Chapter 63

Claire’s POV

The hallway had suddenly become very cold and Daphne's laugh rang through it, making me feel goosebumps. Her smile, no it was not longer a smile but a sneer her face wasn't completely human anymore, it felt like her wolf was slowly taking control of her. She now snarled as she revealed her Malice and venom without shame.

My heart felt heavy in my ribs, I felt fear but not because of Daphne, it was because of the heir of this pack and my son.

Leo.

If I let Daphne have Gideon… if I handed him over to her because I was too afraid to fight… my son would never forgive me. Neither would Gideon. And maybe, I will feel guilty and won't be able to forgive myself as well.

I drew in a sharp breath, pressing my lips into a firm line, and turned to Gideon.

He stood behind me, swaying slightly, his pupils blown wide from the drug coursing through his veins.

His jaw clenched, and though his body betrayed him, his eyes… his eyes begged me not to give in. Even in his weakened state, even when fire was twisting through his body, he shook his head firmly as if to say: Don’t you dare hand me over.

His plea made me realise that I can't give up on him and my situation was dire, I can't offend both of them, I might as well protect Gideon, I don't care about Daphne anyway.

I squared my shoulders, stepping in front of him. “Stay behind me Alpha.” I told him, as I gently pushed him behind me, my voice firm and calm.

I turned and looked at Daphne. “You will not have him.”

After those words left my mouth I knew, I won't be able to back out now.

Daphne finally snapped completely as her anger took over her. Her lip curled as she bared her teeth in a snarl that was a mix of her human and wolf side. Then her body bent forward unnaturally, her bones snapping, skin stretching, fur ripping through pale flesh.

Her furious screams became angry howls.

In seconds, Daphne was in her wolf form as she towered over me, her wolf form looked vicious and massive. Her amber eyes burned with hatred, and her claws scraped long and were very sharp, jagged lines against the stone floor as she lowered herself to pounce.

The air was filled with her killing intent.

My wolf stirred with uneasiness as she wanted me to let her out but I know this is not the right time to show my wolf form so I built walls around her to keep her from getting noticed, even though I wanted to fight Daphne fair and square, I knew it was not possible.

I couldn’t. Not here. Not in front of Gideon. If I revealed myself now, everything I had worked so hard to protect would crumble.

So I stood as I was. Human. Fragile. But unyielding.

Daphne lunged at me.

My senses heightened as she ran towards me with all her four legs while showing her claws and teeth. I threw myself sideways just in time, the tip of her claws grazing across my cheek. I felt a sharp sting as I felt my hot blood sliding down on my face.

I stumbled a bit but I managed to catch myself before falling and quickly turned around and saw her coming towards me with terrifying grace, her claws left cracks of strength on the floor.

She lunged at me again, this time more deliberate and faster.

I ducked low, rolling across the floor, her claws missing my head by inches. Her claws struck the wall instead, the wall was left with a massive crack.

My lungs were exhausted and screamed for air as I quickly stood up. My palms were getting sticky with sweat. I clenched my hands into fists and raised them knowing it is a useless fight between human and wolf.

She prowled around me in a circle, her eyes looked at me straight and her snarl was like a thunder in her throat.

“Come on Daphne,” I spoke firmly while gritting my teeth as I looked at her fully alert as I taunted her. “You’ll have to do better than that, you have to show me that you are a true luna.”

She heard me and stayed still as she got ready to pounce again. And she obliged.

Her paws were swift with speed. I knew I couldn't avoid her this time. It connected with my ribs, and the world tilted violently as I was flung backward into the wall. My breath was knocked out of me, the impact rattling through my bones. I felt my chest in so much pain and for a second I thought my knees gave away.

“Raven!” Gideon’s voice rang behind me; it was filled with pure panic and worry.

I forced myself to stand up again as I leaned against the wall to balance myself as I felt my vision getting blurry. Blood dripped from my lip where my teeth had cut into flesh.

I wouldn’t fall. I wouldn’t let him see me fall.

Daphne let out a low growl, her wolf looked at my weakened state with satisfaction. She crouched as she looked straight into my eyes, her body rippling with power. Her jaw dripped with saliva as she got ready to strike again.

I braced myself and kept looking into her eyes stubbornly. She darted towards me again.

I quickly shifted to the side at the last second and punched her muzzle with all the power my first could muster. Pain exploded through my knuckles like fire, but she stumbled back slightly, snarling louder, shaking her head. It wasn't strong enough to harm but it was enough for me to catch my breath.

Enough to remind her that I wouldn’t crumble so easily.

She growled again, it was deep and vibrated through the stoned floor. Then she attacked me again.

This time, I wasn’t fast enough. Her claws managed to slash my shoulder, as she not only tore my clothes but my skin as well. A scream tore from my throat as heat and pain burned through me, my arm nearly going numb from the force.

I staggered, clutching the wound, hot blood dripping between my fingers. She smelled it with relish.

Her wolf’s eyes gleamed, lips pulling back into a horrifying snarl, her entire body trembling with excitement at the scent of my blood.

She lunged again, faster, stronger, and this time her claws raked across my back. The pain was searing, agonizing, my vision exploding in white sparks. I stumbled forward, nearly collapsing. My breath became short with every single inhale. It felt painful as if some glass of shards were pricking my heart.

Still—I stood.

I stood firmly between Daphne and Gideon not moving and not letting Daphne break me.

“You’ll… have to kill me first,” I rasped, though my body trembled violently.

Daphne let out a loud roar in answer, her massive paws screeched on the floor as she got ready for her final strike.

Her eyes locked onto mine, gleaming with bloodlust. Her claws glistened in the dim light, raised high, aimed at my chest.

I knew.

This was the end.

Her strike came down on me with the speed of lightning and was very sharp.

Time felt slowed, every detail etching itself into my vision: the spray of saliva from her jaws, the gleam of her fangs, the raw power in her muscles as she descended upon me with killing intent.

My mind and body screamed at me wanting to dodge and survive while I could but I stood still as I stared at the death in the eyes.

Because if she struck me down, she would do it with me standing between her and Gideon. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact—

And behind me, Gideon roared. “RAVEN!”

His voice was like thunder which was filled with fury the air carried his angry cry shattering the air completely. It carried desperation, strength, the will of an Alpha who was fighting with the invisible chains of lust.

For one fleeting second, my heart leapt—

But Daphne’s claws were already descending.