The Princess's Revenge Chapter 92

Valencia's POV

She launched herself through the air, claws extended, teeth bared. I barely had time to throw myself to the side before she crashed into the spot where I'd been standing.

"Amara, stop!" I shouted as I rolled away from her next attack. "This won't solve anything!"

She didn't seem to hear me. Or maybe she just didn't care. She spun around and came at me again, this time catching the fabric of my dress with her claws.

The silk tore with a loud ripping sound, and I felt warm blood seeping through the fabric. Death. I could feel it hovering close, like a cold breath on my neck. My heart hammered so hard it hurt.

Please, I called desperately to the thing sleeping inside me. Wake up! I need you! Nothing.

No response. No stirring of power. No claws or fangs to defend myself with. Panic flooded through me like ice water.

Why wasn't it responding? It had come when I needed it before. When I fought the captain. When I was angry enough. But now, when I needed it most, there was only silence.

"What's wrong?" Amara growled. "Can't fight back? You coward bitch." She stalked closer, and I scrambled backward until my heel caught on a rock.

I went down hard, the impact jarring my spine. Amara didn't hesitate. She launched herself at me. Pure instinct took over, and I threw my forearm up to protect my face and throat.

The sound of teeth breaking echoed across the cliff. Amara's agonized howl pierced the night. She stumbled backward, shaking her head violently. Blood dripped from her muzzle.

"What..." I lowered my arm slowly, confused. I was alive. She hadn't torn through my flesh. My trembling fingers reached to touch my forearm. Instead of skin, I felt something else.

Hard ridges. Scales? They were warm, almost hot to the touch, and they covered my forearm like natural armor.

"What the hell?" I whispered, running my fingers over the strange texture. The scales were real. They'd appeared without me calling for them, without any transformation I was aware of.

Amara watched me warily now, keeping her distance. Her lips pulled back in a snarl, but she didn't attack again.

"What the fuck is that?" she growled, her wolf voice rough and angry.

"I don't know!" The words came out desperate, pleading. "I don't understand it either!"

I pressed my hand against the scales again. They were definitely there, but I couldn't feel the creature inside me. No presence. No power waiting to be unleashed. Just these scales that had appeared on their own.

Why won't you answer me? I called again internally. I need you! Still nothing.

Amara began circling again, but more cautiously now. She was looking for an opening, somewhere the scales didn't protect.

I had to think. Had to figure out how to survive this. The scales on my forearm wouldn't protect the rest of me. If she went for my stomach or legs...

My mind raced through options. Run? She was faster. Fight? I had no weapons, no claws, no real way to hurt her.

Three sharp bell rings suddenly split the air. The alarm. My blood went cold.

Val! Logan's voice exploded in my mind, urgent and panicked. Come back! NOW! Enemies are attacking us!

"Logan?" I said out loud, momentarily forgetting about Amara.

Where are you? His mental voice was strained. I could feel his fear through our bond.

Eastern cliff. With Amara. She's trying to—

Get back here! We're under attack! Enemies are at the gates!

My heart raced. Oh god, was it Elton attacking us? I spun around, ready to run back to the castle. Every second counted.

"Stop right there!" Amara's voice rang out behind me.

I whirled back to face her, fury boiling in my chest. She was still in her wolf form, blood dripping from her broken teeth.

"I don't have time for this!" I shouted. "There are enemies at our gates! I don't have time for your self-pity, for your trips down memory lane. If you want to kill me, do it in a challenge three days later."

My sudden change in attitude caught her off guard. Her amber eyes widened, and she took a step back. The wolf's head tilted slightly, confused by my outburst.

I didn't wait for her response. I turned and ran toward the castle, my torn dress flapping around my legs.

As I got closer to the courtyard, I noticed that something was wrong. There were more patrol guards than usual. Way more. They stood at every corner, weapons drawn, eyes scanning the darkness.

"Luna!" one of them called out when he saw me. "You should get inside!"

I didn't stop to answer. I pushed through the main doors and my stomach dropped. The castle was dark and empty. Where were all the servants? Not a single person in the corridors. Just silence.

My heart sank. I ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time. My breathing was ragged by the time I reached the third floor. The great hall doors were open, and I could hear Logan's voice carrying through.

I burst through the entrance. The hall was still packed. All of them staring at Logan with serious, frightened faces.

Logan stood on the platform at the front. His eyes found mine across the crowded room.

"Valencia," he called out. "Come up here. Stand beside me."

Everyone turned to look at me. Heat flooded my face. I was a mess - torn dress, blood on my arms, hair wild from running. This wasn't how a Luna should look.

I pushed through the crowd, muttering apologies as I squeezed between bodies. People moved aside, creating a path. Some looked at me with concern, others with contempt.

I climbed onto the platform. Logan took my hand, squeezing it gently. His touch grounded me.

What happened to your bliaut? Logan's voice came through the mind link, concerned.

I panicked. Should I lie? Maybe I could say I just tripped or—

I can hear your thoughts, Valencia. Don't lie to me.

Oh shit. I still wasn't used to this mind link thing. Everything I thought was basically an open book to him.

I still can hear you.

I... I had a fight with Amara, I admitted through the link. But I handled it. It's fine. You don't need to worry about it.

What? His mental voice was sharp with surprise. His hand tightened on mine. Where is she now?

I don't know. Still at the cliff, probably. I tried to keep my mental voice calm. Logan, really, I'm okay.

I'll have Dr. Vance check you after this.

That's not necessary. I think my wounds already healed.

I don't care. You're getting checked. His mental voice left no room for argument.

Fine, I agreed, knowing it was pointless to argue with him when he got protective like this.

Logan's jaw was tight as he turned back to address the crowd, but he kept hold of my hand.

"As I was saying," Logan continued, addressing the crowd. "Our pack is facing an attack. But I want you all to know - you don't need to be afraid. I won't let anyone else die. I will ensure every single person's safety."

Something about his words made my stomach twist. I squeezed his hand tighter. What was he planning?

The crowd was completely silent, hanging on his every word. Their faces showed a mix of fear and trust.

Elias stepped forward from the side of the platform. "Alpha, I'll fight alongside you. We'll protect everyone together."

"No," Logan said firmly. "I'll fight alone. All of you will follow the defensive plan we discussed. Protect the pack house. Protect every pack member."

"That's insane!" Thomas called out from the crowd. "You can't fight them all alone!"

"Alpha, please reconsider," Bastian said. "We're warriors. Let us fight with you."

More voices joined in. Warriors volunteering, arguing, pleading to be allowed to fight.

"Enough!" Logan's voice cut through the noise. "This is my decision. It's final. Everyone will do exactly as I've said."

"Logan," I whispered, pulling on his hand. "What are you doing? You can't fight alone."

He looked down at me, his gray eyes soft. "I can and I will."

"That's suicide!"

"It's necessary." He turned back to the crowd. "Everyone knows their positions. Move now!"

The hall erupted into motion. People began filing out quickly but orderly. Warriors headed to their defensive posts. Servants gathered the children and elderly.

"Logan, please." I grabbed his arm as he started to turn away. "Do you really have to go alone? Let the warriors help you."

He stopped and looked down at me. His gray eyes were hard as stone. "Valencia, I can't watch anyone else die." His voice was quiet, meant only for me. "Not one more person from this pack. I won't allow it."

"But what if you—"

"I won't." He cupped my face gently. "I'll be fine."

I wanted to scream at him. To shake him. To make him understand that his death would destroy me just as much as losing pack members would destroy him. But the words stuck in my throat. I could see how important this was to him. How much weight he carried from the previous attack.

"Dr. Vance," Logan called out. "Check Valencia's injuries."

Dr. Vance hurried over, his medical bag already in hand. "What happened?"

"Just some scratches," I said quickly.

Dr. Vance's eyes moved over my torn dress and the blood on my arms. "Let me see."

He gently examined my arms where Amara's claws had caught me. His eyebrows rose higher with each passing second.

"When did this happen?" he asked, running his fingers over smooth skin where wounds should have been.

"Maybe twenty minutes ago?"

"Twenty minutes?" His voice pitched higher. "These have completely healed. There's nothing but dried blood." Dr. Vance shook his head in disbelief. "This healing speed is impossible."

Logan's hand tightened on my shoulder. "We'll discuss this later. Elias!"

"Alpha," Elias appeared immediately.

"Gather the warriors. We're heading to the main gate."

"Yes, Alpha." Elias turned to leave.

"I'm coming with you," I said.

"No." Logan's response was immediate.

"Yes." I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "I'm your Luna now. My job is to help you lead this pack. To protect this pack. You can't just shove me aside like some fragile toy."

His expression shifted. I saw him struggle with the words before he finally spoke. "I can't let you risk yourself, Val."

"And I can't sit in that room not knowing if you're dead or alive." My voice shook despite my efforts to control it. "That would kill me, Logan. You're important to me too."

His eyes widened slightly. For a moment, he just stared at me. Then he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Alright," he whispered against my skin. "You can come."

Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived. His eyes sharpened again, all business now.

"Stay close to me," he ordered. "Don't do anything reckless."

"I won't."

He strode toward the doors, and I hurried to keep up. Warriors fell in behind us as we moved through the castle.

We reached the courtyard where the horses were already being prepared. Logan's white stallion stood ready, pawing the ground impatiently.

Logan swung up onto his horse with practiced ease. He reached down and pulled me up behind him. I wrapped my arms around his waist, feeling the tension in his muscles.

"Hold tight," he said.

The horse surged forward. Other warriors mounted their horses and followed. We thundered through the courtyard, hooves striking sparks on the stone.

The main gate loomed ahead. Even from a distance, I could see torches beyond it. Lots of torches. Too many.