The ground beneath Annabel’s feet cracked wider, forcing her to leap back. Rocks scattered, plunging into the yawning abyss. Her heart raced, her claws itching for purchase as the tremors intensified.“Fall back!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.Wolves scattered, scrambling to higher ground, their howls of alarm mixing with the deep, guttural roar emanating from the pit. Annabel’s eyes locked on Evangeline, standing defiantly as the shadow behind her twisted and grew, coalescing into something monstrous.Evangeline’s grin widened. “You should’ve stayed in your precious camp, sister. This is no place for hope.”Annabel lunged forward, claws outstretched, but the rogue yanked her back just as the shadow lashed out. The force sent debris flying, and Annabel’s packmates ducked for cover.“You can’t fight that!” the rogue barked, his grip firm on her arm.“I’m not letting her walk away!” Annabel snapped, shaking him off.Evangeline raised a hand, her voice cold and comman
“Alpha Annabel.” The voice came from behind her, sharp and laced with defiance. She turned, eyes narrowing as one of the senior wolves, Matthias, stepped forward, his stance rigid.“You can speak,” she said, keeping her voice calm but firm.Matthias glanced around, gathering silent support from a few wolves lingering on the edges. “We followed you into war. We’ve bled for this pack. Yet here we stand, under threat again, with nothing to show for it but ruins and doubt.”Annabel’s gaze didn’t falter. “What are you trying to say?”“You’ve led us through battles,” Matthias continued, his tone rising. “But leadership is more than fighting. It’s stability. And I don’t see that here.”The circle of wolves grew tighter, murmurs rippling through the group.“Speak plainly,” Annabel said, her patience thinning.Matthias didn’t hesitate. “Your connection to Elijah—your past choices—they linger like a shadow over this pack. How do we know you’re not dragging us into another disaster?”A ripple of
Annabel tightened her grip on the hilt of her dagger as the voice echoed in her ears. “Annabel.” Her name, spoken in that unmistakable tone—low, deliberate, and laced with familiarity.It couldn’t be Elijah. She had seen him die. Felt the weight of his final breath.But this wasn’t just her imagination.“Who’s there?” she barked, spinning toward the sound. Her wolves flinched, startled by the venom in her voice.The rogue stepped closer. “What is it?”She ignored him, scanning the shadows. “Come out!”Nothing moved. The forest loomed silent, except for the rustle of leaves in the faint wind.“Alpha,” Mila whispered, her eyes wide. “We should move. We’re exposed.”Annabel didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her instincts screamed at her to stay alert.A sudden movement—swift, almost imperceptible—flashed on her right. Annabel lunged, slamming a dagger into the trunk of a tree. It stuck deep, but there was nothing there.The rogue swore under his breath. “We’re being watched.”“By who?” Mila h
The sound of snarls tore through the camp before dawn.Annabel bolted upright, her instincts on high alert. Wolves scattered, their hurried footsteps pounding against the dirt as commands were shouted. She grabbed her dagger and rushed toward the chaos, her pulse hammering.“What’s happening?” she demanded as she reached the center of camp.Mila sprinted toward her, blood streaking her arm. “Attackers! They came out of nowhere!”Annabel’s eyes darted to the clearing, where wolves fought in a blur of claws and teeth. A group of outsiders—half-familiar but twisted, like the ones from before—were tearing through the outer defenses.“Defend the perimeter!” Annabel barked, moving toward the fight. “Don’t let them divide us!”The rogue appeared at her side, his blade already slick with blood. “They’re testing us again,” he said, slashing at an enemy wolf that lunged toward them. “Same pattern.”“They won’t leave this time,” Annabel growled, plunging her dagger into the neck of another assai
The northern perimeter was chaos.Annabel reached the front line to find her wolves locked in brutal combat with intruders. These weren’t the erratic, twisted wolves from before. They moved with precision, striking key positions and exploiting weaknesses. Someone had trained them.Mila barreled toward Annabel, her shoulder bleeding but her stance steady. “They’re coordinated, Alpha. Too coordinated.”Annabel nodded, scanning the battlefield. “They’re being directed. Find their leader.”“I’m on it.” Mila spun and disappeared into the fray.The rogue appeared at Annabel’s side, his sword cutting down an attacker mid-stride. “This isn’t random,” he growled. “They’re baiting us.”Annabel grimaced, slamming her dagger into an enemy’s throat. “Let’s turn the trap on them, then. Hold the line!” she shouted to her wolves. “Force them into the gorge!”Her wolves responded with precision, driving the intruders back. Annabel moved through the chaos, fighting alongside her pack. The scent of bloo
The scout’s body hit the ground with a heavy thud as Annabel stared at the message carved into the earth. The words mocked her resolve, daring her to act.She crouched beside the lifeless wolf, her hands steady despite the simmering anger. Mila and the rogue stood close, their faces grim.“This is Elijah’s symbol,” Mila said, her voice low.“I know,” Annabel replied, scanning the surrounding area. “But Elijah is dead. Someone else is using it.”The rogue shifted uneasily. “Whoever left this wanted you to find it. They’re trying to unnerve you—and the pack.”Annabel rose, her gaze hard. “It’s working. And if we don’t act fast, this will spread like wildfire.” She turned to Mila. “Bring the body back to camp. We need to contain this before the others panic.”“What about the message?” Mila asked.Annabel’s claws extended as she swiped across the dirt, erasing the ominous words. “No one else needs to see it.”Back at camp, the wolves were restless. Whispers filled the air, each rumor more
The moment Annabel stepped into the clearing, chaos erupted.Two wolves stood face-to-face, snarling, their hackles raised. A crowd had gathered, murmurs of discontent rippling through the group. Annabel pushed forward, her voice cutting through the noise.“What’s going on?”The larger wolf, Garrick, bared his teeth. “This one,” he spat, pointing at the smaller wolf, “has been spreading lies. Saying you’re no better than Elijah. That you’ll lead us to ruin.”The accused wolf, a wiry male named Oran, held his ground. “I only speak what others think but are too afraid to say.”Annabel’s claws twitched, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Then say it to me. If you’re brave enough to question my leadership, you can do it here and now.”Oran hesitated, but the crowd’s expectant gazes emboldened him. “You’ve been distracted ever since Elijah’s death. First, Evangeline, and now Darius. We’re fighting your battles while our pack falls apart.”Annabel took a step closer, her voice dropping.
Annabel barely dodged the beast’s massive swipe. Its claws raked through the air, leaving the ground beneath her gouged and crumbling. The creature let out a guttural roar, shaking the ruins. Behind it, Darius’s wolves surged forward, their glowing eyes locked on the pack.“Fall back!” Annabel shouted. “Regroup on me!”The rogue grabbed her arm. “That thing isn’t just a beast—it’s infused with magic.”“Darius’s doing,” Annabel snarled. “We have to take it down.”“It’s not just the creature. Look at them!” He pointed to the wolves charging toward them. They weren’t moving like normal wolves. Their attacks were reckless, their eyes glassy, as if they weren’t entirely in control.Annabel didn’t hesitate. “Take the left flank. We can’t let them split us up.”The rogue sprinted off, rallying the scattered pack. Annabel turned to face the creature again. Its shadow loomed over her as it charged, faster than something that size should move.The clash was chaos. Annabel’s wolves fought hard,
Damian hit the ground hard, the impact jarring every bone in his body. His wolf surged forward, dulling the pain as he rolled to his side, instinctively shielding Annabel. Dust swirled around them, choking the air.“Damian,” Annabel croaked, gripping his arm.“I’m here,” he said, helping her sit up. She was bruised but alive. Relief flooded him for a fleeting moment before the sound of footsteps—calm, deliberate—drew his attention.Elijah emerged from the shadows, his figure illuminated by a faint glow emanating from strange markings on the cavern walls. His confidence radiated like a predator circling its prey.“You’re persistent,” Elijah said, his voice low and measured. “But persistence without power is just stubbornness.”Damian rose to his feet, his claws already extending. “You talk too much.”Elijah tilted his head, unbothered. “And you’re too impulsive. That’s why you’ll lose.”Annabel struggled to stand, leaning against Damian for support. “You don’t need me to stop him,” she
The sound of Elijah’s laughter echoed through the darkness of the collapsed cave. It taunted Damian as he tried to focus on Annabel’s weak breathing. His wolf senses adjusted to the pitch-black surroundings, honing in on the faint heartbeat that kept him grounded.“Elijah!” Damian’s voice was raw, a command that ricocheted off the rocky walls. “Face me!”The only response was the steady drip of water from somewhere deeper within the cavern.“Damian,” Annabel whispered, her voice a frail thread. “Don’t—”He knelt beside her, carefully loosening the ropes that bound her wrists. “We’re getting out of here,” he said firmly. “Stay with me.”“You don’t understand.” Her eyes fluttered open, dim but focused. “This is what he wanted. He’s not here to fight. He’s here to break you.”Damian stilled, her words striking something deep within him. But before he could respond, the ground beneath them trembled, a reminder of the unstable cavern.“Then he failed,” Damian growled. “Because I’m not givi
The forest stood still in the aftermath of Elijah’s escape, the silence almost mocking. Damian stared at the empty space where Elijah had disappeared with Annabel, his breathing uneven. His claws dug into the dirt, his body trembling with the effort to hold back the wolf clawing for dominance. Kara staggered forward, clutching her injured side, but her gaze never left Damian.“Damian,” she rasped, her voice tight with pain. “We can still track him.”He didn’t answer. The pack around them waited, the weight of his next decision pressing like a storm ready to break.“Track him?” Damian’s voice was low, almost too calm. He turned to Kara, his eyes alight with fury. “Do you think he’s stupid enough to leave a trail we can follow?”“We can try,” she shot back. “Sitting here won’t help her!”Damian’s snarl silenced her, but it wasn’t just anger; it was despair. He ran a hand through his hair, pacing in circles like a predator in a cage. Finally, he turned to his second-in-command, Jacob.“S
Damian’s growl echoed through the silent room. His fists slammed against the worn oak table, splintering its edge. "You let him get inside your head?" His glare bore into Annabel, who still looked pale and shaken from fainting. Her silence, far from submissive, was deliberate—a choice to observe before reacting."I didn’t let him do anything," she replied, her voice hoarse but steady. "Elijah’s power isn’t something you simply shut out.""Don’t defend him!" Damian’s voice cracked, a mix of fury and pain. He paced the room, hands clenching and unclenching. His wolf stirred beneath his skin, desperate for release. "Do you even know what you've done? You handed him the one thing he needed—us divided."Annabel winced. She hated that he was right. Elijah’s manipulation had left fractures between her and Damian, widening a rift that already felt unbridgeable. She drew a shaky breath, steadying herself before she spoke again."I made a mistake," she admitted, her gaze meeting his. "But I did
Damian’s claws dug into the quarry floor, his stance protective as he stepped in front of Annabel. The beast roared again, its guttural sound echoing across the rock walls. The figure beside it moved with eerie calm, their smile never wavering as they studied the three.“Annabel,” the figure said smoothly, ignoring Damian and Elijah entirely. “I’ve been waiting to meet you.”Annabel’s heart slammed against her ribs. “Who are you?”The figure chuckled, tilting their head. “I have so many names, but for now, call me the one who holds the leash.” Their hand gestured lazily toward the beast, which snarled, saliva dripping from its jagged teeth.“Doesn’t look like you’ve got much control,” Elijah said, his voice cold. His eyes flicked to the beast’s hulking frame, scanning for weaknesses.The figure’s smile faltered for a moment before sharpening again. “It obeys enough. And when I’m done with it, it will obey her.”Annabel’s blood ran cold. “What do you mean?”The figure ignored her quest
The beast emerged from the shadows behind the hunters, its form larger than any wolf Annabel had ever seen. Its massive shoulders brushed tree trunks as it stalked forward, its yellow eyes glowing with an unnatural light. The hunters froze, their weapons shifting uneasily in their hands.The leader cursed under his breath. “What is that thing?”Damian didn’t respond. He stepped protectively in front of Annabel, his claws extending again. Elijah’s stance mirrored his, though his eyes never left the creature as it growled, low and rumbling, shaking the air around them.“They didn’t bring it,” Elijah said quietly, his voice calm but taut. “That’s not theirs.”The scarred leader gestured sharply to his men, who reluctantly repositioned, their crossbows trained on the beast. “Stand down!” he barked at the wolves they controlled. “Focus on the target!”The controlled wolves whimpered but obeyed, forming a wary line between their masters and the newcomers. Annabel gritted her teeth, gripping
Damian’s eyes locked with Elijah’s, the air between them charged with unspoken challenges. Annabel stood in the middle, her hand raised as though it alone could stop the inevitable.“Elijah,” she said sharply, her voice cutting through their silent exchange. “We can’t do this now. Not here.”But Elijah wasn’t looking at her. His hybrid features were sharp, predatory, and utterly focused on Damian. “He’s afraid to act,” Elijah said with a calmness that made the insult sting harder. “That’s why he hesitates. He knows if he crosses me, he won’t survive.”Damian stepped forward, his tone like steel. “You’ve underestimated me before. How did that work out for you?”Annabel’s frustration boiled over. “Enough!” She turned to Damian, her expression pleading. “This isn’t the fight we need to win right now.”Damian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t break eye contact with Elijah. “You think he can be trusted to stay in line? Look at him.”“I’m right here,” Elijah interjected, a cold smile spreading
Damian’s shout came too late. The rogue leader’s massive jaws clamped down on empty air as Annabel twisted away at the last second, rolling to the ground. Elijah lunged, his claws slashing in an arc that forced the beast back, buying her a moment to scramble to her feet.Annabel’s breath came in short gasps. Her eyes darted to the pack, holding their line against the remaining rogues. “We can’t hold this forever,” she muttered, gripping the silver dagger she’d taken from Damian.“You don’t have to,” Elijah replied. His voice was eerily calm, but his gaze stayed locked on the rogue leader. “This ends now.”“Care to share the plan?” Damian growled, sidling up beside them. Blood streaked his face, and his sword was slick with gore.Elijah smirked, but there was no humor in it. “Keep it busy.”Damian swore under his breath. “Brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that?”Before Annabel could say anything, the rogue leader let out a guttural snarl and charged again. Damian moved instinctively, ra
Damian barely dodged the blow, the rogue’s claws swiping past his ribs. He twisted, bringing his blade upward in a brutal arc that caught his opponent beneath the jaw. Blood splattered, but there was no time to celebrate the kill. Another rogue was already charging.“Elijah!” Damian yelled, blocking the next attack with a grunt. “A little help would be great!”Elijah stood motionless, his sharp eyes fixed on Annabel. She was kneeling just behind them, her shoulders rising and falling with labored breaths. Her connection to the barrier was gone, but the remnants of her effort left her pale and trembling.“She can’t hold much longer,” Elijah muttered to himself.“Neither can I!” Damian barked, shoving the rogue back with a kick.Elijah’s expression darkened, and with a low snarl, he finally moved. He intercepted the next attacker with blinding speed, slamming the rogue into the ground with a sickening crunch. His hybrid strength was terrifying, even to Damian, but right now, it was the