To protect what's mine (Amalie) novel Chapter 177

**Guard 177**

**Chapter 177: Amalie**

Beren and I find ourselves paralyzed, our hearts racing as we take in the chaotic scene unfolding before us. The air is thick with tension and the acrid scent of blood, a stark contrast to the once peaceful surroundings. Four figures whirl in a savage dance, a blur of fur and teeth driven by primal instincts. My pack warriors, trained for combat and imbued with fierce loyalty, strike with calculated ferocity, each movement a testament to their discipline. I catch sight of one of my warriors, a noble spirit, fiercely clamping down on the injury I had inflicted on the male rogue who dared to challenge us. The sickening sound of bone snapping fills the air, drowning out the cacophony of snarls and growls that echo around us. Another warrior, driven by a surge of adrenaline and unwavering resolve, sends the female rogue sprawling, her paws skidding helplessly against the ground.

In front of me, our two defenders stand resolutely, a silent vow of protection radiating from their bodies. They unleash a synchronized growl, deep and resonant, a warning that reverberates through the hall, urging the rogues to keep their distance.

However, despite the skill and strategy that my pack embodies, the rogues are relentless and brutal. My heart sinks as I watch the female rogue lunge forward, her jaws sinking mercilessly into the neck of the golden warrior. With a savage shake of her head, she tears away a gruesome chunk of flesh, and blood sprays everywhere, a crimson mist that splatters against the walls, transforming the once pristine surroundings into a grotesque tableau of violence. The metallic scent of blood now clings to our once-spotless fur, a haunting reminder of the brutality we are witnessing.

The golden warrior collapses, a pitiful whimper escaping his lips as life ebbs away. Beren and I instinctively attempt to move toward him, desperation clawing at our hearts like a wild animal. But deep down, I know there’s nothing we can do to save him. I am neither a healer nor a doctor; I cannot simply apply pressure and hope for a miracle. The wound is too severe, too deep, and too jagged for any hope of recovery.

A wave of regret washes over me, heavy and suffocating. I don’t even know his name. This brave warrior had put himself in harm’s way to protect me, and here I am, helpless, unaware of the name of the life that is slipping away before my very eyes. He sacrificed everything for my sake, and all I can feel is the crushing weight of my ignorance.

Beren, her spirit unyielding, manages to crawl closer to the fallen warrior. I can see the light in his eyes, once vibrant and full of life, now dimming with pain. They track us slowly, as if he’s desperately trying to hold on just a little longer.

“It’s going to be okay,” Beren manages to choke out, her voice trembling with emotion. I fight against the sob that threatens to escape my throat, striving to maintain a flicker of hope. “You’re going to be okay.”

‘Ru-run,’ he gurgles through our mind link, his voice strained and weak, each word a struggle.

“I’m not leaving you alone to die!” Beren growls defiantly, her instinct to comfort pushing her closer. She tries to lick his snout, a gesture meant to soothe, but the coppery taste of blood fills our mouths, a grim reminder of our dire reality.

‘T-too l-late,’ he gasps, his eyes losing focus, drifting away from us, from everything that matters.

“No!” Beren howls, a sound filled with anguish as the connection to our pack snaps like a fragile thread, severing the bond that once held us together.

“Luna!” another warrior’s voice rings out, panic lacing his tone as he’s hurled across the hall like a ragdoll.

Beren’s head snaps up, her eyes wide with terror as she witnesses the rogues converge on our last remaining warrior. This time, it’s the male rogue who delivers the fatal blow. I stifle a scream, the sensation of his link to the pack snapping sending a chill through my very core.

With our defenders gone, the two rogues turn their predatory gaze toward us. Beren scrambles backward, instinctively trying to put as much distance between us and our attackers as possible. The rogues unleash haunting howls, a chilling chorus of death that reverberates through the hall as they pursue us.

‘We’re coming,’ Aziz’s voice breaks through the fog of panic that envelops me.

“They killed—” I begin to say, but the words catch in my throat, heavy and unformed, the reality of our situation too much to bear.

‘We know, little one,’ Zviad’s voice comes through, calm and steady amidst the chaos, a beacon of strength in our time of despair.

‘You need to find a place to hide,’ Cal orders, urgency threading through his tone, pushing us to act.

My limbs grow heavy, an unbearable weight pressing down on me. I blink rapidly, fighting to stay conscious, but it feels like a losing battle. I barely register when someone seizes me from behind, and I try to resist, but my strength has all but vanished.

‘Our pup,’ I think sluggishly, the thought drifting through my mind like a dying ember, flickering weakly against the encroaching shadows.

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of this harrowing confrontation, the weight of loss settles heavily upon us, a shroud of despair that is almost suffocating. Beren and I are left battered and broken, the echoes of our fallen warriors haunting our thoughts like specters. The once vibrant energy of our pack has been extinguished, replaced by a chilling silence that reverberates in the void where their spirits once thrived. We are enveloped in grief, the faces of our brave defenders etched in our memories, their sacrifices a stark reminder of the brutality we faced. As the darkness closes in, I grapple with the crushing reality that I have failed to protect those who stood by me, the names of our fallen warriors slipping through my fingers like grains of sand.

Yet, amid this crushing despair, a flicker of resilience ignites within me. Beren’s unwavering spirit, even as she fades, instills a glimmer of hope. We may be broken, but we are not defeated. The bond we share, forged through trials and tribulations, remains unyielding. As the darkness threatens to swallow us whole, I cling to the memory of our pack’s loyalty and courage, vowing to honor their sacrifice. I will rise from this abyss, fueled by the love and strength of those we’ve lost, and fight for a future where their bravery will not be in vain. Together, we will reclaim our light, even if it feels impossibly distant now.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the darkness closes in around Beren and me, the stakes have never been higher. The brutal assault by the rogues has left us battered and on the brink of despair, but the fight is far from over. In the next chapter, we will delve deeper into the chaos that surrounds us, with the looming threat of the rogues still present. Will help arrive in time, or will we succumb to the darkness that threatens to engulf us? The tension will mount as we explore the depths of our desperation and resilience, revealing just how far we are willing to go to protect one another.

With our connection severed and our bodies weakened, the bond between Beren and me will be put to the ultimate test. As we navigate through this harrowing ordeal, we will confront not only the physical pain inflicted by our enemies but also the emotional toll of loss and sacrifice. The echoes of our fallen comrades will haunt us, pushing us to find strength we never knew we had. Expect a fierce struggle for survival, where every moment counts and the line between life and death blurs. Will we find the courage to rise against the odds, or will the shadows of despair claim us for good?

Additionally, the arrival of allies could change the tide of battle. As whispers of our plight reach the ears of those loyal to our pack, the question remains: who will come to our aid? The next chapter promises to unveil unexpected alliances and fierce confrontations, setting the stage for a climactic showdown that could alter the fate of our pack forever. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, as hope flickers in the darkness and the battle for survival intensifies.