The Alpha's Regret: Return Of The Betrayed Luna

Chapter 335: Chapter 335 Fighting The Ogres 7

All the warriors who witnessed Addison’s valor didn’t hesitate for even a heartbeat; they immediately answered Zion’s command. Even without his order, their instincts as warriors were already urging them to protect their kingdom’s Princess.

”Awooo!” A unified howl split the air, brief but resolute, a pledge of loyalty and courage.

The moment it faded, the warriors around Zion surged forward, leaving only two behind to guard him while he healed. Those two stood their ground firmly, watching the battlefield like hawks, ready to intercept any threat that dared to sneak past and strike at their Alpha.

Zion wanted to send the last two warriors after Addison; he knew the more protection she had, the better. But leaving himself completely vulnerable would only make her worry, and if she became distracted by his condition in the middle of battle, it could cost her life.

So he forced himself to remain silent, channeling all his strength into healing his battered body.

Inside his mind, Shura was pacing restlessly, growling in frustration, but Zion couldn’t snap back. He was just as tormented, as he felt so helpless and useless right now as he watched everything unfold before him. His vision blurred red as his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.

’Addison, please... stay safe. Just wait for me. I’ll help you, I’ll save you...’ Zion vowed in his heart, yet the words felt bitter on his tongue. Instead of protecting his mate, he was the one who needed saving, and now, because he had failed to guard himself, Addison was forced into danger.

The shame burned in his chest, tangled with helplessness, until all he could do was hate himself for letting it come to this.

”Yeah, you should be embarrassed, you’re getting rusty after staying off the battlefield for three years,” Shura snarled in mockery. Zion didn’t take offense; deep down, he knew it was true.

He was rusty.

Ever since returning from the war, he hadn’t faced a true life-and-death battle. The peace he had grown used to had dulled his beastly instincts, softened his edge, and now, that weakness had led him to this moment.

”I know, buddy. I need to get stronger if I really want to protect my woman. I can’t keep letting her rescue me at every turn. I’m supposed to be her shield and her sword, not the other way around,” Zion admitted to Shura with a crestfallen tone.

”I’m glad you understand,” Shura huffed, still simmering with frustration. But instead of lashing out further, it poured its focus into healing Zion. Words wouldn’t change anything now; the only thing that mattered was getting Zion back on his feet, back to Addison’s side, where he belonged: fighting beside her.

Addison, on the other hand, was already in a defensive stance as the two ogres came barreling toward her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the warriors by Zion’s side breaking formation to rush to her aid.

Then her gaze fell on Zion himself, half-kneeling on the ground, his expression twisted with frustration and pain. He had clearly tried to stand, but his body had taken too much damage.

Though he’d managed to reset his dislocated joints and broken bones, his limbs were still weak. Shura was likely prioritizing the more critical injuries inside his body, like torn organs and internal bleeding that, if left untreated, could easily push him into cardiac arrest.

His limbs would heal in time, but Shura knew that stabilizing Zion’s core was the only way to keep him alive.

Now Addison understood her mission: to hold the line until Zion recovered, and to protect herself at all costs. She might look like she was ready to throw her life away to shield her mate, but in truth, she had no death wish.

She had already weighed the risks, and she knew her children were waiting for her at home; there was no way she would let them grow up motherless so soon.

Yet, with her wolf unresponsive, she had no choice but to face these monsters head-on. Running wasn’t an option; who could say there weren’t enemies lying in wait in the forest, ready to ambush her and make her death look like the work of the ogres?

No, it was better to stand and fight, knowing that Zion would surely send warriors to her aid the moment he could.

And so, he really did send the warriors to protect her.

Facing the ogres head-on while surrounded by warriors was the smarter choice; this way, no enemy could easily strike from her blind spot. After all, since their enemies had gone to such lengths to lure these creatures here, it only meant they wanted blood.

And because she was their target, it was likely they were still nearby, waiting for an opening to strike her down.

It would be foolish to think they had simply vanished after luring these monsters. The ogres might not be the only danger.

Perhaps Zion had forgotten that possibility, because his mind was too consumed with worry for her to think beyond her immediate safety. But Addison couldn’t blame him for that.

If their roles were reversed, if she had to sit helplessly while her family or loved ones stood in mortal danger, her thoughts too would be clouded with fear, her vision narrowed until she could think of nothing but saving them.

Addison tightened her grip on the sword. The blade felt right in her hand, as it felt balanced, and deadly, and that small certainty steadied her. When the warriors closed in, they moved passed the two ogres with surprising speed; the two monsters were big and brutal, but slow.

Addison frowned at the sight of them forming a tight ring, as if they meant to use their bodies as a living shield.

’Are they seriously planning to take the hit?’ she thought. ’That would be stupid.’

”Warriors, fan out!” she barked, voice sharp. ”Let their attention be on me. Look for an opening, hold them down. When you do, I’ll finish them.”

This was her way of reminding them that simply acting as her shield would do little good. What she needed was for them to repeat the strategy they used against the second ogre earlier, restrain the monster while their focus stayed locked on her.

If they could pin the creatures down, she could strike the killing blow. With this sword in her hands, so unnaturally sharp, almost unreal, Addison truly believed they might not even need Zion’s help to finish the fight.

Victory felt within reach.

But she also knew that becoming complacent, or even speaking of victory too soon, would be foolish. Instead, she had to stay on guard, hyper-aware of her surroundings, for a sneak attack could strike at any moment.

That was why she needed these warriors to help her finish the fight quickly. Yes, she could wait for Zion to heal and join her against the ogres, but if there was a chance to end the battle now, why not take it?

The faster they finished, the fewer casualties they would suffer, and the less opportunity their hidden enemies would have to act.