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
Dominick could feel it in his bones; the war was upon them. Every step he took seemed heavier than the previous, and the woodland buzzed with the force of the approaching storm. There was no time to relax, but he could still feel the effects of his near-death experience and the strength he had given up to save Lisa. The pack needed him as Anabella's soldiers drew near.His Lycan form steamed under his skin as he stood, his hand clutching a fallen branch to stabilize himself. Although the anguish persisted and continued to chew at him, it was overpowered by the strong urge to defend his pack and fight for what was left of them.Despite the fatigue that dragged him down, Dominick's voice was crisp and powerful as he said, "Get ready." The warriors of the pack assembled, their eyes full of unflinching allegiance and their features set in deadly resolve. "Together, we confront our biggest foe to yet. We defend one another as well as our place.He looked at Chelsea, Marcus, and the others
The world seemed unending, gloomy, and heavy.In Lisa's arms, Dominick lay still, his body icy and unresponsive. His once-strong and regular pulse was now hardly there. With each faint, labored breath, his chest scarcely raised. He was on the verge of death since the energy that had rushed through him had vanished due to his sacrifice. His eyes were still closed, and the once-bright green had turned into a drab, empty void.As Lisa held him tight and let her tears fall over his skin, her pulse raced in her chest. Even though she could still feel his little pulse, she felt as if she would choke with the weight of their predicament. She had felt his vitality ebbing away, along with the optimism she had held onto. The sight of him like this was almost unbearable to her. It felt obvious now, yet she had always dreaded losing him."No... "Please, no," Lisa said, her voice trembling. She pressed her forehead to his and ran her fingers through his hair. "Dominick, I can't let you go. For me,
Dominick's surroundings had become still and chilly. The weight of loss and hopelessness appeared to loom over the last of the broken magic of the Obsidian Stone. His hands shook as he held Lisa's limp body, her once-bright warmth no longer there. Her eyes, once full of life, were now glassy and vacant, and her chest no longer rose and fell with breath.As Dominick looked down at her, his heart broke. His mind was refusing to comprehend the truth of what was occurring, and his pulse was thundering in his ears. She had been let down by him. She had been let down by the pack. He was now unable to envision a way out of this dire situation."Lisa… please," he said in a broken murmur. The coolness of her skin just made the agony more excruciating when his palm lightly touched her face. "You are necessary to me. You are necessary to us. I can't let you go. Not in this manner.As he hugged her closer, the blackness around them pushing in, tears clouded his eyes. Even while the stone's enchan
There was black energy in the air. As Dominick gazed at the Obsidian Stone, its ragged edges glimmering with the pulse of the evil energy it contained, his heart thumped in his chest. It seemed like a countdown at every second. This cursed item was tied to Lisa's life and soul. The stone was the secret, and Anabella stood on the edge of triumph. Lisa would be gone forever if Dominick didn't take action right once and destroy it.Lisa was barely hanging on, her body rigid, her eyes dead, still trapped in the ceremonial circle. She had lost everything because of the Obsidian Stone. What about Anabella? Standing opposite from Dominick, she had the look of someone who was certain she had won, her eyes glimmering with ill will.Dominick said, his voice low and angry, "I won't let you do this." Long and keen, his claws sank into the earth below. His Lycan form's strength rose, but it didn't appear to be enough to match the stone's sheer might.As she watched him struggle, Anabella's lips fo
The surrounding woodland has turned into a magical fire. A storm of power surged through the air, dark energy that threatened to destroy everything. The weight of Lisa's body, now completely under Anabella's control, and the power of the Obsidian Stone were palpable to Dominick in every fiber of his existence. His heart tightened with anger and terror as her dead eyes, glowed with the stone's sinister enchantment, stabbed him like daggers.Dominick's heart raced as he thought, "I can't let this happen." Even the sheer power of his Lycan form, which rushed through his body, was insufficient. Every move they took was thwarted by Anabella's evil power, and the enchantment all around them was too strong.Anabella sang in a language Dominick couldn't understand while standing in the middle of the ceremonial circle with her hands up high. Her gaze remained focused on Lisa's still figure, her expression a mask of warped contentment.With anger in her voice, Anabella said, "You're too late, D
The trees surrounded the pitch-black clearing like quiet sentinels, while the center of the forest was enveloped in shadows. The ritual was happening in the middle. With the energy of the Obsidian Stone throbbing with black power, Anabella stood at the center of the menacing circle, and Dominick's gaze was fixed on her. The stone was broken, but it still had a lot of force. The air around them vibrated as the crackling energy emanated from it.Desperate to escape, Dominick's Lycan form surged under his skin as his hands tightened. His heart ached from dread of what Anabella was about to do, not from the stress of the combat going on around him. He could feel the tiniest throb of life inside Lisa as she lay asleep in the middle of the ceremonial circle, her body strangely quiet."You believe that you can stop me?" As her gaze met his, Anabella's icy and scornful voice broke the uncomfortable quiet. "You haven't succeeded, Dominick. Your priceless Lisa and your priceless pack are alread
The first sign of what was to come was the howling that filled the night air. Dominick stared watching the horizon from the border of the pack's area. His heart thumped in his chest as the full power of the conflict fell upon them, and the wind conveyed the tiniest hint of Anabella's soldiers.Despite the raging tempest of emotions inside of him, Dominick's voice remained firm as he ordered, "Gather the warriors." His eyes were keen as he turned to his bag. "This is it. We battle for our future and our lives.With grim determination on their faces, the pack members advanced quickly. There was no time to spend, but Dominick could see the doubt in some of their eyes. Anabella's army was approaching. And all they had battled for would be gone if they failed to hold the line.With a resolute but pallid expression, Lisa stood behind him. She'd learned to resist the wolf spirit that fought within her, to utilize it, but never to allow it to rule her. She fixed her gaze on his, and for a min
Dominick stood at the front of the training fields, looking at his pack's faces, and the atmosphere was tense. They were all there, and they were all feeling the weight of what was about to happen. The hour of reckoning was approaching, and the adversary was just outside their door.Dominick felt a pounding sensation in his chest. Never in his life has he felt the weight of leadership more keenly. Anabella's army was expanding, and each second they lost brought them one step closer to the conflict that would determine their destinies. It was his responsibility to ensure that the pack was prepared."Come on!" Dominick's voice was clear and authoritative. With deadly resolve on their features, the soldiers formed up in perfect order. We train in a way that has never been done before today. It's not just about surviving anymore. It's all about winning. We shall also prevail.His voice was steady yet ferocious as he marched in front of them. "Anabella is on her way to us. She has boosted
As Dominick and Lisa walked back from the clearing, the wet, chilly air of the pack's territory seemed heavy. Dominick was reminded of the curse that had imprisoned him in his human form by the silent, gnawing ache that accompanied every stride. The weight of the situation was almost oppressive, and his body was weak and still reeling from Anabella's curse.Lisa's presence beside him was both consoling and agonizing. She struggled against the wolf spirit that had taken her, but he could see the darkness rising inside her, pulling at the very core of her being. They suddenly had to be concerned about more than simply Anabella. The ghost also posed a continual menace, threatening to consume her whole.Dominick looked at her, concern shining in his eyes. His voice hardly raised above a whisper, he whispered quietly, "Are you okay?"Lisa nodded but remained silent, her face disturbed. She was suffering so badly that she didn't need to express it to him. He couldn't tolerate the strained a