The woods buzzed with anxiety, each rustling leaf and cracking branch quickening my heartbeat. Kai sprinted without pausing, his wolf shape gliding like a phantom among the woods. I held onto his fur tightly, my thoughts whirling with Elias's enigmatic caution. "They'll eliminate you simply to reach me." Who were those people? What reality did Elias believe I should be aware of? And the most urgent question was whether Dahlia was truly still alive? I had little time to reflect. Kai abruptly came to a halt, his ears rotating. "What is that?" I softly spoke, easing off his back. He moved swiftly, his hand pressing against my mouth. “Quiet.” "Hear." I listened intently. Initially, there existed only the gentle murmur of the wind among the trees. Then I sensed it, a gentle whisper of voices, subdued and secretive. Kai gestured for me to come along, his actions quiet and intentional. We stealthily approached the noise, maneuvering through the thick foliage until the voices became mo
The trees surrounded us tightly as Kai and I sprinted. The turmoil from the packhouse still echoed in my mind Gregor's claims, the pack's skeptical gazes, the rallying cry for battle against the rogues. My chest ached with each step, yet it wasn’t fatigue. It was rage. Misunderstanding. Terror. "What does he mean I've caused this for them?" I yelled above the wind. Kai looked back, his expression serious. “Gregor is losing his grip.” He feels afraid. "When leaders are in a state of panic, they seek out someone to hold accountable." "Indeed, he discovered his scapegoat," I whispered, avoiding a low-hanging branch. Kai brought his movement to a halt, clutching my arm. "It's beyond that, Daisy." “He believes you pose a threat.” "Risky?" I chuckled with bitterness. “I can hardly stay on your level.” "What aspect of me shouts 'danger'?" Kai hesitated before responding. His quietness disturbed me more than what he said. "You sensed it, didn't you?" he eventually remarked. "Experienc
The earth shook under my feet as the blazing wolf howled, its bright eyes fixated on me. My intuition urged me to flee, yet my legs remained still. I stood frozen in place, my wolf awakening within me, not out of fear but out of familiarity. “Daisy, wake up!” Kai’s voice broke the spell. He seized my arm, pulling me back just as the wolf leaped, its enormous jaws snapping at the spot I’d occupied. "What is that object?" I yelled, tripping as Kai dragged me into a run. "An old one!" Kai shouted above the sound of the fire. “A protector of ancient traditions!” "An overseer?" “It seems like it intends to eliminate us!” Kai remained silent. He pushed me into a tight gap between the rocks, his actions quick and frantic. “Go in there!” “How about you?” “I'll postpone it!” “Absolutely not!” I took hold of his arm. "We remain united." The wolf’s howl became more intense, and the atmosphere around us shimmered with warmth. Kai muttered an curse quietly, pulling me into the crevice ju
Dahlia's claws cut through the air, and I just managed to avoid them in time. The strength of her strike knocked me off balance, my heart racing in my chest. Dahlia! “Cease!” I yelled, my voice quivering. "What are you up to?" She did not respond. Her eyes blazed with rage, shining like coals in the night. Her wolf shape shimmered around the borders of her human form, as though she was battling to maintain control. “You're deceitful, Daisy!” she hissed, her tone low and threatening. “You have deceived everyone here.” “I have no idea what you mean!” I attempted to stand firm, yet the power of her stare caused me to waver. Kai walked in front of us, his blade shining under the moonlight. "Dahlia, that's sufficient!" This is not the path. She chuckled with sorrow, her eyes moving toward him. "Are you supporting her?" "You're not even aware of her true identity." "I know sufficient," Kai replied, his tone calm. "And I recognize this isn't who you are." Dahlia's mouth twisted into
The autumn seemed perpetual. Darkness enveloped us, dense and oppressive. My heart raced as the noise of wind whistled in my ears. I attempted to yell, but the words became stuck in my throat. Then, with a bone-crunching impact, I struck the earth. Agony surged through my body as I struggled to inhale. “Daisy!” Kai's voice echoed from a location close by. "I'm present," I rasped, hoisting myself up. My palms rested on frigid, uneven rock, and an odd glow brightened the cave that surrounded us. Dahlia moaned from a short distance, returning to her human shape. “Where... are we?” she whispered, gripping her side. I surveyed the space, my eyesight adapting to the unsettling green light radiating from fissures in the walls. The air was thick with the aroma of soil and something old, something amiss. "This is not the forest," Kai remarked, moving closer to me. His blade was drawn, his knuckles pale as he held the handle. “No joke,” Dahlia said sharply, getting to her feet unsteadily
The weight of Rowan's words lingered with us as we left the cave, tired and unsure of what awaited us. Kai, Dahlia, and I stood at the edge of the forest, our breath visible in the cold night air. "We need answers," Dahlia declared, her voice sharp as she reverted to her human form. She embraced herself firmly, her typical confidence shaken. "Authentic ones, not vague notifications or strange copies." Kai cleaned his knife with a rag, his teeth gritted. "Now it is time to reach out to the council." The Elders need to be updated on what is happening. "The Old Ones?" My stomach twisted. "Do you think they will help?" "They have never expressed worry for Omegas before." Kai's gaze softened, but his words stayed firm. "This is not just about you anymore, Daisy." If Rowan is right, everyone in the group is at risk. "They will focus." Dahlia scoffed. "They will be attentive because of their fear." The forecast makes them anxious, and they do not enjoy the feeling of being weak. “Alrig
The ground shook under our feet, every tremor stronger than the previous one. My legs wobbled like jelly, my heart racing in my chest as I looked at the silhouette that was once Rowan. Or perhaps it remained him, hidden under the darkness that now engulfed him. Kai's voice pierced the turmoil. "We have to go." Right now! Dahlia clenched my arm tightly, her hold painful. “Daisy, wake up!” I tripped ahead, the earth cracking apart where I had stood just moments ago. The atmosphere hummed with vibrant energy, dense and stifling. The trees surrounding us moaned and rattled, as if the forest itself were alive and suffering. “Dash!” Kai yelled once more, his tone cutting with necessity. We raced away, the noise of breaking ground and howling wind trailing behind us. My lungs ached, and my thoughts hurried, yet I couldn't turn around. Not at this time. We wound our way through the thick woods, the lack of light making it difficult to see our path. Branches clawed at my skin, roots enda
The descent was infinite. The wind zipped by my ears, the shadows engulfing us entirely. My cries were ripped from my throat, disappearing into the emptiness. Just when I believed it would go on forever, I crashed to the ground with a jolting bang. Agony pierced my body, and everything around me appeared hazy. I moaned, attempting to lift myself up. My hands touched the cold rock. “Dahlia?” "Kai?" I rasped, my voice resonating in the wide void. "I'm present!" Dahlia's voice echoed from a location to my right. “Hardly,” Kai muttered, his voice strained with agony. I compelled myself to stand up, squinting until my sight became clear. We found ourselves in a cave, its walls dimly illuminated by a strange blue glow. Unusual symbols were carved into the rock, throbbing like a pulse. “Where do we find ourselves?” Dahlia inquired, gripping her arm. Kai surveyed the room, his gaze sharpening. “It resembles... an old tomb.” "Interment?" I said again, my voice shaking. Kai agreed. The
The clearing seemed vibrant, thumping with a heavy, oppressive force. Dahlia was tied to the altar, her golden eyes flashing with fear and agony. The Rogue King hovered next to her, his red eyes piercing through me, challenging me to act. "Release her," I insisted, my voice shaky yet resolute. He laughed softly, a quiet, derisive noise. "And spoil my grand finale?" “I believe not.” “Daisy,” Dahlia whispered, her voice faint yet piercing. "You must go." Currently. "I’m not going anywhere," I retorted. My hands tightened, and I sensed the golden light awakening inside me, eager to be set free. “Moving,” the Rogue King remarked, moving nearer. “However, you don’t grasp it, young Luna.” This is not solely about you or your sibling. “This concerns fate.” “I have had enough of destiny,” I retorted. “I choose for myself.” “Then make a choice,” he stated, extending his arms broadly. "Attempt to rescue her." However, you will not succeed. “And when that happens, the eclipse will claim e
The shadows closed in on me, thick and stifling. My ears buzzed, and every inch of me felt hurt and damaged. I blinked, attempting to understand the indistinct forms moving in the dim light. “Daisy!” a voice shouted. It sounded muted and far away, as if listening to someone yell underwater. I sighed, lifting myself up. My fingers grazed the chilly, rough surface, rock instead of frost. Where am I? "Can you hear me, Daisy?" It was Lucian, and his voice was now more distinct. "I'm present," I said, even though my throat was sore. A hand took hold of mine, providing stability. I glanced up to find Lucian’s face, marked by dirt and concern. “It's all right,” he exhaled, a sense of relief washing over his face. "I believed we had lost you." “What occurred?” I inquired, grimacing as I rose. “The blast.” Seraphine appeared next to us, her complexion wan yet resolute. “The shadow being… it has vanished." “At the very least, I believe it is.” Departed? That didn’t appear to be correct
The battlefield was quiet, the heavy kind of quiet that follows a disastrous event. I inhaled in quick, shallow breaths while I fixed my gaze on the place where Dahlia stood just moments earlier. The enormous shadow stretched above us, its shape contorting and squirming like a waking terror. It bellowed, trembling the earth under my feet. “Dahlia!” I yelled, my voice breaking. There was no response. Lucian seized my arm, yanking me away as the shadowy being approached. "Daisy, we need to hurry!" Currently! I pulled my arm loose. "Absolutely not!" "She's still inside there!" "She has left!" Lucian shouted, his tone edged with urgency. "If we remain, we'll perish as well!" "I couldn't care less!" I shouted in response, the golden light within me igniting. “I won't abandon her!” Seraphine stood beside me, her complexion light but resolute. “If Dahlia is alive, we will locate her.” However, at this moment, we must come together again. "That object is excessively strong." The shad
As Dahlia rushed towards the Rogue King, it seemed as if the world paused in suspense. Her actions were precise and intentional, as if she had anticipated this battle for her whole existence. I remained paralyzed, conflicted between hurrying to help her and allowing her to manage this herself. My golden light flickered softly in my chest, compelling me onward. Yet Dahlia didn't so much as look at me. Her attention was laser-focused on the Rogue King. "You’ve erred, girl," the Rogue King growled, his red eyes squinting. "Do you believe you can oppose me?" Dahlia grinned, her self-assurance icy. "I do not believe." I understand. Her voice gave me a chill down my spine. The Rogue King attacked first, with shadows swirling around him like a sentient tempest. Dahlia smoothly dodged, her claws gleaming as they sliced through the shadowy tendrils. “Is that everything you've got?” she teased, her voice casual, nearly fun. The shadows struck at her, yet she twirled and rotated, her acti
The shadow engulfed me entirely. It wasn't merely in my surroundings; it infiltrated my skin, winding through my veins, murmuring both promises and threats simultaneously. The golden glow that had served as my protection dimmed feebly, its heat diminishing. However, I couldn't yield. “Daisy!” Lucian’s voice shattered the dark emptiness. I could hardly make him out, yet his presence was sufficient to ground me. I tripped ahead, my arms extended. "I'm present!" “Time is slipping away from you,” echoed the Rogue King’s low, sneering voice. His laughter resounded like a thunderclap. “Decide, small Omega. "Will you accept the darkness or allow it to devour all that you cherish?" I clenched my jaw. “I will select… neither.” “Naive girl,” he growled, his scarlet eyes blazing in the darkness. "Do you believe you can withstand this force?" You’ve previously sampled it. It exists within you. “It’s you.” The shadows struck, entangling my wrists and dragging me to the ground. They weren't
The earth under my knees felt chillier than ever, the frost piercing my skin. The battlefield around me was quiet. Wolves from each side halted, their eyes fixed on the swirling shadows where the Rogue King disappeared. However, he had not vanished. He was transforming. The shadows contorted and squirmed, creating something horrific. They became taller, darker, and increasingly threatening. The form was hardly human anymore, featuring sharp claws and bright red eyes that cut through the darkness. I managed to get up, my heart racing in my ears. “Daisy!” Seraphine’s voice pierced the quiet. She was running towards me, her expression ashen with terror. "We must retreat!" I shook my head, my gaze fixed on the horrifying shape before us. "Negative." "If we flee, he will ruin everything." Lucian moaned from his position on the snow, his form still ensnared by weak strands of darkness. I hurried to his side, putting my hand on his shoulder. "Lucian, please don’t leave me," I begged.
The atmosphere was laden with ash and unease as the shadows contorted oddly, ascending like vapor from the broken altar. It originated from me. My breath caught as I gazed at my hands. A golden light continued to pulse softly in my hands, yet it flickered, akin to a candle battling an unyielding breeze. "What is occurring to me?" I murmured. Seraphine clutched my arm, her eyes filled with terror. "Daisy, halt." “You need to cease!” "I won’t be doing this!" I retorted, my voice breaking. The shadows surged forward, creating sharp towers around us, blocking the way back to the battlefield. Rowan's voice sliced through the turmoil. Concentrate! “No matter what this is, you are able to control it!” Manage it? I wasn't even aware of what it was. The shadows throbbed, their motions reflecting my rapid heartbeat. For a brief moment, it seemed as if they were alive, attentive, anticipating my order. Lucian's voice echoed from the foot of the mountain. "Daisy!" “We require your presence
The noise coming from below increased in volume, as though the ground itself was sighing. Dust trickled down from the ceiling, while fissures started to break through the stone walls. “Get going!” Rowan shouted. Lucian pulled me back right as a piece of rock fell where I had been moments before. My heart raced within my chest. The whole room shook, an eerie, deep noise streaming up from the fissures in the ground. It felt as if an ancient force had stirred. “What is going on?” I yelled. Lucian's expression was serious as he assisted Seraphine in standing up. "It has started." The solar eclipse.” Rowan muttered a curse quietly. "And if Dahlia receives what she desires" "She will not!" I interrupted abruptly. I didn't allow myself to waver. "We must leave this place and prevent her." At this moment. The four of us rushed out of the room and into the hallway. The torches flickered, their flames dancing erratically as the rumbling intensified. "We can't escape the whole mountain a
The silence was all-pervasive as I opened my eyes. As I attempted to get myself up, my head ached and my vision was blurry.. The space was vacant. Rock barriers. Chilly air. Unfamiliar shadows. “Lucian?” My voice broke. "Rowan?" “Seraphine?” No response. I stumbled to my feet, my heart racing in my ears. Dahlia’s voice resonated in my mind. Your package is damaged. And before long, you will be as well. “Not at all.” I murmured it as if it were a vow. "Not at this moment." The shadows stayed, twisting against the walls as if they were observing me. Awaiting. Testing. I balled my hands into fists and made my way unsteadily to the door. It was partially ajar, the identical one Rowan had guided us through before. Every instinct within me warned it was a trap, but remaining still wasn’t an alternative. “Get going, Daisy,” I whispered to myself. "Progressing one step at a time." The hallway extended endlessly in both directions, with the torches on the walls dimly flickering. My foo