CHAPTER 355: _ JOINING THE FIGHT

Just as I yelled the bastard’s name, the battlefield froze for a moment. The werewolves turned to look at me, and I could see a look of utter terror in the eyes of one of them. I knew that was Axel.

This was the first time he’d be transforming fully. There were wounds all around his body, and he was bleeding heavily. Yet, he was worried about me. He was always worried about me.

Oh, my beloved Axel...

"What are you doing, María José?!" He growled. "Get back! It’s dangerous here!"

"No!" I firmly declined. "I’m not going to let you shoulder the responsibility alone anymore! We will face and defeat this bastard together."

Ignacio’s demonic form jumped backwards. He bent and let out a horrid laugh that sent chills running down my spine.

"That’s why I love you, my cielo. That determination! It just makes me want to hold you and never let go!"

"Shut that filthy mouth of yours, Luis!" Axel bellowed.

"Luis?" I raised a puzzled brow.

Ignacio chuckled. His lips curved into a grin—revealing a row of jagged, foul teeth—and he said, "Oh, right. You don’t know who I really am. Ignacio is but another face I wear, mi corazón. My true form— the true face of your soon-to-be husband—"

Darkness swirled around him as the towering figure of a demon faded, revealing a young man who was very much familiar to him. Axel’s cousin, who was said to be in a wheelchair all this time, was the true culprit. The demon amongst us.

He grinned, his eyes flashing with undeniable desire. "This is who I truly am."

"Surely that desire is not meant for us?" Xiomara hissed with unbridled hatred and disgust.

I shook my head firmly.

"No. Your true form is the demon you were just a second ago. And where do demons belong?"

"In hell," Axel answered for me, and I could see a hint of pride in his countenance.

I smiled. "Así es. And let me tell you this, Luis, Ignacio, whoever the fuck you are! You might be stronger than us, but I promise you, you WILL die today."

Luis laughed once more. He clicked his tongue and said with abrupt fury, "Seriously, both of you are the same. Do not worry, María José. When I am done breaking everything you hold dear, you will learn to love me."

"Over my dead body!" I spat.

"If you insist!" Luis snarled and suddenly transformed into the giant demon once again.

What followed next was an aggressive battle that I couldn’t completely fathom. Axel and Álvaro worked hand in hand to tackle Luis, trying to bring him to his knees.

Due to my growing weakness, I could only assist them at critical moments. I wasn’t scared anymore, however, because I knew Axel was there to protect me. And it seemed like Luis was reluctant to cause me any tangible harm.

Still, I could tell that he wasn’t fighting with his full strength. He was toying with us. Like we were objects for his amusement. After all, I knew about a few sinister abilities he could use. He had the power to freeze someone momentarily.

If he used that, he would easily defeat us.

So I was betting on him underestimating us, since my plan was already in motion. I had sent Ximena to grab Lucia. And once the witch arrived, she would be able to counter most of Luis’s sinister powers.

All I had to do was hold out until then.

Axel lunged at Luis from the side. He dragged his claws towards the demon’s face, but Luis managed to block in the nick of time. Álvaro took the opportunity to throw a few blows forward, but Luis didn’t even flinch.

Luis retaliated with a heavy kick to Álvaro’s chest, sending the werewolf tumbling backwards.

"Hijo de puta!" Álvaro cursed.

Luis laughed and brought down his hand to attack Axel. However, I reached there just in time and dragged down his arm with all my strength.

¡Mierda! He’s so strong... I gritted my teeth and pulled long enough to allow Axel to strike him by the rib.

Luis staggered backwards, wrestling his arm free from my grasp.

I rushed forward with Axel, but something suddenly held my foot in place. I looked down and saw a shadowy vine wrapped around my ankle.

"Xiomara!"I yelled, and my wolf responded by pouring more strength into me.

Ignoring the fatigue that slowly claimed my body, I pushed forward with Axel and Álvaro. The three of us fought him with all our might... but even that didn’t seem to be enough.

I was slowly growing tired. My breath was more strained, and my eyes were beginning to blur.

Why the hell was I so exhausted?

Was this normal? Was the pregnancy supposed to be draining my strength this much?

Something didn’t feel right, and I was beginning to have a bad premonition.

I coughed and swayed. Axel’s head spun with lightning speed, and he rushed to me immediately. Just as I fell, he caught me in his arms and reverted to his human form.

"Hey, hey... my love. I’ve got you." He whispered tenderly, and I could see his eyes swelling with pain.

"Axel..." My voice was hoarse. "I’m sorry. I’m just so tired."

His jaw clenched. "It’s my fault." He sobbed. "I shouldn’t have let you join in. I shouldn’t have allowed you to strain yourself this much. Qué idiota soy!"

I shook my head, my hand rising to caress his cheek.

"No, don’t put this on yourself. I should be the one apologizing for not being able to fight with you till the end. Forgive me, mi vida."

Axel’s eyes watered. His lips quivered, trying to find words to say.

I smiled softly. My eyelids grew heavy, and I slowly slipped into a cold darkness.

I thought it was over, but then...

"María José!" My wolf called out in that lonely darkness. "This is no time to give up! We’re supposed to take care of our husbands, remember! So stand up, stand up and fight!"

My eyes shot open immediately.

"María José!" Axel called out, his tone laced with relief. "You’re okay. You’re okay. Good Goddess, I thought you were gone..."

I groaned and sat up. Looking behind him, I saw Álvaro struggling to fight Luis all on his own. He needed help.

"I won’t go down that easily." I forced a smile and rose to my feet, despite Axel’s pleas for me to rest instead.

At that moment, a voice yelled from behind, "Señorita María! I brought her! I brought the witch!"

Axel and I turned in that direction.

Ximena was here. And with her, was Lucia!