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 world had contracted to the area between my arms and Dahlia’s motionless form. The turmoil of the battleground was a faint buzz, the shattered howls of wolves a subdued resonance. The only noise I could perceiving was my uneven breath while I held her, the blood on my hands had begun to dry yet still felt warm. “Dahlia,” I murmured, nudging her softly as if that would revive her. Her head tilted to one side, her formerly sharp eyes half-shut, the spark in them lost. No, no, no. My chest rose and fell as I held her tighter, pressing my face into her stained hair. "You must not abandon me." "Not in this way." A soft rasp emerged from her lips, and I paused. Gently, I withdrew, my heart racing. Her eyes partially opened, just a crack, and for an instant, she gazed at me not as an opponent, not as a competitor, but as my sister. “I’m here,” I stated, tears flowing down my cheeks. "I am here." Her lips were in motion, yet no sound emerged. I moved in nearer, eager to catch what s
The atmosphere was charged with crackling energy, a heavy weight that bore down on my chest with each breath. With each step I made toward the ritual chamber, the weight felt greater than before, as if the ground itself was plotting against me. On the battlefield, I observed Dahlia stumble, her body suffering from the same magic that consumed me. Our gazes locked for just a fleeting instant, and I noticed a spark of fear, a silent request, and something indefinable. “Dahlia!” I yelled, my voice consumed by the wailing gusts of the eclipse’s force. Before she had the chance to respond, Castor's voice boomed across the battlefield, intensified by the ominous magic enveloping him. “Wolves of Silvermoon, behold the beginning of a new age!” he declared, positioned at the heart of the whirlwind. His body started to change, the contours of his shape fading as the ritual took over him. “What is he up to?” Rowan yelled, tripping over to join me. I could hardly reply, my attention fixed o
The battlefield was filled with confusion. Wolves collided, fangs exposed and claws tearing in the strange glow of the eclipse. Shadows contorted strangely over the terrain, with the sun’s dim corona being the sole source of light on the bloodied ground. My heart raced in my chest as I battled through The Forgotten’s ranks, with Rowan alongside me. “Daisy, right behind you!” Rowan yelled, rushing ahead to block a rogue who had approached too near. I whirled, cutting through yet another foe before facing Rowan again. "We must continue to advance!" "Castor isn’t going to wait for us to discover him!" Rowan cleaned the blood from his face, his eyes filled with resolve. "We'll reach him." “However, if we don’t halt their armament, none of this will be important.” I nodded, looking at Soren, who was guiding a few people toward The Forgotten’s supply cache. His expression was determined, his actions exact as he and his group disappeared into the turmoil. "Best of luck, Soren," I whispe
The initial sliver of shadow moved across the sun, enveloping the battlefield in a strange dusk. The previously overwhelming clamor of readiness and whispers of anxiety turned quiet, supplanted by a silence so profound it seemed to breathe. My breath caught as I looked up at the sky, the universe seemingly pausing for what lay ahead. “We have no time left,” Soren stated next to me, his tone quiet yet determined. I agreed, clutching my weapon more firmly. "We proceed now." "Without any doubt." The initial howl shattered the quiet, a call from our scouts marking the commencement of the assault. The noise was instinctive, unrefined, and it sent a chill through my body. "Let's wrap this up," I snarled, spearheading the attack. Within the stony confines of Silvermoon, Dahlia glided like a shadow, her movements stealthy and precise. She trailed Castor through twisting hallways, her senses amplified as the eclipse's power coursed through her. The murmurs in her head grew louder, nearly
The sky was unsettled, marked with shadows that grew darker with each passing moment. I remained at the perimeter of the battlefield, the heaviness of the air compressing my lungs. The eclipse approached, its energy surging through my veins like a warning I was unable to overlook. I tightened my fists, steadying myself as the ground beneath my feet shook. Surrounding me, the whispers of my companions broke the silence, a soft resonance of anxiety, resolve, and the delicate hope that this wasn’t the conclusion. “Daisy,” Fenris’s voice shattered the quiet. He positioned himself next to me, his expression serious yet composed. "The rest are waiting." I nodded, pulling my eyes away from the dimming skyline. “Let’s complete this.” Within the war tent, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. A temporary table displayed a map of Silvermoon, its landscape outlined with quickly sketched lines and circles. My most reliable companions Fenris, Rowan, Soren, and several others gathered around i
The moon loomed large in the heavens, its borders engulfed by darkness as the eclipse started. Shadows swelled across the battlefield, not merely a physical darkness but an overwhelming, alien presence that weighed on my chest and screamed in my ears. I sensed it deep within me, a chilling vibration of energy that ignited every nerve. By the way the fighters near me tensed up, I realized they sensed it as well. “This feels unnatural,” Fenris growled, exposing his teeth. He stood next to me, his knuckles pale gripping the handle of his sword. “No, it isn’t,” I replied, my voice scarcely heard over the increasing wind. I raised my eyes to Silvermoon, its lofty walls a striking outline against the crimson sky. Somewhere in that space, Castor was orchestrating the movements, and Dahlia... Dahlia was expecting. "Postures!" I yelled, compelling myself to concentrate. “Gather together and maintain your position!” The group quickly arranged themselves, with wolves transforming into their
The breeze cut sharply across my face, bringing the aroma of pine and the faint buzz of unease. We advanced together like a pack of wolves in human and altered shapes, their breaths misting in the frigid air. Each step seemed weightier than the previous, making us feel as though we were being pulled toward the conclusion. “Silvermoon is located just over that hill,” Soren stated, speaking softly. He gestured toward the uneven row of trees in front. "The external defenses will be dispersed, yet they will be aware of our approach." "They consistently do." Fenris walked alongside me, his shoulders rigid and his jaw clenched. His typically serene demeanor had fractured in recent days, exposing something unrefined beneath the exterior. "You're really silent," I remarked, looking at him. He made a grunting sound but didn’t reply. "Fenris," I urged, softening my tone. “What are you thinking about?” He reduced his speed, letting the others move in front of us. When he finally began to s
The evening atmosphere was heavy with unease, the far-off cries of wolves cutting through the stillness. Daisy positioned herself close to the camp's border, gazing at the shadowy horizon. The burden of her decisions weighed down significantly on her heart. Each choice she faced seemed like another risk, and she was losing time to wager judiciously. Footsteps stirred behind her. Fenris drew near, his face faintly illuminated by the flickering flames. “We have an intruder,” he stated, his voice taut yet composed. "An elder hailing from Silvermoon." States he has something to convey to you. Daisy's forehead creased. "A senior?" Here? “From Silvermoon?” Fenris agreed. “He states it’s critical.” Daisy promptly accompanied him to the heart of the camp. The fighters had assembled, whispering to one another while they watched the hooded individual by the flames. The old man's hands shook gently, his face etched with years and fatigue. “Who is it that you are?” Daisy insisted, moving ah
The campsite was still, aside from the muted moans of the wounded. Daisy sat close to the fire, gazing at the dancing flames. The burden of the ambush enveloped her like a dense mantle. Surrounding her, the warriors still present murmured in low voices, their uncertainty slicing through the atmosphere like a knife. “She's powerful, but is that sufficient?” one voice whispered. "Another person mentioned, 'We’ve already lost countless others.'" "Perhaps we ought to minimize our losses and depart." Daisy’s jaw grew tense. She compelled herself to appear composed, yet her heart was racing. Fenris drew near, his expression serious. "You've listened to them," he remarked, taking a seat next to her. "I've listened," Daisy responded, maintaining her tone calm. He moved in closer. "They aren't mistaken, Daisy." We’re outnumbered, outclassed. Perhaps it's time to retreat and gather in a more secure location. "We cannot protect Silvermoon in this manner." She faced him, her eyes burning w