The ground shook beneath Lyra's feet as the first wave of attackers crashed against Kael's territory. The eerie howls of Marcus's wolves echoed through the air, their relentless force battering the defenses Kael had worked so hard to build.
Inside the stronghold, everything was falling apart. Kael was barking orders to his wolves, his voice sharp and commanding, but Lyra could see the flicker of panic in his eyes. This was a battle they weren't ready for, and Marcus knew it. He had timed this perfectly.
As the clash outside grew louder, Lyra's heart raced. The weight of her earlier doubts pressed down on her, but there was no time to process them. The wolves were coming, and they were out for blood.
"Get her out of here!" Kael shouted to one of his lieutenants, his eyes flashing with desperation as he glanced at Lyra. "Take her to the inner sanctum and guard her with your life."
