The Alpha's Cinderella

Chapter 76

Damon

Earlier today, I asked the moon goddess earnestly to show us kindness. I begged her to free the Blood Rose pack from Romin's control. Now, I was in this situation, and I could no longer turn my back.

We were in a very special place, Moonlight Hills, where our ancestors used to settle their problems under the Trial of the Moon. The people of Blood Rose gathered to watch this fight, knowing it would only end when one of us was no longer alive. But I didn't feel bad about it. Romin had done many bad things in his life, and just sending him away or putting him in prison wouldn't be enough. Taking away what he wanted the most, the Alpha seat of Blood Rose, seemed like a fair way to seek justice. But of course, the plan was to kill him, knowing that he would continue to torment our lives if I would let him live after this.

Finally, a shofar, an instrument made from a ram's horn, was blown, the signal we were waiting for to start the fight.

Romin's transformation into his infamous wolf form sent shivers through the crowd. The scars from previous battles adorned his body, creating a visage straight from nightmares. With a blink, I assumed my own wolf form, surrendering to the instincts that would guide us through the impending night. A howl escaped my throat, a plea to the goddess for support, acknowledging my role as the bearer of truth.

We walked in circles, looking at each other with our dark, burning eyes. He growled loudly, and I made a low, guttural sound.

The rest of the pack stood, breaths held, torn between those who desired this confrontation and those wishing for a more peaceful resolution. Fate, not choice, led me down this path, a path that might have been different if not for my uncle's insatiable hunger for power. I stared at the beast in front of me, the second time I saw him like this. His claws and teeth gleamed razor-sharp, yet I refused to be intimidated. This was the most crucial battle of my life, and I couldn't afford to mess this up.

And then, Romin attacked. He jumped at me like a hungry predator, showing his sharp claws and ready to kill me. Our bodies collided, trying to hurt each other. Romin swiped at me and cut my cheek, but I bit his shoulder in return. He howled and tried to shake me off, but I held on. However, when my sharp teeth lost their grip, he threw me towards a boulder nearby.

The onlookers hurried in my direction, yelling and rallying me with their cheers. I struggled with my claws, now stained with blood on my fur. The crowd's excitement intensified as Romin emitted another spine-chilling growl. The scent of blood heightened my awareness; this was undeniably a fight to the death.

I lunged at him, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he effortlessly leaped over me, seizing my tail. A yelp escaped me as I was forcefully pulled backward and thrown against a tree at the side. Collapsing to the ground, I struggled to catch my breath, feeling the pain in my side intensify with each breath I took. It was likely that I had broken some ribs.

Romin sneered and advanced toward me, changing into his original form, gradually looming over. He seized me with his hand and tossed me into the air like a piece of paper. Before I even touched the ground, his claws sliced through me, spraying blood into the air.

A hush fell over the crowd, and I too fell silent. The only sounds were my labored breaths, accompanied by a subdued growl emanating from deep within my chest. I had anticipated a challenging fight, but the swiftness of this ordeal caught me off guard. Not even seven minutes had passed, and my body already signaled its readiness to surrender.

If only... if only Serena were here.

I shook my head, recalling the only she-wolf I had cherished in my heart. Her image flashed before me, and all I could feel was a profound regret for causing her pain. Then, I glimpsed our departed child, running around the paradise with his little curls. A smile graced my lips as he extended his tiny hand toward me. Beside him stood my mom and dad.

"Wait for me. I'll probably join you in a little while," I whispered within my mind.

Summoning the last ounce of strength, I confronted Romin. Our bodies collided, rending each other apart. I raised my hand several times, attempting to strike him as fiercely as possible. Some blows he effortlessly evaded, while others successfully rent his flesh. Even if I couldn't end him today, I aimed to weaken him as much as possible.

Romin launched another assault, targeting my already injured side. He deftly maneuvered, snatching at me and sending me airborne once again. A sharp, paralyzing pain consumed me, and blood began to ooze from my mouth.

As I collided with the ground, my world decelerated. Numbness enveloped my body. Suddenly, the surrounding sounds grew faint and indistinct. My vision blurred, and I observed Romin positioning himself to unleash a victorious howl, signaling to the world.

Is this the end? Am I about to die?

My eyelids grew heavy. It seemed like my demise was swiftly approaching. Whatever unfolded, I was prepared. Ready to depart from this world. Ready to reunite with my family. Perhaps, that would be a better outcome.

The urge to close my eyes became too overwhelming. I could no longer resist. My breath slowed down, and I lost sensation in my body. Perhaps, this is what death feels like. It's kind of strange.

Here comes the endless darkness... It would take me to be with...

"DON'T YOU DARE CLOSE YOUR EYES! IF YOU DO, THEN YOU ONLY PROVED THAT YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A LOSER! GET UP, DAMON! THINK ABOUT YOUR MOM AND DAD! THINK ABOUT OUR CHILD! THINK ABOUT EVERYONE WHOM ROMIN KILLED JUST TO GET THE ALPHA SEAT OF BLOOD ROSE!"

While my senses slowly departed, my ears still caught that sound. I smiled faintly. I was already dying, and I still hallucinated.

"LOOK AT ME, DAMON! IT’S ME, SERENA, YOUR BEAUTIFUL WIFE!"

Wife. Like magic, a surge of energy brought me back from oblivion. My vision was starting to clear, so I turned in the direction of the sound. Tears began to fall as I caught the image of my girl.

There she was, looking at me lovingly, cheering for me.

"YOU CAN DO THIS DAMON! SHOW HIM WHAT YOU GOT! THE MOON GODDESS IS WITH YOU! WE ARE ALL WITH YOU! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"

Thanks to my cheerleader, the atmosphere changed. The crowd began to chant my name, adding extra encouragement to my already shattered soul. I slowly stood up, making the cheers louder. Unbelievably, my mate had returned to cheer for me.

And because of that, I could no longer afford to lose.