The howls in the distance became more intense, reverberating across the chilly night air. My heart thumping, I hold my sword more tightly. I looked at him and said, "Dominick." "Now what?" There was a wild intensity to the glitter in his eyes. We're being put to the test. The powers of Anabella want us to scared. At his side, Chelsea showed up with a resolute although pallid expression. "Alpha, movement has been seen by the patrols close to the western boundary. Despite being a tiny crew, they are armed. With a silent tone, Dominick said, "Then that's where we'll start." Marcus, who had just returned, looked sad as he turned to face him. "How are the prisoners doing?" "They're not talking," Marcus answered. "If you want, I can destroy them." "No," Dominick snapped. "We must keep them alive. For the time being. "For the time being?" Marcus raised an eyebrow in question. Dominick looked at me for a moment before responding. "First, let's concentrate on the western frontier. The
Dominick's POV“Seek her out!” With anger and despair eating at my insides, I roared my voice into the clearing. After exchanging uncomfortable looks, Chelsea and Marcus acted without hesitation. "Spread out!" Marcus snarled at the guards who remained. Examine every route and hiding place. She couldn't have traveled very far. I growled and paced like an animal in a cage, saying, "She didn't go on her own." "She was taken by Anabella. And even if she touches Lisa— Chelsea softly spoke, her voice firm in spite of the commotion all around us, "Dominick." "We'll retrieve her." However, we must maintain our concentration. Concentrated? With Lisa gone, snatched by that insane madman, how could I concentrate? I felt the need to rip something—someone—apart, and my wolf howled in rage. With my claws becoming longer, I said, "I'm pursuing her." With a cautious hand up, Marcus moved ahead of me. "You have no idea where she is, Alpha." "Then I'll locate her!" I lost my temper. "And if yo
Lisa's POVI dodged, shifting to the side as Dominick's howl ripped through the air, the rogue's claws inches from my face. "Remain back, Lisa!" he said, snarling at the outlaw. "I can do this!" I retorted, avoiding another blow as I stabbed the rogue in the ribs. As it staggered back, the creature's crimson pupils narrowed as it howled in agony. Without wasting any time, Dominick snarled ferociously and tore into it. As the rogue went limp at his feet, he looked at me and said, "Are you okay?" I wiped the blood from my arm and panted, "All right." "But they're not going to stop." As additional rogues drew in, the surrounding woodland seemed to be alive with activity, with shadows flitting between the trees.Marcus glared as he stood next to Chelsea, his sword flashing, "This was a trap." "They were trying to get us to come out." Chelsea growled, her wolf snarling as she transformed, "Then let's show them what happens when they mess with us." Dominick's POV The rogues charged
Lisa's POVI got shivers from the ominous cry that lingered in the air. I quickly glanced at Dominick, who was standing tensely with his wolf hanging near the surface. "What was that?" Despite the uneasiness that was writhing in my chest, I asked in a firm voice. Marcus sadly replied, "That's a call to arms," and entered the room. A cautionary tale. or a danger. Dominick's jaw tightened and his hands clenched. "This is Alexander." With my heart racing, I moved closer to him. "Are you certain?" Dominick nodded, his face gloomy. "He's not finished. He howled for all the rogues and enemies he could find, not just for us. Chelsea rushed in, looking pale. The southern border guards reported movement, Alpha. It seems to be a tiny army meeting. I felt sick to my stomach. "How many?" "Dzens," she answered. "Perhaps more. They're not alone, either. Additionally, there are indications of wolves from other groups. Marcus snarled, gripping his blade's hilt tighter. "Traitors." Dominick'
Lisa's POV"Lisa!" My attention was fixed on Alexander as he sprang at me, his claws shining in the dawn light, while Dominick's howl ripped through the confusion. "Remain back!" I yelled, avoiding his blow at the last moment. Alexander circled me with a sly smile, his motions precise and swift. He hissed, "You're feisty for an omega." "You're out of your depth, though." Refusing to show him any fear, I hold my blade tighter. "And for an egotistical maniac, you're predictable." He gave a gloomy chuckle. "Although you have a sharp tongue, it won't help you." He lunged again before I could react. I was ready this time. My sword sliced through his shirt, drawing blood as I sidestepped and struck at his side. He hold his wound, his growl thunderous. "You'll be held accountable." I teasingly said, "Come and try," anticipating his next move. Dominick's POV As I fightd to get to Lisa, I ripped across the fightfield, my wolf howling. The rogues surrounded me, ripping at my flesh with
The tense atmosphere in the room was oppressive. Each frenzied movement caused Dominick's claws to lengthen and retract as he paced back and forth. With the letter firmly clasped in my fist, I sat on the edge of the table. I eventually broke the stillness by saying, "This is exactly what he wants." "He wants to cause you to lose control." Dominick halted in the middle of his stride, his gaze meeting mine. And what do you think we ought to do? Wait for him to hit again while you relax? "No," I stood up and answered. "We confront him with the fight." Chelsea grimaced as she stood beside the doorway. That's dangerous. He will be anticipating that. "Exactly," I said, my thoughts racing. "At the moment, he is overconfident. He believes we'll continue to be defensive. We can surprise him if we strike first. Marcus crossed his arms and took a step forward. It's a daring move. However, where do we even begin? We have no idea where he is hiding. Dominick said, his voice low and menacing
Lisa's POVThe force as we struck the earth below knocked the breath out of my lungs, and the feeling of falling was confusing. I moaned as I forced myself to stand up in the almost complete darkness. "Lisa?" Dominick's voice broke through the chaos with its urgency and sharpness. I coughed and felt about for my dagger, saying, "I'm here." Our sole light came from the dim glow above, which created lengthy shadows on the chilly stone walls. We were trapped within once the trapdoor slammed shut. "What is this location?" My voice reverberated in the cramped room as I asked. "Anabella's perverted notion of enjoyment," Dominick snarled as he stood next to me. He looked about us, his eyes gleaming dimly in the dark light. As she stepped out of the shadows, Chelsea complained, "I'm fine, by the way," and dusted herself off. "Are all of us present?" From someplace to my left, Marcus's voice could be heard. "Yes," I said as I at last grasped my dagger's hilt. "However, we must determin
Lisa' POVThe earth underneath us trembled with the thunderous roar of the mysterious apparition. The air seemed to become thicker as I hold my blade tighter, excitement pumping through me. "What's that thing?" I looked at Dominick and asked. With his wolf charging forward, he snarled, his claws outstretched, "Something born from Anabella's black magic." It's a puppet. She is in charge of it. As the markings on the walls pulsed in time with the creature's motions, Anabella grinned and held out her arms. "You've gone so far, and now you're failing. How lyrical. Chelsea said, changing into her wolf form next to me, "Don't listen to her." Marcus's jaw was tense as he pulled his sword. "Like the last one, we'll take it down." "This one isn't like the others," Dominick said. Larger, more powerful—and connected to her. It collapses when we remove her. Anabella chuckled. "Are you sure I'll make it that simple?" Dominick's POV The enormous claws of the shadow beast swept through the
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