The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 25

**Chapter 25: All That Strict Training Paid Off**

**Thora’s POV:**

As I spoke, I could see the initial flicker of understanding in Harvey and Ashton’s eyes, but that spark quickly transformed into a mix of confusion and concern as they absorbed the weight of my final words. I could feel the tension in the air shift, thickening like fog around us.

The suited man, with his cold demeanor, issued a sharp command, and suddenly, thugs surged toward us, iron rods gripped tightly in their hands. The clinking of metal against metal resonated ominously, and my heart raced as Harvey and Ashton snapped back to attention, instinctively preparing to defend themselves with nothing but their bare hands.

Seizing the moment, I crouched low, my fingers deftly tightening the sandbags strapped to my legs. The laws of the Astralis Empire were clear: werewolves were strictly prohibited from shifting into their wolf forms during private confrontations. The penalty for such a breach was exile, a fate I could not afford to contemplate. But this was the perfect opportunity to test the limits of my training, to see how far I had come.

As I rose to my feet, I quickly assessed the scene. Harvey and Ashton were already losing ground, their movements becoming increasingly desperate against the onslaught of attackers.

Just then, a thug swung his iron rod menacingly at Harvey’s back. Without a moment’s hesitation, I launched myself forward, driving my knee into the thug’s leg with all the force I could muster. The impact was satisfying; I could feel his weight shift as I grabbed his wrist and twisted it, using his own momentum against him.

A sharp crack echoed as he howled in pain, relinquishing his grip on the rod. I snatched it from the ground and hurled it toward Harvey. “Focus!” I shouted, urgency lacing my tone.

Harvey caught it instinctively, his eyes wide with shock and a hint of curiosity.

Before I could catch my breath, I sensed another attacker approaching from behind. Without even glancing back, I spun around, my elbow connecting with his chest in a swift, fluid motion. He stumbled backward, grunting in surprise, and I seized his wrist, applying pressure with my thumb until his arm hung limply at his side, utterly useless.

Just then, another iron rod came swinging toward my face. I ducked low, my fingers hooking around it as I yanked it toward me. The thug lost his balance, and as he stumbled forward, I kicked his knee out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. The rod landed firmly in my grasp.

“Give it to me!” Ashton shouted, reaching out eagerly.

“Not happening,” I retorted, a smirk forming on my lips as I shot him a quick glance. With a swift motion, I brought the rod down on the next thug that dared to approach me.

Harvey, catching on to my rhythm, exchanged a determined look with me and moved closer, positioning himself to shield Ashton behind us.

Channeling my flame ability, I let a faint blue glow envelop the rod as I swept it sideways, creating a barrier that pushed back two thugs attempting to flank Ashton.

In a fierce display of wolf power, Harvey swung his rod with precision, smashing it against another thug’s weapon. The shock reverberated through the thug’s arm, forcing him to drop his weapon with a pained expression.

But I knew this couldn’t last forever. The thugs were relentless, their wolf power surging with each passing moment, their breathing steady and unyielding. They were veterans of the underground fighting circuit, seasoned and ruthless.

I could see the sweat glistening on Harvey’s forehead, his punches losing their earlier vigor. Ashton, leaning heavily against the wall, was gasping for breath, clearly struggling to keep up.

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