Kael's body hit the ground with a sickening thud, the force of Marcus's blow knocking the wind out of him. His wolf form flickered, his body struggling to maintain its strength, but Lyra could see the pain etched in every movement, every labored breath.
Blood stained the earth beneath him, dark and glistening under the moonlight. Kael's chest heaved as he fought to push himself up, his muscles trembling with the effort. But Marcus was relentless, towering over him, his claws gleaming as he prepared for the killing strike.
"No!" Lyra's voice broke the silence, raw and desperate.
She surged forward, her heart pounding in her chest as she stumbled toward them, her breath coming in shallow, panicked bursts. Her mind screamed at her to run, to flee before Marcus turned his fury on her, but she couldn't leave Kael. Not like this. Not when he was fighting for her.
"Please, Marcus—stop!" she cried, her voice shaking with emotion. "Don't kill him. Please."
