Chapter 52The Awakening StormFiona’s POVThe morning air felt heavy, the weight of impending doom pressing down on me as I stood in the clearing once again. After what had happened the day before—the pulse of dark energy that had nearly ripped through the trees—I was even more wary of my power. But I had no choice now. Quinton was right; the Primordials were coming, and if I didn’t learn to control this power, we wouldn’t stand a chance.Quinton was already there, his posture calm and composed, but I could sense the tension behind his steady gaze. He was just as concerned as I was, though he did a better job of hiding it.“Ready?” he asked, his voice steady.I nodded, though I didn’t feel ready at all. I was terrified. My hands still tingled from the power that had surged through them yesterday, and the thought of tapping into it again made my stomach churn.“We’re going to take this slow today,” Quinton said, stepping closer. “I want you to start by feeling the power, but don’t try
Chapter 53Whispers of the UnknownFiona's POVThe air was still, heavy with the weight of unspoken fears. I hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning all night with the same recurring dream. Dark figures lingered at the edges of my consciousness, their red eyes piercing through the shadows, always watching, always waiting. Every time I thought I could see their faces, I’d wake up in a cold sweat, heart racing, breath ragged.I pulled the blanket tighter around me, staring out of the small window in my room. The sky was still gray, the sun struggling to break through the thick clouds that seemed to mirror the uncertainty brewing inside me. The morning was silent, too silent for my liking. It was the kind of quiet that came before something big—something that could change everything.There was a soft knock at the door, and before I could respond, Quinton stepped inside. His presence was grounding, as always, but I could see the same restlessness in his eyes that mirrored my own."You didn
Chapter 54Shadows of RevelationFiona's POVThe air in the room felt thicker with Darius's presence. His calm, almost smug demeanor set my teeth on edge. I stood beside Quinton, feeling the heat of his frustration radiating off him. Every fiber of my being wanted to lash out, demand answers, and force the truth out of Darius.Quinton’s grip on my hand tightened. "Enough with the games, Darius. We need to know what’s coming."Darius’s eyes flickered with amusement as he leaned back in his chair. "Very well. But I must warn you, the truth can be quite unsettling."I glanced at Quinton, his jaw set in determination. He nodded slightly, as if to say we had no choice but to hear Darius out. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself."What do you know about the Primordials?" I asked, my voice steady despite the churn of anxiety in my chest.Darius’s smile didn’t waver. "The Primordials are ancient beings, older than any recorded history. They were banished long ago, but their hunger fo
Chapter 55The Calm Before the StormFiona’s POVThe days following the ritual were a blur of exhaustion and uneasy anticipation. The power within me felt like a living entity, pulsing beneath my skin with a constant, restless energy. Every movement was tinged with the weight of what I had embraced, and I struggled to adapt to the new reality of being so intimately connected to the dark magic.Quinton was a constant presence, his concern never fading. He stayed close, helping me through the aftermath of the ritual, supporting me as I tried to regain my strength. Despite his efforts to keep me calm, the underlying tension between us was palpable. We both knew that the ritual had bought us some time but had not solved our problems.As I recovered, I spent hours training with Quinton. He was patient, guiding me through exercises designed to help me harness and control the power within me. The sessions were physically demanding and mentally draining, but they were necessary. I needed to b
Chapter 56Echoes of the PastFiona’s POVThe night before the anticipated assault was eerily quiet. The calm seemed almost out of place given the impending danger that loomed over us. I could hardly sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of what might happen and the responsibility that weighed heavily on my shoulders.Quinton had been working tirelessly to prepare our defenses, and while his determination was admirable, I could see the toll it was taking on him. We had spent hours going over every detail, every potential threat, and I knew that his concern for my safety was as great as mine for him.In the stillness of the night, I wandered through the house, seeking solace in its familiar surroundings. The dim light cast long shadows on the walls, and the silence was broken only by the occasional creak of the old floorboards beneath my feet.I found myself in the library, where the shelves were lined with ancient tomes and scrolls. It was a sanctuary of sorts, a place where I could los
Chapter 57Unseen Shadows Quinton’s POV The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the ground as we returned to base. My muscles ached from the battle, the exhaustion settling in with every step, but my mind was already on high alert. Something felt off. The victory over the Primordials last night had come too easily. Sure, we had pushed them back, but they didn’t fight with the same ferocity as they had before. They retreated like it was part of a larger plan. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something far worse. As we reached the compound, Darius was already waiting for us. His expression was grim, and it told me everything I needed to know. "Quinton," he called out, motioning me over. "There’s been an incident." My heart dropped into my stomach. I approached him, the tension in his voice sending alarms through my brain. "What happened?" "It’s the southern perimeter. The guards reported strange movement just
Chapter 58Shadows of BetrayalQuinton's POVThe early morning sun stretched across the sky, casting long shadows over the aftermath of the battle. The bitter taste of exhaustion lingered in my mouth, but the feeling of victory was tempered by the weight of what still lay ahead. We had fought off the Primordials, but this wasn’t over—not by a long shot.I stood near the edge of the clearing, surveying the damage. Our pack had fared better than I expected, but the signs of the struggle were evident. Bodies of fallen Primordials littered the ground, and the scent of blood and ash was thick in the air. My wolf was still on edge, pacing inside me, unwilling to let its guard down even for a moment. The feeling that something worse was coming gnawed at my mind.Fiona approached, her steps silent but heavy with exhaustion. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world fell away. She was a force of nature—strong, beautiful, and utterly determined. But I could see the weariness in her, the to
Chapter 59Beneath the SurfaceFiona's POVThe weight of betrayal hung heavily in the air as I walked through the ruins of our camp. The morning sun did little to lift the oppressive mood that followed Darius’s revelation. Each step felt heavier, laden with the knowledge that one of our most trusted allies had turned against us. I glanced around at the faces of our pack, each marked by confusion, fear, or anger. It was a stark reminder that our world had changed overnight.I found myself in the clearing where the fight had taken place. The ground was still scarred from the battle, and the remains of the Primordials’ dark magic lingered in the air. I crouched near a patch of scorched earth, running my fingers through the ash. The fight had been fierce, and although we had won, it was clear that the Primordials were not finished with us yet. I could almost feel the echoes of the clash, the rush of adrenaline, and the pain of injuries. But more than that, I could feel the gnawing sense o