Pierre wanted to know more. Such kind of military activity was happening for the first time on the borders of the town. "That is strange," he commented.

Gary sipped the beer and said, "What is it that you want to know?" He looked outside and then narrowed his eyes. "It is rumored that Niiya is a jilted lover. Now I don't know much but his lover was granddaughter of Ed." He turned his gaze to Pierre. "Do you remember Ed?"

​​

Pierre's mind became blank, as if it had stopped functioning. All blood drained out of his face. "Y- yes, I remember him well."

Gary chugged the contents of the beer can. He called the waitress for another can. He continued, "Niiya was in love with her. I forget her name—some Arianna. I heard that she left him and married another one of your fellows, a male from the Werewolf Realm. Niiya hasn't been able to get over with the fact."

The waitress came to give them another can. When she left, Gary opened it and pointed it at Pierre, "My son informed me that he still loves her and is unable to get over her. The sad part is that since he is unable to get her back, he wants revenge."

Pierre didn't know how to react to that statement. His thoughts were swirling so quickly that it was hard to follow them.

"My guess is that it seems that the girl is happily married and doesn't want to do anything with him. So it irks him a lot."

Pierre collected his thoughts. It was a shocking revelation. "What has it got to do with the military camping in the area?" he Pierre.

"The gossip is that Niiya is planning to attack the Werewolf Realm with their help."

"What?" Pierre's eyes bulged in surprise.

"But, this is gossip," Gary shrugged. "You should know how these young people talk. So take it with a pinch of salt."

"I need you to find out about this situation, Gary." Pierre rested his hand on the table to lean forward. "Because if there is even a grain of truth in what you said, it is a grave situation that would harm everyone in the end."

"I surely will," answered Gary with a smile. "Give me a day."

"Sure." Pierre picked his beer can and took a sip. He said, "That girl's name is Adrianna, not Arianna. And she is my daughter-in-law."

Gary's mouth dropped to the floor.

"Cheers!" Confidently, Pierre clinked his can with Gary's with a gleam in his eyes.

---

The serpent was coiling around something horizontally as if wrapping around a tree. From the outside only its huge, thick green body could be seen interspersed with blood and exposed flesh.

"Stun him," ordered Dmitri with veins standing out on his neck in panic.

The three wizards drew their wands out and sent blasts of spells on the serpent. White lethal electricity emitted from the wands. It struck the serpent but it spread over its skin crackling and then dying out. No matter how hard they tried, the serpent's skin was too thick for their magic.

"Trap it, stupefy it, do something!" shouted Dmitri.

Whatever spell the wizards sent its way, only recoiled. The serpent was immune to them. Dmitri couldn't understand how that was possible.

On a quick thought he said, "I need two swords."

A wizard produced two swords and handed them to him. "It would be very dangerous if you near it."

"I don't think so," he said and ran to the serpent. "Take your swords and start chopping this beast from the bottom. I want it minced." His voice was spiked with anger. "But wait for my order."

Using its body, Dmitri climbed up and reached its head. The serpent darted its tongue out and lashed it towards the attacker. Dmitri dodged it deftly but he knew that one impact of that powerful forked tongue and he would die. It was laced with poison.

On the inside of the deadly coil, Dmitri saw his beta—unconscious with face white as ghost.

"Nate," he yelled hoping that his beta would listen but there was no response. Only a slight noise as if a bone had cracked somewhere inside.

Angered, Dmitri plunged the sword deep in its flesh right below its neck. The serpent lifted its head screaming in pain. He threw his tongue out again towards Dmitri spraying more glue-like poison. Dmitri had to jump down from there to save himself.

"Attack!" he ordered the wizards.

As the wizards came to the serpent's side, Dmitri climbed back again. This time he thrust the dagger near the last wound he had made. The serpent let out a blood-curdling noise and uncoiling its tail, it lashed it around.

"Now!" Dmitri shouted.

The wizards took their swords and rammed it in its tail.

"Cut it!"

The wizards were trying their best but it was impossible with the constant lashing of its tail. They managed to give it deep gashes.

Dmitri positioned himself on the second coil beside the serpent's head and stabbed it with full force. The tongue came out. Dmitri was waiting for it. Using his other sword, he sliced it through the tongue. The serpent loosened immediately. Dmitri climbed up its head, held both the swords in the air and plunged them into its head. The serpent dropped dead unfurling Nate.

The wizards had sliced its tail off.

Dmitri picked Nate. He looked at the sliced body of the serpent with hatred.

"Create a portal to the emergency ward," he commanded.

Dmitri walked out with Nate in the side alley of the hospital. Nate was immediately ushered to the intensive care unit.

Both his betas were in the hospital that day. As he waited on the outside, bitterness overcame him. He would never forgive those who did it. He had to talk to Adrianna about Ziu. His jaws clenched. Ziu was getting out of hand. He had to be shown his place or sent to his place.

He looked up and found Ookashi running followed by Cora. She was five months pregnant—her face pale as a ghost as if all negativity has seeped into her body.