Chapter 185
Deckard
Amica is mad—but I don’t care. There’s no way I’m letting that witch crawl into my mind.
The last time a watch got in there, it nearly broke me. I still wake up drenched in sweat from the nightmares–trapped in a twisted loop of memories I can’t unsee. The only thing that pulls me back is Amica. Her touch, her scent–it anchors me to the present, reminds me that I’m not alone in the dark.
No. Never again.
I won’t let anyone invade my mind.
Freya claims her powers can help me, but I don’t trust her, But I know who I am. I’m the Alpha of Alphas. The Dragon Blood Alpha. My bloodline was forged in war. My will is unshakable.
Cleopatra’s tricks won’t work on me.
I’ve kept the date of the battle to myself. No one–no one–knows when we’re moving. Not even Leonard or Amica. It’s not that I don’t trust them it’s the others I don’t trust News always finds its way out–especially in Blackcastle. Secrets have a way of slipping through the cracks there, like whispers on the wind.
Last time, it nearly cost me everything
Not this time.
I know for sure now–Amica had nothing to do with any of the betrayals back then. I know her better now. I see her clearly, and that clarity brings someone else to mind.
Mary
Mary was always good at scheming–sharp, subtle, dangerous. I remember how she used to look at Amica, how her smile would twitch at the corners whenever I let my guard down around her. She hated Amica. That much is clear now.
Is it possible that Mary was behind all the whispers, the manipulations, the betrayal that stained the castle walls! Did she plant the seeds of doubt and sabotage just to ruin Amica’s place by my side?
Yes. I believe she was responsible–for some, if not all of it.
And I can’t help but wonder how is the faring now, with the news of my supposed death still fresh in the world’s mouth!
I won’t ask Arnica. Even if my curiosity is harmless, there are some question that feel too dangerous to voice especially knowing how she feels about Mary. Well would i blame hert
Tomorrow night, we return to Blackcastle.
We infiltrate the city quietly, from the shadows–and I kill Darth with my own hands. No more planning. No more waiting.
Everything is ready. The jets have arrived, lined up in silence like loyal wolves ready to pounce. My army, trained and eager, is set to strike.
We’ll land in the secluded forest, just beyond the castle walls. From there, we move in
By this time tomorrow the rogue Alpha will fall,
For now, I have everything I need right here.
Amica sits beside me, smiling–genuinely smiling–as she rubs oil gently across my back. Her hands are soft, warm, careful. Each stroke soothes my muscles and quiets the storm in my chest. For a moment. 1 let myself enjoy this peace.
But then I remember there’s no such thing as a perfect moment to deliver heavy news.
And so I say it, as casually as I can manage.
“I am leaving for Blackwater tomorrow”
Her hands pause.
“What? What do you mean?”
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1 sit up slightly, looking back at her. “The battle. It’s tomorrow. The men and I will leave by nightfall by this time tomorrow, I’ll have Darth’s head on a platter.”
She’s frozen. Her hand rests lightly at my lower back, no longer moving.
“Why are you just telling me this no
now!” Her voice is quieter now, filled with that familiar edge of worry
I shrug, trying to downplay it. “No real reason. I didn’t see the point in saying it earlier. Whether it’s today or tomorrow. it was always going to happen. I just needed to be sure of the timing, and now I am. I want to end this and get our lives back.”
She doesn’t say anything right away. The room is quiet, except for the sound of the waves outside and the subtle rustle of the sheets.
Her touch returns, softer now, slower.
“Hmm, I see,” she says quietly, then goes still beside me, laying her head on my shoulder.
The silence stretches and it unsettles me.
“Do you have something to say to me?” I ask, worried by the sudden stillness in her voice.
“Oh yes,” she says at last, her tone laced with calm resolve. “I’m looking forward to the battle tomorrow too. And this time. I won’t be falling asleep We’ll leave together. Don’t worry–1 stay hidden, well enough to wait for you until the battle is over,”
I sit up slightly, already shaking my head. “What? No, Amica. You’re not coming with me. I’ll come back here for you myself when it’s all over.
She laughs–soft, amused, like I’ve just told the funniest joke she’s heard all week.
“There is nothing on earth or in the skies that can stop me from coming with you this time, my love,” she says. And this time, her voice sharpens- low, and unmistakably seriou
She means it.
Of course, I never intended to take Amica to Blackwater. The very idea of putting her in that kind of danger sets fire to every protective instinct in me. But something in the way she speaks–unshakable, like her decision has been made long before this moment–tells me that arguing will be pointless.
Her mind is made up.
And truthfully, I can’t blame her. Not after what happened last time. Not after what we both lost.
I exhale deeply, my hand finding hers beneath the sheets,
Her eyes tell me everything I need to know. Even if I refuse to take her with me, she’ll find a way to meet us there–and that would be far more dangerous
“So tell me,” she says softly. “what’s the plan, my Alpha
I sigh, brushing a strand of her hair from her face. “Okay, Amica. You can come with us. that once we arrive in Blackwater, you’ll be taken to a secure, undisclosed location. You’ll be protected by my best men. Your safety is paramount to me. I can’t afford to be distracted worrying about you while 1 face the enemy.
“Oh, that’s no problem,” she replies with a gentle smile. “In fact, I don’t need anyone to guard me. I just need to be close enough to feel your presence, my love”
“You will be guarded, Amica,” I say firmly, locking eyes with her. “There’s no negotiating that.”
She holds my gaze for a moment, then sighs in surrender. “Fine.”
“Good,” I nod. “Now try to get some rest. You’ve been wide awake all night”
“Okay,” she whispers, then wraps herself around me, her head resting on my chest. I hold her tightly, feeling the quiet rhythm of her breath steadying against me.
“You don’t have to hold me so tightly. I murmur against her forehead. “I’m not running away, I promise..”
“It’s either this,” she whispers back, “or I keep my eyes wide open night
The next morning, all the men are armed and ready. The final preparations are made, and the jets take off into the cold silence of the dawn. By nightfall, we land in the outskirts of Black Castle. The moment our feet touch the soil, war begins.
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Chapter 185
As the soldiers check their weapons and sharpen their focus, Freya walks up to me, her steps light, her face unreadable.
“My Alpha,” she says in her usual calm, measured tone. “May I have a word?”
“Speak,” I reply without looking away from the troops.
“I just wanted to wish us good fortune in the battle ahead,” she begins. “You’ve made it clear that I won’t be allowed into your mind, and I respect that But it’s dangerous, you know. I hope your will is strong enough to withstand whatever Darth throws at you. He plays dirty, and his sorcery is not something even the strongest warriors can easily resist.”
I glance at her, searching for any hidden intent behind her words.
She continues, “Whatever happens, just know that I’ll be there with you. Even if I can’t be inside your mind, I’ll be doing everything I can from the outside to help you win this fight.”
“Thank you f
you for your kind words, Freya. Don’t worry–I believe we’ll win this one” I say with confidence.
She lowers her voice and steps closer. “I just want to ask for one thing, please.. Just as Darth has his own sorcerer ay the heart of this battle, I would also like to be yours. Let me be your sorcerer, my Alpha.”
I pause,
then nod quickly, hoping to dismiss her before she draws more attention. “Of course, Freya I could definitely use the extra hand.”
Truthfully, I’m not entirely convinced of her strength. Most of what she does feels like smoke and mirrors–tricks, illusions, whispers. But perhaps those tricks might come in handy. And at the very least, it keeps her close where I can watch her.
At exactly 7 PM, the night sky is pierced by the roar of engines as the choppers fill with men. Ten of them in total. Each aircraft is loaded with warriors—strong, loyal, and ready to spill blood.
The last chopper holds the heart of the operation: Amica, Freya, Leonard, Austin, myself, and a few other trusted fighters. Each of us is armed and connected with comms–small, powerful communication devices tucked securely in place.
I need constant updates. Real–time information from every Alpha leading the other nine choppers. This is a coordinated strike. Precision is everything.
I’m the last to board. After helping Amica climb in and fastening her in beside me, I glance back at the dark horizon one last time
Then I step inside, seal the door, and we lift off.
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