“Don’t move!” Annabel’s shout stopped Damian mid-stride. Her blade was out, her stance rigid, and her eyes locked on the fissure splitting the ground ahead of them.The earth shuddered again, a deep rumble reverberating beneath their feet. From the crack, a glow pulsed—red, alive, and entirely unnatural. Annabel tightened her grip on her weapon, her gaze darting between the fissure and Elijah’s lifeless body crumpled on the ground nearby.“It’s spreading,” Damian said, his voice low, his breath ragged.“No kidding,” Annabel shot back, her frustration barely contained.From the widening chasm, shadowy shapes began to emerge, crawling, slithering. They weren’t echoes this time. These things were solid—too real.Damian moved to stand beside Annabel, blood still dripping from the wound on his side. “We need to grab him and run,” he said, gesturing toward Elijah.Annabel didn’t move. Her focus stayed on the creatures forming from the fissure. “If we turn our backs, we’re dead,” she said bl
Damian’s fist connected with the rogue wolf’s jaw, the impact echoing through the fractured terrain. The rogue staggered but didn’t fall, his smirk widening as blood trickled from his split lip.“Is that all you’ve got?” he mocked, stepping forward, the ground beneath his boots seeming to ripple unnaturally.Annabel stepped between them, shoving Damian back. “Enough!” she barked. Her eyes didn’t leave the rogue’s face. “What’s your play here?”The rogue tilted his head, feigning innocence. “Play? I’m cleaning up your mess, Annabel. You were too weak to finish this, so I stepped in.”Behind him, the remnants of the rogue’s forces regrouped, their movements sluggish but deliberate. Damian drew his weapon, his muscles taut, but Annabel raised her hand to stop him.“Tell me something,” she said to the rogue. “If I was too weak, why did you need me in the first place?”The rogue’s grin faltered for the briefest moment. Then he laughed, the sound sharp and grating. “Because you’re the key,
The clash was instant and brutal. Annabel’s doppelgänger moved first, closing the distance between them in a blur of motion. Her strike was precise, aimed directly for Annabel’s throat.Annabel twisted away, barely avoiding the attack. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice sharp, unwavering.The doppelgänger’s smile mirrored Annabel’s, but it carried a malice that felt foreign. “I’m what you could have been,” it said, its voice echoing with unnatural resonance. “And what you’ll need to become.”Annabel tightened her grip on her blade, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t need riddles. If you’ve come to fight, get on with it.”The doppelgänger’s smirk widened. “You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just a fight. It’s the end of you—or everything you claim to protect.”Damian stepped forward, his weapon drawn, his eyes darting between Annabel and her twisted double. “She looks like you, but she isn’t you,” he said, his voice low.Annabel didn’t respond. Her focus was locked on the doppelgänger,
The creature moved, a deliberate step forward, and the ground groaned under its massive weight. Its glowing eyes never left Annabel, locking her in place with the power of its gaze.“I thought I’d destroyed everything like you,” Annabel said, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her chest.It tilted its head, studying her with an expression eerily reminiscent of Elijah’s calculating glare. “You destroyed nothing,” it rumbled. “I was never of your world. I come from something far greater, and you, daughter, will take your place at my side.”“Not a chance,” she snapped, raising her blade.It laughed—a deep, resonating sound that vibrated through her bones. “Do you truly think you can end me with steel?”Damian shifted to stand beside her, his posture defensive. “Annabel, we’re not walking away from this without a plan.”She didn’t take her eyes off the creature. “The plan is simple,” she said. “Keep him talking until we find a way to stop him.”The creature’s eyes flicked to Da
Annabel barely managed to dive aside as the creature lunged, its claws raking the ground where she’d been moments before. She scrambled to her feet, her blade drawn, her mind racing. The glow surrounding the monster had intensified, its form now rippling with an energy that warped the air around it.Damian shouted from her left, cutting down one of the rogue wolves that had attempted to flank her. “This isn’t going to hold much longer!” he called, pointing toward Elijah, who was on his knees, his face pale and strained.The containment spell had failed, and now the creature was free, its power growing by the second. Annabel’s chest tightened as she realized how close they were to losing everything.“Damian, cover Elijah!” she ordered. “Keep the wolves off him. I’ll deal with this thing.”“Are you insane?” Damian shot back, dodging a claw swipe from another wolf.“I don’t have time for sane,” she snapped, darting toward the creature.It turned its glowing eyes on her, an unsettling smi
Annabel staggered backward, her breath hitching as the shadowed figure stepped forward. It was larger than the creature they had just defeated, its presence oppressive and suffocating.“You don’t even know what you’ve unleashed,” the figure said, its voice smooth and calculating, devoid of the raw rage she had come to expect from their enemies.Damian tightened his grip on his weapon and moved closer to Annabel. “What is that?” he whispered.“No idea,” she replied, her voice barely audible, “but it knows us.”The figure tilted its head, studying them like prey. “So much potential squandered. Annabel, you’ve become more than I anticipated, yet you still lack the foresight to see the real war.”Annabel’s jaw clenched. “And you are?”It chuckled, a sound that carried no humor. “Names are trivial. But you, Annabel—your name carries weight. Soon, it will be etched into the bones of history, whether as a savior or a failure depends on what happens next.”“Enough riddles,” Damian growled. “I
Annabel’s breath hitched when the first scream tore through the void. It was Elijah’s voice, sharp and panicked, but then it cut off too suddenly.She spun toward the path it had come from, one of the darkened corridors stretching endlessly in every direction. Her instincts screamed at her to move, but her feet felt rooted to the glowing circle beneath her.Another sound broke through—a low growl, not animalistic, but twisted, as though the figure had conjured something from deep within its malice.“Still hesitating?” the figure said, its voice echoing as if coming from all directions.Annabel clenched her fists. “Bring them back,” she snapped, her voice shaking despite her effort to sound controlled.“Not until you’ve proven you deserve them,” it replied. “One path leads to salvation. The others? Well...” The figure trailed off, leaving the unspoken implication hanging.Annabel didn’t wait for further taunts. She picked the path to her left, sprinting forward as the circle faded behi
“Annabel, you chose him?” Damian’s voice cracked as the chains tightened around him. His eyes burned with betrayal, but his body sagged as the power binding him drained his strength.She stopped mid-step, Elijah leaning on her shoulder. Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned to face Damian fully. “I—there wasn’t time. I had to—”The tormentor appeared behind Damian, its shadowy form solidifying into a grotesque figure. “How touching. You think explanations matter now? You chose who to save, and that choice has consequences.”“Shut up!” Annabel roared, her voice echoing off the endless walls of the chamber. She clenched her fists, but the dagger in her hand felt useless against the entity’s smirk.Elijah stirred weakly beside her, his voice barely audible. “Leave me here. Go back for him.”“Don’t be stupid,” she hissed. “You can barely stand.”Damian let out a pained laugh, cutting through the rising tension. “You always were better at saving him, weren’t you, Annabel?”“Damian—”
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