Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Playing Dirty

But the vampire in his full form had been waiting. He used his fallen kin as bait, predicting the Alpha would rush to save his Gamma. The moment the Alpha intervened, the vampire launched himself with terrifying speed, his massive wings beating powerfully as he shot forward, claws extended and aimed straight for the Alpha’s throat.

The Gamma, still recovering from being saved, saw the incoming danger. Without hesitation, he leapt between the Alpha and the vampire, choosing to shield his leader at the cost of his own life. He aimed for the vampire’s head in a desperate counterattack, but the vampire had anticipated it.

With a savage swipe, the vampire’s claws tore through the Gamma’s chest. Then, with his other hand, he clamped the Gamma’s jaws shut so forcefully that bone shattered with a sickening crack. Before the Gamma could react, the vampire yanked viciously, ripping out his spinal cord in one brutal motion.

The Alpha landed just in time to witness the gruesome scene, his eyes going wide with horror. He leapt forward, but it was too late. His Gamma died instantly, eyes wide open, unable to even whimper in his final moment.

A thunderous snarl tore from the Alpha’s throat as rage surged through him. In a flash, he charged, slamming his massive wolf form into the vampire and sending him hurtling through the air until he crashed violently against a tree.

But the vampire recovered quickly. Bloodied, yet still grinning with a feral glint in his eyes, he rose and beat his wings again, ascending into the sky as he struggled to catch his breath.

The Alpha lunged forward, attempting to seize the vampire, but the vampire had grown too wary of him. Instantly, he darted back several steps, staying just out of reach. Every time the Alpha moved closer, the vampire retreated, as if they were locked in a relentless game of cat and mouse chase.

Exhausted and nearly drained of energy, the vampire was weakening. He knew he couldn’t afford to stall time any longer; doing so would only put him at a greater disadvantage. The longer he lingered, the more time the Alpha had to call for reinforcements. And if that happened, he’d be overwhelmed and killed in no time.

But the Alpha had no intention of summoning backup. Bringing more warriors would only mean exposing more bloodbags to the vampire, giving him an opportunity to replenish his strength. And if that happened? They’d be right back where they started, forced to fight a fully recharged vampire all over again.

No, the Alpha had made up his mind. He would finish this himself. He had to strike while the vampire was still vulnerable.

They stood in a tense standoff. For a moment, neither moved. Then, the vampire began to panic. He was the one on the run, unsure if the Alpha was simply buying time. The roles had reversed; now it was the Alpha playing mind games, holding back and letting the vampire spiral into uncertainty.

The vampire tried to regain his composure, forcing himself not to betray his fear. He didn’t dare make any sudden movements or let his expression give away his desperation. His biggest fear was that more werewolves would arrive before he could escape the border, and if that happened, his mission would fail.

The thought of his mission reignited the vampire’s focus. His eyes scanned the area until they landed on the sleeping Addison. Without hesitation, he made his move. They were already near the border; just a little farther, and they’d be outside the werewolf kingdom. So, he surged forward, wings spreading wide as he prepared to snatch Addison and take to the skies.

But the Alpha had been watching him like a hawk.

He immediately intercepted, reading the vampire’s intent in an instant. The two clashed, blow after blow, and though the vampire fought fiercely, he knew he was no match for the Alpha’s raw strength. The midnight-black wolf was just as fast as he was, and far more powerful. The only advantage the vampire had was his ability to fly. As long as he could stay out of reach, he had a chance.

But the Alpha refused to let him get close to Addison. Every time the vampire tried to rush forward, the Alpha was there, blocking his path.

So, the vampire took a gamble. He launched himself at full speed toward Addison.

As expected, the Alpha reappeared in front of her, this time in his human form, arms outstretched to catch him. He managed to grab one of the vampire’s wrists, just as a small pouch hidden in the vampire’s sleeve burst open, releasing a cloud of powdered wolfsbane into the Alpha’s face.

Caught off guard, the Alpha inhaled sharply, and a lungful of wolfsbane-laced air hit him hard.

But the vampire wasn’t done. With his free hand, he drove his arm through the Alpha’s stomach, claws coated in wolfsbane. Now, not only were the Alpha’s lungs filled with wolfsbane, but it also had entered his bloodstream too, at a dose strong enough to cripple even him for over two weeks.

The Alpha staggered but did not let go.

Teeth gritted, rage burning in his eyes, he used his remaining strength to sever the vampire’s head with one powerful swipe of his clawed hand. The head hit the ground with a dull thud, followed by the limp body.

Still seething, the Alpha hurled the corpse aside, but his legs buckled. The wolfsbane was taking its toll on his body too fast.

As much as silver was a werewolf’s weakness, so was wolfsbane. It was their equivalent of holy water to a vampire, potent, corrosive, and deadly. Or it might not be as corrosive, but it could seal their wolf, and that could make them an easy target.

The Alpha could feel his wolf inside his mind slipping into a coma due to the wolfsbane coursing through his bloodstream. The wound in his stomach continued to bleed freely, and every breath burned like fire. Gasping for air, he tried to stay grounded, desperate to hold onto consciousness, to keep from blacking out. But his knees buckled, and he collapsed.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he coughed violently. He knew his wolf wouldn’t be able to aid in healing, not while this much wolfsbane was still in his system. He had to get back to the packhouse, and fast. That was his only chance to purge the poison and get treated before it was too late.

Shaking, he planted a hand on his knee and tried to push himself up. He failed once, then again. But he didn’t stop trying. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to his feet, even as blood poured from the open wound, and his vision blurred. The world spun around him. His eyelids were heavy, and his body felt like it had been turned to stone, cold, numb, and nearly unmovable.

He staggered forward, dragging his feet, each step a battle. His breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. The cold crept in deeper, and his limbs trembled uncontrollably.

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