Denzel, Jason, and Ronald trudged through the forest, their footsteps heavy with exhaustion. They had just emerged from a grueling battle, and the adrenaline was starting to wear off.Denzel anger and frustration could be seen on his face, he couldn't believe the fact that he hadn't been able to kill Reid.That man escaped again; I know him; I know he'll come back again for his revenge, Denzel said, throwing the stick he had picked up from the ground.We'll be ready for him when he comes, Ronald said with his voice firm and confident.And when he comes, Jason added we'll make sure he doesn't see the next Dawn.Denzel nodded; the words from his companions had given him courage.We need to be careful, we almost died out there, and also we need to prepare, he can launch an attack anytime,"Man, that was close," Jason said, shaking his head. "If it wasn't for that power surge, I don't think we would have made it."Denzel nodded, his mind still reeling from the experience. "I know exactly what you mean. That sudden boost of energy. And I know where it came from."Ronald raised an eyebrow. "Where?"Denzel's eyes locked in the distance, his gaze intense. "Nira. She sent me help, somehow. I felt her energy coursing through me, guiding me like she was with me."Jason's face lit up with a smile. "That's amazing! We have a powerful friend watching our backs."Ronald chuckled. "Yeah, and we're lucky to have her. I don't know what we would do without her help, but what are you gonna do when you find a mate?"I don't know, I don't know, but when the time comes, we'll find a way around it, Denzel lied.As they walked, the trees grew closer together, casting deep shadows on the forest floor. Suddenly, Denzel stopped, his head cocked to one side."What's wrong?" Jason asked, following Denzel's gaze.Denzel's voice was low and urgent. "Can you smell that?Yeah, it smells familiar, it smells like Ezrianna and someone else, Ronald said sniffing aroundLet's check it out Denzel said waving his hands toward the direction of the smellOn the forest floor, Claudine and Ezrianna lay motionless. Claudine's body was battered and bruised, while Ezrianna's pale face was smeared with blood."No!" Ronald rushed to their side, helping them up. "What happened?"Claudine winced in pain. "Reid's followers...they ambushed us. We were trying to escape..."Ezrianna's eyes flickered open, her gaze locking onto Denzel. "Nira...she's..."Denzel's heart skipped a beat as he knelt beside Ezrianna. "What about Nira?"But Ezrianna's eyes closed, her body going limp."Claudine, how bad is she?" Denzel asked his voice tight with worry.Claudine's face was grim. "She's barely holding on. We need to get her treated now."Without hesitation, Denzel scooped up Ezrianna, cradling her in his arms. Jason and Ronald supported Claudine, and together they hastened towards the mansion, their hearts heavy with concern.As they emerged from the forest, the mansion loomed before them, its windows glowing with warm light."We're almost there," Denzel whispered to Ezrianna, his voice filled with hope. "Just hang on."But Ezrianna's face remained pale, her eyes closed, and Denzel couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach.As they entered the mansion, Denzel's anxiety grew; he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, the sense of foreboding that lingered in the air.Get them to the sanctuary now Denzel instructed his voice firmRonald and Jason nodded, their face etched with worry they quickly made their way to the sanctuaryI'm sorry but one of them couldn't make it, the healer whose name was Mary said Let me see her, Denzel instructed. When he got there he realized it was Ezrianna who couldn't make it.Oh my God, Ezrianna, Ronald said as he was quite familiar with herWhat about the other one, Denzel said trying to be strongWell, her injuries aren't that much, and she is healing really, so she'll be fine in a couple of days.Thank God, Ronald said. I really can't handle another deathBut .... Mary saidBut what, Denzel said wondering what the "but" could be aboutShe has been bitten, Mary saidOh no, that's bad, that's really bad; if she has been bitten, it means that it was one of Reid's members who bit her. Alpha what do we do, Ronald said concernedI don't know for now just keep watching her I need to look for Nira, Denzel said standing up to leaveShould I be happy or sad that she got bitten, this could be an opportunity for me to be with Nira; she got bitten by the other pack, which means her loyalty lies with them. I could use this as an excuse. Denzel thought as he went about searching for Nira.Cordelia have you seen Nira I've been searching for her since I came but I couldn't find her, do you know where she is, Denzel askedCordelia's hands trembled as she grasped Denzel's, her eyes brimming with tears. "Denzel, I need to tell you something," she whispered, her voice cracking.Denzel's brow furrowed, concern etched on his face. "What is it, Cordelia?"Cordelia took a deep breath, the words lodging in her throat. "It's Nira...she's gone."Denzel's expression faltered, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What do you mean? Where is she?"Cordelia's tears spilled over, streaming down her face. "She's dead, Denzel. She exchanged her life for yours."The room seemed to spin around Denzel, his legs buckling beneath him. Cordelia caught him, holding him upright as he stumbled."No...no, that can't be," Denzel whispered, his voice shaking.Cordelia's grip tightened. "I'm so sorry, Denzel. She saved you, she gave her life to save yours."Denzel's face contorted in anguish, a primal scream building in his chest. He felt as though he'd been ripped apart, his heart shattered into a million pieces.Cordelia held him, her own body wracked with sobs. "She loved you so much, Denzel. She wanted to protect you, to keep you safe."Denzel's knees gave way, and he collapsed to the floor, Cordelia cradling him in her arms. He felt numb, his mind reeling with the thought of living without Nira."Why?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Why did she do it?"Cordelia's tears fell onto his face. "Because she loved you more than life itself. She wanted to give you a chance to live, to fight another day."Denzel's body shook with uncontrollable sobs, his heart heavy with grief. He felt as though he'd lost a part of himself, a part he could never get back.As the truth sank in, Denzel's anguish turned to despair. He'd never see Nira's smile again, never feel her touch, never hear her laughter.At that moment, Denzel knew he'd never be the same again. A part of him had died with Nira, and he didn't know how to go on without her.
