Chapter 129: Chapter 129

HUNTER

I turned around to see one of the shadow creatures loyal to me in this secret mission. Its black eyes glinted under the moonlight.

"The werewolf forces are ready," it said shortly.

I nodded. "Make sure no one knows the plan until the very last moment."

The creature bowed and disappeared into the shadows.

My thoughts drifted back to when everything began to fall apart.

We used to be an unbeatable group—Beast Four. Me, Aland, Edison, and Elmar. Together, we protected the Sapphire Blue with strength and unbreakable friendship. But the Red Dragons destroyed everything.

One by one, my friends fell. Edison and Elmar vanished into the darkness of the shadow world. Jonea, broken and battered, chose to hide. Aland—he was captured by Luke Draken. Back then, I didn’t understand why Luke targeted Aland specifically, my closest and most different friend.

I remember that night vividly. Aland was locked in the dragon’s prison, his body covered in wounds. I knew he hated me for joining the Red Dragons, but secretly, I was planning his escape.

"Hunter," he whispered when I approached him in the dead of night. His eyes burned with hatred and pain. "What are you doing here? A traitor like you has no place anywhere."

I didn’t respond. I only ordered my men to unlock the seal and give him a way out under the cover of darkness.

Maybe Aland never knew. To me, his survival was all that mattered, even if his hatred for me never faded. At the time, I realized Luke had a connection with Aland. That’s why he only wanted Aland. Eventually, I discovered Luke’s true goal was Jonea and her sacred blood.

When I heard Jonea returned to Sapphire Blue, I knew Luke wouldn’t stand idly by. The girl was the key to his plans. I had tried to protect her, but it was all for nothing.

"Jonea..." I whispered softly, staring at the palace. "Will all my efforts end in vain?"

She hated me, just like everyone else. I knew that. How could she ever understand that every step I took, every betrayal I committed, was to protect her?

I took a deep breath. There was no point dwelling on the past. What mattered now was action.

I descended the cliff, walking toward the camp of my secret forces. They were all werewolves still loyal to the Abraham pack, those who had lost their place in this world. They hated me at first, but I managed to convince them to join me.

"Everything’s ready, Alpha Hunter," one of the leaders reported.

I nodded. "We don’t have much time. Attack on my signal. Our main target is stopping the Blood Moon ritual."

The pack nodded in unison.

I knew this was a massive gamble. If I failed, I wouldn’t just lose my life—I’d tarnish the Abraham family name forever. But if I succeeded, I could save Jonea and this world.

*

The night grew darker. The Blood Moon rose higher in the sky, bathing Sapphire Blue Palace in an eerie red light.

I snuck in through a hidden tunnel known only to the Abraham family. This path was a legacy from my ancestors, who built Sapphire Blue as a sanctuary against external threats.

Each step felt heavier, not from fear, but the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.

When I finally reached the main chamber, I saw Luke standing at the center. In front of him, Jonea lay on an altar, unconscious. Her pale skin glowed faintly under the pulsating red light that synced with her heartbeat.

"Luke!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.

He turned, his cold smile cutting through me. "Hunter, I knew you’d come. Traitors like you can’t resist betraying again, can they?"

I clenched my fists. "So... you’ve known all along?"

"Of course. I’ve known every step you’ve taken. I let you do as you pleased because, in the end, you—and Aland’s return—would lead me straight to Jonea!"

Hearing the truth filled me with rage. He had been manipulating and using me all this time. The betrayal stung deeper than I could have imagined. And seeing Jonea, pale and vulnerable... lying there, her long red hair draped over her chest, was excruciating.

"I won’t let you finish this ritual."

Luke chuckled. "Still playing the hero, Hunter? You forget—I control this game."

I didn’t answer. Instead, I advanced toward Jonea, intending to free her. But Luke blocked me, striking with ruthless force.

Our fight was brutal, each attack more intense than the last. Luke was immensely powerful, but I refused to back down. Every blow I landed was for Jonea, for my friends, for Sapphire Blue.

But no matter how hard I fought, his strength was overwhelming.

"Look at yourself, Hunter," he sneered, kicking me to the ground. "You’re nothing but a loser fighting against destiny."

Blood dripped from my mouth as I coughed, but I didn’t care. I crawled toward the altar, desperate to reach Jonea.

"NO!" Luke roared, blasting me with his magic.

I was thrown against the wall, yet I didn’t stop.

"As long as I can breathe," I murmured, "I won’t let you win."

*

JONEA

I woke to the sound of a body crashing against a wall. My eyes fluttered open, and I saw Hunter—wounded and bloody—struggling to stand while Luke attacked him relentlessly.

"Stop..." I whispered weakly, unable to move. My back felt icy against the altar. That’s when I realized I was lying bare on the marble surface. Above me, a domed ceiling with a central opening framed a blood-red moon nearing its zenith.

Is this the Blood Moon? What will happen to me once it’s full?

"Jonea..." Luke’s voice cooed as he approached me, his hand tracing from my face down to my navel. I froze in fear. "Soon, we’ll be one. But this pesky wolf is a distraction!"

Turning my head, I saw Luke choking Hunter, lifting him off the ground.

"No..." I whispered weakly. Hunter might die.

"Why worry about him?" Luke sneered. "He’s the one who handed you to me. I have you now; this red wolf is useless!"

I locked eyes with Hunter as he growled in defiance, his body slowly shifting into a wolf. I knew he wouldn’t last much longer.

Using whatever strength I had left, I sat up and clung to Luke, trying to appear calm.

"Please, let him go. You can take me," I begged.

"No, Jonea!" Hunter shouted.

Luke turned to me without releasing Hunter. "My bride, return to the altar. The moon’s culmination is near. We’ll seal our blood oath and become one!"

Hunter struggled fiercely, refusing to accept my choice. To spite him further, Luke kissed me violently right in front of him.

I felt heat coursing through my entire body, overwhelming and unfamiliar.

What’s happening to me? What is this sensation?