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,
The shadowy figure stepped forward, its movements fluid and unnatural. The wolves that had been snarling moments ago froze, their aggression vanishing as though snuffed out. Even the beast, massive and feral moments before, shrank back, whimpering low in its throat.Annabel held her ground, her claws still extended. “Who are you?” she demanded.The figure’s voice rolled out like a whisper laced with command. “You fight so hard for a throne built on broken promises.”“Answer me!” Annabel snapped, stepping forward.The figure turned its head toward her, and for a moment, she saw its face shift—flickering between familiarity and something unrecognizable. Her breath hitched when she caught a glimpse of Elijah’s features before they melted away into the void.“Don’t let it get into your head,” the rogue growled from behind her. He limped to her side, blood streaking his face but his stance unyielding.“It’s trying to rattle you, Annabel.”“Smart wolf,” the figure murmured, its tone amused.
The wolf stepped forward, the cloth dangling from its jaws. Its glowing eyes met Annabel’s, unblinking and deliberate. Every muscle in her body tensed as she stepped toward it.“Where did you get that?” Annabel demanded, her voice sharp.The wolf dropped the cloth, baring its teeth in a twisted grin. It didn’t speak, but the answer was clear in its posture—it wanted to be followed.The rogue moved to Annabel’s side, his eyes narrowing. “This is a trap.”“Of course it is,” Annabel said, her gaze never leaving the wolf. “But it’s one we can’t ignore.”The rogue clenched his fists. “You’re walking into her game again. That’s exactly what she wants.”“And what’s the alternative?” Annabel snapped. “Let her keep coming at us from the shadows? Let her keep dragging this out until we’re too broken to fight back?”The rogue didn’t answer. The pack around them stirred uneasily, sensing the tension in the air.Annabel turned to them, her voice carrying the weight of her authority. “No one moves
The blade glinted as it pressed against Annabel’s neck. The wolf holding it snarled, his breath hot against her ear.“Step down,” he growled. “The pack deserves a real leader.”Annabel didn’t flinch. Her voice was calm, but her words were razor-sharp. “You’ll need more than a blade to take my place, Kane.”The murmurs of the gathered wolves rippled through the clearing. Eyes darted between Kane and Annabel, their loyalties splintered.“You’ve lost control,” Kane sneered. “Evangeline’s mess, Elijah’s betrayal—how many more disasters before you admit you’re unfit?”Annabel tilted her head slightly, the movement deliberate. “You think you can do better?”Kane’s grip on the blade tightened. “Better than a leader who sides with rogues and lets her sister almost destroy us? Absolutely.”The rogue wolf stepped forward from the circle of onlookers, his voice cold. “Drop the blade, Kane. If you want the Alpha seat, earn it in a challenge, not a coward’s ambush.”Kane’s lips curled into a smirk
Annabel slammed the table with both hands. “Who let him leave the perimeter?”No one answered. The wolves gathered in the council tent exchanged nervous glances, their unease filling the silence. The rogue wolf stood in the corner, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Annabel snapped. Her eyes locked on the youngest guard, who fidgeted under her gaze. “Was it you, Daryl?”The boy stammered, barely able to get the words out. “He said he was acting on your orders, Alpha. I didn’t—”“I gave no such order!” Annabel’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “You let him go without question?”“I—I thought—”“You didn’t think!” She paced the room, anger rolling off her in waves. “Kane was supposed to be under watch. He tried to usurp my position yesterday, and now he’s gone? He could be feeding intel to our enemies as we speak!”“Annabel.” The rogue wolf’s voice was calm but firm. “Enough.”She rounded on him, her frustration spilling over. “Don’t tell me
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