CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 330 MIDNIGHT

Blood trailed behind Seraphina, staining the marble floor with every unsteady step she took. The crimson streak of her blood glistened faintly in the dim light, like a path carved by her dying strength. Her breaths came out in shallow gasps, her body trembling as the smoke began to fade.

Gwen noticed the trail of blood, and a cruel smile tugged at her lips.

"Oh, Seraphina," she whispered, her voice filled with mock pity. "You’ve always been the Queen’s little favourite, haven’t you?"

Seraphina’s body tensed, her back pressed against the cold wall as she tried to steady her breathing.

"Ever since the day she saved you, she’s treated you like her precious gem." Gwen stepped closer, the tip of her blade scraping lightly against the wall as she walked. "While the rest of us trained, fought, and bled for her approval, you simply existed, and she adored you."

Gwen forgot how hard Seraphina had practiced and fought too, all the dangerous missions were given to Seraphina, meanwhile Gwen remained in the castle.

Seraphina’s lips trembled, her vision swimming. She wanted to speak, but her throat was dry and raw. Gwen’s words cut deeper than her wounds.

Gwen tilted her head, her smile widening. "Even with your bad temper, your arrogance, your recklessness... she never once considered stripping your title. Instead, she groomed you to stand beside her. To rule after she is gone."

She stopped walking, her expression hardening, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "You know what’s funny? I always knew she would choose you."

Seraphina’s heart clenched. "..."

"I knew it," Gwen continued, her tone distant and cold. "Because she loved you more than anyone else... And I was just her second choice, like a backup plan."

Her gaze hardened as she raised her blade, the faint glow of magic reflecting off its edge. "But that changes now. Once you’re gone, Seraphina. I’ll become her number one."

Seraphina’s knees buckled. Panic filled her chest, not for her own life, but for the Queen’s. Once the spell dies off, the Queen will be in her weakest state. If she died here, there would be no one left to fight by the Queen’s side when the spell broke.

She knew this day would come. Ambition had always been a silent poison among witches, and the throne was the sweetest temptation of all.

She had always been cautious around Gwen, she knew how cunning and manipulative she was, but she never expected her to make her move this quickly.

Her vision spun, the earth tilted beneath her feet, and she was exhausted both magically and physically. She tried to push herself off the wall, but her arms trembled and gave out. She knew she couldn’t win this fight in her current state.

Before she could stand, a faint whisper of movement brushed behind her. And the air suddenly grew cold.

"See you in hell, bitch." Gwen’s voice came from behind her.

Seraphina turned, but it was too late. The knife came down fast, its gleaming edge aimed straight for her heart. She reacted on instinct, her hands flying up. The blade met her palms with a sickening sound.

Blood splattered.

Seraphina groaned, holding the knife inches away from her chest. "Stop, Gwen..." she muttered, her voice trembling, but her eyes burned with anger.

But Gwen’s eyes glittered with madness and greed. "No," she hissed. "Everything you had should have been mine. Your rank, your power, her love... All of it."

Seraphina’s arms trembled as the blade inched closer. The sharp tip pressed against her skin, slicing it open shallowly. Blood trickled down her chest, hot and wet. Her strength was fading, and her vision was growing dim.

Gwen leaned forward, pushing harder. "Die, Seraphina. Die!"

Seraphina’s grip faltered. For a moment, she thought this was the end.

But then, a blur of black flashed before her eyes. Something massive slammed into Gwen with the force of a storm. The impact sent Gwen crashing into the wall, her scream echoing through the corridor.

Seraphina fell to her knees, her bloodied hands clutching her chest. Her head snapped up in confusion.

A deep growl filled the air.

Through the haze and blood, a towering black wolf stood over Gwen, its fur bristling, its golden eyes glowing like molten fire.

’Alaric.’

Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t even heard him come in. His presence filled the hallway with raw power and unrestrained fury.

Gwen coughed, her hand trembling as she tried to raise a spell. Her magic sparked weakly in her palm, but the wolf already lunged at her.

The sound that followed was deafening...snarls, cracking bones, and screams that echoed through the walls. Flesh tore beneath his claws, and blood splattered across the floor like art. Gwen tried to fight back, summoning her magic, but every strike bounced off his black fur as if he were untouchable.

He was beyond reason, and beyond mercy. A creature born from rage itself.

Her screams turned to shrill cries of pain, then to choked sobs, and finally... silence.

When the sounds faded, Seraphina forced her shaking hands to her mouth, her heart racing. She wanted to look away, but her body refused to move.

The wolf stepped back slowly, his paws slick with blood. The floor beneath him was painted red. What remained of Gwen was unrecognizable...a mangled shape that barely resembled the witch she once was.

Seraphina gagged, her stomach twisting violently. Her breath came out unevenly. ’Did he really have to rip her gut open? And why is one of her eyes missing from its socket and the other barely hanging on?’

The wolf turned toward her. His golden eyes locked on her, burning, fierce, and alive.

Seraphina froze. The air between them thickened. He took a step closer, his claws clicking against the stone. His gaze didn’t leave her, not for a second.

It was as if she were the center of his world. The one thing anchoring him to it.

Her lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Alaric..."

But the beast standing before her didn’t move. His eyes flickered with something unreadable...something wild and consuming.

And for a moment, Seraphina wasn’t sure if she was staring at Alaric... or the monster that had just been born from him.

"Midnight." He growled powerfully as his fur bristled.