Divorce The Duke, Marry The King!
Chapter 137: I love you

Chapter 137: I love you

The hybrids surged forward, clashing with the werewolves in a battle that grew ever more brutal. Blood stained the battlefield as the hybrids tore through their opponents with ruthless precision, their fangs and claws rending flesh as though it were paper. Fear began to creep into the hearts of some warriors as they watched their brethren fall.

Mia, stationed at the supply line, noticed that no one was coming for more swords. Her pulse quickened as she stepped forward, eyes scanning the chaos. Her breath hitched when she saw that the werewolves had shifted into their wolf forms, now locked in desperate combat.

The hybrids.

A shiver ran down her spine. She had not forgotten how deadly they were. This was no longer a fair battle...the vampires had broken the unspoken rules of war.

Gritting her teeth, she grabbed a sword and drew in a steadying breath before cautiously advancing.

"We are winning," one of the vampire king’s generals sneered, standing near his ruler. Laughter erupted among the vampires as they savored their impending victory.

The king smirked, relishing the moment. He should have unleashed the hybrids sooner. Watching the werewolves struggle in vain had been entertaining, but the thrill of dangling hope before them, only to snatch it away, had been even sweeter.

"I will take great pleasure in killing him." The king’s gaze settled upon Quinn, a cruel chuckle escaping his lips as he envisioned his blade slicing through his enemy’s throat.

"My king," one of his generals interjected, "why not turn him into a hybrid instead? With your royal blood, he would be bound to you alone. If we bring him to our side, we could finally rule over all supernaturals."

The vampire king stilled, the suggestion igniting a wicked spark in his mind. Why had he not considered this before? With Quinn’s strength, there was no doubt he would become the most formidable hybrid ever created.

A slow grin spread across his face.

"If this succeeds, you shall be promoted," he promised, his voice laced with satisfaction.

The general smirked while the others scowled in silent envy.

"Tell them not to lay a single scratch upon him," the king ordered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "He is mine."

...

Mia tightened her grip on her sword, her stance firm as she waited for one of the hybrids to approach. She had vowed not to fight, but if danger came to her, defending herself would not count as breaking that promise. That way, no one could chastise her and she could still enjoy herself.

A pained cry suddenly pierced the air.

"Ahhh!"

She whipped her head around and spotted a werewolf, freshly shifted back into human form, clutching his leg as blood poured from a deep wound.

Mia rushed to his side and crouched, pressing her hands to the injury. Her frown deepened when she saw the telltale greenish hue spreading from the wound. Poison!

"I cannot promise you will survive if you are not treated immediately," she admitted, "but I can stop the bleeding and buy you more time."

The werewolf gave a firm nod, accepting his fate but grateful for the chance she offered.

Without hesitation, she tore a strip from the hem of her shirt and wrapped it tightly around his leg, ensuring it was secure before helping him to his feet.

"You can stay there and wait," she instructed, draping his arm over her shoulder as she guided him toward the supply area.

Just as Mia and the wounded werewolf began to move away, a powerful force crashed into them, sending them sprawling in opposite directions.

"Ahh!" Mia groaned, pushing herself upright as she scanned her surroundings. Her breath hitched when her gaze landed on the culprit—a hybrid.

Its fangs were bared, its predatory steps slow and deliberate as it stalked toward her.

"No! Stay away!" Snatching up the bloodied sword beside her, she pointed it at the creature, a warning in her eyes.

But the hybrid only seemed more eager.

Gritting her teeth, Mia rose to her feet, planting herself firmly in a defensive stance. She would not cower. It was foolish to expect anyone to save her when they could scarcely save themselves.

"Come at me, you ugly beast!!" She challenged, her voice ringing out over the battlefield.

The hybrid lunged.

Mia dodged swiftly, her blade finding its mark in brief, precise cuts. Still, the effort drained her as he was faster, stronger. With a werewolf’s speed and a vampire’s sight, he was a formidable opponent.

"I will kill you," she vowed, pressing forward, taking advantage of any opening she could find.

Minutes passed, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her body smeared with the creature’s blood. Yet she stood her ground, unwavering.

"Let’s end this," she murmured, her glare sharp as steel.

As if in silent agreement, they both charged at once, colliding in a final clash.

For a moment, all was still.

Then, a slow smile formed on Mia’s lips.

A second later, the hybrid’s head fell to the ground.

Her sword slipped from her grasp, clattering beside her as she staggered back. Only then did she glance down at the deep stab wound left in her stomach before she had managed to behead her foe.

A sharp cough racked her body, blood trickling from her lips as she clutched at the wound, desperate to slow the bleeding. But it was relentless.

Her eyes flickered across the battlefield, searching. When she spotted him...Ray...her lips curled into a weak smile. She had found him. That was enough.

Her body gave out.

She fell, choking on another mouthful of blood.

At that precise moment, Ray felt it, a gnawing, unshakable dread that seized his chest. He turned instinctively, his eyes landing on her.

His heart stopped.

"Ahhhh!!"

A guttural scream tore from his throat as he slashed through the hybrids in a blind fury, cutting them down in his frantic race to reach her. He should have stayed. He should have protected her. Now, he would live with the guilt of his failure.

Nearby, Quinn also spotted Mia’s bloodied form on the ground. His fury ignited, burning hotter than before.

Like a man possessed, he moved through the battlefield, beheading hybrids with ruthless efficiency.

Watching the sudden shift, the vampire king’s expression darkened, unease creeping into his veins.

"What is happening?" He muttered, his fingers tightening around his sword.

"I believe we should retreat, my king," one of his generals urged. "A woman has been struck."

The vampire king’s brows furrowed in confusion.

"A woman?" He echoed. "Why would he bring a woman to war?"

"They have female warriors, though we rarely see them on the battlefield," the general relayed.

The vampire king clenched his fists.

"Retreat!" He ordered after a moment’s hesitation.

At once, the vampires began to fall back, granting the werewolves a brief reprieve. Some collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath after the relentless confrontation.

Now beside Mia, Ray cradled her against him, pressing her hand to his cheek.

"Mia! Can you hear me? I will get you to safety now, so do not close your eyes," he pleaded, his voice trembling.

A faint smile graced Mia’s lips.

"Yo-you are annoying," she murmured.

Ray nodded without hesitation. "I know, so you have to stay alive." His grip on her hand tightened, his own hands trembling.

Lifting her carefully, he carried her to a horse, settling her onto it before climbing up behind her. Without sparing a glance at the battlefield, he urged the horse forward, racing toward the base.

Upon arrival, he wasted no time. He carried her into his tent, his voice sharp as he barked orders to the warriors stationed there.

"The physician, fetch him now!"

"The physician? He has returned to the witches’ kingdom," one of the warriors revealed, his eyes darting nervously to the bleeding woman in Ray’s arms.

Ray’s gaze darkened. "I do not care, get him here as fast as you can, or you will answer for it!"

Inside the tent, he clutched Mia’s hand, refusing to let go for even a moment as they waited.

Minutes passed. The physician had yet to arrive, and Mia’s condition worsened.

"Ray," she whispered weakly.

"I am here," he answered at once.

She let out a breathless chuckle then coughed, fresh blood staining her lips.

"Easy, do not speak," he urged, dabbing the blood away with a napkin.

But she ignored his caution. "I do not like that you are this way just because I am dying. I wanted it before now."

"Yes, I am a bad person," he admitted, his voice raw. "Which is why you should stay alive and blame me all you wish for it."

A weary sigh left her lips. "It gets tiring, Ray... seeing your mate ignore you. I do not want that. At least, where I am going, I can be happy."

His grip on her hand tightened. "You are not going anywhere. The physician is here," he said, as though willing it into existence.

Mia, undeterred, pressed on. "The reason you never wished to commit... it was because of your adopted daughter—the one who died, wasn’t it?"

Ray stiffened, his breath hitching.

"How do you know?" He asked, stunned.

A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. "I have my ways."

Then her expression softened. "Ray... everyone deserves happiness. Be happy when I am gone. Fall in love. Do not let the past force you into regretful choices."

He swallowed hard, regret twisting like a knife in his chest. "I am sorry," he whispered, a lone tear slipping from his eye. If only he could turn back time, to choose differently, to protect her the right way. He was wrong, pushing her away was not the way to protect her.

Mia smiled. "I love you, Ray."

Then her hand slipped from his, and her eyes fell shut.

At that exact moment, the physician burst into the tent.

"I am here!" He announced.

But it was too late.

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