Chapter 0221
"Custos Regni." The hiss sent chills down my spine, dredging up memories I'd rather forget. "We finally found you. Prince Damien will be thrilled."
Dorian snarled beside me, his fur bristling. Valeria stepped forward, positioning herself protectively between him and the five vampires now blocking our path.
'Valeria?'
'I'm not at full strength, but I'm stronger than last time. We can take them.'
I felt Dorian's teeth gently tug my tail, pulling me back behind him.
"Kill the male. Bring the female to the prince," the lead vampire commanded. It wasn't Malachi this time, but his arrogance was just as infuriating. Three of his lackeys lunged for Dorian before he could react—but Valeria and I saw them coming.
Before the first could lay a hand on him, Valeria seized his arm and ripped it clean off, then slashed her claws across his throat. He wasn't dead, but two more were already closing in.
She whirled just in time to see Dorian tear the head off one attacker while the other wrapped his arms around Dorian's neck. Valeria leapt, claws flashing—until the leader grabbed her from behind, his fingers digging into her throat. She thrashed, struggling to break free. Strong as she was, she wasn't at full power, and the vampire had her pinned, his other arm crushing her ribs. The fifth vampire joined in, helping restrain her.
They started dragging her away as she fought desperately to reach Dorian. He was still locked in combat, the second vampire clinging to him, while the first I'd downed was already stirring. I could see the panic in Dorian's eyes—he wanted to get to me.
Then came the thunder of paws. Reinforcements.
One of the vampires holding Valeria turned to face the newcomers. Seizing the moment, she twisted and sank her teeth into the leader's throat. He choked, blood bubbling as he flailed, beating at her fur.
With the vampire still dangling from her jaws, she turned to see two more wolves had arrived—Nathaniel and Donovan—ripping through the remaining vampires. Dorian finished off his opponent and sprinted toward us.
Valeria stomped on the dying vampire beneath her, then shook her head violently, tearing his head from his body.
Nathaniel and Donovan made quick work of the last two. Valeria lifted her nose, scenting the air, then gave a sharp bark—all clear.
Dorian approached, nipping at her muzzle before licking her wounds clean. As the two newcomers shifted back, Nathaniel grinned. "So this is Valeria?"
"Yes," Sebastian answered, his voice tight. "Whether these were scouts or not, their absence will be noticed. Our timeline just moved up." He turned to the others. "I've arranged a meeting tomorrow at the pack house. We'll finalize our plans then."
More wolves arrived from both packs, their paws kicking up dirt as they gathered. Before addressing them, Sebastian knelt beside me, his hands running over Valeria's fur, checking for injuries. He leaned close, his whisper a heated promise.
"We will talk about this later, Seraphina."
The vampires have found her. And what exactly does Sebastian want to discuss?