The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed as Annabel slammed her fist into the rogue’s face. He staggered back, but his grin only widened.“Is this it, Annabel?” he mocked, wiping the blood from his mouth. “All that power, and this is what you bring?”She didn’t answer. Her claws were already slicing through the air as she leapt at him again, aiming for his throat. He sidestepped her, his laughter ringing out as she landed in a crouch.Behind her, the battle raged. Wolves clashed with the grotesque creatures the rogue had summoned. Brant’s snarls rose above the chaos as he led a small group of fighters, holding the line against an onslaught.“Elijah!” Annabel barked without turning. “We need to cut this off at the source!”Elijah, locked in combat with two of the creatures, didn’t respond immediately. He dodged a swipe, his hybrid strength cracking the creature’s arm as he countered. “I’m open to ideas!”Annabel’s chest heaved as she stood, glaring at the rogue. His aura rippled with t
The rogue’s laughter hadn’t faded. It echoed in Annabel’s ears, mocking her as the monstrous shadow lumbered closer.“Elijah!” she shouted, her voice sharp, cutting across the battlefield.He was already moving, his hybrid speed carrying him to her side in an instant. “What now?” he asked, his chest rising and falling heavily. His gaze locked on the creature, and for a moment, even Elijah seemed uncertain.The thing growled, its glowing eyes sweeping across them both.“This wasn’t part of the plan,” Elijah muttered, his claws extending as he prepared for the fight.“There is no plan anymore,” Annabel snapped. “We take it down or die trying.”The creature lunged without warning. Its massive form blurred as it closed the distance, forcing them to scatter in opposite directions. Annabel rolled to her feet, her claws scraping against the earth as she came up swinging.The rogue, still crumpled on the ground, laughed again. “She’s coming for you, Annabel. And when she’s done, you’ll wish y
Annabel didn’t have time to scream as the shadows coiled around her ankles, yanking her backward. She slashed at them, but her claws met only air.“Annabel!” Elijah’s roar cut through the chaos. He surged toward her, his hybrid strength breaking through the rogue wolf’s lingering influence.The shadows tightened. She snarled, forcing her power outward in a burst. The tendrils hissed and recoiled for a moment, but the ground beneath her cracked, and more of them rose.“Elijah, get back!” she ordered, her voice sharp with command.He didn’t listen. He lunged, grabbing her arm just as the shadows pulled harder. They jerked her off balance, and for a moment, both of them teetered on the edge of falling into the abyss that had opened beneath them.“This thing wants you,” he growled, his grip like iron. “Not happening.”Annabel glared up at him, her teeth bared. “Then let me go! You can’t—”A guttural laugh echoed from the abyss. The rogue wolf’s voice slithered up from the darkness. “She’s
Elijah’s breathing was faint, and Annabel crouched beside him, trying to block out the chaos around them. Blood pooled beneath him, his skin pale and clammy.“Stay with me,” she commanded, gripping his shoulder.His eyes fluttered open, the light in them dim. “You’re wasting time.”She ignored him and glanced over her shoulder. The rogue’s influence was still thick in the air, twisting shadows and whispering dread. The creature he had summoned was gone, but its lingering power was choking everything.“You’re not dying here,” she said, her voice sharp.Elijah coughed, blood streaking his lips. “If I do, make it count.”Her growl vibrated low in her throat. “Shut up. You’re not dying.”Behind her, movement caught her eye. Wolves. Some from her pack, some still under the rogue’s sway. The clash of teeth and claws echoed, and she couldn’t tell who was winning.“Annabel!” Damian’s voice rang out from the battlefield. He barreled toward her, his fur matted with blood. “They’re regrouping! W
“Get back!” Annabel barked, yanking Damian by the arm as the shadows surged toward them.The glowing eyes moved closer, not one pair but dozens. Wolves stepped from the darkness, their frames larger than they should have been. Their fur shimmered unnaturally, their eyes a sickly yellow.“They’re not from the pack,” Damian growled, shifting to cover her flank.Annabel didn’t reply. Her claws extended as she moved in front of him. The wolves formed a semi-circle, blocking their retreat.A growl echoed from the center of the pack. Then, a wolf stepped forward—massive, with a coat as dark as night. Its gaze locked on Annabel.“You brought this on yourself,” it said. The voice was human but distorted, like two voices speaking at once.“Who are you?” she demanded.The wolf shifted, its form melting into a man with wild, glowing eyes and a grin that made her stomach twist.“You think killing the rogue ended this?” he asked, spreading his arms. “He was just a piece. Now the real game begins.”
“Move!” Annabel shoved Damian to the side as a pair of wolves lunged from the shadows.Damian hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet just in time to meet the snarling jaws of one attacker. His claws slashed across its muzzle, sending it howling backward.Annabel didn’t stop to check on him. Another wolf was already coming for her, its glowing yellow eyes devoid of recognition. It struck with savage speed, and Annabel countered, her claws finding its chest.“Stop holding back!” Damian’s voice cut through the chaos.“I’m not,” she snapped, throwing the wolf into a tree. It hit with a sickening crunch but got back up, unfazed.Behind them, the remaining pack members were fighting desperately against the corrupted wolves. The clearing was a battlefield, every growl and scream tearing at Annabel’s resolve.From the edge of the chaos, Elijah emerged. He moved with unnatural grace, cutting down enemies with a precision that sent chills through her. His face was a mask of cold determination
Annabel barely ducked in time, Leah’s clawed hand swiping inches from her face. The attack was too close. Annabel rolled to the side, grabbing Damian’s arm to pull him out of the way of another surge of corrupted wolves.“Elijah!” she shouted, her voice raw.He was on his knees, recovering from Leah’s earlier blast. Blood streamed from his temple, but his eyes burned with an intensity that hadn’t wavered. “Hold her,” he barked. “I need five seconds!”Annabel didn’t hesitate. She turned to Damian. “Go for her left! Keep her distracted!”Without a word, Damian lunged, his claws aiming for Leah’s unprotected side. Annabel followed, flanking her. Leah spun, catching Damian mid-strike and tossing him aside like he weighed nothing.“You think this is a game?” Leah’s voice cut through the air, sharp and laced with venom.Annabel saw her opening and charged. Her claws raked across Leah’s back, drawing blood. Leah roared and turned, throwing a punch that Annabel barely blocked. The impact jarr
Annabel blocked the blow with her forearm, the force sending her stumbling back. Leah’s successor—this new, towering figure—didn’t let up. It swung again, faster this time, and Annabel dropped to one knee to dodge.“You don’t look so invincible now,” the creature growled. Its voice dripped with mockery.Damian leapt at it from behind, claws outstretched. He raked its side, drawing dark, thick blood. The creature hissed in pain but barely flinched. It swung its arm, catching Damian mid-air and slamming him into the ground.Annabel scrambled forward. “Damian!”He groaned, rolling onto his side. “I’m fine. Focus!”She didn’t have time to argue. The creature turned its gaze back to her, its glowing red eyes narrowing. “You’ve been a thorn in my side long enough, Annabel.”“How do you know my name?” she demanded, circling it, trying to buy time.“I know everything about you,” it said, its lips curling into a twisted smile. “And soon, you’ll know what it means to lose everything.”It lunged
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