Chapter2
785 Words
Thorne’s Pov
I stood atop the ruined roof, the once-thriving kingdom of Verveville now reduced to rubble and ash. The war wolves, my unlikely allies, prowled the perimeter, their eyes glowing like lanterns in the darkness. My gaze lingered on the devastation, a mix of satisfaction and melancholy swirling in my chest.
Venerville, the place I'd called home for so long, was no more, or soon would be. I felt a pang of guilt, but it was quickly consumed by the burning hatred that had fueled me for years.
Lilith.
The mere mention of her name made my blood boil. She'd taken everything from me, my brother, my family, my sense of purpose. And now, I'd taken everything from her. The balance was far from even, but it was a start.
My thoughts drifted back to the past, to the day she'd slaughtered my brother and his mate. Willow's parents. I'd been consumed by grief and rage, but not only did she take more than just my loved ones, I was cursed, stripped of my mate bond, my ability to shift, and my place in the world.
I'd lived in the shadows ever since, biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now, it had come. Venerville would burn, and Lilith would pay.
But as I gazed out at the destruction, my thoughts turned to Willow. My niece. The last piece of my family I had left. I didn't want her to suffer, not like I'd suffered. She didn't deserve to be collateral damage in my vendetta. She didn’t even know about her history and Lilith’s evil ways.Perhaps, I could find a way to protect her, to keep her safe from the coming storm.
A bitter smile twisted my lips. Pity. That's all it was. I wasn't doing this for Willow's benefit, I was doing it for myself. For the vengeance I craved. For the closure I needed.
Lilith would pay, and Venerville would burn. But Willow... she'd be spared, if fate allowed it.
The war wolves stirred, their restlessness a reminder that time was running out. I turned to face them, my voice low and commanding. "Let's finish this. Let's bring Venerville to its knees."
The wolves howled, their voices echoing through the night as they set out to destroy the last remnants of the city. The city center was in ruins, buildings reduced to ash. Lilith stood tall, fighting and protecting her pawn, her eyes blazing with fury as she took in the destruction. She saw me, and her gaze narrowed.
"You," she spat, her voice venomous. "You'll pay for this, Thorn."
I smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I'm counting on it," I said, my voice low and deadly and left her to the werewolves, Willow behind her, following in the fight. She didn’t see me as I watched her, my heart heavy with concern. She was so young, so full of life. I didn't want her to get hurt.
But she was a fighter, just like her parents. She'd been trained in the art of combat, and she knew how to defend herself. I had to trust that she'd be okay, that she'd make it through this alive.
As the battle raged on, I couldn't help but think about the past. About the way things used to be, before Lilith's curse. Before the war. I remembered the laughter, the joy, the sense of community that had once thrived in Verneville.
But those memories were distant now, fading fast as the city burned around us. I knew I'd never be able to go back to the way things were before. Too much had been lost, too much had been taken.
The war wolves were relentless, tearing through the city with ease. They were a force to be reckoned with, and I was grateful to have them on my side. Together, we would bring Venerville to its knees, and Lilith would pay for what she'd done.
As the night wore on, the fighting grew more intense. The city was in chaos, people running wildly as they tried to escape the destruction. I saw Willow, fighting, her movements swift and deadly.
I felt a surge of pride, despite the danger she was in. She was strong, just like her parents. She'd make it through this, I told myself. She'd survive.
But as I watched her, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing control. That the war was spiraling out of control, and I was powerless to stop it. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand.
We would finish this, no matter what. We would bring Venerville to its knees, and Lilith would pay for her crimes.
- Writer
