The Princess's Revenge Chapter 55

Logan’s POV

I felt Axel's joy explode through my mind as he tore into the first wave of wolves. He moved like lightning through the rain, his claws slicing through fur and flesh with terrifying efficiency.

Finally, Axel's voice roared in my head, drunk with bloodlust. Let me show them why they should fear us.

The first wolf didn't even have time to scream. Axel's jaws clamped down on its spine, crushing bone with a sickening crack. Blood sprayed across the wet stones as he threw the lifeless body aside and lunged at the next target.

"What the fuck is that thing?" one of the wolves screamed, backing away in terror.

But there was nowhere to run. Axel moved through them like death itself. He caught a brown wolf mid-leap, his claws ripping through its chest and sending organs spilling onto the rocky ground.

"Kill them all," I said coldly in my mind.

Axel laughed evilly, roared, "My thoughts exactly."

The rain mixed with blood, creating red streams that flowed down the cliff face. Twisted bodies began piling up around us.

A black wolf tried to circle behind Axel, but he spun around with impossible speed. His massive paw caught the attacker across the face, tearing away half its skull. The wolf collapsed in a heap, its remaining eye staring sightlessly at the storm clouds above.

"Keep fighting!" Zephyr's voice cut through the chaos, but I could hear the fear creeping into his tone. "Kill him!"

Three wolves charged at once from different angles. Axel met them head-on, his jaws closing around the throat of the first while his claws found the hearts of the other two. The sound of tearing flesh mixed with the thunder overhead.

Within minutes, over thirty wolves lay dead around us, their blood pooling in the cracks between the stones.

The remaining two dozen wolves began to hesitate. They pressed back against the cliff walls, their eyes wide with terror as they stared at the carnage.

"Move forward, you fucking cowards!" Zephyr roared, his face twisted with rage and desperation. "His head is worth fifty gold pieces! His arms and legs are worth thirty each!"

But the wolves didn't advance. They huddled together, whimpering like puppies.

Their fear made my anger burn hotter. I couldn't wait to torture Zephyr for the information I needed. "Kill them all! " I commanded.

"I wanted to savor the little lambs' struggles before they died." Axel responded lazily.

That made me rage, but I had no choice. My body was poisoned, and Axel was already difficult to control. I had no way to make him completely obey me now.

Zephyr's face went purple with fury. He shifted partially, his claws extending as he grabbed the nearest wolf by the throat. "You want to live like cowards?" he snarled, then drew his claws across the wolf's neck in one swift motion. Blood poured from the wound as the body dropped to the ground. "Then die like cowards!"

He's fucking insane. I cursed in mind.

The remaining wolves flinched at the display, but still they didn't attack.

So Boring, Axel's voice was filled with amusement. Shall I put them out of their misery?

"Go ahead."

Axel's evil laughter echoed in my mind. With pleasure.

The twenty remaining wolves seemed to realize they had no choice. With desperate howls, they launched themselves at us in one final, coordinated attack.

It was useless.

Axel moved through them like the wind. His claws found throats, his jaws crushed skulls and his massive body bowled over multiple attackers at once.

A gray wolf managed to rake its claws across Axel's shoulder, drawing thin lines of blood. Axel's response was immediate and brutal - he caught the wolf's head in his jaws and twisted, snapping its neck with a wet crack.

Too easy, Axel complained as he threw the body aside. I expected more of a challenge.

Only a handful of wolves remained alive. They pressed themselves against the cliff face, trembling with terror.

Zephyr was backing toward his horse, his face pale with shock and fear.

"Zephyr's trying to escape," I warned Axel.

Axel's head snapped toward the fleeing Beta, his eyes blazing with fury. With a roar, he launched himself across the battlefield.

His claws closed around Zephyr's torso just as the man reached his horse. The animal reared in terror, then bolted down the mountain path without its rider.

The few surviving wolves saw Zephyr caught and immediately fled, scrambling down the rocky slopes.

Should I chase them down? Axel asked, his voice eager for more blood.

"No, let them report what they've seen."

You're letting prey escape, Axel grumbled, clearly displeased with my decision.

"They're messengers now, let them tell everyone what happens to those who cross us."

Axel seemed unsatisfied but didn't argue further. He held Zephyr aloft, his claws digging deep enough to draw blood but not deep enough to kill. His feet dangled helplessly as he glared down at us with hatred.

"You're a fucking monster!" Zephyr spat, blood trickling from his mouth. "An abomination! You shouldn't exist!"

I wrestled control back from Axel. My voice came out as a deep growl. "Who sent you?" I demanded. "Tell me who's behind this ambush."

Zephyr's only response was to spit blood at my face. "Fuck you, freak."

I squeezed his torso harder with claws, drawing fresh blood. "Answer me, or I'll make your death last for hours."

But Zephyr just glared at me, refusing to speak.

I tried everything - choking him until he nearly passed out, crushing his ribs slowly, tearing him apart piece by piece. But the bastard wouldn't talk.

"Fine," I snarled finally. "I already know it was Elton anyway."

Zephyr's eyes widened slightly, confirming my suspicion. Then he spat again, hitting me squarely.

"Elton will avenge me," he gasped. "He'll make you pay for what you've done."

"Rogues or warriors?" I asked coldly.

Zephyr's face contorted with pain and fury. "They're all fucking warriors from my pack, you son of a bitch!" he snarled.

"Is this about what happened three years ago?" I asked, studying his face for any reaction.

Zephyr's expression twisted with rage. "You destroyed everything!" he screamed. "You ruined lives! You mother - "

His words were cut off abruptly as Axel's claws sliced cleanly through Zephyr's neck. His head fell to the rocky ground with a wet thud, his body collapsing beside it.

What the fuck? I roared at Axel. I needed him alive!

Axel's laughter echoed through my mind, cold and mocking. I don't take orders from you, Logan. I do what I want.

Rage exploded through me as I stared down at Zephyr's decapitated corpse.

You fucking psychopath! I snarled internally. I needed information!

Information is for the weak, Axel replied dismissively. Power is all that matters. And we have all the power we need.

I forced myself to shift back to human form, banishing Axel to the depths of my mind. The transformation left me gasping and exhausted, rain washing the blood from my naked skin.

Around me, the mountain pass was a graveyard. Bodies lay scattered across the rocks in twisted heaps, their blood mixing with the rainwater. The air reeked of death and copper.

The wolfsbane still coursed through my veins, making every movement feel like pushing through thick mud. My muscles screamed in protest, but I forced myself to whistle sharply through the rain.

My horse appeared through the mist, stepping carefully around the scattered corpses. "Good boy," I whispered.

I staggered toward Zephyr's headless corpse, my legs trembling with each step. The bastard's head lay several feet away, his dead eyes still filled with rage. I picked up the severed head by its hair, warm blood dripping between my fingers.

I shoved the head into my saddlebag. Then I turned to Clarence's broken body, my chest tightening with grief.

All of this is my fault.

His young face was peaceful in death, but I could still see the terror that had filled his eyes in his final moments.

I retrieved rope from my pack and began the grim task of securing his body to my horse. Every knot I tied felt like another weight on my soul. The other warriors would have to wait for Elias to handle. I couldn't carry them all.

With the last of my strength, I hauled myself into the saddle. My vision blurred as waves of exhaustion crashed over me. The wolfsbane was winning, dragging me toward unconsciousness.

"Good boy," I whispered again, patting my horse's neck with a shaking hand. "Take me home."

The world began to fade around me as we started down the mountain path.

I woke up screaming, my eyes flying open to stare at a familiar stone ceiling. Cold sweat covered my body, and my heart hammered against my ribs.

The nightmare again.

I sat up quickly, my head spinning from the sudden movement. The bed beside me was empty. No warm body, no familiar scent.

"Valencia?" I called out, my voice hoarse.

Silence.

I threw off the blankets and pulled on my clothes with trembling hands. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

"VALENCIA!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty corridors.

Nothing. The hallways were dead silent, not even the sound of servants moving about their daily tasks.

I ran toward the stairs, taking them three at a time. The third floor great hall should have been bustling with activity, but instead I found only one figure standing on the long wooden table.

Dorian.

He looked down at me with that cold smile I'd seen too many times. But this smile was different. Twisted. Evil.

"Where is she?" I snarled, my hand moving to my sword.

He just kept smiling.

Rage exploded through my chest. I drew my blade and leaped onto the table, thrusting straight for his throat. But he moved like smoke, sliding away from my strike and jumping down from the other side.

"You bastard!" I roared, pursuing him as he ran toward the stairs. "What have you done with her?"

He disappeared up to the second floor, his footsteps echoing ahead of me. But when I reached the landing, the corridor was empty. He had vanished like a ghost.

My heart began racing faster, a terrible dread filling my chest. I gripped my sword tighter, checking each room systematically.

The kitchen was spotless and empty. No signs of struggle or violence.

I moved to Clarence's room, my pulse thundering in my ears. I knocked on the wooden door.

"Anyone there?" I called out.

No answer.

I turned away from the door and froze. At the far end of the hallway stood nine figures in the shadows. Clarence and eight of my warriors, just standing there motionless. I couldn't see their faces clearly, and their silhouettes was unnatural.

"Clarence?" I whispered, relief flooding through me. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're alive."

But as I walked closer, my relief turned to horror. Blood began trickling from their eyes, noses and mouths.

"No," I breathed, backing away.

I looked down at my sword, but the steel was dissolving into blood, dripping through my fingers.

They rushed toward me with inhuman speed, their bloodied faces twisted into expressions of accusation and rage.

I tried to run, but my legs wouldn't move. I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

"NO!" I screamed, my eyes flying open.

I was back in my bed, staring at the familiar stone ceiling. But this time I wasn't alone.

Valencia sat on the edge of the bed, her purple eyes wide with concern. Dr. Vance stood beside her, his weathered face creased with worry. Behind them I could see several of my warriors, all watching me with troubled expressions.

"Alpha," Valencia said softly, her hand reaching toward mine. "You're home."