Caleb let out a roar of agony, desperately attempting to rush over and save me.
Before he could take a single step, he was halted in his tracks by Gale wielding the witch power.
âDo you wish to save her? Keep dreaming!â
With a sneer, Gale harnessed her witch power to summon an invisible barrier, her laughter ringing out maniacally.
âCaleb, I want you to witness Debraâs wretched demise in the flames.
Once sheâs gone, Iâll deal with you and the Thorn Edge Pack.
None of you will escape!â
Despite the overwhelming pain threatening to pull me into unconsciousness, Galeâs words jolted me awake.
With gritted teeth, I forced myself to stay lucid, determined not to succumb.
As I faced certain death at that moment, I couldnât bear the thought of Caleb being dragged into this ordeal with me.
Otherwise, the fate of the Thorn Edge Pack might truly be sealed, and the deep-seated animosity between werewolves and witches would never see a resolution.
Under no circumstances could I allow Galeâs scheme to triumph!
âCaleb, please, you must listen to me!â
Despite the agony, I mustered the will to raise my voice.
âYou need to leave.
Return to the Thorn Edge Pack and forget about me.
Even if you stay, you cannot save me.
Staying here would only lead to your demise as well.
The Thorn Edge Pack needs you more than ever.
â
But Caleb remained resolute.
His voice unwavering, he declared, âNo! Debra, no matter what happens, I refuse to leave you behind.
â
And with those words, he pressed forward, deftly evading Galeâs attacks as he breached the barrier between us.
He stood at the brink, ready to leap into the inferno to rescue meâ¦
âNo!â I cried out with anxious urgency.
âI canât abandon you!â Caleb persisted, steadfastly advancing towards me, enduring the searing heat in his relentless effort to reach me.
âNo! Itâll harm you!â Tears streamed down my cheeks.
âYou foolâ¦â
The thought of Caleb sacrificing himself for me was unbearable.
If we both perished, who would care for our children? What of the Thorn Edge Pack?
I couldnât let Caleb sacrifice himself for me.
âYou foolish man⦠Promise me youâll take care of our children and find happiness,â I pleaded, gazing deeply into his eyes, unwilling to let him go.
âI would rather die by your side,â Caleb roared through his pain as if he could sense my intentions.
And in his desperation, he made to hurl himself into the flames.
With a bitter smile, I pushed Caleb back with the power of my magic.
âNo!â Calebâs cries echoed desperately.
In that moment, a realization dawned on me.
The scenery before us mirrored the visions from my dreams, particularly the duel with Gale.
No wonder the landscape resembled the ruins of my nightmares.
The once verdant forest now lay scorched and desolate.
It seemed as though fate had already decided our paths.
I was overcome with despair.