Chapter 787 - That’s him. The one who took Espe

Chapter 787: Chapter 787 - That’s him. The one who took Espe

Kael shook his head, his gaze steady, his voice firm, pure conviction in every word.

"I found love, Luna Oriana. And this time, I’m going to hold on tight. Mate bond or not."

Everyone laughed, the sound warm and genuine, cutting through the tension that had settled over the room, pure relief and affection filling the space.

A knock was heard, and the door pushed open after, the other leaders walking in, their faces bright with relief that left no room for the earlier fear.

Liah quickly made her way to Jasmine and hugged her warmly, her arms wrapping around her with a fierceness that spoke of genuine fear and even deeper love, pure gratitude pouring through the embrace.

"Thank goddess you are fine. I couldn’t imagine losing my one of a kind model."

"Seriously?" Seraphine asked with raised brows, her voice dry, pure teasing affection in the question. "Just because she’s your model?"

Liah felt embarrassed, her cheeks flushing pink, pure self-consciousness rising. "Come on, Sera. Everyone misses her for different reasons."

"Indeed." Corvine added his voice, a rare smile tugging at his lips, pure quiet fondness in the expression. "I missed her red hair brightening the whole pack."

Everyone laughed as Damon added, his voice warm with affection, pure shared memory in the words, "You forgot about how the pups are always excited with her extraordinary adventures."

At the mention of adventures, Voren frowned, his expression darkening, the weight of what had happened settling over him again, pure protective resolve rising hard and fast.

"I think it’s time for us to fence our borders."

Oriana agreed, her ancient eyes thoughtful, pure practical wisdom in her tone. "I’m working on a portion for it. It would be an invisible magical wall like what we have around the pack to prevent intruders." She paused, her voice softening with quiet regret. "And sadly, lone wolves would also not have access anymore."

Everyone was saddened by that part, their faces falling, but they also knew they couldn’t risk the pack for people who weren’t even members, couldn’t risk their families for strangers who might bring danger to their doorstep. The necessity of the choice left a heavy silence.

Oriana’s gaze landed on Quinn, her expression everchanging to something more serious, pure concern for the hybrid’s safety.

"Quinn, I got a little information about your background and connection to the Lycans. They know of your existence now and might try to use a spell to manipulate you to go against us. You must remain close to your mate at all times."

Quinn nodded, her jaw set, her eyes steady, pure determination in her agreement. "I will do as you have said."

"Also." Oriana added, her voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom that left no room for argument. "I have a voidstone ready. You don’t have to send the energy you drain to anyone directly. They can turn evil if they don’t use it fast enough, especially if it’s from the Lycans. You send every energy directly into the stone, and I’ll know who to send it to after draining the darkness from it."

Then she turned to Voren, her expression practical, pure focus on the task ahead. "The portion is ready, but I don’t know how to carry it in wolf form. Can we use a car?"

Voren thought for a while and agreed, his voice steady, pure readiness in the decision. "A car it is. But coming back, those who want to return in wolf form can do so. For now, let’s get some weapons. Sharp ones."

Corvine smiled, a dangerous glint in his eye, pure battle hunger rising. "I’ll get my sword."

"I’ll get some pocketknives." Damon added, pure quiet resolve matching Corvine’s.

Kael smiled, his hand already reaching for Jasmine, pure protective fire in the gesture. "I’ll get my dagger."

"Okay, let’s have breakfast together before we go." Voren informed them, his voice carrying a note of finality that left the room quiet with shared purpose. "I honestly have no idea about when we shall be back."

That was the first time they all ate together when there was no special event, the table filled with laughter and quiet conversation, the warmth of family wrapping around them like a shield against the war waiting outside.

After that, some people decided to shower, though they were still going to get messy, still going to be covered in the aftermath of battle before the day was done. Pure acceptance of what was coming settled over them.

By the time they left the pack, it was noon, the sun high in the sky, casting long shadows across the ground, pure determination in every step they took.

The leader of the outlanders met Voren with a few of his men and spoke, his voice low and urgent, pure readiness in the report.

"King Voren, it has taken the form of the cat."

"Good." Voren said, his voice sharp with command that left no room for hesitation. "Lead the way."

They removed their weapons and props from the truck they came with before following the leader of the outlanders to a place where a black cat was hiding, its form small and inconspicuous, its eyes watchful, pure tension coiling in the air.

The moment Voren walked toward it, it transformed into a human, its body changing and contorting, and began to chant strange words, its voice rising and falling in a rhythm that made the air feel heavy with dark magic.

Oriana countered the spell it wanted to release, her ancient eyes tracing the patterns of magic, and a thick smoke formed before she told Quinn, her voice sharp with urgency.

"Now."

Quinn’s eye color changed, the energy moving from her and landing on the top of the Lycan protector. It took a while, the power resisting, fighting, but his powers were drained into the voidstone, and he dropped to his knees, feeling weak, feeling empty, pure shock and helplessness flooding his face.

However, his gaze pinned on Quinn, his eyes burning with hatred and something that looked almost like betrayal, pure accusation in every word.

"The void hybrid. We made you, so how could you turn against us?"

Having lived in the human world all her life, Quinn did not have the answers, her face pale, her eyes wide with confusion and residual fear. But Voren spoke, his voice steady, pure calm authority cutting through the tension.

"She didn’t turn against you. We just found her first."

"What do you want?" the protector asked, feeling afraid, feeling the cold hand of death reaching for him. This king was different from the other werewolves, and the Lycan King was even in a hot banter with the elders because of him. Pure dread settled over the fallen man.

"Your life." Voren said simply, pure finality in the two words.

The man on the floor looked pleadingly at him, his eyes wide with desperation that left no room for pride. "I’ve done nothing to you."

He couldn’t believe the powers he had developed for centuries had been drained in a matter of minutes, couldn’t believe he was kneeling before a werewolf, helpless and weak. Pure disbelief and terror warred in his gaze.

"I told your king that I’m taking triple of the warriors he almost killed at my pack land. This time, you shall be the first."

Voren turned to Corvine, his voice ice, pure command that needed no elaboration.

"Remove his head."

The sword moved before the protector could speak another word, a flash of silver in the sunlight, and his head was dangling on the floor, his body crumpling.

Quinn shivered, her face pale, but Damon pulled her into his arms, his warmth surrounding her, his presence a shield against the horror.

Voren continued, his voice cold. "Dismember the body."

In less than two minutes, the body parts of the protector were scattered on the floor, a gruesome message, but Voren left the head intact so that Battal would know exactly who Voren had killed, would know exactly what was coming for him.

Then he turned to his mother, his voice steady. "Go on."

Just as expected, the moment Oriana began to apply the portion, growls were heard from different parts of the woods in the outlands, and eight Lycans emerged, their forms massive, their eyes burning with fury that filled the air with pure threat.

Jasmine recognized one of them, her blood running cold, her heart stopping, pure recognition and residual terror crashing through her at once.

"That’s him. The one who took Espe."