"No!" I scream, my voice raw and filled with anguish as I collapse next to Soren, my hands trembling. . His eyes are half-closed, his breathing ragged and laboured. I recognise the silver blade—it's my father's prized possession, a weapon made entirely of silver. Stab wounds from it inflict excruciating pain and are nearly impossible to heal.

Just than Alpha Charlie emerges, his presence looming like a dark shadow. His beta holds a similar blade to William's neck. Charlie grabs my wrist and pulls me up from Soren, who struggles against the silver poison coursing through his system, trying desperately to pull me back from Charlie's grip. 

But it's no use.

"Thank you, Sam," Charlie says, his voice dripping with malice. "I have wasted years searching for The Soren Thornbourn. When I killed his mother and his pack, my plan was to eliminate every living Thornbourn. Yet, he escaped, and for years I have searched high and low, killed innocents in my quest to find him."

Soren's grip on my arm weakens, pain etched on his face. I look at Timothy, hoping he can stop this.

"Timothy, please," I beg, turning to my brother. "Don't let him die. Help me save him."

Timothy's face is a mask of conflict, his eyes filled with pain and regret. He takes a step back, shaking his head. "He's a rogue. You know the rules."

"Damn the rules!" I shout, my voice filled with desperation. I struggle against Charlie's grip, but he's too strong.

Soren's eyes lock with mine, and I can see the fight in them. Despite the pain, despite the poison coursing through his veins, he refuses to give up.

I won't give up too. 

 "He's my mate. He's your family now too," I tell Timothy. Slightly, his resolve wavers, but before he can respond, William, with a burst of strength, knocks the blade from the beta's hand and tackles him to the ground. 

The distraction loosens Charlie's grip on me and I seize the opportunity and wrench myself free, falling back beside Soren. "Stay with me, Soren," I whisper urgently, my heart pounding in my chest. 

"I will get you out of here."

Just then, a sharp pain shoots through my head as Charlie grabs me by my hair and yanks me back. I cry out in pain, my hands instinctively reaching up to try and free myself. 

I punch him, cursing his name, but he retaliates with a brutal punch that sends me sprawling to the ground. The impact knocks the wind out of me, and I cough, trying to catch my breath. 

Charlie shifts into his wolf form, his eyes gleaming with malice as he prepares to attack. My heart races with fear. 

Just as he is about to pounce, Timothy steps in between us, his growl echoing through the chaos. "Don't touch him!" he growls, his voice filled with authority and protectiveness.

He turns to me, his eyes hard but determined. "Go, take your mate to the infirmary and keep him there."

I nod, filled with gratitude and urgency. With renewed determination, I rush back to Soren. He is barely conscious, the silver poisoning taking its toll on his body. "Come on, Soren," I urge, my voice breaking. "We need to move."

I help him to his feet, supporting his weight as we make our way through the battlefield, with William fighting off anyone and creating a path for us.

As we reach the edge of the forest, I see the infirmary in the distance. The sight gives me a glimmer of hope. "Almost there," I whisper to Soren, his head resting heavily against my shoulder.

With every step, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I can't lose him, not now. 

We finally stumble into the infirmary, and I call out for help. The medics quickly rush to our aid, taking Soren from my arms and placing him on a bed. 

"Do everything you can, Alpha orders," I plead, my voice trembling with emotion. "Please, save him."

The medics nod, their faces serious. As they work, I stay by Soren's side, holding his hand and willing him to stay with me. The fight outside seems distant now, replaced by the battle for Soren's life. 

"You've got to pull through," I whisper, tears streaming down my face. "I need you, Soren. I love you."

As the medics continue their work, I can't help but think of Timothy's intervention. He had saved us, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

"Beta, you need to clear the room. We promise we will do everything to get the poison out, but for us to work fast, we need more space," one of the medics says, gently but firmly pushing me out of the room.

I stumble into the hallway, feeling a mix of helplessness and desperation. Outside the infirmary, I see William standing guard, his face a mask of determination and concern. "William," I say, my voice barely a whisper as I approach him.

He turns to me, his expression softening slightly. "The situation is still tense, but Timothy's intervention has created a temporary truce. Alpha Charlie is being held back, but we don't know for how long."

I nod, feeling a wave of gratitude towards my brother. Despite our differences, he had stepped up when it mattered most. "Thank you for everything, William. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'm only repaying a debt. Soren saved my and Luca's lives. Stay strong for him." 

William takes a deep breath, his expression growing more solemn. "Actually, Sam, I need to ask something of you.. If I don't survive, please look after my son."

I gulp back the tears, shaking my head. "Don't say that, William. You will survive, and you will see Luca when all of this is over."

William's grip on my shoulder tightens slightly, and he gives me a sad smile. "I appreciate your optimism, but Alpha Charlie has wiped out many minor packs, including my own," William says quietly, his gaze distant as if lost in memories of the past.

His words weigh heavily on my heart, their gravity sinking in deeper with each passing moment.

 "He won't stop just like this. We will never go back to how things were until he is killed or Soren is killed. I will die if it means the Zipclaw pack dies with me. I just need you to promise me my son will be taken care of."

My heart aches for him and for the uncertain future that lies ahead for Luca "I promise, William," I reply, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. "I will take care of Luca, no matter what happens. You have my word."

William nods, a flicker of relief crossing his features before he straightens, his expression hardening. "Thank you, Sam," he clears his throat, gathering himself.

 "He likes to sleep with the light on, and he loves drinking milk. Just let him drink until his stomach is full."

"Okay," I nod. "But you don't have to tell me this because you will see your son, and you will give him as much milk as his heart desires."

"In my old pack, we believed that our loved ones who passed on turned into stars in the sky and watched over us. Tell Luca that I went to the stars, and I'm with mommy. Tell him that the two brightest stars in the sky are us, watching down on him."

Tears stream down his cheeks as he speaks, and I can't hold back my own emotions. "William, you're making me cry. Stop it," I say, my voice catching with sorrow.

William nods solemnly, his gaze distant yet filled with a quiet acceptance. "I'm sorry," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

Finally, the door to the infirmary opens, and one of the medics steps out, their face serious but not without hope. "He's stable for now. We've removed most of the poison, but he needs rest and time to heal."

A wave of relief washes over me, and I feel tears of gratitude welling up in my eyes. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. "Thank you so much."

The medic nods and steps aside, allowing me to re-enter the room.

 I freeze at the sight of the Luna standing beside Soren, She turns to face me, a malicious smile curling her lips as she observes my reaction with cold amusement. "I see now, he's cute."

"Don't touch him," I growl through clenched teeth, my hands curling into fists at my sides. The medics look on with apologetic eyes, clearly torn. 

She extends her claws slowly, the metallic glint catching the dim light of the infirmary. "He belongs to the Zipclaw pack now," she hisses, her voice dripping with venomous satisfaction.

William bursts into the room, ready to attack, but I step in front of him, raising a hand to halt his advance. "I've got this," I say firmly, my eyes locked with the Luna's.

Soren lies still on the bed, unconscious but breathing steadily. The sight of him vulnerable and under threat ignites a primal fury within me. "He belongs to no one but himself, and to me" I retort, my voice low and steady. 

"And I will protect him with everything I have."

The Luna's eyes narrow, her smile fading as she realises I'm not backing down. "We shall see about that," she snarls, retracting her claws reluctantly.

With a guttural growl, I tackle the her, knocking her off balance. 

We crash to the ground, grappling fiercely. Her claws rake across my arm, drawing blood, but I fight through the pain, fuelled by adrenaline and the desperate need to keep her away from Soren.

She snarls, twisting beneath me as we struggle. I grapple with her, trying to pin her down, but she is strong and slippery, wriggling out of my grasp like a snake would. 

 She slashes again, this time aiming for my face, but I manage to deflect the blow with a desperate swipe of my arm.

In the midst of our fierce struggle, the room blurs around us. I can hear shouts and the sound of scuffling feet, but all my focus is on the Luna, on preventing her from reaching Soren. 

She hisses and spits, her eyes wild with malice as she fights back with savage intensity. Just as I gain a momentary advantage, the door bursts open again. 

Guards flood into the room, their presence commanding and immediate. 

They swiftly intervene, pulling me away from the Luna and restraining her with firm hands.

Author's Note: 

I actually had fun writing this chapter. Thank you for your support. I can't believe I'm on chapter 30 already.