Lisa's vision flickered as the darkness surrounded her, pulling her into the deepest part of her fears. The last thing she had seen was the shade of Dominick’s face, but now there was something else someone else.A person emerged from the swirling fog. His shape was tall and intimidating, the darkness flowing around him like a cloak. Lisa’s breath hitched, her pulse increasing as the figure stepped closer, the air getting colder with every step.“No...” she gasped, her throat tightening as recognition slammed into her chest. “It can’t be…”The figure’s face became clearer, and her heart stopped.It was Alexander. Alive. And far more powerful than the man she had once known. His eyes gleamed with a strange light, and the air hummed with the dark energy coming from him, feeding off the very object she had fought so hard to control.“I thought you were dead,” Lisa’s voice shook, though her rage flared at the sight of him. “How? Why are you here?”Alexander’s lips curled into a wicked smi
The air rippled with a strange chill, and the ground beneath their feet shook fiercely. Lisa barely had time to respond as the opening crackled open wider, and something huge started to emerge. Dark, writhing shadows poured out like an endless tide, bringing with them a sickening presence a crushing force that threatened to swallow them whole.“Lisa!” Dominick’s words cut through the growing chaos, his hand reaching for hers. But she could barely focus, her heart racing as she stared at the nightmare taking shape before her.The spirit no, the beast took form with a screaming roar. Its body was a twisting mixture of dark and flame, its huge arms reaching out as though trying to crush everything in its path. Eyes of pure hatred locked onto Lisa, and she could feel the weight of its look cut through her soul.“Get back!” Dominick shouted, pulling her toward him as the ground cracked and groaned under the beast’s huge form.Lisa’s knees buckled from the force of the spirit’s presence. Sh
The ground shook beneath Lisa’s feet, and the air grew heavy with the weight of her choice. The spirit the beast from beyond the portal continued to destroy everything in its path, its black energy spreading like a disease across the land. The pack was battling, fighting with everything they had, but it wasn’t enough. The spirit’s strength was relentless, a force of nature, and only one thing could stop it now.Lisa’s heart raced as she faced the treasure in her shaking hands, its power flowing through her, pulling her into the darkness. She felt the presence of the spirit getting stronger with each passing second, and her mind was already made up. She had no time for second thoughts.“You can’t do this!” Dominick’s voice cracked, his hands squeezing her shoulders, despair written all over his face.“I have to,” Lisa said quietly, her voice calm despite the storm roaring around them. “If I don’t, everything we’ve fought for, everything we’ve loved, will be lost.”Dominick shook his he
“Do you feel it?” Dominick’s words broke the morning quiet as Lisa sat on the balcony, looking over the pack’s area.Lisa didn’t answer instantly. She tightened her grip on the blanket thrown over her shoulders, the cold breeze cutting deeper than it used to. Without her dog, everything felt... muted. Colors seemed duller, the wind colder, her senses dulled to a whisper of what they had been.“I feel...” She paused, the words sticking in her throat. “Empty. Like I’ve lost part of myself.”Dominick crouched beside her, his hand covering hers. “You didn’t lose anything. You saved us all.”“But at what cost?” Her voice cracked, and she looked at him with tired eyes. “I’m not the same, Dominick. I can’t feel the pack like I used to. I can’t feel you the way I used to.”Dominick’s jaw tightened. He hated seeing her like this—drained, detached, almost hollow. “You’re still you, Lisa. With or without the wolf, you’re still the best person I know.”Lisa shook her head, bitterness edging her w
"Speak up." Dominick positioned himself slightly in front of Lisa, his tone abrasive, his posture defensive. The sharp eyes of the creature passed over both of them. "You really don't recognize me?" Lisa looked at the stranger's face, her heart pounding. She couldn't place it, but something about their faces seemed familiar. "Who are you?" The person said, "I am Eryon," and completely lowered their hood. His eyes were slightly illuminated by an unearthly light, and silver hair cascaded over his shoulders. The Moon Goddess herself selected me as the first protector of the sacred packs in order to preserve harmony between the worlds of wolves and humans. Dominick tensed. "Guardian? Why now? After all this time, why come out? Eryon looked across at Lisa. "Because her sacrifice started a chain of events that cannot be reversed." The world's equilibrium will be altered by the power she now possesses, and not everyone will be happy with this development. With a shaky voice, Lisa moved
“Stand by me, Lisa!” The first wave of assailants surged through the tree line, and Dominick's voice roared across the thick woodland."No!" Lisa was sharply defiant. "I'm no longer hiding."Hooded beings appeared, their eyes blazing with strange light, and the ground shook. Each held the hallmark weapon of the ancient order, a staff pulsing with black energy.Marcus bared his claws in a roar. They are more powerful than outlaws. I sense it.At his side, Chelsea growled, "It doesn't matter. We've come out on top.The leading figure advanced, speaking in a stern and icy tone. "Surrender now, Lisa Blackwood, and your pack will be spared."Dominick laughed without a sense of humor. "Please spare us? You're not even aware of the challenges you face.The figure's head tipped. You don't realize how much we know. She doesn't have the right to use the relic's magic because it belongs to us.Lisa took a step forward, silver energy crackling softly in her hands. "You desire it? Come get it.Aft
"Vincent," Lisa said in a shaky whisper. Her legs grew weaker as the memories came flooding back, and the air around her felt heavier.With his shiny boots crunching on the forest floor, Vincent took a step forward. He had the same sneer that had made her feel invincible but now simply sent a chill down her spine, a sharp jawline, and steely eyes, just as she recalled.He opened his arms and added, "You look surprised, Lisa," with ease. "Did you truly believe I had left? That after all, I would simply disappear?With a growl, Dominick moved to stand guard in front of Lisa. Who in the world is this?Despite the dryness in her throat, Lisa forced herself to speak. "I thought I could trust him," he said. He used to be my mentor."Guide?" Dominick flexed his claws and spat. "The person who deceived you?"Vincent gave a gloomy laugh. "Traited? Lisa, that's a strong word. I would refer to it as "setting you free."Silver energy flickered softly around Lisa's fists as they squeezed. "You man
"Hold your positions, everyone!" Shadow monsters clawed their way toward the group as Dominick's voice roared across the battlefield.Lisa was standing next to him, the now-familiar silver light shining on her hands. Behind Vincent, the portal whirled menacingly, its sinister energy stoking the mayhem all around them."Lisa, that portal needs to be closed immediately!" With his claws cutting through a shadow beast, Marcus yelled. "This cannot continue indefinitely!""I understand!" Lisa responded with a shout, her gaze fixed on Vincent, who stood composed and unfazed by the commotion.Vincent grinned. Lisa, you're squandering your time. You cannot halt what has already begun.With a hazardous spark of energy in her palms, she took a step forward. "Observe me."The explosion of energy Lisa launched his way was easily repelled by Vincent, whose black power surged like a shield."Is that all you have?" He made fun of it.With his claws aimed on Vincent's throat, Dominick sprang at him. "
Lisa felt it again the ever-present pull of darkness, thrumming under her skin like a beating of its own. The mirror had shown her a truth she hadn’t been ready to face, and now it felt as if the very shadows of the Moon Goddess were wrapping themselves around her, smothering her. Every breath was harder than the last, and the fight to keep herself in control was becoming unbearable.She stood by the edge of their camp, looking into the forest’s darkness, trying to calm the chaos whirling inside her. Dominick had insisted on staying close, despite her protests. He hovered behind her now, but she didn’t turn to face him. She couldn’t."I can feel it," she whispered, though she wasn’t sure whether she was speaking to him, or to the darkness that clawed at her thoughts. "It’s like it’s alive in me, Dominick. It’s getting stronger with every passing moment. I don’t know how much longer I can fight it."Dominick stepped forward, his movements light but filled with haste. He reached for her
Lisa stood at the edge of the old ruins, her heart pounding as the weight of their task pushed down on her. Dominick was by her side, his presence a steadying force, but even he couldn’t deny the unease that had settled over their pack.They had come here to find answers, but the ruins were steeped in silence, their old stones worn by centuries of neglect. The air was thick with an eerie energy, and Lisa could feel it in the pit of her stomach something dark, something old, was waiting."Are you sure this is the right place?" Lisa asked, her voice low, almost respectful.Dominick glanced at her, his eyes filled with purpose. "It’s the only place left, Lisa. The old books... they all point here. The answers are hidden in these ruins. We just have to find them."She nodded, but doubts remained in her mind. The pack’s trust in her was weakening. They didn’t say it, but Lisa could feel the strain. She had once been their center, their guide, their link to the Moon Goddess. Now, without th
The first thing Lisa felt was warmth. It wasn’t the kind of warmth that could be mistaken for sunlight or the heat of a fire, but the kind of warmth that pulsed deep within her chest, spreading through her limbs, wrapping around her like a protective embrace.She blinked, slowly opening her eyes. The world around her was blurry at first, fading in and out of focus. But as her senses began to sharpen, she could feel it—the weight of Dominick’s arms around her, holding her close. The familiar scent of him, of the pack, surrounded her, grounding her. And yet, something was wrong.Something was very wrong.Lisa sat up with a sharp gasp, her body trembling from the sheer effort it took to move. She looked around, eyes wide, searching for an answer. The pack was gathered around them, silent, watchful, and… worried. They looked as though they were waiting for something waiting for her."Lisa?" Dominick’s voice was scratchy, filled with a quiet desperation she hadn’t heard before. "Are you ok
As Dominick's hands hovered above Lisa's motionless body, they shook. Even though the combat was done, it seemed like the conflict had only just started. He stared at her chest, looking for some indication that she was still alive. His anguish made every breath feel heavy and shallow. Her face had turned pale and lifeless. Everything he didn't want to know was revealed to him by the blood stains on her clothing."You can't leave. In a ragged echo of the man, he once was, Dominick muttered to her, "You just can't." Leaning down, he brushed a lock of hair away from her face, allowing the tears he had been suppressing to finally fall."Please, Lisa. Get your eyes open. Return to me.Around them, the pack had gathered in stillness. Even though they had prevailed in the fight, it felt meaningless. His evil power had been broken, and Eryndor's citadel had collapsed, but at what price? With her heart as frigid as the stone under her, Lisa, their ray of hope, lay still.Marcus's face was unre
There was a lot of darkness in the room, and the shadows were thick and moving around them like living things. The stone floor beneath Dominick was stained with blood as he lay unconscious, his body broken and battered. With tears in her eyes and her heart racing, Lisa knelt next to him, but there was no time for sorrow. She was thinking of only one thing.They all needed to be saved by her.In front of them, tall and victorious, Eryndor's eyes were full of vile laughter. "Lisa, you believe you have won, but the game is far from over." The air felt oppressive, and his voice was like ice. "There is no force or power in this world that can defeat me."Lisa's heart ached as she felt the warmth of Dominick's pulse wane with every second that went by, and her hands shook as she reached out to touch him. Even though she still had a close bond with him and the pack, it wasn't sufficient. Not quite yet.Then something changed within her.Her inner wolf spirit awoke with a roil, its restless e
The pack was positioned before the imposing gates of Eryndor's stronghold, which appeared to have impenetrable walls and a dense, oppressive, and dark aura. The weight of the approaching conflict made the air motionless. With the resolve that had brought them this far, Dominick's eyes were hard and his mind was keen. They would put an end to this now.“All units, move out!” he ordered, his voice like a razor slicing through the quiet.With ferocious determination, the pack charged ahead, their warriors trailing behind. Standing by Dominick's side, Lisa felt the strength of the black magic emanating from the fortress walls, her heart pounding and her thoughts turning into its own battlefield.They were nearly instantly struck by the first wave of rogue wolves, their eyes blazing with the strange light of Eryndor's might. The pack was more than ready, but they were swift, vicious, and unrelenting.With her claws cutting through the air and tearing through the rogue wolves that approache
The vista in front of them was a never-ending length of rocky land and forest that led to the impending fortress of Eryndor. With the burden of the trip bearing down on him, Dominick led the way. The strain in the air was evident, and each step felt like it may be his last. The odds were stacked against them in the impending last fight.Lisa followed closely behind him, her steps steady but her thoughts focused on the future. They both understood the seriousness of the situation, and their closeness was strong despite their inability to express it verbally. Although they all had a part to play, nobody could foresee the cost of winning.Marcus kept up with the others despite the emotional and physical strain of saving Chelsea. Even while his expression was fixed on stern determination, his eyes would occasionally flicker with the wounds from the ambush, both the ones on his body and the ones still present in his heart. Chelsea was almost lost to him. He would not permit such to occur o
Dominick stood at the edge of the camp, surveying his warriors' faces while the wind howled all around him. He felt as though the entire universe was resting on his shoulders. The moment had arrived. They were at their breaking point. Eryndor was too near his objective, too risky. In his bones, Dominick knew that the last battle was coming.The tension in the air was broken by Dominick's voice as she said, "We can't wait for more signs, more opportunities." "Now we fight. We battle together.Though there was a hesitancy and a sense of trepidation, the pack stirred and whispers of agreement rippled through them. They had suffered a great loss. They were still grieving over the loss of their siblings in the previous conflict.Chelsea stepped forward from the crowd and said, "Dominick." Her voice was steady, but her eyes were rimmed in red. You want us to put everything on the line. After everything we've lost... after everything we've endured...Dominick responded, his eyes hardening, "
The tension in the camp was high due to the weight of Chelsea's capture. Marcus paced, anger and hopelessness swirling in his head. His fists were clinched at his sides, and his eyes were bloodshot. He was being tormented by the idea of losing her and failing her.Lisa murmured softly, "Marcus," moving into his direct line of sight.He halted his pacing and looked at her, his jaw clenched. "I'm pursuing her." I can't just sit here doing nothing.The unadulterated agony in his voice made Lisa's heart hurt. She was aware of Chelsea's importance to him. "I get it, but we can't just show up without a strategy, Marcus. We shall be met by Eryndor.Marcus shot back, his voice strained and low, "I don't care." There's Chelsea inside. She cannot be left to rot in that hellhole by me.Lisa paused, fully aware of the dangers. After that, we'll travel together. However, we must consider this. Dark magic guards Eryndor's stronghold, and he won't make things simple.For a minute, Marcus's eyes soft