The world blurred around me as I ran, the trees flashing by in dark streaks, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. The forest had never felt so suffocating. The Keeper's words echoed in my head—the last Alpha. It still didn't make sense. How could I be the last?
I pushed the thought away and focused on the sound of my feet hitting the ground, the rhythm steady and familiar, helping me block out the rising panic. But no matter how far I ran, the sense of dread clung to me like a shadow.
Behind me, I heard Tobias struggling to keep up. His heavy breathing was a reminder that we couldn't run forever, not without a plan. But what was the plan? I barely understood what was happening, let alone how to stop the Old One.
The earth beneath my feet shook again, a violent tremor that almost sent me sprawling. I stumbled to a stop, gripping a tree for balance as the ground rumbled beneath me. The air was thick with energy, the same dark force I had felt earlier.
I glanced over my shoulder, my stomach churning. The forest had gone eerily silent, the kind of silence that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Something was coming. I could feel it in my bones.
Tobias caught up to me, his face pale and drawn. "We can't keep running like this," he panted, his voice strained. "Whatever that is, it's gaining on us."
"I know," I muttered, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. "But I don't know how to fight it. Not yet."
Before Tobias could respond, the ground heaved again, more violently this time. The trees groaned and swayed, their branches creaking ominously. And then, from the darkness, I heard it—the growl.
Low, guttural, and unmistakably close.
My body tensed, every instinct screaming at me to shift, to run, to fight. But the wolf inside me was hesitant, as if sensing something far more dangerous than just a physical threat.
The growl came again, louder this time, and then a shape materialized from the shadows. It was massive—easily twice the size of any wolf I'd ever seen—its fur black as midnight, its eyes glowing an unnatural shade of red.
The Old One.
But there was something different about him now. He seemed more… solid, more real than before. His power radiated off him in waves, dark and oppressive, like a storm ready to break. And the look in his eyes… it was hungry.
"You've been running long enough, Kael," he growled, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. "It's time to face your fate."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "What do you want from me?"
The Old One bared his teeth, his lips curling into a savage grin. "I want what's mine. Your power, your blood. You are the key to everything, Kael. And once I have you, no one will be able to stop me."
Tobias stepped forward, his hand gripping his dagger tightly. "You'll have to get through me first."
The Old One didn't even glance in Tobias's direction. His eyes were locked on mine, as if Tobias wasn't even worth acknowledging. It made my blood boil, but I knew Tobias didn't stand a chance against this creature.
"Leave him out of this," I said, my voice steady despite the fear curling in my gut. "This is between you and me."
The Old One tilted his head, considering me for a moment. "Very well," he said, his grin widening. "Let's see if the last Alpha is as strong as the legends say."
Without warning, he lunged.
I barely had time to react, my body moving on instinct as I shifted, the wolf taking over in an instant. I dodged to the side, just as the Old One's massive jaws snapped shut where I had been standing a moment ago.
Tobias shouted something, but I didn't have time to listen. The Old One was on me again, faster than any wolf I'd ever seen, his claws slashing through the air. I ducked and weaved, trying to find an opening, but his strength was overwhelming. Every blow I blocked sent shockwaves through my body, and I could feel my energy draining fast.
This wasn't a fight I could win. Not yet.
But I couldn't back down either. If I did, I knew he would destroy Tobias, and everyone else I cared about.
With a snarl, I leapt at him, aiming for his throat. For a split second, I thought I had him, but then his paw came up, faster than I could react, and he swatted me out of the air like I was nothing.
I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me. Pain shot through my side, and I struggled to get back on my feet, but the Old One was already standing over me, his red eyes gleaming with triumph.
"This is where it ends, Kael," he growled, lowering his head, his jaws opening wide.
I braced myself, ready for the end.
And then, out of nowhere, a blinding light erupted from the trees, cutting through the darkness like a blade. The Old One howled in pain, stumbling back as the light engulfed him, forcing him to retreat into the shadows.
I blinked, dazed and disoriented, as the light faded, leaving behind a figure standing in the clearing.
It was the Keeper.
Her silver hair glowed in the moonlight, and her eyes burned with a fierce intensity I hadn't seen before. She didn't even glance at me as she stepped forward, her hand outstretched, the air around her crackling with power.
"The time for running is over, Kael," she said, her voice ringing out across the clearing. "You must awaken, now, or all will be lost."
Before I could ask what she meant, she placed her hand on my chest, and everything went white.
---
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the forest anymore. I was standing on a vast, desolate plain, the sky above me dark and stormy, lightning flashing in the distance. The air was thick with energy, and I could feel it pulsing through my veins, stronger than ever before.
And in the center of the plain stood a massive stone altar, ancient and worn, but pulsing with the same energy I felt inside me.
The Keeper stood beside it, her expression unreadable.
"This is where it begins," she said softly, her voice echoing across the plain. "Your true power. Your destiny. The Old One has awakened you, Kael. Now, it's time to become the Alpha you were meant to be."
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I stepped forward. This was it. The moment everything had been leading to.
The moment I became the last Alpha.