I opened my eyes and saw Xander beside me. “Aurora,” he breathed, relief flooding his features. “You're awake. How do you feel?”I tried to get up, but I winced because pain was running through my body. “Am fine,” I groaned. “What happened?”Xander gently pushed me back onto the pillows. “There was an explosion in the clearing. We found you unconscious. Do you remember anything?”The memories came rushing back – the battle, chasing the red-eyed wolf into the forest, and then… “Ryder Storm,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “The Rogue King.”Xander's expression darkened. “What did he say to you, Aurora?”I recounted my encounter with Ryder, trying to remember every detail. As I spoke, I could see the concern in Xander's eyes growing.“He said I've been lied to my entire life,” I finished, my voice shaking slightly. “That there's some truth about my heritage that's been hidden from me. And he… he mentioned my mother. Said he knew her better than anyone.”Xander was silent for a
Chapter 32: I ended up in a place I knew very well, but it all felt off. The house I grew up in had rooms that now looked really weird and stretched out. Dark shapes kept moving at the edges of what I could see. It felt like I was a tiny kid again, maybe about five or six, hiding behind the big couch in our living room.“You can't do this, Ryder!” My mom's voice, which was usually quiet and comforting, was now full of a kind of fear I'd never heard. “The prophecy isn't supposed to be pushed. You'll destroy everything!”“Don't be naive, Emily.” The responding voice sent chills down my spine. Deep and commanding, it held an undercurrent of barely contained rage. “The old ways have made us weak. It's time for a change, and your daughter is the main factor.”I looked cautiously from behind the sofa, my heart racing. My parents were standing opposite a tall man with very white hair and bright red eyes. Ryder Storm. Even in my dream, I recognized him and what he would turn into.“We won't
Everything around me turned chaotic as Ryder's rogues fought against us. The air was full of angry noises and the horrible sounds of people hurting each other. I stayed where I was, feeling a strong energy flowing through me, stronger than I've ever felt it.Taking a big breath, I used that energy, feeling it grow inside me until I couldn't hold it back anymore. I let out a strong burst of energy that pushed the rogues away from me. The sight of their bodies tumbling through the air gave our side a momentary boost of confidence.“Nice work,” Xander said, suddenly at my side. His presence calmed me, grounding me in the midst of the madness. We moved together, our actions perfectly in sync, as we fought off rogue after rogue. It felt like a deadly dance, and Xander and I were the star performers.But our moment of harmony was short-lived. Through the sea of battling wolves, I saw a pair of glowing red eyes fixed on me. Ryder Storm was coming, cutting a path straight toward us with singu
The temple continued to crumble around us as Ryder and I faced off. The air crackled with energy, a mixture of my newly balanced light and shadow powers and Ryder's dark force. I could sense the power surging within me, but it was chaotic and unruly. Managing it felt like attempting to steer a furious river using only my hands.“You believe you've gained something, right?” Ryder scoffed, his red eyes shining with a spiteful delight. “You have no clue how to harness that power. You're just a kid messing with things you can't grasp.”I clenched my jaw, attempting to concentrate. “I might not entirely understand it yet, but I know enough to halt you.”With that, I launched myself at him, channeling my energy into a blast of combined moonlight and shadow. Ryder met it with a wave of darkness, and the two powers crashed together in a dazzling blast that made the temple floor shake.For a second, I felt like I was winning. But then Ryder's laughter filled the room, making me feel really col
I stumbled through the thick woods, feeling my body hurt with each move. The things that happened in the temple kept coming back to me – fighting with Ryder, the strange wolf helping me, and the terrible time when Ryder caught my rescuer. I felt bad and wanted to continue, even though I was exhausted. Out of nowhere, I noticed a change in the atmosphere. The unseen wall that kept me away from my group was gone, and I was near our campsite. I felt happy, but also exhausted. My legs couldn't hold me up anymore, and I fell down. “Aurora!” Xander's voice broke through my pain and tiredness. He was by my side in no time, holding me in his arms. His familiar smell – like pine trees, dirt, and home – made me cry. “Call the healer!” Xander yelled, his voice shaking his chest. “Hurry!” As gentle hands tended to my wounds, I recounted everything that had happened in the temple. Xander listened intently, his expression growing darker with each word. “A mysterious wolf?” he asked, his brow fu
I needed to be stronger. I needed to be more in control. Ryder and his rogues are a threat, and the wolf's fate is uncertain. So, I went to a quiet part of our pack's land and started to practice and improve my recently discovered skills.Time passed as I sat meditating, my eyes shut in focus. I could feel the energy flowing through my body, ready to be used. I concentrated on that subtle balance, attempting to strengthen my bond with it, to grasp its complexities and details.The noise of crushed leaves and broken branches caught my attention, and I opened my eyes to see Xander coming closer. His gentle brown eyes filled with worry.“Aurora, sweetheart please, you need to rest,” he urged. “This rigorous training is affecting your health. You need to ease up.”I shook my head, my chin firm with resolve. “I can't, Xander. I have to be ready. That wolf is counting on me, and I can't let them down. I have to stop Ryder once and for all.”Xander's expression shifted, a mix of frustration
I felt a sudden burst of energy, a mix of bright light and dark shadows reacting to my command. Ryder's rogues surrounded me, their eyes showing a strong desire for a fight, but I was prepared. The careful control of my recently acquired skills was buzzing under my skin, ready to be used.When they charged, I moved quickly and smoothly, dodging their attacks. My long practice and improved senses helped me predict their moves before they happened. I turned, barely escaping a pair of very sharp claws, my heart beating loudly in my head.“Is that all you've got?” I taunted, my voice steadier than I felt.Sensing an opportunity, I gathered my strength and unleashed a pulse of pure light energy. The burst exploded outward, momentarily blinding and disorienting the rogues. Their howls of confusion and pain filled the air, giving me a fleeting sense of satisfaction.In the confusion, I saw a chance to escape. I didn't think twice and ran as fast as I could, hoping to get away. But then, some
I woke up with a start, my head pounding and my body bruised. When my eyes had become used to the dim light, I found that I was inside a cave, the smell of air was wet earth mixed with something threatening. I tried to get up, but my wrists and ankles were tied with chains that felt like they had strange energy. These chains weren't normal; they were making me feel powerless and exposed.The noise of approaching footsteps in the cave caught my attention. Ryder entered, flanked by his followers. My heart raced as I saw the items they carried: ancient artifacts and ingredients that reeked of dark magic. Whatever Ryder had planned, it couldn't be good.“Ah, Aurora,” Ryder's voice dripped with false warmth. “So glad you're awake.”I tried to break free from the chains, but the chains just clinked without helping. “What are you planning, Ryder?” I spat, trying to mask my fear with defiance.Ryder's mouth twisted into a mean grin as he started to draw a complicated pattern around me. The sh