Chapter 9 The Final Confrontation

The wind was a real screamer that night, biting right through your fur up in the mountain pass. You could smell the stink of war on the wind, too. Naku stood watch at the edge of the High Fang camp, his eyes peeled, scanning the valley below. The glow of fires flickered way off in the distance – Meldus' army wasn't messing around; they were coming on fast, quicker than anyone thought they would.

Beside him, Tabitha was cinching up her armor, her face all tight and serious. They'll be here before morning, she said, more to herself than him. Krahn must have led them straight to us, the scumbag.

Naku's jaw tightened. Krahn selling them out like that stung, and now Meldus's whole rotten bunch – witches, mages, those messed-up wolves – was headed their way. No time to call in reinforcements. This was it. They'd have to make do with who they had.

Behind them, the High Fang warriors were getting ready, their eyes hard. They knew a lot of them weren't going to see the sun rise. The whole rebellion thing had come down to this: one last, desperate fight against that creep, Lord Meldus.

Naku turned to face his crew. Tonight, we're not just scrapping for ourselves, he said, trying to sound like he meant it. We're fighting for every wolf who still thinks freedom's worth a damn. For every pack Meldus has turned into slaves. And for all the families we've lost – they deserve some payback!

A low growl of agreement went through the pack, but Naku saw the doubt lurking in some of their eyes. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and even though he'd shown he had some strength, Meldus still scared the crap out of them.

Hold it together, Tabitha said quietly, looking straight at Naku. They're following you because they believe in you. Don't give them any reason to think twice now.

Naku nodded, but his head was a mess of worries. He couldn't afford to look unsure now.

As night really took hold, the sound of drums started echoing through the valley – Meldus's mob was close. Naku stepped forward, his breath clouding in the cold. His heart was pounding loud enough to wake the dead, and every muscle in his body was tight as a spring.

Then, they started pouring out of the darkness.

Wolves with eyes that glowed nasty red, witches chanting dark magic, mages throwing spells that twisted the air. And right in the middle of it all, towering over everyone, was Lord Meldus – bigger, scarier than ever, with a face twisted into a real ugly grin.

Well, well, Naku, Meldus called out, his voice booming like thunder. Look at you, playing warlord with your little gang of rejects. You honestly think they can stand against me?

Naku's hands clenched into fists. I don't care how many you've twisted to your side, Meldus. This ends tonight.

Meldus laughed, a cold, cruel sound that made your skin crawl. Oh, it will end tonight, Naku. Just not the way you're hoping.

With a flick of his wrist, Meldus sent his army charging.

All hell broke loose as Meldus's goons swarmed forward. Wolves and witches smashed into the High Fang, the sound of metal on metal, claws tearing flesh, filled the air. Spells ripped through the dark, lighting up the battlefield with flashes of fire and lightning. It was a real mess.

Naku shifted mid-stride, his body twisting into his full alpha form as he charged toward the front lines. His claws ripped through the enemy wolves; no one on that field could match his strength. But for every bad guy he took down, another one just took his place. They just kept coming.

Tabitha was right there beside him, her magic weaving through the air like a deadly dance. She took down enemy mages left and right, but even she was starting to get worn down by the sheer numbers.

Through the chaos, Naku's eyes locked on Meldus, standing back in the center, untouched and looking downright bored. He was radiating power, the air around him seemed to bend from it.

Naku knew what he had to do.

With a snarl, he broke away from the fight, charging straight for Meldus. Every muscle in him was coiled with the raw power of his alpha blood, and as he got closer, he felt that familiar jolt of energy building inside him – the same energy that had scared even his old man.

But Meldus was ready for him.

With a flick of his wrist, Meldus sent a blast of dark magic slamming into Naku, throwing him off his feet and sending him skidding across the dirt. Pain shot through him, but Naku gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand.

You can't win, Naku, Meldus said, his voice cold and mocking. You were never meant to be in charge. You were meant to serve, just like all the rest.

Naku wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes burning with anger. I'm not my father, Meldus. And I'm not afraid of you.

Meldus sneered, raising his hand to throw another spell, but Naku was faster this time. With a primal roar, he let loose everything he had, his body shifting into something even Meldus hadn't expected.

He became more than just a wolf. His muscles swelled, his fur turned black as night, and his eyes glowed with an ancient, wild power. The power of a true alpha, not held back by fear or second thoughts.

Meldus's eyes went wide with shock. What... what are you?

Naku's voice was a low growl, barely human. I'm who should be in charge.

He exploded forward, their clash sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The dark magic around Meldus crackled and sparked as Naku's claws tried tear his defenses apart. For the first time, Meldus looked like he wasn't so sure of himself.

While Naku and Meldus were going at it, the rest of the battle shifted. The High Fang, seeing Naku really go for took inspiration from his strength, and starting pushing Meldus' forces back. Wolves and witches were fighting side by side and their teamwork slowly turned the battle around.

But Meldus wasn't giving up.

Letting out snarl of frustration, Meldus pulled a dark vortex of magic out of nowhere, and hid inside it, creating a shield to protect himself. You think you can beat me? I control the wolves! I control the mages! I control everything!

Naku felt the weight of the magic crushing down on him. In that moment, he remembered his father's warning – don't ever show you true form.

But it was too late now.

Calling on every scrap of power he had left, Naku pushed forward, tearing through the shield of dark magic. His claws sank into Meldus' chest, and for a split second, everything froze.

Meldus gasped, his eyes wide and surprised. This... this shouldn't be happening...

Naku's voice was low, deadly. It is now.

With one final hit, Naku ended the fight.

Meldus fell down, the dark magic fading away. His army saw what happened and freaked out, started to scatter into the darkness. The battle was over.

Naku stood over Meldus's body, breathing hard. The field was covered with dead wolves, but the High Fang had pulled it off. The rebellion had worked.

Tabitha walked up, her face coated in dirt and blood, but her eyes shining with pride. You did it, Naku. It's over.

Naku shifted back to his human form, his body aching all over. No, he said, his voice rough. This is just the start. We've got a lot to fix.

But for the first time, Naku let himself feel a little bit of peace. Meldus was gone forever. The packs were free from him.

He was the alpha that they needed.