The forest was too still, no sounds, only darkness all around.!
No breeze blew, no leaves crunched underfoot. Not even the normal buzzing of nocturnal animals was present. And Mia was alone in the moon-lit clearing, arms loose by her sides, blades unraised.
She was not concealing her heartbeat. But her soul too.
She wanted him to listen to it.
To follow it.
Her wolf pressed close beneath her skin, tense but calm. Prepared for anything.
She felt the first movement—a soft sound of steps coming from directly behind her. Like Somebody is going to ambush.
And then another sound, on the left.
Viktor was not alone. He has plans, he has fellows, he has an army!
He was circling Mia to check if there was something fishy or if this was a setup.
Checking Mia from every angle.
She remained motionless. Not given a single step to them, just listing and feeling their footsteps and presence!
Yet another step. Now the sound was close this time. Too close, like a few inches from her!
"Took you long enough," Mia's voice sounded like her soul had gone away! Like she is dead.
The clearing darkened as three rogue wolves stepped from the shadows, flanking her. And then the wild card appeared.
Viktor Black!
He was like a king of ruin—broad, calm, covered in dark leather trimmed with silver. His golden, cold eyes swept over hers like she was a prey animal. But a smile twisted on his lips. A dirty smile,
"You're braver than they told me," he whispered.
"I'm stronger than you, I hope so.." Mia takes a step back.
He stepped forward. "You're standing out there as if you're prepared to be killed." by me. No one to help you? Where is your precious lover Lucas? Can't save his Luna? What's the matter, Mia? Why are you so pale?
"I stand in the open," Mia stated, voice steel, "as I've already survived worse than you." Have seen worse things than this. The pain you can't even imagine!
A Silent took place in the dark forest.!
Then Viktor's smile faded away. This compliment got on his nerves!
He signaled to his wolves.
They howled, lunged!
Mia moved like the speed of lightning.
She bent low, turned, and struck one wolf's snout with her elbow, spinning again to deliver a solid kick into a second wolf's ribs without hesitation, without any fear, this time she was ready for the Die situation!
The third grazed by with a near miss on her shoulder, but a small wound was caught by Mia.
She didn't give up! She had her sharp blade fangs out instantly—one, two, three strikes—and he went down poring in the blood. Screaming!
She was not fighting like a warrior.
She was fighting by feeling the nature, love and devotion.
Viktor gazed after her with increasing fascination and interest towards her action, and then unbuckled his sword—a curved weapon etched with runes, sharp edges.
"Believing you are rewriting our laws," he stated, circling about her now. "Think you, an omega, are worthy of leading. That your voice matters."? No its just all bullshit!
"No," Mia replied. "I know it does." and
Their blades crash into each other with a piercing sound in the ear! The sound of hatred, revenge!
His strength met her speed. His precision met her instinct. What are you going to do, Mia?
They fought in silence—just steel, snarls, breath. Mia's muscles burned. Her legs ached. But she didn't yield.
Not to him.
Not anymore curse him, curse his existence!
As he struck low.
She jumped quickly!
He twirled.
She dodged again without fear with a clear mind.
And __he feinted, snapping his sword to cut her ribcage.
Pain erupted across her ribs, making her bleed.
She clenched her teeth and put the sword away.
Viktor stepped back as she bled.
Give up," he said. "You're outnumbered. Outranked. Outmatched."
"Rank isn't strength, all right?" she snarled. "Then why am I still on my feet?" Why am I still fighting with you? Though I know you are tough. Why can't I feel any pain?
He growled and charged, this time with full strength!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lucas's muscles braced in the shadows. He was tense, he could smell her bleeding.!
Cade rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait until she makes a sign." Then we will take action!
Lucas's jaw was clenched, eyes glowing dimly with anger. The wound still throbbed, but less so than witnessing Mia battle by herself, and the blood smell makes her madmen!
"She's bait," he reminded him. "By going too soon, we'll lose the trap."
For Lucas's wolf was only barely restrained. Each snarl, each bite she landed, each spout of blood—all drew him out like a knife to the heart, making his anger go wild and wild.
And at that moment. A voice comes from the dark forest!
Mia cried out in her fainting-like voice, "Now!"
____________________________________________________________________________________
Wolves burst out from among the trees. All together!
Silverpine warriors flooded into the clearing, their fangs raised, their blades in the air!
Viktor's wolves scattered—some fleeing, others staying to defend him.
Lucas charged out of the woods, directly into battle, eyes fixed on Mia. She was bloodied, still fighting for Lucas, even if it meant death.!
He arrived just in time as Viktor lifted his knife once more.
Their weapons clashed mid-air. A wild Sound of clash, A sound of anger, hunger to hurt her love!
Lucas pushed Viktor away with a growl, "You chose to challenge the wrong Luna." Now you pay the price, Viktor!
Mia stood beside him, blood trailing down her side. "I'm not a Luna," she said. "I'm a warrior." A brave one. Dare to insult me!
They battled like mad men who wanted to kill each other—blow after blow, two wolves in motion as one. Both are fighting with all their might.
Viktor attempted to split them apart. He missed the chance!
Their bond—though unofficial, unspoken—flared like wildfire. Like the Fire of desire for themselves. The love of 2 souls in one.
Two hearts. One rhythm!
It was over when Mia pinned him down, cutting his weapon from his hand.
Lucas threw Viktor down on the ground. And making him fall in a manner that Viktor can't move a inch.
She pressed the blade against his throat.
"Call your wolves," she told him, her voice was without fear.
Panting, Viktor bled from his mouth. Spitting out the blood with a smile, "They won't stop. Not even if I do."
"Then you've already lost," she growled.
Stepped back.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Viktor was bound by Silverpine guards and dragged to the holding cell to await the council's final judgment.
His troops? Broken, routed, disbanded! Blood is flowing out!
Some wolves yielded and surrendered. Some vanished into the dark woods.
And the battle was over.
And Silverpine was victorious.
Because the pack didn't simply follow an Alpha.
They obeyed a leader. A great leader with their devotion and belief in the leader.
Making them winners.