68JANETI watched as Annalise stepped into the portal, the swirling energy surrounding her like a whirlwind. The air crackled with electricity, lifting her off her feet. My heart raced, a mix of awe and fear flooding through me. This was it. She was embracing her destiny, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of danger looming just out of sight.“Hold on, Annalise!” I whispered, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me. The power surged through her, illuminating the cave, and I felt the energy pulse like a heartbeat.Suddenly, she vanished, swallowed by the light. I stood frozen, my mind racing. I had to trust her. She was strong, and she had come so far. But the thought of what awaited her on the other side sent a chill down my spine.Time seemed to stretch as I waited, anxious and restless. I closed my eyes, trying to center myself. “She can do this,” I repeated in my mind. “She has to.”Then, the cave rumbled again, and I felt the ground shake beneath my feet. I opened my eyes just in t
69ADRAINThe bright light from the cave pulsed like a heartbeat, drawing all attention. I felt the vibrations rumble beneath my feet as I turned to face the entrance. My instincts screamed that something was coming, and it wasn’t good.“Get ready!” I shouted to Janet and her guards, adrenaline coursing through me. I could hear the growls and snarls of Marcus’s pack outside, their footsteps echoing ominously as they rushed toward us.The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I could see Janet’s guards exchanging nervous glances. They shifted, their bodies rippling, and in an instant, they transformed into wolves, their fur shining like steel in the light. They formed a protective ring around me, ready to defend against whatever came next.“Stay close,” I urged, my heart racing. “We can’t let them breach our defenses.”From outside, the sounds of Marcus’s pack grew louder. The growls morphed into a chorus of howls that sent shivers down my spine. They were shifting too, preparing for
70ANNALISEThe moment I stepped through the portal, I felt the familiar rush of energy envelop me. The sacred cave loomed before me, vibrant with the power I had just experienced. I stood at the entrance, breathless, my heart pounding as I took in the scene before me.Marcus’s pack was there, a chaos of fur and growls, locked in battle with Adrian and Janet’s wolves. My instincts kicked in, and I blinked slowly, trying to assess the situation. My mind raced as I recalled the elder guardian’s words. I needed to maintain balance; I needed to act fast.“Enough!” I thought, focusing on the pack. With a surge of power, I directed my will toward them, feeling the energy ripple through the air. The atmosphere shifted, heavy with tension, and I felt the ground vibrate beneath me.In an instant, the wolves that had been so ready to fight were lifted off their feet, suspended in the air by an unseen force. I watched in disbelief, my heart racing. They were thrown over the edge of the cliff lik
71SPENCERThe alley was dark and cold, a perfect hiding spot for shady dealings. I leaned against the damp brick wall, the shadows swallowing me whole. I had just left another frustrating meeting, my mind racing with all the ways I had to regain control. This was not how things were supposed to go.Suddenly, I heard footsteps echoing off the cobblestone. A guard stumbled into view, bloodied and panting. His face was pale, and I could see he had been in a fight. I pushed myself off the wall, curiosity piqued.“What happened?” I asked, my voice steady, though anger simmered just below the surface. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”The guard leaned against the wall for support, wincing as he tried to catch his breath. “It’s Annalise,” he gasped, struggling to speak. “She’s back. And she’s regained her powers.”A chill ran down my spine. I felt my blood boil at the mention of her name. “What do you mean, ‘regained her powers’?”“Something happened in the sacred cave,” the guard e
72ANNALISEI stood in the sacred cave, feeling the cool air brush against my skin. It was time to act. I turned to Janet, who stood by my side, her expression serious. She needed to understand the urgency of what was coming.“Janet, we have a war ahead of us,” I began, my voice steady. “Marcus has a plan. He intends to use the portal to open all the realms. He wants to infiltrate Earth and rule over it.”Her eyes widened, absorbing the weight of my words. “How does he plan to do that? What does he think he’ll gain?”“He believes he can control everything,” I explained, pacing the cave’s rocky floor. “He wants to unleash chaos, to establish his dominance over both worlds. We can’t let that happen.”Janet nodded, determination flashing across her face. “What do you want me to do?”“I need you to mobilize all the packs,” I instructed, feeling a surge of urgency. “Every wolf must prepare for battle. We need to gather our allies, resources, and strategies. This is not just about defending
73MARCUSThe alley was dim, lit only by the flickering streetlight above. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, waiting for Spencer to show up. He was always anxious, always worrying about something. I could feel it in the air. He rushed into view, his face pale and his breath quickened.“Marcus,” he said, glancing around as if the shadows might swallow him whole. “We need to talk. Annalise is up to something. She’s gathering support in the other realm.”I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And? What of it? Does she think she can actually threaten us?”Spencer stepped closer, his eyes wide with concern. “You don’t understand. She’s more powerful than she looks. If she gets enough support, it could mean serious trouble for us.”“Trouble?” I scoffed. “What kind of trouble? She doesn’t have what it takes to challenge me. She’s all bark and no bite. You’ve seen it.”“She’s not alone anymore. She’s got allies,” Spencer insisted, urgency bleeding into his tone. “This isn’t just about her.
74SPENCERThe alley felt suffocating, shadows closing in as I faced Marcus. The tension was palpable, a brewing storm that mirrored the turmoil in my gut. Betrayal hit harder than any punch I could’ve taken.“Why, Marcus?” My voice trembled, laced with anger. “Why would you deceive me like this? I trusted you.”Marcus leaned back against the wall, a smirk plastered across his face. “Trust? Spencer, you’re so naive. You should know better by now. This was never about trust; it was about power.”“Power?” I echoed, disbelief washing over me. “You promised me the guardianship over our realm. You said I would lead. What happened to that?”“Guardianship?” He chuckled, a low, mocking sound that cut deep. “In the grand scheme of things, there should be no guardian. I will be the only guardian in all the realms. That’s the plan.”“No,” I breathed, shock gripping me. “You can’t be serious. You’re throwing away everything we fought for! You’re betraying me!”“I’m not betraying you,” Marcus repl
75I stood at the edge of the sacred cave, the air thick with anticipation and the distant rumble of thunder echoing in my ears. Adrian was beside me, his eyes filled with worry, searching my face as if trying to read my thoughts. The weight of what was coming hung heavy between us, a looming shadow that threatened to engulf everything we cared about.“Are you ready for what’s ahead?” he asked, his voice low and steady, but I could hear the tremor underneath. I knew he was trying to mask his fear, but it was there, lurking just beneath the surface.I took a deep breath, looking out into the darkness of the cave, the shadows dancing as the light flickered from the torches. “I am,” I assured him, though uncertainty lingered in my heart. I had to be strong, for both of us. I had come too far to back down now. “We have to face Marcus and his pack. It’s time to end this.”Adrian’s brow furrowed as he stepped closer, his expression turning serious. “Annalise, I—” He hesitated, searching for
90JANETThe night felt endless as I tossed and turned, caught in a whirlpool of nightmares. Each time I closed my eyes, Marcus’s screams echoed in my mind, piercing the dark like a knife. His face twisted in terror, eyes wide with panic. I could feel his fear wrap around me like a cold fog, suffocating and real.I jolted awake, my heart racing. The remnants of his screams clung to the edges of my consciousness. I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, as if I were dragging a weight behind me. The bed sheets were tangled around my legs, and I fought to free myself, but the dream lingered, making it hard to breathe.As I finally pulled myself upright, I felt a sharp heat on my shoulder, and instinctively, I pressed my fingers against the spot where Marcus had marked me. It burned. The area felt hot and red, a reminder of his twisted claim on me. I shivered, recalling his words echoing in my mind: *You will forever partake in my suffering and pain.*The bitterness of those words twist
89ANNALISEI stood in the clearing, the remnants of our victory still echoing in my ears, I turned to face Janet. The moment felt monumental, heavy with the weight of our shared past. I had witnessed her strength, her courage, and I knew she was ready to lead the pack into a new future.“Janet,” I began, my voice steady. “I am handing you the leadership of the pack. You are their alpha now. You have the strength and wisdom to guide them.”Her eyes widened in surprise, a mix of joy and disbelief flickering across her face. “Annalise, I… I don’t know what to say.”“Just accept it,” I encouraged her, a smile creeping onto my lips. “You’ve earned this. They need you, and I trust you to lead them well.”Janet stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Annalise. I promise I will do my best.”I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. “I know you will. You have always been stronger than you think.”As I turned to leave, Janet called out to me, urgency lacing her words. “Annalise,
88ANNALISEThe air was charged with energy, and I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on us. I stood before Marcus, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it. I had to make this choice—not just for myself, but for everyone who had suffered under his cruel rule.“Marcus Blackwood,” I began, my voice steady despite the fear bubbling inside me. “You have brought chaos and destruction to this realm. Your actions have hurt so many, and now, you will face the consequences.”He sneered, his bravado still intact, but I could see the cracks in his facade. “You think you can banish me? I am stronger than you can imagine!”Ignoring his taunts, I raised the totem high above my head. The ancient symbols glowed bright, casting an ethereal light across the clearing. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce your banishment into utter darkness!”The energy crackled around me, and I could feel the pull of magic surging through my veins. The air thickened, swirling around us, and a deep,
87ANNALISEThe tension in the air was thick as Nula raised her hand. Her gesture was clear. Lemuel, the captain of the pack, stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. “We surrender! Lower your weapons!”The pack obeyed without hesitation, their eyes shifting nervously from Marcus to Nula. I could feel their fear, but it was a different kind of fear than before—this was the fear of the unknown. Would Marcus retaliate?Marcus transformed, his muscles rippling under his dark fur. He let out a furious roar that echoed through the clearing. The sound sent chills down my spine. With one swift movement, he charged at Nula, his claws extended.“No!” I shouted, but it was too late. Marcus scratched Nula with his paw and bit down hard. She went down, blood pooling beneath her, and my heart dropped.“Protect her!” I yelled, urgency racing through me. The pack quickly transformed, forming a protective ring around Marcus, but he was wild, thrashing against their hold.I clenched my fists
86SPENCERFLASHBACKThe grand hall of the Blackwood clan was filled with tension as I faced the royal family, their expressions a mix of curiosity and unease. The dim light from the ornate chandeliers cast long shadows, highlighting the seriousness of our meeting. I could feel my heart racing, knowing the weight of what I was about to reveal. I took a deep breath, ready to expose the truth about Marcus.“Thank you for gathering here,” I started, trying to steady my voice. “I have urgent news about Marcus and his plans. What I’m about to share is crucial for the future of our realms.”Nula, one of the prominent leaders, leaned forward, her brow furrowed with concern. “What is it, Spencer? We can sense the gravity in your tone. Speak freely.”I nodded, gathering my thoughts. “Marcus is not just seeking power; his intentions are far more sinister. His plan is to cause chaos among all the realms. He wants to open the door to the utter dark realm to free the Blackwood alpha clan that was
85ANNALISEThe night was charged with energy, an electric tension crackling in the air as I floated above the two armies, suspended under the eerie glow of the blood-red moon. Below me, warriors lined up, their faces a mix of fear and determination. I could feel their anxiety swirling like a storm. Marcus and Spencer stood at the forefront, their expressions betraying their confidence.I took a deep breath, feeling the power surge through me, ready to speak the truth they had tried so hard to conceal. “The Blackwood clan has a secret desire. A desire to corrupt all realms, to make them bend to their will. You stand at the brink of destruction, facing a choice that could save you.”The murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd. I could see Marcus’s eyes narrow, assessing the situation, realizing he could not ignore what I was saying. “You think you can sway us with empty threats? The Blackwood family will not yield to your whims.”I raised my voice, letting it echo through the nig
84ANNALISEI stood by the window, gazing out at the horizon. The sun dipped below the trees, casting a warm glow over the landscape. It felt like a moment frozen in time. Adrian stood beside me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him. I didn’t want to look away, not now.“Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked, his voice soft, breaking the comfortable silence between us.I nodded, still lost in thought. “It reminds me of those days in the village when the sun would set, and everything felt perfect.”Adrian turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “Do you miss it? The village, I mean.”I took a breath, trying to find the right words. “Sometimes. But I think it’s not just the village I miss. It’s the feeling of safety, of knowing where I belong.”He shifted slightly, leaning closer. “You belong with me, you know that, right?”His words sent a rush of warmth through me. I turned to face him, our eyes locking. “I want to believe that. But everything has changed. We’ve both cha
83SPENCERI walked into Marcus’s office, and the air felt thick with anger. Marcus stood by his desk, his fists clenched, the tension between us practically crackling. I could tell something was wrong even before he turned to me.“Why did the royal family withdraw their packs into the realm?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.I took a breath, steadying myself. “They wanted to meet you in the realm, Marcus. They won’t fight alongside you unless you go there.”His expression darkened. “They’re betraying me at a time like this?”Before I could respond, he grabbed a wineglass from his desk and hurled it at the wall behind me. I dodged just in time to see it shatter, glass flying in all directions.“Do they think they can just abandon me when victory is so close?” Marcus’s voice dripped with fury.I had to keep my cool. “They have their reasons. They believe the earth realm limits their power. If we fight here, they won’t be able to harness their full potential. They need the bloo
82ANNALISEI needed to see Sumel. The thought consumed me as I paced the small apartment where Molu had brought us. I felt the weight of everything resting on my shoulders, and I knew that Sumel’s strength could make a difference in our fight.“Can you take me to him?” I asked Molu, my voice steady but filled with urgency.Molu nodded, his expression serious. “Of course. Follow me.”As we walked through the ancient corridors, I felt a strange mix of hope and fear. Sumel had always been a source of wisdom and strength. But the last time I saw him, he had been weakened by Marcus’s darkness. I had to believe that I could help him.When we reached the small chamber where Sumel rested, my heart sank. He lay on a simple bed, his face pale and drawn. The flickering candlelight cast shadows over him, making him look even more fragile.“Sumel,” I whispered, moving closer to his side.His eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile crossed his lips. “Annalise,” he breathed, his voice barely above a