Chapter 193

Third Person POV

Charlotte ran out of the palace and through the shield in hopes of catching up to the little boy. He was obviously trained in running because he was fast. He dodged around the fighting, screaming for his mom and dad. Tears streaked down his little face.

Char’s panic was at an all-time high at the moment, fearing for the child’s life. This was her kingdom, and she cared for all the children in the kingdom. She would rather die than watch any of them die, especially if she can prevent it from happening.

As soon as she saw a bear lunging at the little boy, her anger grew and she lunged right back at the bear, scooping the small boy into her arms and tossing him aside in time for the bear to claw at Char, knocking her off her feet. She wasn’t a fighter, so she wouldn’t stand a chance when it came to a bear who had access to dark magic.

She could see the fur and hatred in the bears' eyes, sensing that she was part of the royal family. He roared in her face, and just as he was about to climb down on her, an arrow pierced through his chest, knocking him back. Then the sound of a gun went off and the bear’s head practically exploded, getting blood all over Char and the little boy who was now huddling against her.

Char was trembling with tears spilling out of her eyes. She was almost just killed, but she was saved last minute.

“Charlotte,” a familiar voice said nearby; the sound of panic was clear in his tone.

Char’s wolf began to relax, and her heart started to pick up the pace as the person knelt beside her; his warmth and scent engulfed her almost immediately.

“Nicholas…” she whispered, his vision distorted as she stared at him through her glossy eyes. “You’re here…”

“Are you out of your mind? Why are you outside of the palace?” He asked her, his tone kept firm but his eyes were filled with worry for her.

“I…” she started to say, but her voice trailed off. Her mind was completely mush whenever she was around Nicholas, and she had no idea what to say.

Looking at the place behind her, she realized how far she had strayed. It would be just as dangerous to go back to the palace than continue forward.

Cole whimpered by Char’s side, bringing her back to the current moment.

“He ran out of the palace to search for his parents,” she finally stated, wrapping her arms protectively around the little boy.

He sniffled and wiped his wet eyes on the back of his sleeve, sneaking soot from the fires on his face in the process.

“He was in danger, so I ran after him,” Char finished. “He was looking for his parents.”

“My mom and dad are still out there!” Cole cried.

Nicholas looked at the more, his normal stoic expression softening. He always had a soft spot for kids and seeing one in the arms of his supposed mate, did something to his insides, melting him just a little.

“Hey, little man. It’s really dangerous out here. If your mom and dad are still out here, they will meet you back at the palace but for right now, you should go with Princess Charlotte and get to safety.”

Char nodded in agreement, trying to remain strong for Cole’s sake.

Cole sniffled and wiped his eyes on the back of his hand.

“But… I need my mommy…” he said in a low and tortured voice. “I can’t lose…”

Nicholas nodded, his eyes finding Char for a moment before he refocused on Cole.

“If something happened to either you or the princess, it would upset a lot of people. You are big enough to know how important Charlotte is, right?”

Cole glanced up at Char, his watery eyes widening as if just realizing he was in the presence of royalty.

He nodded slowly.

“Exactly, and right now, her life depends on yours,” Nicholas continued. “She won’t go back to the palace without you. So right now, it’s up to you to protect the princess. Do you think you can do that?”

Cole opened his mouth to respond, both optimistic that he would agree, but then his words were cut off by a loud explosion nearby that knocked Char and Cole off their feet.

Smoke surrounded them, making it not only hard to see, but also hard to breathe. When Char landed on the ground, she scraped her back on a rock and she hissed out in pain, feeling the warm pool of blood seeping into the dirt around her.

Cole clung to her, coughing and attempting to cover his face. She kept her arms wrapped around him tightly, keeping him protected while the smoke lessened.

She felt a warm pair of arms wrapping around her, guiding her to her feet while she continued to carry Cole. She knew the arms belonged to Nicholas and he was guiding her to safety.

She thought her lungs would explode from the lack of oxygen but was relieved when she got a gust of fresh air as soon as she was out of the smoke cloud. Nicholas and Cole were both covered head to foot in soot; she knew she wasn’t much better, only she probably had blood on her as well from when she scraped her back on the rock.

Nicholas, with hurried and determined steps, rushed them behind a large platform that covered most of their bodies.

“Stay down,” he said, taking out his gun and checking the area.

Cole trembled as he clung to Charlotte and she did her best to soothe him, despite her own anxieties.

After a few minutes of Nicholas firing his gun, he finally returned to Char and Cole, seeing them huddled together, softening him even more, but he quickly shook his head. He had to stay focused.

“Come on, I’ll bring you back to the palace,” he told them.

Char nodded and took Cole by the hand, who had finally calmed down some.

“Stay close to me,” Nicholas ordered.

Char and Cole stayed on his tail, Char pulling Cole along with her, keeping a tight hold on his arm to ensure he didn’t run off. They ran through the Battlezone, using the crumbles of buildings as shields for better protection.

They didn’t get very far before Cole screamed, freezing their movements.

“Mom!” He cried, his small body trembling violently. Char released him for a moment, and he took off towards a woman who was on the ground, covered in blood.

Nicholas was fast and caught up to him quickly, kneeling down beside the woman. Char had tears in her eyes as she watched Cole cry over her body.

Nicholas checked the woman and a moment later, his shoulders drooped. He looked up at Char and she met his eyes; he shook his head sadly.

Cole’s mother was dead.

Which meant his father probably was too.

….

Maeve’s POV

My heart was racing as I waited for Charlotte to return with Cole. I stared around at all the women and children who were recovering; each of them was scared. Then I thought about the women and children that hadn’t made it here yet.

That’s when I remembered the prisoners in the dungeon. They had no idea there was a war right now and I knew in my heart that my shield didn’t reach the basement. Which meant they were locked in cages, unprotected.

It wasn’t fair to them.

In light of everything, they deserved a fighting chance, including my half-sister.

“I’ll be right back,” I announced to everyone as I took off towards the dungeon.

It didn’t take long to reach the dungeon and enter the prison quarters. The King didn’t keep a lot of prisoners in the dungeon. I grabbed the set of keys hung up on the wall by the guard's desk. The guard had left his post to tend to the battle, not even bothering to tell the prisoners what was happening.

I felt a surge of annoyance by that, but I swallowed it down.

I went through each cell and unlocked the doors of those that occupied a cell.

There were only about 4 prisoners.

“What’s going on?” One of the men asked, stepping out of the prison, his clothes torn and his body covered in filth.

“The Kingdom is being taken over by the bears,” I told him. “I’m letting you go. You can either escape or fight. It’s up to you. But I’m giving you a fighting chance. It’s not fair to keep you locked here under the circumstances,” I explained.

He looked surprised, as did the others.

But he soon gave me a grateful nod before taking off, a couple of the men trailing behind him.

A woman stepped out of the cell, her hair was greying, and her body was thin as if she had been starved for years. Her eyes were worn, and she appeared ghostly. My heart ached for her.

“A war?” She asked.

I nodded.

“Yes,” I said softly, not wanting to get too close; I wasn’t sure what she did to land her in the dungeon, and I worried for my safety along with the safety of my baby. “You should get to safety.”

Her eyes sparkled with something and then she nodded.

“Thank you for your kindness… Maeve,” she whispered.

I blinked.

How did she know my name?

But before I could ask, she was already out of the dungeon. She moved with such ease, that I almost didn’t believe she was an elderly woman.

I shook my head from the thought and ran into the private dungeon quarter where Sarah was being held.

She looked like a mess; a ghost of herself when I approached.

She snarled at me, though there was no fight left in her eyes.

I grabbed the key to her cell and unlocked it.

“W… what are you doing?” She asked, her tone unfamiliar and gruff like she hadn’t used it in some time.

“I’m letting you go,” I told her.

“What?” She asked, raising her brows. “Why the fuck would you let me go?”

“Because there’s a battle going on outside right now. The bears are using dark magic and have taken over the Kingdom,” I told her bluntly, making her eyes grow wide. “And whether you like it or not, you are still my sister, and I don’t want to see you die like that. I’d rather give you and the other prisoners a fighting chance,” I told her, uncuffing her hands as she stepped out of the cell. “So, I’m giving you a fighting chance. I suggest you take it.”

With that, I turned and ran out of the dungeon.

I had no idea if she was following me or not; but if she didn’t, then that would be her choice.