Crown and Shackles: The Princes Mate (Story Updated)

Echoes of Battle

But then-James wasn't crushing me anymore.

The weight lifted so suddenly, it knocked the breath from my lungs. I gasped, my eyes fluttering open for a brief second-just enough to see James flung backward like a ragdoll, landing hard in the dirt.

Standing over me was the vampire from earlier-one of my father's men-his stance defensive, protective.

And then Logan was there.

He dropped to his knees beside me, his face tight with panic, fury still burning behind his eyes. Blood splattered his arms, and his chest was rising and falling fast. But his touch was impossibly gentle as he cupped the side of my face.

"Ally," he breathed, voice shaking. "I'm here. I've got you."

Everything hurt.

My leg was twisted painfully beneath me, ribs aching with each shallow breath. My limbs felt heavy and useless, and no matter how I tried, I couldn't lift my head. But I was alive. Barely, maybe-but alive.

All around us, the battle roared on. I could hear growls, the crash of bodies colliding, the screech of vampires, the howl of wolves in pain and defiance. My heart pounded, desperate to help, to move-but my body was beyond its limit.

And then-I felt it.

A subtle warmth deep inside. My vampire blood, ancient and slow-moving, began its work. The healing process stirred within me, knitting together what it could. It wasn't fast-not like the stories. But it was something.

I heard Logan's voice in my mind, steady and strong.

'Ally, are you okay?'

I gathered what little strength I had left and answered him, weak but honest.

'Yes... I'm okay. But I can't fight. I'm too badly hurt...'

There was a pause, his thoughts quiet for a beat. Then:

'It's okay, baby. You've done more than enough. Just stay down and let yourself heal. We've got this now.'**

His hand squeezed mine gently, then released. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead-soft, grounding. And then, with a final look that said everything he didn't have time to, he rose.

I watched through half-lidded eyes as my mate-the Alpha-stepped forward, his back straight, his presence commanding.

He wasn't just fighting for me.

He was fighting for everyone

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Sam's POV

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I spotted Ally in her wolf form, bloodied and lying still on the ground. Panic gripped me. I couldn't move-until I saw the faint rise and fall of her chest. Relief flooded through me. She was alive.

Then my attention shifted to the vampire who had gone after Henry. He was laughing, dark and mocking. He moved toward me, arms reaching out-but I acted before he could get close, taking him down with swift finality. A small laugh escaped me, more out of adrenaline than anything else.

All around us, the ground was littered with fallen bodies-some whole, others not. The only vampires left standing were those fighting on our side.

Then I noticed Logan.

He was still going after James, even though it was clear the fight was over. I rushed to him, trying to pull him away. *Tried* being the key word.

"Logan! He's gone-he's already gone!"

"He hurt my mate! He nearly took her from me!" Logan shouted, consumed by fury.

"Logan... please, calm down, babe," Ally whispered, her voice soft but firm.

Instantly, Logan stopped. He turned and ran to her, pressing himself close. Ally gently lifted her head and nudged him back. The quiet exchange between them was... touching.

It took us a long time to find and care for those who had fallen. There were moments of frustration and exhaustion, but we got through it-piece by piece. We also had to make sure nothing dangerous remained behind before we started the fires to put an end to it all.

Usually, a single stake is enough to stop a vampire. But when you're outnumbered twenty to one? It's not that simple. Thankfully, fire works just as well.

In the end, we all sat together in silence, watching the flames burn. It helped us breathe again. Helped us believe it was really over.

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Ally's POV

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Wasbt sure how long i was out but I woke up slowly, the world tilting and blurring before it finally came into focus. My head pounded like a drum, and every muscle ached. I was so tired-tired of the pain, tired of the bruises, tired of being knocked out every time things got rough. It wasn't just the wounds; it was the helplessness that came with them. I clenched my jaw, pushing the frustration down. This time, I was going to stand. It still hurt, but I was mostly healed.

I forced myself upright, wobbling but determined. From where I stood, I watched the fire consume the scattered limbs of the fallen vampires. The flames cracked and roared, swallowing every last piece of the night's brutal chaos.

My gaze drifted to my parents. My father held my trembling mother close, both of them crying quietly. I would probably cry too, if I had lost Jace. I wondered how he was doing. I'd left him in the care of a few elderly women-wolves who were more than happy to babysit the werewolf prince while the pack fought.

"Honey..." my mother's soft voice broke through the haze.

Logan still held me firmly in his arms. I twisted slowly to look at my parents.

"Yeah... Mother? What is it?"

"I'm going back to vampire territory with your father. I've spent too much time away from him."

I wanted to say more, but exhaustion weighed down my words. Instead, I gave them a tired smile as my father pulled my mother closer.

"I understand... I couldn't spend long without Logan," I murmured, glancing at Logan, who was now speaking quietly to Sam's wolf form. Then I turned back to my parents. "But... will I see you again?"

My father smiled-a small, weary curve of his lips-but I saw the pain behind it. "Of course. I want to get to know my daughter."

Suddenly, Logan's voice cut through the quiet.

"I'm sorry about James..." he said, making me jump.

My father froze for a moment, swallowing hard, then gave a halfhearted smile.

"Don't... don't worry, son. You did what you had to do. He was trying to hurt your mate. I'd have done the same. Treat my girl well, or you'll have a fight on your hands," he said, reaching out his hand.

Logan stood and shook it firmly.

"Don't worry. I will never let anything happen to her."

My father's smile softened.

"Good. Now, what's this about a grandson?"

I laughed, the sound light but real. For a moment, the heavy weight of pain, exhaustion, and anger lifted, if only a little.