Blood moon

Chapter 65. Shadows

The darkness of the underground drainage was overwhelming, like a veil of shadows that enveloped everything in its suffocating embrace. The air was thick with dampness and the echo of his own footsteps echoed in the narrow corridors. Dim lights flickered intermittently, casting pale gleams on the moss-covered walls and water dripping from the ceiling. In the midst of this ominous underworld, two towering figures faced each other in fierce conflict.

Hunter Halland, his fur as black and shining as the night, strode stealthily down the dank corridor, his red eyes glowing with intensity. Tension was palpable in the air as he tracked the echoes of his adversary's movement. George Garroway, a silver-grey furred wolf with fiery green eyes, stood between Hunter and the one he loved most.

Behind him, the wavy-haired girl was bound and gagged, her eyes full of confusion and fear. She didn't understand why she had been ripped from the arms of Hunter, the man who had captured her heart. The disconnect between her feelings for him and the terrifying situation she found herself in filled her with emotional vertigo.

Hunter growled with a mixture of rage and despair as he moved forward, his gaze fixed on George. The fight was imminent, a clash of wills and intertwined pasts. Hunter's footsteps echoed on the damp ground, the echo a grim echo of his determination.

George held the young woman in his arms with a twisted smile on his lips, as if he held a precious treasure in his cruel grasp. His green eyes twinkled with malice as he glared at Hunter with defiance. He knew he had inflicted a deep wound in separating them, and that wound was his revenge for old affronts.

—Where have you got her, George— Hunter growled, his voice echoing off the walls of the drain —This will get you nowhere. If you hurt her, I can assure you....

George let out a derisive laugh, interrupting Hunter's implied threat.

—Oh, Hunter, always so impulsive. She's your weakness, and I'll use that weakness to hurt you where it hurts.

Hunter's eyes flashed with pent-up fury as he clenched his fists. He knew George was trying to provoke him, and he couldn't afford to fall into his trap. His gaze met the young woman's, and a flash of love and hope passed between them, an unbreakable bond in the midst of adversity.

George moved with unearthly agility, dodging Hunter's onslaught with ease. The young girl struggled to free herself from her bonds, her eyes filled with desperation as she watched the fight between the two werewolves. Though she was frightened and confused, she also felt a strange sense of empowerment, a certainty within her that she could not explain.

Hunter and George met in a deadly dance, their movements fluid and calculated. Claws clashed with metallic sparks, and fangs flashed in the flickering light. Hunter moved with the ferocity of a predator, driven by the need to protect the woman he loved. George, on the other hand, moved with a ferocity fuelled by years of resentment.

In the midst of the struggle, the young woman managed to break free of the gag and let out a cry of warning.

—Hunter, watch your left!

Hunter reacted instinctively, turning at the last second to dodge George's attack. George's claws brushed past his fur, leaving a trail of tension in the air. The young woman had acted as a warning beacon, guiding him through the literal and metaphorical darkness.

The conflict continued with an almost palpable intensity. The roars of the wolves filled the air, mingling with the echo of their footsteps and the steady trickle of water. Hunter and George were equally skilled, each move calculated and precise. Each clash was a test of strength, an expression of their deep-rooted rivalry.

Hunter's attacks were fierce and vicious, his claws seeking their target with deadly precision. George defended himself with grace, dodging and countering with the cunning of a veteran predator. The clashes were violent, a clash of muscle and will, as the tension grew with each moment.

The young woman watched the fight with eyes full of wonder and concern. Though she was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, her connection to Hunter remained strong. Even though she didn't know she was pregnant, their connection resonated in her heart and gave her an extra reason to fight for her safety.

George, despite his dexterity, began to show signs of fatigue. Every move required more effort, and Hunter's ferocity seemed to know no bounds. Hunter advanced with unwavering determination, his gaze fixed on George. Each lunge was a reminder of his love and a promise that he would not let him escape.

In a moment of distraction, George made a crucial mistake. Hunter took advantage of the opening and lunged forward with relentless ferocity. His claws sank into George's fur, and a guttural roar escaped his jaws. The two wolves rolled on the ground, snarling and wrestling for the upper hand, a wild and unrestrained dance.

The fight came to a head when Hunter managed to pin George under his weight. His fangs locked on George's neck, his gaze fixed and unrelenting. George grunted and struggled, but finally surrendered to the inevitability of his defeat. Hunter stepped back, allowing George to get to his feet, but victory was undeniable.

The tension in the air was palpable as the three stood in silence, letting the echo of the fight fade. There were wounds, both physical and emotional, that could not easily heal. Yet the future remained uncertain, and the truth behind the events was waiting to be revealed.

—George, this doesn't have to go on. Let the hatred dissipate and let us choose a different path.

George looked at Hunter for a moment, his expression undecided. In the midst of this grim scene, the figure of George Garroway emerged from the shadows, his footsteps echoing as he fled the scene of the battle.

George was running with a mixture of frustration and fear inside him. Defeat had left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he knew he had underestimated Hunter Halland's determination. Despite their years of rivalry, Hunter had prevailed, and George had been forced to abandon his attempt at revenge.

The damp walls of the drainage swiftly passed as George pressed on, his silver-grey fur glinting faintly in the flickering light. Every step was a reminder of his failure, and every beat of his heart echoed with the echo of his escape. Although he had physically escaped the drain, he knew the struggle was far from over.

As George ran for the exit, the figure of Hunter Halland emerged from the shadows behind him. Hunter's black fur glistened under the flickering lights, his red eyes burning with a mixture of determination and fury. He had won the battle, but his attention was focused on George, the wolf who had threatened his love and his future.

Hunter growled and strode forward, chasing George through the underground drainage. Despite the darkness and the maze of corridors, Hunter followed his enemy's trail with animal intuition. He knew he had to stop George before he could escape and threaten the safety of his loved one again.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the drainage, the golden-haired girl sat on the floor, her expression a mixture of confusion and exhaustion. She had been released from her bonds and gagged, but her mind was full of unanswered questions. The tension of the fight still hung in the air, and she didn't know what her fate would be now that everything had changed.

The young woman looked around, searching for Hunter's comforting figure. She had felt his presence during the fight, and she knew he would fight for her with everything he had. Though she had been physically rescued, she still couldn't shake off the uncertainty that had plagued her since the moment George had ripped her from Hunter's arms.

Then, amidst the tension and silence of the drainage, Hunter approached her with soft but determined steps. His red eyes met hers, and a soft smile lit his expression. He had won the battle, but his heart was filled with concern for the young woman who meant so much to him.

—You're safe now— Hunter murmured, his voice echoing in the emotionally charged air —George won't hurt you again.

The young woman nodded slowly, unable to help the sense of relief that washed over her. However, the shadow of the past still haunted her thoughts, and she knew there were things that needed to be addressed. Though the situation was overwhelming, she had to find answers to her questions and face the truths that had been hidden for so long.

—What's going on, Hunter?— the young woman asked quietly, her gaze fixed on him —Why did George do this? Why did he kidnap me?

Hunter knelt down beside her, his gaze full of tenderness and concern. He took her hand gently in his, seeking to convey his support and reassurance through the contact. He knew he had much to explain, that the time had come to face the ghosts of the past and reveal the hidden truths.

—I know this is overwhelming— Hunter began, his words full of care —You... you are the centre of this rivalry— he replied softly, his gaze fixed on her —George sees you as a way to hurt me, as a weak spot he can exploit. But I... I see you as something much deeper. You're the love of my life, the reason I fought him tonight.

Hunter's words echoed in the air, carrying with them the strength of his emotions. The young woman looked at Hunter in awe and gratitude, feeling the weight of his words in her heart. Despite the revelations and the confusion, she knew there was something genuine and special in her connection with Hunter.

—And there's something else you need to know— Hunter continued, his voice taking on a softer but charged tone —Something I've only recently discovered, but which I think you should know.

The young woman looked at him curiously, her gaze full of uncertainty. She had no idea what Hunter was about to reveal, but she could sense the seriousness in his expression.

—And you don't know if the baby is mine or my older brother's, Harley.

A tense silence fell between them as Hunter's words hung in the air. The young woman felt her heart pounding in her chest as she processed the raw truth that had just been revealed. Her eyes filled with tears, a mixture of surprise and confusion in her gaze.

—I'm sorry— Hunter murmured, his voice full of regret —I shouldn't have said it this way. But you need to know the truth, and face it together.

The young woman nodded slowly, a mixture of emotions passing through her expression. Despite the surprise and confusion, she could feel the compassion in Hunter's words, his desire to face the difficulties together.

—I don't know what to do— the young woman admitted in a trembling voice, tears sliding down her cheeks —It's all so complicated— she said.