Annabel didn’t flinch as the Architect’s hand tightened around her throat. Her feet dangled above the glowing sigil, but her eyes burned with defiance. Behind her, the rogue wolf circled like a predator savoring its prey. His smirk taunted her, but she refused to look away from the Architect.“You’ll have to do better than this,” she rasped, her voice strained but steady.The Architect tilted his head, intrigued. “Defiance is admirable, but futile. You’ll bend when you realize the truth.”“Truth?” she spat. “All I see is a coward hiding behind tricks.”The Architect released her, and she fell hard to the frozen ground. She barely had time to catch her breath before the rogue wolf pinned her down. His claws dug into her shoulders, drawing blood.“You’re wasting energy,” he hissed. “Give in, Annabel. It’s easier.”Her head snapped back, slamming into his snout. The rogue yelped, his grip loosening just enough for her to shove him off. She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the pain in her
“Run,” Annabel said, her voice cutting through the roar of the beast rising from the cavern.Elijah didn’t move. His eyes fixed on the enormous shadow stretching across the ice, and the pack froze, fear rooting them in place. The creature’s growl reverberated through the frozen wasteland like thunder, shaking the earth beneath their feet.“Elijah!” she barked, grabbing his arm and shaking him. “Get them out of here, now!”Finally, he snapped out of his daze. “You heard her!” he shouted at the pack. “Move!”The wolves sprang to life, scrambling toward safety, but the ice splintered beneath them as the beast’s massive claws emerged. Its body broke free from the cavern, a grotesque combination of sinew and frost-coated fur, with glowing eyes that burned with malice.The rogue wolf’s voice echoed from the depths. “You should’ve let me kill you, Annabel. Now you’ll face something far worse.”Annabel stepped forward, her body trembling with exhaustion but her mind sharp. “What is it?” she m
“How did he find us?” Annabel demanded, her voice cutting through the chaos as the howl echoed again, closer this time. The pack had barely regrouped after the beast’s fall into the cavern. Now, the rogue wolf was making his next move.Elijah grabbed her arm, urgency flashing in his eyes. “It’s not just him. That sound... it’s not natural.”Annabel glared at him. “Then we deal with it. What choice do we have?”The pack began to murmur, their panic palpable in the biting air. The youngest wolves huddled together, their gazes darting to Annabel for reassurance. She stepped forward, her voice sharp as steel. “Quiet. We move as one.”The murmur died, but before she could issue another order, the ice beneath her feet trembled. She stilled, her senses stretching out. Elijah noticed it too, his head tilting as he sniffed the air.“Something’s coming,” he muttered.The ground split suddenly, a jagged crack racing across the ice. From it emerged a sickeningly familiar scent—decay mixed with un
The whispers surged, closing in from all sides. Annabel’s chest heaved as she fought the pull of their hypnotic cadence. She pressed her hands against her ears, but the sound burrowed inside her head, relentless and invasive.“Who’s there?” she growled, her voice raw.The cavern shifted—shadows slithered across the walls like living things. Then, from the darkness, a figure emerged. It wasn’t the rogue wolf. This presence felt ancient, a heavy, coiled menace lurking beneath a deceptively human form.“Finally,” the figure said, its voice cold and cutting. “The lost queen.”Annabel scrambled to her feet, favoring her injured leg. The shadows clung to the figure, swirling as if they were alive. It stepped closer, and her wolf instincts screamed danger.“I don’t know who you think I am,” she said, baring her teeth, “but you picked the wrong fight.”The figure tilted its head, amused. “No, Annabel. You don’t know who you are. That’s the problem.”The words struck like a blow. Annabel lunge
Annabel stood at the edge of the battlefield, her breath a harsh rhythm in her ears. The wolves the rogue had corrupted crept closer. Their eyes glowed, their bodies twisted as if molded by an unseen hand. They were familiar. Faces she had fought beside, trusted. Now, they were her enemies.“Stand down!” she shouted, her voice raw. “You’re still my wolves!”A growl answered, low and feral. It came from Clara, her former second-in-command, who now led the corrupted pack.“You think we’re still yours?” Clara sneered, stepping forward. Her voice was layered, as though someone else spoke with her. “We’ve seen the truth. You’re no leader. You’re nothing but a pawn.”Annabel glanced over her shoulder. Elijah was still recovering, leaning heavily against a rock. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with defiance.“We can’t fight them all,” he said, his voice hoarse.“We don’t have a choice,” Annabel replied.The corrupted wolves lunged.Annabel met the first wave with everything she had.
Annabel pushed her way through the frozen expanse toward the rogue wolf’s lair. Every step felt heavier than the last. Behind her, Elijah followed at a distance, arguing with her in hushed tones.“You can’t face him alone!” Elijah said.“I’m not asking your permission,” Annabel shot back without slowing.“This is reckless,” he insisted, catching up.“Then stay behind,” she snapped, glancing over her shoulder. “But I’m not letting Clara die because you’re afraid of him.”Elijah grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. His eyes burned with something deeper than frustration—fear. “He’s not just a rogue. If he’s working with the Architect, he’s stronger than we know. Stronger than you.”Annabel pulled her arm free. “Then it’s a good thing I’m more than what you think I am.”Ahead, the ice gave way to jagged rock, and the entrance to the rogue’s lair yawned wide like a frozen wound in the earth. A low growl reverberated from within. Annabel didn’t hesitate.“Elijah, stay here,” she ordered.H
The crackling sound of shifting ice echoed under Annabel’s boots. She crouched low, her claws poised, her breath steady despite the crushing weight of what loomed before her. The figure that had called itself the Architect stood motionless, its shifting form seeming to pull the dim light around it into a vortex of shadow.“You wanted me here,” Annabel said. “So here I am. Let’s end this.”The Architect didn’t respond. Its head tilted slightly, like it was studying her. Then, without warning, its hand rose. The ground beneath Annabel’s feet buckled, the ice fracturing in jagged lines. A shockwave knocked her backward, her claws scrambling to find purchase.“Annabel!” Elijah’s voice rang out from behind.“Stay back!” she shouted, her focus locked on the Architect. “This is between me and it.”Elijah ignored her, rushing to her side. “You can’t do this alone. Not against that thing.”“I don’t have time to argue,” she snapped. “If you’re staying, stay out of my way.”The Architect raised
Annabel staggered to her feet, the frigid air biting her skin as the massive figure loomed above her. Its form, forged from jagged shadows and frost, pulsed with an unnatural glow. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but she planted her feet firmly on the shattered ice.“Elijah!” she shouted, scanning the crumbled battlefield. He was nowhere in sight.A guttural laugh rolled from the towering being, its icy breath fogging the space between them. “You should worry about yourself, wolf.” Its voice was layered, as if a thousand whispered threats spoke in unison.“Where is he?” Annabel demanded, claws extending. Her voice was steady, but her heart raced.The being lifted a massive hand, revealing Elijah sprawled across the ice, motionless. Blood trickled from his temple, staining the snow beneath him.Annabel’s chest tightened. “If he’s dead—”“You’ll what?” The figure stepped forward, each movement causing the ice to groan under its weight. “Kill me? You don’t even understand what yo
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