The scream ripped through the quiet dawn, piercing, desperate. I jerked awake, heart racing as the sound echoed through the camp. Zane was already at my side, his face as tense as mine.“Stay here,” he whispered, but I was already up, pulling on my jacket, ignoring his order. The pack had faced too many shadows for me to sit idly by now.We burst into the clearing to find the pack gathered, eyes wide, expressions twisted in fear. In the center, a young wolf, Liam, clutched his bleeding arm, his face pale as he pointed toward the trees.“They came out of nowhere,” he stammered, eyes darting between me and Zane. “Elijah’s loyalists. They attacked and then disappeared. They wanted to send a message.”“What message?” My voice was sharper than intended, but I couldn’t help it. The threat, the lingering fear—it was spreading, unraveling the fragile trust we’d worked so hard to build.“They said…” He swallowed, glancing away. “They said we’re traitors. That if we continue following you, Anna
“Annabel, it’s him. Elijah.”The words hit me like a punch, leaving the air between us taut and charged. Zane’s expression was tense, his eyes fixed on the shadows at the edge of camp, where Elijah had reappeared, flanked by a handful of his remaining loyalists. He stood there, unmoving, his face unreadable yet seething with a fierce, silent intent. The crowd of wolves gathered, drawn by the tension, exchanging wary glances as they waited for my move.I took a step forward, meeting Elijah’s gaze head-on, letting him know that whatever he’d come for, I wouldn’t be backing down. “Elijah,” I called, my voice steady, carrying over the hush that had fallen over the camp. “You’ve already lost this fight. What more could you possibly want?”A dark smile twisted his lips, and he took a step closer, his loyalists shifting restlessly behind him, their eyes darting between us. “Oh, Annabel,” he murmured, his voice laced with venom. “This isn’t about winning anymore. This is about making sure tha
The camp was in chaos.I pushed my way through the crowd, my heart hammering as I tried to make sense of the shouting. Wolves jostled against each other, arguing, their voices rising into a cacophony of panic. Zane appeared at my side, his face pale and tight.“What’s going on?” I demanded, grabbing his arm.“They’re splitting,” he said, the words barely audible over the noise. “The loyalists Elijah left behind—they’re still here. They’re trying to sway the pack, claiming you’re no different than he was. And some of the wolves…” His jaw clenched. “Some are listening.”I looked around, catching sight of Aiden arguing with another wolf near the center of the commotion. The air was charged with tension, and I could see the lines being drawn, wolves stepping into small clusters, their expressions mistrustful.“What are they saying?” I asked, dread curling in my stomach.“That your alliance with Gideon proves you’ll do whatever it takes to stay in power,” Zane replied, his voice hard. “The
“You need to see this.”Aiden’s voice was sharp, urgent, and when I turned, the look on his face made my stomach tighten. He stood at the edge of the makeshift camp we’d set up after the fire, his gaze fixed on something in the distance.“What now?” I muttered under my breath, but the unease coiling inside me refused to be ignored. Zane stepped up beside me, his jaw clenched as he followed Aiden’s line of sight.I pushed past them, stepping through the gathered wolves to see what had them so rattled. And then I froze.In the distance, just beyond the treeline, figures emerged—slowly at first, their movements deliberate, unhurried. My heart skipped as I recognized the uniforms. Hunters. Human hunters.“They shouldn’t be here,” Zane said, his voice low and grim. “This territory hasn’t been contested by humans in years.”“Clearly, that’s changed,” Aiden said bitterly. “What do we do, Annabel? If they get too close—”“They won’t,” I said firmly, cutting him off. But even as I spoke, doubt
“Don’t take another step.”My voice cut through the chaos, and the hunters froze, their rifles raised, their eyes sharp with predatory focus. The pack circled behind me, growls rumbling low, bodies tense and ready to strike. Gideon stood in the center, his smirk unwavering, as if he were a spectator at a game he had already won.“Bold of you to give orders when you’re so outnumbered,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking.I ignored him, keeping my focus on the hunters. “You don’t belong here. Leave now, and you won’t regret it.”The leader of the hunters—a stocky man with a scar that ran from his temple to his jaw—chuckled. “You really think you’re in a position to negotiate?” He gestured to his men. “You’re surrounded, sweetheart. One word from me, and this whole place turns red.”“You think you’re in control?” I asked, my voice cutting. “Look again.”As I spoke, the pack shifted, wolves stepping out of the shadows one by one, their presence a silent, menacing reminder of what we we
The creature moved first.Its distorted body lunged toward us with a speed that shouldn’t have been possible, teeth bared in a snarl that echoed like nails dragged across metal. I barely had time to shove Zane out of the way before the thing crashed into the spot where we’d been standing, claws digging furrows into the dirt.“Spread out!” I shouted, throwing myself backward as it swung its massive arm toward me.The pack reacted instantly, scattering to surround the creature. Aiden darted in from the side, but the thing turned unnervingly fast, its glowing eyes locking onto him with unnatural precision. It swiped at him, missing by inches as Aiden rolled out of reach.“What is this thing?” Zane snarled, shifting beside me, his fists clenched.“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice tight, “but it’s not just human anymore.”The creature snarled again, a sound so guttural it vibrated through the ground. I could see the faint silver veins spreading across its skin like roots, pulsing with a
The tension snapped like a breaking wire.“We’ve got a problem!” Aiden’s voice cut through the chaos, and when I turned, he was holding an unconscious wolf in his arms. Blood soaked the side of her neck, stark against her pale fur. The sight sent a fresh wave of fury crashing through me.“Who’s still standing?” I barked, scanning the wolves around me. Most were battered, their eyes wide with fear, but their heads were still high. They were ready for whatever came next—or at least they wanted to look like they were.“I am,” Zane said, stepping up beside me. “What’s the plan?”I didn’t have one, not yet. The creature’s explosion had left us scattered and shaken, and Gideon’s taunting laughter still lingered like smoke in the air. We had to regroup, but every second we waited felt like giving him more ground.“Zane, get her to the med tent,” I said, gesturing toward the injured wolf. “Aiden, take whoever’s still able and form a perimeter. If Gideon sends more of those things—”“They won’
The first scream cut through the air like a blade.I turned, heart pounding, to see Aiden dragging himself out of the trees, his face pale and blood streaking down his side. His breaths came in short, desperate gasps as he collapsed to his knees.“They’re here,” he choked out.The camp erupted into motion. Wolves darted toward him, their movements sharp with panic, but I was already moving, pushing past them to reach him.“Aiden!” I dropped to his side, gripping his arm. “What happened? Who’s here?”“They ambushed us,” he rasped, his voice barely audible over the growing commotion. “It’s not just hunters. It’s—” He coughed, blood flecking his lips. “It’s Elijah’s enforcers. They’ve joined with Gideon.”The words hit me like a physical blow. Elijah and Gideon—two forces I had never imagined working together—had allied. And now, they were here.“Where’s the perimeter team?” I demanded, my voice sharp.Aiden’s eyes flickered with pain and regret. “Gone. They didn’t stand a chance.”I sto
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