Chapter 3 The Prophecy

Gaia's body hit the ground with a soft thud, her eyes fluttering shut as she lay motionless at Valtor's feet. He barely spared her a glance, his attention already on the man stepping forward from the shadows-a figure almost as tall and imposing as Valtor himself, with a hardened glare that spoke of countless battles.

"Well, well, Valtor," the man sneered, circling slowly. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd stoop to guarding a mere human. Or is she?"

Valtor's lips twisted into a dangerous smirk, his eyes gleaming with a cold, lethal light. "You speak as if you understand the stakes here," he replied, his voice dripping with contempt. "But I wouldn't expect a half-breed like you to understand loyalty."

The man let out a low growl, his fists clenching. "Loyalty? Is that what you call it?" He laughed bitterly. "Or are you just afraid? Afraid of what I could do if I take her from you?"

Valtor's form shuddered, beginning to shift, his claws lengthening as his features took on a more feral edge. "Afraid? No," he snarled, eyes narrowing. "But I'd be a fool to let you leave here alive."

The intruder bared his teeth, his own body crackling with barely restrained energy as he prepared to shift. "Then let's see if your bark is as strong as your bite, Alpha," he taunted, his voice thick with challenge. "And I'll be sure to send your regards to your precious pack when I take them down next."

The threat was enough to tip Valtor over the edge. He lunged forward, his form fully transformed, an enormous white wolf with gleaming fangs and eyes blazing with fury. The two wolves collided with a powerful snarl, claws flashing as they tore into each other, the sound of ripping flesh and growls echoing through the dark halls.

And in the chaos, Gaia lay still on the cold ground, unaware of the battle raging just inches away.

"You don't understand who she is, do you? Or the power she carries?" The intruder's voice was rough, tinged with weariness and desperation.

Valtor's eyes blazed with fury as he took a step forward. "Her fate was written long before you and I. Lay a hand on her, and you'll bring ruin upon us all."

The intruder spat blood onto the floor, his breathing heavy but unyielding. "The prophecy marked her, endowed her with a rare power, and your kind has hunted her bloodline ever since-just to prevent what she was born to do. Let her go with me," he rasped, defiance flickering in his eyes.

Valtor narrowed his gaze, sensing a note of mischief. "Are you no longer one of us?"

A harsh chuckle escaped the intruder, his lips curling into a bitter smile. "I thought you were sharper than that, Alpha Valtor. Her bloodline alone has the strength to stand against us-against your kind. It's no coincidence she's still alive."

Valtor's suspicion deepened, memories of whispered rumors circling back to him. Dark magic, they said, twisted and forbidden, that some of their kind used to gain strange power. He scanned the intruder's form, noting the unnatural gleam in his eyes, the faint aura of something... tainted.

The intruder met Valtor's gaze with a glint of satisfaction. "Surprised, Alpha? The darkness our kind wields has its own price."

Valtor's expression hardened. "I'll protect her," he thundered, casting a glance down at Gaia, the young girl lying motionless on the ground. For the first time, he felt a sense of awe at the power hidden within her small, fragile frame. "Even if it means killing every one of your kind."

The intruder's eyes narrowed, his posture tense and for a heartbeat, silence filled the air-a silence charged with a promise of a bloody battle.

The intruder's lips curled into a cold smirk, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "You're not strong enough to protect her, Valtor. You may try, but you'll only delay the inevitable."

Valtor's voice was steel. "I'm more than enough for you. And I'll rip apart anyone who thinks otherwise."

The intruder chuckled darkly, his voice a low growl. "Then let's see what that bravado is worth."

In an instant, his canines elongated, sharper and longer than those of a typical werewolf.

With a fierce snarl, he lunged at Valtor, their bodies colliding with a force that sent shockwaves through the room. They grappled in a deadly clash, claws tearing, jaws snapping as they each fought for dominance.

The sound of snarls and ripping fabric echoed as Valtor countered each vicious strike, his strength unwavering.

As they faced off, Damon appeared from the shadows, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Behind him, a group of human mercenaries strode in, their wolfsbane firearms glinting ominously in the dim light. The atmosphere thickened with tension.

Amidst the struggle, a sudden silence fell.

Gaia was standing, her eyes shut tight, her small frame somehow radiating an eerie, powerful energy. As if sensing her presence, both men paused, but Valtor's gaze was protective.

Gaia's eyes opened slowly, her stares sharp and fixed directly on the intruder, "You think I'm powerless?" She stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "I don't need to run away from the likes of you."

The intruder sneered, but surprise flashed in his eyes. With a swift, unexpected move, Gaia lunged, clawing across his face and knocking him back.

"Alpha, watch out!" Damon shouted, his voice urgent when he noticed the intruder's movements.

But it was too late. The intruder retaliated, plunging his extended fangs into Valtor's arm in one last act of defiance.

"Damn it!" Valtor growled, staggering back as the intruder vanished, in a wisp of dark smoke leaving behind only a faint echo of bitter laughter.

"Go after him!" Damon commanded the mercenaries, his tone sharp and urgent. They hesitated, uncertain of the supernatural forces at play.

Damon shot a glance at Valtor, surprised by the sudden strange turn of events, but then turned his attention back to the fading dark mist. "We can't let him escape. He knows too much."

Gaia swayed as her strength faded, collapsing into Valtor's arms.

As Valtor caught Gaia in his arms, a chilling realization gripped him. The threat was far from over. They were only just beginning to uncover the dark forces at play.