Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 243

**He Asked Me to Leave My Dreams, So I Decided to Make Him One of Them by Mira Lorian**

**Chapter 243**

Everything unfolded in a blur, a chaotic whirlwind that even Maximus could not intercept. This moment marked the beginning of his most harrowing nightmare, one that clawed at the very fabric of his being.

But this was no mere nightmare. Maximus couldn’t wake up and dismiss it as a figment of his imagination. No, this was his reality—a grim, harsh truth he was forced to confront.

Before him, Rania displayed an unwavering resolve as she pressed her delicate neck against Ronan’s vicious claws, determination etched across her features. It was a sight that both horrified and mesmerized him.

Ronan, taken aback by her audacity, jerked his hand reflexively, an action that only deepened the gash on her neck.

In an instant, Rania’s body lurched forward, her life force seeping out through the gaping wound, a stark crimson that painted the ground beneath her. The earth transformed into a dark canvas, absorbing her essence as her blood pooled around her.

Rona, witnessing the scene unfold, recoiled in shock. His gaze was fixated on Rania’s still form, her body convulsing as she fought for breath, but the cruel reality was that her windpipe had been severed.

Time seemed to freeze for a heartbeat. The beasts, once intent on attacking the king, faltered, sensing the gravity of their blunder. They hesitated, their instincts screaming at them to retreat from the chaos they had wrought.

Slowly, they began to back away from the king, who, in a daze, rose to his feet and staggered towards his mate. His body moved with a swiftness that belied the turmoil in his mind, a mind struggling to comprehend the horror that had just transpired.

The shock weighed heavily on him, his thoughts sluggish and clouded.

Only when Maximus gathered Rania into his arms did the full weight of reality crash down upon him. Desperation clawed at him as he pressed his hands against the wound on her neck, attempting to staunch the relentless flow of blood, but it was a futile effort.

Rania, without her wolf spirit, was akin to any ordinary human—fragile and vulnerable. The severity of her injury left little room for hope, especially in the absence of a healer.

“No, no… please. Stay with me… stay with me, love…” Maximus pleaded, his voice trembling as he pressed his palm against the warm, crimson-stained skin of her neck. The sickening squelch of blood filled his ears, threatening to overwhelm him.

He had faced bloodshed countless times, had bathed in the aftermath of battle, yet this was different. The sight of Rania in such peril rendered him powerless. A mere scratch on her skin could send him spiraling into anxiety, but now, he was teetering on the precipice of losing her forever.

“Why… why did you do this…” The words escaped him in a choked whisper, his throat tightening painfully. He gazed at Rania’s ashen face, her breaths becoming shallow and ragged.

Deep down, he understood the answer. He knew why Rania had chosen this reckless path. It was his own failure for not recognizing her intentions sooner.

She had struggled to communicate something just moments ago, and now he felt that precious connection slipping through his fingers once more… he was on the brink of losing her again.

“Please, love, please…” Maximus pressed his forehead against hers, tears cascading down his cheeks, mingling with her blood.

In that heartbeat, the beasts charged towards him, their instincts screaming for survival. They understood that if the king regained his full strength, none of them would escape unscathed.

But it was far too late for that.

Maximus gently laid Rania’s body on the cold, unforgiving ground, her blood staining his skin. He pressed a tender kiss to her cheek, treating her as if she were made of the most delicate glass, afraid that even the slightest pressure would shatter her.

Yet, when he rose to confront his enemies, his demeanor shifted. The gentle king was gone, replaced by a fierce warrior whose glare alone sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to oppose him. They halted in their tracks, instinctively feeling the urge to submit to his dominance, a primal urge rooted deep within their nature as shifters.

But they knew that surrender would mean death. The king would tear them apart, ending their lives in the most brutal fashion imaginable.

Faced with this grim reality, they had no choice but to fight back. With determined glances exchanged, they surged towards Maximus.

In that moment, the king transformed into his formidable black beast. This time, he held nothing back, unleashing his fury upon them.

His movements were a blur, a deadly dance of power and precision, despite the sheer size of his form dwarfing them all. His attacks were lethal, claiming two of the beasts in a single, swift motion.

Elder Gayle, witnessing the carnage unfold, fell to the ground, realizing with chilling clarity that survival was no longer an option…