The forest was quiet after Elijah disappeared into the shadows, but the tension still lingered, thick and suffocating. I stood there, my heart pounding, my mind racing with everything that had just happened. Damian’s low growls faded as he staggered to his feet, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. My thoughts were consumed by the power that pulsed inside me, growing stronger with each passing second.I could still feel the weight of Elijah’s words: You can’t run from who you are forever.But who was I becoming?The darkness inside me stirred, a fire that burned hotter with every breath. I had felt its pull when I watched Elijah and Damian fight, felt the thrill of their violence, the intoxicating allure of their power. And I hated that I wanted more of it.I took a shaky breath, my fists clenched at my sides. This wasn’t who I was supposed to be. I wasn’t supposed to crave control, to relish the power that was growing inside me. But the more I tried to push it away, the more it con
The wolf’s eyes burned with suspicion, and I could feel the tension thickening between us. His stance was rigid, his expression hard—like he had already made up his mind about what I had become.I didn’t blame him. After everything that had happened, after everything Elijah had awakened in me, I wasn’t the same person. I could feel it in the way I moved, the way I spoke. The darkness inside me was becoming harder to contain, and no matter how much I tried to control it, it kept slipping through the cracks.“You’ve changed,” he said again, his voice laced with accusation.I clenched my fists at my sides, my pulse quickening. “I’m still me.”But even as the words left my mouth, I knew they weren’t true. I wasn’t the same Annabel they had known. I wasn’t the same girl who had feared the wolves, who had been controlled by their rules and their hierarchy. I was something else now—something they didn’t understand. Something I wasn’t sure I understood myself.The wolf took another step towa
The clearing felt too small, too charged with tension as Damian and Elijah faced off once again. I could feel the power crackling between them, dangerous and volatile, but this time I wasn’t just an observer. This time, I was part of it. The darkness Elijah had awakened inside me stirred, restless, as if it sensed what was coming.But I wasn’t going to let myself be swept into their game.“Annabel,” Damian growled, his voice thick with frustration. “Get away from him. You don’t understand what he’s planning.”I stood my ground, my pulse racing, but I didn’t move. I was done letting them pull me between their rivalry, done letting them decide what I should do.“Elijah’s using you,” Damian continued, his eyes burning with desperation. “He’s manipulating you, just like he’s always done. He’s only after power.”Elijah remained silent beside me, his expression unreadable. He didn’t need to defend himself—his presence alone spoke volumes.I could feel his power, the way it pulsed just bene
The forest stretched out before me, dark and endless, as I walked deeper into the trees, away from Elijah, away from Damian, and away from everything that had been pulling me apart for so long. The further I moved, the quieter the world seemed to become, but inside me, the storm raged.I wasn’t running. Not this time. I was leaving with purpose. Elijah’s words still echoed in my mind—You won’t survive without us—but I refused to let them have power over me. I had spent too long letting them decide my fate, and now, for the first time, I was choosing my own path.But even as I pushed forward, the darkness that Elijah had awakened in me pulsed like a second heartbeat, growing stronger with every step. I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I could feel it changing me, pulling me toward something I didn’t fully understand. And the worst part? A part of me wanted it.You’re not free yet.The whisper crawled through my mind, a dark reminder that I was still tethered to something beyond my contro
The elder’s words echoed in my mind long after he disappeared back into the shadows, leaving me alone in the archives. “The pack won’t stand for what you’ve become…” “No, but you will be..”His warning wasn’t just about the pack’s suspicions—it was a threat. They saw me as a danger, and they were ready to act.I paced the stone floor, my mind racing. I had uncovered the truth in those ancient texts—about Elijah’s plan, about the dark power he had awakened in me—but now, I had even more to fear.Not only was I caught in Elijah’s and Damian’s struggle for control, but the pack was turning against me. They wouldn’t wait long before making their move. The fractures within the pack were deepening, and I was at the center of it all.I have to act now.There was no time to waste. Elijah wanted to use me, but I wasn’t going to let him. Damian was losing his grip on the pack, and the leadership was collapsing. I couldn’t rely on either of them to protect me, and I couldn’t afford to be caught
the clearing fell into a charged silence after my words, the weight of the moment pressing down on all of us.I could feel the eyes of the pack shifting between me, Damian, and Elijah—unsure of where their loyalties should lie, their trust cracking like fragile glass. But beneath the fear, there was something else.Doubt.Elijah took a step forward, his eyes locked on mine. That familiar darkness radiated from him, a power he no longer bothered to conceal.He had grown bolder, more dangerous, and the more he embraced it, the clearer it became that he wasn’t interested in playing games anymore. He was ready to take control.“You’re still pretending you have a choice,” Elijah said, his voice calm but edged with the promise of violence. “But you don’t, Annabel. You never did.”His words sent a shiver through me, but I held my ground. The darkness that pulsed inside me—the same power Elijah had awakened—was there, lurking beneath the surface. It was strong, but I had no intention of letti
The air in the clearing felt electric, charged with the tension that had been brewing for far too long. Elijah’s cold eyes locked onto mine, and for the first time, I could see him for what he truly was.Not just a leader or a hybrid. He was a predator—a cunning, ruthless manipulator who had been playing everyone, including me, since the moment he returned.And now, the truth was out.The pack stood on the brink of collapse, their loyalties splintered. Damian’s hold on them was fragile, Elijah’s promises of power too tempting to ignore, and yet, I could feel their fear. They feared Elijah—feared what he would turn them into if they followed him.But more than that, I knew Elijah wasn’t just after the pack. He wanted me. My power.“You’ve spent too long hiding behind them,” Elijah said, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. “Behind Damian’s weakness. Behind your own fear of what you are.”My chest tightened as his words dug into me, but I didn’t flinch. The darkness that he had
The pack was uneasy in the days following Elijah’s retreat. I could feel it in the way they moved through the territory—tense, uncertain. They had witnessed the power struggle between Elijah, Damian, and me, and while Elijah was gone for now, the threat he represented still lingered like a storm on the horizon. I knew they were watching me more closely now, whispering among themselves about what had happened, about the power I had displayed. Some of them were fearful, unsure of what to make of me, while others seemed… intrigued. They had seen me stand up to Elijah, and while Damian was still technically their alpha, I could sense the shifting tides beneath the surface. The fractures in the pack were growing, and if I was going to survive—if I was going to escape being a pawn in both Elijah’s and Damian’s games—I needed allies. But I wasn’t the only one who could feel the pack slipping through Damian’s fingers. Damian had always been a proud leader, a strong one, but since Elijah’s
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