2024-09-28 23:56:05
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The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 30. Shadows of Ambition
Duke West stood by the large window of his study, overlooking the vast estate that spread out below. His cold gaze took in the sight of his guards patrolling the grounds, but his mind was far from focused on his security. His thoughts were consumed by one man—Elijah Norton.The rumors swirling about Elijah’s involvement in the downfall of the Shaw family had reached his ears. Duke West didn’t have all the details, but he had enough to suspect that Elijah wasn’t just interested in the Nortons’ reputation. No, it was clear that Elijah was after something far bigger. "Marshal Elijah Norton," Duke muttered, his lips curling into a bitter sneer.Standing beside him was Marcus, his most trusted advisor. A former soldier who had served under Duke for years, Marcus had always been reliable. Now, he stood silently, waiting for orders."Sir, do you truly believe Elijah Norton is behind the collapse of the Shaw family?" Marcus asked cautiously, his voice low.Duke turned his sharp gaze to Marcu
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 31. The Perfect Trap
Kate paced angrily in front of her father’s desk, her hands balled into fists."I can’t believe you’re just sitting here and doing nothing!" she snapped, her voice tight with frustration."Sophia and her idiot husband embarrassed me in front of everyone, and you’re planning to collaborate with them?"William Winter sat behind his desk, calm and composed. He glanced at his daughter’s outburst but remained unfazed."Kate, you need to understand the bigger picture," he said coolly."Lando Yale is backing Sophia. His influence stretches far beyond ours, and if we want to maintain our standing, we need to play smart. Going after Sophia directly will only backfire."Kate scoffed, crossing her arms. "So, what’s your grand plan, Father? Let them walk all over us?"A small smile played on William’s lips. "No. My plan is simple: we make sure Sophia loses Lando’s favor. Once we do that, she’ll be worthless to him, and we’ll replace her." Kate’s eyes gleamed with a dark excitement."So, we kick
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 32. Beneath the Mask
Elijah moved faster than lightning. In an instant, he leaped across the restaurant, tackling Olivia to the ground just as the gunshot rang out. They fell hard, but it was enough to save her from being shot.Olivia’s body shook with fear, her wide eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at Elijah, her savior. The waiter, seeing his shot missed, vanished into the crowd, slipping through the chaos before anyone could stop him.A few people tried to chase him down, but he disappeared like a ghost, leaving only confusion and panic behind.Olivia was trembling, her breath shaky."Oh my God... James," she whispered, clutching Elijah’s arm."He was going to kill me. He was really going to kill me!"Elijah, still on high alert, wrapped his arms around her."You’re safe now," he said in a low voice, his eyes scanning the room for any other threats."I won’t let anything happen to you."The restaurant manager hurried over, clearly flustered by the situation."Sir, madam, please, let me offer
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 33. Careful Step
Elijah blinked as Olivia’s request hung in the air."James... can I see your face? Please..." she had asked again, her voice soft and filled with curiosity. Of course, she could see his face. It was lunch, and he had meticulously prepared for this very moment.He had worked on subtle changes to his appearance, especially from the nose to the chin, tweaking his features just enough to avoid anyone recognizing him as Elijah Norton. He was about to pull the mask from his face when Olivia’s phone rang, piercing through the tension in the room.Olivia flinched, her fingers frozen in mid-air."Oh, sorry, I should get this," she mumbled, stepping away as she glanced at the screen.Her eyes widened, and the color drained from her face as she answered. "Yes... this is Olivia Winter," she said, her voice wavering slightly. Elijah listened quietly, but his senses were on high alert. Something was wrong. "Wait—what? I was attacked? It’s all over the news already?" Olivia gasped, shooting a g
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 34. Family of Wolves and Something Worse
Inside the opulent halls of the Winters' Palace, tension crackled in the air. The news of Olivia's near-death experience had already spread, but instead of rushing to her side in concern, the family was far more preoccupied with something else—what her death could have meant for their empire.In the grand study, Olivia’s father, Gerald Winter, sat behind an expansive mahogany desk. His graying hair was slicked back, his piercing blue eyes sharp with worry, but not for Olivia. He drummed his fingers on the polished wood, deep in thought. William, his son, leaned against the fireplace, a glass of bourbon in his hand, swirling the liquid as he brooded."If Olivia had been killed today, our stock would have plummeted," William muttered, not bothering to look at his father."Do you realize how fragile her position makes us? She holds too much sway with the board."Kate, standing by the window, crossed her arms, her face twisted in annoyance."She’s a liability," she said coldly."Always ha
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 35. Through the Woods
Elijah’s heart pounded in his chest as he moved deeper into the dark forest, his eyes scanning every shadow, every rustle of the leaves. He wasn’t used to feeling this kind of fear—not for himself, but for her. “Sophia!” he called out, his voice echoing through the stillness. There was no answer, just the distant hum of the wind threading through the trees.He quickened his pace, the ground uneven beneath his boots. Just when his frustration was starting to boil over, he heard a faint sound. A meow.Elijah froze, his sharp eyes catching movement between the thick trees. He pushed through the underbrush, following the sound until he saw her.Sophia was crouched on the ground, a tiny, trembling kitten in her hands. Her face was lit by the soft glow of her phone, and her eyes were focused entirely on the little creature.Elijah felt both relief and a flare of anger."Sophia!" he barked, striding toward her.Sophia flinched and looked up, guilt flooding her expression. "Elijah... I’m sor
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 36. Unable to take her minor pain
Olivia lay in bed, her thoughts racing, her emotions tangled between fear and yearning. The memory of the attack at the restaurant still haunted her, the sound of the gunshot replaying in her mind. She had narrowly escaped death, and it left her feeling fragile, exposed.But then, as if to comfort herself, she thought of James—the man who had saved her. "Such a humble guy," she thought.His strong arms, his steady gaze... she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. His masculine presence had been both protective and tender.Even in the chaos of the shooting, he had been calm, his touch reassuring. She found herself longing for that warmth again, the way his hands had steadied her trembling shoulders. Her family never showed her such care. They were cold, distant, only concerned with the family fortune. No one would lose sleep over her safety—not her father, not William, not even Kate. But James... he was different. He had saved her. He cared. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she
The Unstoppable Dragon Marshal 37. Disappointment
Elijah worked swiftly, carefully bandaging Sophia’s hand. The cloth was tight, but not too tight to hurt her further. His face was serious, focused entirely on making sure she was alright."Ouch-" Sophia winced slightly as he wrapped the bandage, but she didn’t pull away.“There,” Elijah said, tying the final knot. “It’s done. How does it feel?”Sophia gave him a small smile, though her eyes still held pain. “It’s better. Thank you, Elijah.”Elijah kissed her forehead softly, his worry evident in his eyes. "I hate seeing you hurt, Sophia."Before Sophia could respond, the room remained tense, and everyone was silent, watching them.The weight of what had just happened hung heavily in the air.Sophia’s eyes swept over the room, her voice steady but cold.“I’ll make this very clear,” she began, her tone unyielding.“If anyone dares to insult my husband again, I’ll break all ties with this family. I won’t tolerate disrespect toward Elijah.”The room seemed to collectively hold its breath
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330. The Price of Power
“Elijah! Can you hear me?” Doug’s voice was hoarse, barely cutting through the howling wind.Elijah groaned, his body half-buried in the snow. His limbs ached, and his head throbbed from the impact. He forced himself upright, shaking off the dizziness. The avalanche had separated them from the others, leaving nothing but a wasteland of ice and silence.“I’m here,” Elijah rasped, wiping blood from his forehead.Doug exhaled in relief and moved toward him, limping slightly. “Thank the gods. I thought you were buried alive.”Elijah steadied himself and scanned their surroundings. The sheer cliffs stretched endlessly, s
329. Into the Storm
“This is madness,” Lando muttered, tightening his cloak against the bitter wind. “A frozen death trap waiting to swallow us whole.” “No other way,” Elijah said, his voice firm as he led the group through the narrow path. The wind howled through the ravine, a brutal force against their already exhausted bodies. Doug kept pace beside him, eyes scanning the ridges above. “Marshal, we’re exposed here. Too easy to ambush.” Elijah knew he was right. The walls of ice loomed over them like towering prison bars, offering no cover. Every step forward felt like an invitation for an attack. Sophia shivered, pulling her arms tightly around herself. The cold was relentless, seeping through her bones. Her body still ached from the last fight, her mind even more so. She could feel the power inside her, restless and hungry. Cassian trailed behind, checking their back. “No movement yet. But it’s too quiet.” “Always is,” Lando said grimly. “Right before the knife sinks in.” The wind picked
328. The Hunt Never Ends
“We need to keep moving,” Elijah said firmly, scanning the horizon. The cold night stretched endlessly before them, the distant howling of wolves blending with the wind. Doug adjusted his rifle and nodded. “Yes, Marshal. But they’re gaining on us. We can’t keep running forever.” Sophia, leaning against a rock for support, tried to steady her breathing. The escape had drained her. The battle had taken more than just her strength—it had carved something dark inside her, something she wasn’t sure she could control. Lando let out a dry chuckle. “Oh, we could keep running. But it won’t matter. The Warden isn’t hunting us.” He tilted his head toward Sophia. “He’s hunting her.” Elijah’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t take the bait. “And yet, here you are, running with us.” Lando smirked. “Self-preservation. The Warden isn’t the forgiving type.” Doug shot him a glare but stayed silent. The tension was thick, but they had bigger problems. Their pursuers weren’t far. Cassian returne
327. No Way Back
“They’re everywhere!” Doug shouted, firing off a round as he ducked behind a broken tree. Elijah gritted his teeth, his sword slicing through one of the Warden’s men. The ambush had been fast—too fast. They had barely taken a breath before the enemy forces had surrounded them, cutting off every possible escape route. Sophia moved beside him, her breathing heavy. For the first time since her capture, she was fighting at his side. Her hands trembled, energy crackling at her fingertips. It felt different now—stronger, wilder. “I can stop this,” she murmured. Elijah blocked a strike, shoving an attacker back with sheer force. “Not like that,” he snapped. She met his gaze, frustration and fear warring inside her. “If I don’t, we’ll die.” Lando’s voice cut through the chaos. “She’s right.” He crouched beside Cassian, both of them covering Doug’s flank. “The only way out of this is a full-scale wipeout. And she’s the only one who can do it.” Elijah’s jaw tightened. “Absolutely
326. Reunion in the Dark
“She’s here!” Doug’s voice cut through the silence, his breath visible in the cold night air. Elijah rushed forward, his boots crunching against the ice-covered ground. The dim moonlight barely illuminated the small clearing where Sophia lay motionless in the snow. She was barely breathing. His heart clenched. He had imagined this moment over and over—the moment he’d finally find her. But not like this. Not pale and broken, her clothes torn, her body trembling. Elijah dropped to his knees beside her, his gloved hand brushing her cheek. “Sophia.” His voice was low, urgent. “Wake up.” A flicker of movement—her eyelids fluttered open. Her golden-brown eyes locked onto his, but something was different. There was a strange glow beneath their depths, something unnatural. “Elijah…” Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “I’m here,” he murmured, his grip tightening around her freezing hand. “You’re safe now.” Behind him, Cassian shifted uneasily. “Marshal… we need to be c
325. Blood in the Snow
“I won’t die here.”Sophia muttered the words through gritted teeth, pushing forward through the biting wind. Snow whipped against her face, the freezing air seeping into her bones. Her legs felt like lead, her breath came in ragged gasps, but she couldn’t stop. Stopping meant death.Her body ached, every step a battle. She had lost count of how many hours she had been running, how many times she had stumbled through the endless white expanse. The world around her was eerily silent, save for the distant howling of the wind.And the hunters were getting closer.She could feel them. Even without seeing them, she knew they were near. The Warden’s creations—twisted monsters with enhanced speed, strength, and senses far beyond human capabilities. They had been bred for one purpose: to track and kill.And right now, they were tracking her.A branch snapped somewhere behind her.Sophia spun, her breath catching in her throat.Nothing.Just the trees, standing tall and lifeless, their blacken
324. Unlikely Allies
“Elijah Norton.” Elijah barely looked up as Lando strode into the dimly lit war room. His hands tightened into fists at the sound of the man’s voice, but he remained still, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating. Doug stepped forward, his voice rigid with contempt. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here, Yale.” Lando smirked, completely unfazed. He moved with an air of confidence, like he belonged—like he hadn’t been one of the reasons Sophia had been taken in the first place. “I could say the same to you, Commander,” Lando replied smoothly, then turned his gaze back to Elijah. “I assume you know why I’m here.” Elijah’s eyes darkened. “That depends. Are you here to waste my time, or do you actually have something useful to say?” Lando chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “Straight to the point, as always.” He folded his arms, leaning slightly against the table. “Sophia has escaped.” Silence. Elijah’s fingers twitched, but his expres
323. The Chase Begins
“She’s gone.” The soldier stood stiffly, his breath shallow, waiting for The Warden’s reaction. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. But instead of rage, The Warden merely smiled. His eyes, sharp and knowing, gleamed under the dim light. “Let her run,” he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. The soldier hesitated. “Sir, should we—” The Warden’s gaze flicked to him, freezing him in place. “She thinks she’s free,” he murmured, turning toward the massive map stretched across the wall. “But freedom is an illusion. She will learn that soon enough.” ...Sophia ran. Branches slashed at her arms, her legs ached, and every breath was a fight. But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The cold night air burned her lungs, but it was nothing compared to the fear clawing at her chest. She had heard them. The hunters. They were coming. The eerie silence of the forest was the worst part. No birds. No rustling leaves. Just the whisper of the wind and her own rag
322. Breaking Point
“Do you see it now, Sophia?” The Warden’s voice was calm, almost soothing. “This is who you are meant to be.” Sophia gasped, her body trembling. The air around her pulsed with raw energy, crackling like a storm barely contained. The sterile white chamber seemed to shift, bending under the sheer force radiating from her. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “This… isn’t me.” The Warden watched her with a knowing smile. “But it is.” Sophia’s breaths came shallow and fast. Moments ago, she had been strapped to a machine, her mind forced into visions—visions of fire, destruction, and a power beyond her control. She had seen herself standing atop a ruined city, people kneeling before her in fear. Her hands curled into fists. “You forced this,” she spat. “You’re making me see what you want.” The Warden folded his hands behind his back. “I only unlocked what was already inside you.” Sophia wanted to deny it. To scream that he was wrong. But the lingering heat in her veins, th
