display of strength and resilience, a fight for survival and justice. The battlefield was a whirlwind of chaos, but I couldn't help but focus on Artemis, her figure a beacon of strength and hope amidst the violent storm.

Her sisters, their eyes widened with shock and relief as we crashed into their attackers, looked towards her. I saw their gazes soften, shoulders relaxing ever so slightly as they recognized the faces of our reinforcements. They were no longer alone in this fight.

Faces that had been grim with determination now lit up with hope. There was an audible shift in the battle cry, a renewed vigor that coursed through our ranks like wildfire. We were outnumbered no longer, and it showed. The fight was brutal, but victory was swift. Within moments, the mutinous shifters were on their back foot, scrambling under the sheer force of our united front.

Once the final opponent was subdued, a hush fell over the battleground. Artemis' gaze fell upon the captured traitors, her eyes ablaze with the fire of retribution. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, a silent testament to the wrath simmering beneath her calm exterior. I knew that look too well—she wanted to make them pay.

"Artemis," I called, stepping towards her. The captured shifters flinched, their gazes flickering between us with clear fear in their eyes.

"We should kill them," she declared, her voice punctuated with fierce determination in her eyes. I knew her rage was justified, but vengeance wasn't the solution. We needed to be better.

"Killing them won't bring back what we lost," I told her, my voice firm yet gentle. "But showing them mercy... that's what makes us different, Artemis."

Her jaw clenched, a silent battle raging within her. But eventually, her shoulders sagged, a sigh escaping her lips. "Fine," she said, her gaze never leaving the captive shifters. "Lock them up."

In the aftermath of the battle, a single sentiment rippled through us—relief. Our pack was safe, Artemis was unharmed, and justice was served, though not in the form we had initially envisioned. But there was something else, something more potent in the air. We had won not just the battle but our freedom. And as I looked into the eyes of my pack, of Artemis, I saw a spark of something new—a promise of a better tomorrow.

Relief filled my soul as the last of the rebels were led away. A few of our warriors bore battle wounds but all things considered, we'd come out of this relatively unscathed. Turning my attention to the injured, I moved among them, offering words of comfort and assessing the damage.

The sound of a joyful reunion soon drew my attention away. I saw Artemis' sisters fleeing the group and running towards her. Their silhouettes against the moonlight, the sounds of their relieved laughter ringing through the night, it was a heartwarming sight, one that made the fierce battle seem almost worthwhile.

But then came the scream. It shattered the moment, a chilling, heart-wrenching cry that seemed to slice through the night air. My blood ran cold as I realized it was Artemis. My gaze snapped toward the direction of the sound, my heart hammering in my chest.

Dropping everything, I sprinted towards her, my breath hitching as I entered the scene. Artemis cradled Luna in her arms, her hands soaked in her mother’s blood. Luna lay there, her body limp, a ghastly wound gashing across her chest. The sight of Luna, strong and vibrant Luna, so terribly wounded, felt like a punch to the gut.

"No, no, no," Artemis was muttering, tears streaming down her face, staining Luna's fur. “Not Luna, not my mother.”

“Mother, stay with us," Artemis implored, as I dropping to my knees beside them. I pressed my hand against the wound, trying to staunch the blood flow, but I could already feel her life slipping away beneath my touch.

Artemis' eyes met mine over Luna's still form, and the raw pain reflected there felt like a knife twisting in my chest. The night was supposed to end in celebration, reunion, not grief. But in the cruel twist of fate, Artemis was left holding their dying mother, the taste of victory turning to ashes in our mouths.

Chapter Sixteen

Legacy of Luna

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