Lila was motionless as the forest's quiet was broken by an abrupt roar. It wasn't the typical wolf howl or snarl. It was a more profound, guttural sound that resonated right down to her bones. A dark force, something old and ruthless, sprang up from the forest's depths. It was so powerful that it seemed to be shaking the ground underneath them.
With her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, Lila turned to face the roar's origin. She was unable to move despite her instincts telling her to run and get away from whatever was pursuing them. She was unable to take her eyes off the woods from which the sound had originated and the darkening shadow that threatened to appear just beyond.
Alexander was tense, too. He stood stiffly, his gaze sweeping the treeline as if seeking the beast that was making the roar. He was fatigued from the battle with the other pack, but he was alert, every muscle taut as he prepared for whatever lay next.
"What is that?" With her heart thumping, Lila's voice was hardly audible as she muttered.
"I'm not sure," Alexander said in a firm tone. "But we must be prepared."
The temperature plummeted, and the air seemed to thicken with an unnatural thickness. Lila was completely chilled by the cold that was seeping into her flesh. The leader was still alive despite his wounds, while the wolves they had recently battled were still on the ground. They didn't have to worry about him anymore.
Once more, the roar reverberated, this time closer. When the woods opened and something enormous—impossibly large—stepped into the clearing, Lila's breath caught.
The beast was unlike anything Lila had ever encountered. It was a wolf in shape, but it was much, much larger, easily the size of a bear, with silvery streaks running through its black-as-night fur. A set of sharp teeth flashed in the faint light as it opened its jaws, and its eyes shone a spooky red.
Lila's breath caught in her throat and she instinctively stepped back. It was more than just a wolf. Something else was involved. A darker one.
Alexander snarled and positioned himself in front of her, saying, "Stay behind me." His whole body tensed with stress as his gaze remained fixed on the thing. "Whatever it is, it isn't normal."
Slowly approaching them, the beast let forth a low, threatening growl. Despite the delicate padding of its enormous paws on the earth, the force behind each step was unmistakable. As it crept closer, the ground shook under its weight.
Lila's thoughts were racing. What was it? She didn't know any packs that had it. It was more old, far more powerful than anything she had ever seen.
From where he lay on the ground, the rival pack's alpha, barely conscious, gave a strangled gasp. He said feebly, "You shouldn't have come here." "The Beast has woken up."
Alexander's gaze hardened with comprehension as his eyes briefly shifted to the alpha. He whispered, "The Beast?" but Lila hardly heard. The brilliant red eyes of the beast before them were now locked on her and Alexander, and she was concentrated on it.
Another earth-shattering roar echoed through Lila's chest as the Beast roared, this time straight at them. That sounded like a test. As if it dared them to attempt to halt it.
With a sudden intake of breath, Alexander turned to face Lila. "We cannot win this battle by ourselves. We must—
The Beast sprang forward before he could finish, moving at a speed that looked unnatural given its size. In a moment, the gap between them was closed and the air crackled with energy.
The Beast was on them before Lila could even respond. Alexander was sent reeling backward by the power of the hit as it swung its enormous claws at him. His eyes flashed with rage as he crashed hard on the ground but soon got up on his feet.
The Beast turned to face Lila, its blazing eyes meeting hers, and her pulse skipped a beat. For a moment, it looked as if the world had stopped, and the energy in the air seemed to be pulsing around her. She could feel its might, its old, tyrannical strength, bearing down on her.
Despite knowing it wouldn't help against such a beast, Lila instinctively raised her knife and held it out in front of her. She was unable to stand there, though. She couldn't let Alexander face this battle by himself. Not after all that they had endured.
But before she could move, the Beast let out a roar that seemed to rip through the very fabric of reality, opening its lips wide. Lila was knocked off her feet by the ferocity of the sound, which struck her like a physical assault. She slipped, but before she could get back up, her mind was touched by something heavy and icy.
She couldn't hear the voice, but it was like a presence. There was an overwhelming sense of dread as if something malevolent and old were forcing its way into her mind. The force of the Beast was attempting to take control of her thoughts and change her will to suit its own.
Lila resisted, attempting to ignore the emotion. With the dagger still in her grasp, she clenched her fists and concentrated on staying grounded. She was unable to let it carry her. She was unable to allow it to rule her.
However, the strain increased, and she was about to lose it when a voice, this time a familiar one, broke through the mental tempest.
Lila.
Alexander was the one. His tone was calm, steady, yet urgent all at once. Something like a tether that held her to the present, a warm pulse of energy shot through her.
Look at me, Lila. Pay attention to me. Don't allow it to lead you.
Lila opened her eyes with effort. Despite everything going on around him, she saw Alexander standing erect and staring into her eyes. He was battling not just the Beast but also the darkness that was attempting to devour her. His strength steadied her, coursing through her like a lifeline.
The Beast snarled once more, but this time it faltered for a little moment. That hesitancy was sufficient.
Without hesitation, Lila rushed ahead. With both hands on her dagger, she charged toward the Beast, throwing all of her strength into the blow. As she got to it, the creature's massive jaw snapped at her, turning its head.
Lila wasn't scared, though. No more.
With all of her effort, she pushed the dagger forward, aiming for the tender region beneath the Beast's throat. The beast howled in agony as the blade sank deeply, its enormous body roaring back in rage.
The air was filled with the Beast's roar again, but it was not as strong. Lila sensed it—its strength diminishing, its hold on her thoughts releasing.
Once more, Alexander's voice could be heard. "Now, Lila! Complete it!
Lila used her last burst of effort to twist the dagger and drive it more into the Beast's neck. With a final, booming roar, the creature fell to the ground, its massive body thudding deafeningly against the ground.
As the dust fell about them, Lila stood over it, breathing heavily and feeling her pulse pound. The Beast had passed away.
However, the roar was nearly overshadowed by the hush that ensued. There was a change. Lila knew that this was not the end since the air was still heavy with the lingering effects of its strength. Not quite yet.