Destroy My Life In You
Chapter 86: End Times

Chapter 86: End Times

For three days, Alaric remained locked in his room. He barely spoke, barely moved, and barely breathed. His entire world had narrowed down to the rhythmic, fragile beat of their child’s heart. That tiny pulse was the only thing keeping him from surrendering to madness.

He whispered reassurances, hoping Ravenna would stir like she always did in her sleep, also brushing his fingers over her cheek as if his touch alone could anchor her back to him. Yet, behind the closed door, the weight of helplessness crushed him to the ground, and if he had to beg to get her back, he would do it without hesitation. If there was a way for a to come back to him, he would risk everything for it. But if it ever happened, then he would join her in the otherworld.

Downstairs, the tension was thick. Zander, Finn, Nyx, Luke, Zeke, and Seth sat in the living room. Across from them, Alpha Derek, Jaxon, four other Alphas of different packs, and several council members of Silver Pack filled the space with their presence. Their expressions were grim, their intentions clear.

Finn leaned back against the couch, arms crossed, his gaze cold and unbothered. "Why are you here?" His voice dripped with irritation, his patience already thin.

Alpha Derek stood, his posture stiff with authority. "You have to hand over Ravenna."

Silence fell like a sharp blade. He took a deep breath, then continued. "She is a wolf. No..." His eyes darkened. "She is the Primal Alpha, the leader of all werewolves. She belongs to us, and we will take her back to where she belongs."

A low, dangerous laugh cut through the room. Zeke tilted his head, his golden eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Are you sure your brain is functioning properly, old man? If not, let me remind you—you were the ones who cast her out. You forced her into exile... At that time, you had no idea she was the Primal Alpha, and the shift happens at twenty-one. You made her suffer due to your ignorance in history. And now that you know who she is, you want her back? Don’t make me laugh."

Jaxon stood abruptly, his expression tense. "Yes, no one knew," he defended. "There hasn’t been a Primal Alpha in over four centuries now. That story became nothing but a legend. We aren’t entirely to blame for it."

Zeke’s lips curled, his amusement vanishing as his eyes darkened with pure menace. He took a slow, predatory step forward. "You. I remember you." His voice dropped an octave, a growl vibrating through the room. His claws elongated, his aura heavy and suffocating. "You were involved in that little conspiracy against Alaric a few months ago, weren’t you?"

Jaxon tensed.

Zeke chuckled darkly. "It wouldn’t be wise to pick a fight with a Lycan like me, old enough to be your greatest of all great-grandfathers. Don’t you think?"

Shock rippled through the Alphas. A Lycan? Is he a Lycan?

Alpha Derek scoffed. "Don’t brag about being a Lycan. They are the most respected and most powerful after the Primal Alpha in the werewolves’ tribes. There haven’t been Lycans for a long time, and even if there were, we would know."

Zeke’s laughter echoed through the room. In a blur, he moved, and in one second, he was standing in front of him. The next, his hand was wrapped around Alpha Derek’s throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

"I should kill you," he mused, tightening his grip. "For all the pain my sister went through because of you."

With a flick of his wrist, he hurled Alpha Derek across the room. The older man crashed into a sofa, the force shaking the furniture violently.

The other Alphas immediately sprang to their feet, prepared to attack, but Luke and Seth stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Zeke.

Alpha Derek lifted a hand, signalling for them to stand down. Slowly, he adjusted his suit and stood. His breathing was ragged, but his gaze was defiant. "What right do you have to call Ravenna your sister?" His tone was mocking. "I only have one son, and it isn’t you."

Zeke smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. "How stupid can you be?" He tilted his head. "Tell me, old man, have you even read werewolf history well?"

Derek stiffened.

Zeke took a step closer. "If you did, you’d know a Primal Alpha is born of two royal Lycans, not a mere werewolf Alpha." His voice was smooth, razor-sharp. "Which only means... Ravenna isn’t really your daughter. Why not tell us how she ended up being your daughter?"

A heavy silence fell. The other Alphas and council members looked at Alpha Derek in shock, murmurs breaking out among them.

For the first time, a flicker of fear crossed Derek’s face. He quickly masked it, his expression hardening. "What nonsense are you spouting?" he demanded. "Where is this written? Why haven’t I heard of it?"

Zeke exhaled through his nose, exasperated. "Hmm... I’m not trying to ’brag’, but I know because the last Primal Alpha... was my sister."

Derek’s jaw clenched. "Don’t drag your misconceptions into this. Lycans don’t exist anymore. Ravenna is my biological daughter."

Zeke clicked his tongue in irritation. Then, in an instant, he moved. Leaping into the open space of the room, he shifted.

A massive, midnight-black wolf emerged before their eyes. Gasps echoed around the room. Lycans were the only werewolves with colours other than grey. Normal werewolves were always grey, making it easy to distinguish them from the lycans.

Murmurs filled the air.

Zeke shifted back effortlessly, stepping beside his brothers. "Any doubts now?" His voice was smug. "Oh, these two boys here..." pointing at Luke and Seth"are also Lycans. Shocked, right?" He laughed mockingly, his eyes brewing with hidden rage. How could he not be angry when Nyx had told him all the pain Ravenna had gone through until she was ousted from the Silver Pack. It was all the old man’s doing, and he wished to crush him that moment.

Alpha Derek was silent.He stammered, "How...?"

Zeke scoffed. "Just leave. There’s no way we’re giving you Ravenna. She isn’t a part of your pack anymore. But... if you desperately want her, go and talk to the one kepping her and let’s see... how he’ll respond." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out. One by one, his brothers followed.

Finn and Zander, who had been silently observing, finally stood as well.

Just as Derek was about to speak again, a loud thud echoed from the stairs, and everyone turned.

Alaric stood at the top, his hand buried deep in the wooden wall, splinters falling around him. His eyes were bloodshot, his entire aura radiating an overwhelming sense of fury.

His voice was a guttural snarl. "Get. Out." No one dared to move. "Now." His words were final before he turned and disappeared into his bedroom once more.

Another three days passed. Alaric remained the same. Locked away. Silent.

In the living room, everyone gathered once more. The atmosphere was heavy with tension.

"The werewolves are growing restless," Nyx muttered. "They want Ravenna back, or a war will begin. We must tell him."

No one wanted to be the one to break the news to Alaric. They haven’t dared to disturb him. His silence was not to be messed with. They all knew that more than anyone.

As they debated who should go, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs made them fall silent.

It was Alaric, and he looked... unrecognizable. His once-pristine appearance was gone. His face was pale, his sharp jawline shadowed with unshaven stubble. His eyes were hollow, dark circles beneath them. Without a word, he walked into the kitchen, retrieved a blood bag, and turned to leave.

"Alaric," Zander called but got ignored by him.

Zander’s voice grew firmer as he added, "The werewolves have declared war in two days if we don’t hand her over. We need you."

Alaric stopped. For a moment, he said nothing, then, slowly, he turned. "Let them come." With that, he walked back upstairs.

A heavy silence filled the room. Finn sighed. "So... that was an official declaration of war?"

Zeke cracked his knuckles, a wild grin forming. "It’s been a long time since I’ve had a real battle. Like the old days."

One by one, they stood, leaving to prepare for the war.

Ravenna’s body ached. A sharp, pulsating pain throbbed at the back of her skull, forcing a low groan from her lips as she stirred. Her lashes fluttered, then parted, revealing the dense canopy of a dark forest above her. The towering trees stretched endlessly, their twisted branches clawing. The ground beneath her was damp, the earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves filling her nostrils.

She shivered. The dress she wore, it was a soft white fabric she didn’t recognize, which provided little warmth. Her brows furrowed as unease settled into her bones. This wasn’t the island. Nor the camp. And certainly not her previous home. Where is she? And who brought her here?

Forcing herself up, she winced as a dull ache shot through her limbs. Her muscles protested every movement, but she ignored it. Stumbling backwards, she barely caught herself before she could hit the forest floor again. Her head pounded with each breath, yet she pushed forward, her instincts screaming at her to move.

The silence was deafening. No rustling leaves, no distant howls, just an unnatural stillness that made her skin crawl. She turned in slow circles, searching for any sign of familiarity, but there was nothing.

Just as she decided to start walking, a voice echoed through the trees.

"Astrid..." She froze in fear. The name drifted through the air like a whisper, barely louder than the rustling wind that wasn’t there before. Ravenna’s pulse quickened. That name sounded familiar.

Then, another voice came, and this time, it sent a chill down her spine. "Ravenna."

Her breath hitched. She whipped around, but no one was there. Yet, the weight of unseen eyes pressed down on her, suffocating and heavy. Her fingers twitched as if searching for a weapon, but she had nothing.

Suddenly, where she had been standing just moments ago, four figures emerged. Two women. Two men. All clad in flowing garments, their presence otherworldly. Their eyes gleamed under the pale moonlight filtering through the canopy. They were... smiling at her.

Ravenna’s body went rigid, every instinct screaming at her to run. But her feet remained planted to the ground, her breath shallow. The four figures raised their hands in unison, palms open, beckoning her forward.

One of the women, her hair cascading like spun silver, spoke in a gentle voice. "Come with us." Her smile was warm, almost... loving.

The second woman, her golden eyes gleaming like molten sunlight, nodded. "You need to know the truth."

Ravenna’s heart pounded as she clenched her fists. The truth? What truth?