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Three attacks struck simultaneously, their timing so perfect it seemed choreographed: Zane’s frost hit first, freezing the sphere of corruption solid with a sound like a mountain cracking, Ryker’s lightning followed instantly, shattering the frozen darkness into a thousand glittering shards, Lady Victoria’s celestial light completed the trinity, burning away the fragments before they could reform.

Dominic fell from the sky like a broken angel, dark blood streaming from multiple wounds as his remaining wing gave out. His elegant clothes, worth a fortune in Dark Haven’saristocratic circles, were now torn and frozen, smoking slightly where celestial light had touched them. His elite forces, seeing their lord defeated, began a tactical retreat, moving with military precision even in defeat.

More council forces arrived through the ETS, the sound of powerful engines filling the air as elite guards spilled from reinforced vehicles. Their weapons gleamed with spelled silver as they sprinted forward, taking up defensive positions around the clearing with practiced efficiency.

“This isn’t over,” Dominic snarled as his followers dragged him back through the barrier, his aristocratic facade cracking to reveal the monster beneath. Dark blood dripped from Dominic’s fangs as he added, “The fated one’s power?—”

“Say it again,” Zane’s voice promised death, frost spreading from his feet in killing waves. Zane’s wolf was fully present in his eyes now, turning them to molten silver. “Dare to claim what’s ours one more time.”

The brothers’ combined howl shook the clearing, carrying a clear message that made even the elders step back: touch Luca again, and there would be nothing left of Dark Haven to retreat. The sound echoed across the battlefield like a supernatural warning bell, making the remaining Dark Haven forces quicken their retreat.

The brothers gathered around Luca’s unconscious form. The prince’s power had settled to a gentle pulse, like starlight under his skin, responding to their proximity. Through their bond, they felt Luca’s heartbeat strengthen, each beat more steady than the last.

“We’re here, precious,” Archer whispered, cradling Luca closer. Archer’s solar magic wrapped around the prince protectively, golden light mixing with Luca’s own radiance. Dried blood stained Luca’s white nightshirt where Dominic’sdarkness had touched him, making Archer’s power flare possessively.

“Move, move!” Lady Helena rushed forward, clutching her case of ancient blood. “He needs this immediately!” Her usual academic enthusiasm was replaced by urgent professionalism as she knelt beside Luca. Dr. Stevens and Dr. Xu flanked Lady Helena, their medical arrays already scanning Luca’s weakened form.

“His power levels are critically low,” Dr. Xu reported, crystal readings flashing urgent warnings. “The darkness has contaminated his energy pathways.”

“The ancient blood should counteract that,” Dr. Stevens added, helping Lady Helena prepare the ornate goblet. “But we must act quickly.”

Alan hovered nearby, his tablet recording everything despite his obvious struggle to remain upright in Luca’s presence. “The resonance patterns between their magics are extraordinary,” Alan whispered reverently. “The way their powers are supporting his life force…”

Zane growled softly, frost spreading beneath his feet, but allowed Lady Helena close enough to press the goblet to Luca’s lips. Zane’s frost-touched fingers traced Luca’s cheek with infinite gentleness. “No more running from what we feel.” Zane’s wolf remained present in his eyes, watching their mate with desperate intensity.

“The ancient blood is responding to him,” Lady Helena breathed, watching the liquid shimmer with unusual patterns. “Just like in the texts about fated ones…”

“No more pretending,” Ryker added, his hand finding Luca’s free one. Small sparks danced between their joined fingers, Ryker’s storm magic recognizing its mate even in Luca’s unconscious state. The medical arrays chimed in response to their connected power.

“He needs to be moved to the hospital immediately,” Dr. Xu announced, her medical arrays flashing urgent data. “The ancient blood is helping, but he requires full medical support.”

The evening settled into an uneasy quiet, broken only by the sound of council forces securing the area. Lady Victoria’s light systematically purified the corrupted ground, each pulse of celestial power erasing Dark Haven’s taint. Lord Thanatos moved through the shadows, ensuring no trace of dark magic remained while Sebastian’s commanders disposed of the shattered crystals, their black fire reducing the corrupted shards to ash.

But the brothers paid no attention to the cleanup. Their entire world had narrowed to Luca’s small form and the steady strengthening of his presence in their bond. They’d almost lost him before they could tell him the truth. They wouldn’t waste another moment hiding their feelings. Luca was theirs. And when he woke, they’d make sure he knew exactly what that meant.

“The medical transport is ready,” Dr. Stevens said, already programming the vehicle’s enhancement runes for emergency power levels.

“Your wolves are showing, nephews.” Lord Johnathan’s dry voice cut through their protective haze. Despite the battle’s chaos, not a hair was out of place in Lord Johnathan’s perfect appearance. “Perhaps we should get our precious fated one somewhere safe before you three start marking territory?”

The brothers exchanged glances. They’d arrived in wolf form, which meant…

“We’ll escort the transport,” Zane declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. Frost spread beneath his feet as he watched Lady Helena’s team prepare to move Luca.

“Edmund, James,” Sebastian called to his commanders. “Take point position. Full protective formation around that transport.”

Archer gathered Luca closer, careful not to disturb the medical equipment Dr. Xu had attached. Archer’s golden light wrapped around Luca protectively as they moved toward the waiting transport.

Inside the medical vehicle, Luca remained cradled in Archer’s arms while Lady Helena and her team continued their treatment. Ryker sat beside them, monitoring Luca’s every breath through their strengthening bond. Zane took position near Luca’s head, his frost-touched fingers never leaving the prince’s skin.

Alan stumbled into the transport after them, still recording despite swaying on his feet. “The resonance patterns during transport will be fascinating! The way their powers are interacting with the medical equipment…”

“Perhaps,” Sebastian suggested dryly from outside, “someone should ensure our enthusiastic researcher doesn’t faint onto our patient?”

The medical transport moved swiftly through New Vale’s emergency lanes, its enhanced engines humming with spelled power. Council vehicles flanked them in protective formation, their crystalline warning lights cutting through the late evening. Inside, the brothers’ power created a protective cocoon around Luca’s unconscious form, their magic twining with his in ways that made Alan’s recording crystals chime with excitement.

“His readings are stabilizing,” Dr. Xu reported, studying the hovering medical arrays. “The ancient blood is counteracting the darkness.”

“Though these power surges are extraordinary,” Dr. Stevens added, adjusting another set of readings.