LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 56: Chapter 54: Dorothy's Arrival
Alex's gaze was intense as he rushed to Luna, his eyes dark with shock and anger as he took in the extent of her injuries. His mind spun—he was certain he'd locked her safely within the pack grounds, yet here she was, bloodied and in danger. His gaze then landed on Timothy, who took a wary step back, staring guiltily at the ground. Alex's growl filled the air, a low, menacing rumble.
"You had one job, Timothy," he hissed. "I left you to make sure she didn't escape, to keep her safe. And now, not only is she here—she's hurt."
Luna chuckled, stepping forward as if trying to lighten the tension. "Oh, relax, Alpha King. I kidnapped your Beta; no need to turn him into wolf bait."
But Alex's fierce glare stayed locked on Timothy, who shifted uncomfortably. Luna's own thoughts churned as her gaze drifted toward Dorothy. She couldn't understand how Alex could possibly be with her; Dorothy should be far beyond his reach—unless...
"I summoned him," Dorothy said simply, her voice cutting through the tension as if reading Luna's mind. She glanced around at the scattered bodies of rogue wolves before raising her hand. With a wave, the dead rogues began to twitch, slowly lurching back to life.
Everyone froze in shock, watching the impossible. The rogues were alive again, standing in menacing silence, ready to attack once more. Dorothy's power felt like a quiet storm, impossible to ignore. Luna, however, looked on with calm composure, piecing together the last bits of the puzzle in her mind as she fully recognized Dorothy's identity.
Dorothy's gaze softened as she looked at Luna, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I see you've figured out who I am," she said with a knowing smile. "After all, an ancient wolf goddess can't be that clueless."
Luna remained still, her eyes narrowed as she studied the woman before her. Meanwhile, the rogues prowled closer, snarling and snapping at the air. Alex immediately stepped in front of Luna and Timothy, his stance protective and his voice leaving no room for argument.
"Stay behind me," he ordered, his tone sharp, though his eyes never left the rogues. It was clear the instruction was meant for both of them, though the emphasis was on Luna.
Timothy's shoulders sagged as he caught his breath, and he shot Luna an incredulous look. "Really? After four hours of busting my ass to kill these guys, she brings them back?" His voice was weary and dripping with sarcasm. "Perfect. I was starting to miss the whole blood-and-fangs routine."
But despite his exhaustion, Timothy took up his fighting stance beside Alex, though the hint of anxiety was clear—Alex was furious with him, and the last thing he wanted was to give him any more reason to be.
Dorothy's calm voice drifted over them, laced with authority. "Needless." Her gaze flicked toward the rogues, her expression impassive. "Leave."
At her command, the rogues obeyed, slipping into the shadows as if they had never been there at all.
"Seriously?" Timothy whispered to Luna, nudging her as they watched the rogues melt into the darkness. "You could have summoned her earlier?"
Luna smirked in response, but before she could say anything, Alex's low growl stilled them both. His attention shifted back to the old woman.
"Thank you," he said, his voice tense but grateful. Then, without another word, he tore a strip from his shirt and gently began wrapping it around Luna's wounded arm. He said nothing, his silence steeped in frustration, though his touch was careful. Luna felt his irritation and knew better than to prod him right now; this wasn't the time to try coaxing a sulking Alpha King.
Luna's eyes returned to Dorothy, her gaze hardening. "So," she said, her voice edged with a quiet threat, "you helped him?"
The tone in her voice held a subtle danger as she stepped toward Dorothy, each movement deliberate. But Alex's hand slipped around her arm, his grip firm yet gentle, silently urging her to stay put. He wasn't just angry; he was deeply worried about her, and that was a feeling she could sense radiating off him, mingling with his protectiveness.
Luna had known that witches were involved but didnt expected it to be the intrusion of one of their Elder gods in a plot that threatened the very existence of the wolf race set her blood boiling. This wasn't just about her past and her people anymore but two different races now .
Dorothy stepped forward, seemingly unbothered by Luna's fury. "If this was like the past time," she said, her tone icy with confidence, "I might have considered the possibility of a fight—Elder Goddess of Wolves vs. Elder Goddess of Witches. But as a mere human?" Her eyes narrowed, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I could crush you in a snap."
At her words, Alex's growl erupted again, dark and forceful. "You'll go through me first before you touch her," he snapped, stepping in front of Luna once more, his protective aura palpable. A flicker of warmth surged through her anger, knowing he would stand against anyone to keep her safe.
Dorothy raised her hands in a sign of peace, ignoring Alex's warning. "But I'm not here for a fight," she said, her voice calm but unyielding. "I came to help you stop him."
Alex's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You were the one who helped him escape Hell in the first place. Why would you want to stop him now unless this is just another trap?"
A chuckle escaped Dorothy, her presence subtly shifting, her aura shimmering with an ancient power—pure but stained with darkness, a testament to her sins. "Why is it so difficult for you to believe I want to help? Isn't that why you were looking for me?"
Timothy looked between them, utterly perplexed. "Because we didn't expect you to agree so easily without a fight or denial."
"Whose side are you on?" Luna whispered, pulling Timmothy aside, her gaze darting between Alex and Dorothy.
Alex continued to stare Dorothy down, his jaw set. "What do you want in return for your so-called help?"
Luna's gaze shifted to Dorothy, eyes narrowing. "She doesn't want us to kill him," she stated softly, a blend of understanding and defiance in her tone.
Dorothy smiled slightly and nodded. But Alex shook his head, his expression hardening. "No. You expect us to just let him go after everything he's done? He's already poisoned my people into self-harming. What assurance do we have that he won't come after us again—and that you're not just leading us into a trap?"
Dorothy looked at him, weary yet resolute. "I've sinned as a god—for my greed, I got Quintus out of Hell. The other Elder Witch Gods will come for me soon. When they do, they'll erase all traces of the witches involved, sparing no evidence and caring little for the casualties—wolves or otherwise and you won't be able to stop them as you are not the powerful ancient goddess anymore. If you want to prevent further loss, accept my help now and finish this with as few casualties as possible. You can gamble and trust , let me help you or you could go on your own way." Her gaze turned solemn toward Luna. "As for the wolves Quintus has poisoned, I can cure them, and you know it too—wasn't that why you all were looking for me?"
Timothy threw his hands up, looking around in exaggerated exasperation. "Well, for the record, I'm still here! And I think I've missed some chapters—I have questions. Many questions." Confusion was painted across his face.
Luna just patted his shoulder, a faint smile pulling at her lips, grateful for his lightheartedness. "Relax, Timothy. I'll explain later." She turned her gaze back to Dorothy, a burning question in her heart. "But tell me this," she said, her voice steady, "What is he to you?" Her eyes searched Dorothy's face, already suspecting the answer. "An Elder Witch wouldn't sacrifice this much for a mere human. Don't tell me you were once fascinated by human life? If that's the case, you're welcome to join me." She pointed to her human form, determined to uncover the truth beneath the layers of intrigue surrounding them all.