"They get here!"
The yell broke the brittle peace of the morning as it tore across the pack house. Drawing weapons, wolves hurried to their feet as the sound of howls reverberated in the distance—closer than they ought to have been.
Luca was already moving, his precise orders slicing through the turmoil. "Get the guards around the outside! Guard the senior dogs and humans! Nobody moves by herself!("")
Heart thumping, I ran to his side. "How did they pass the patrols? The "
"They must have known the holes in our defenses," he muttered, his grey eyes darkened with wrath. "They have been planning this."
The symbol on my wrist blazing as if warning me of what was approaching, the necklace around my neck started to light dimly.
The other group hit quickly and forcefully. Out of the woodland wolves spilt, their motions deliberate and quick. Along with our pack,
I saw Damon battle; his motions were swift and forceful as he eliminated one of the assailants.
But the opposition remained unrelenting, their count too great.
"Aria! Luca's words drew me back as a wolf, fangs bared surged at me. I dove barely in time, the claws of the beast missing me by millimeters. Luca was there before I could react; his body crashed into the assailant and launched itself.
"Keep your attention! He let out a piercing bark.
"Working on it," I said, reaching for a dropped staff and swinging it at another wolf.
The fighting went on, shouts and snarls filling the air. As I battled, my heart surged and my instincts sharpened with every motion. But more appeared to take our place for every adversary we eliminated.
Luca whispered as we gathered close to the eastern entrance, "This isn't just an attack." "They are putting us under test. attempting to shatter us.
And it's working, I added, looking around at the anarchy. Though hardly, the pack was keeping the line together.
Luca's jaw clenched, and I could see wheels whirling in his head. We have to remove their leader. Cut the head off the snake.
I stopped, my chest becoming tight. And should we not be able to?«
"then we have no chance," he answered plainly.
We marched together across the battlefield, our motions synchronized even in the middle of anarchy surrounding. The brightness of the pendant got more intense, leading us to the center of the enemy's army.
"There, Luca remarked, indicating towards a large wolf with black fur and sharp golden eyes. The wolf was shouting instructions, its presence threatening and dominating.
I responded, "That's him," tightening my hold on the staff.
Luca pointed at her. Keep near. We do this alongside each other.
We moved warily, negotiating the mass. But as we neared, the leader's eyes turned to us. He let out a deep growl and a nasty smirk swept across his face.
"So the Alpha and his bonded mate," he remarked, his voice full of contempt. "How adorable."
"Call off your wolves," Luca snarled, his voice lethal. "Or I'll help you to regret this."
The competing Alpha laughed, a deep, terrible sound. Oh, I had been looking forward this. Luca Blackwood, let us check whether you are as robust as they claim.
The battle was savage. The competing Alpha moved with lethal accuracy, his assaults deliberate and unrelenting. Luca met him blow for blow, his will unbroken.
Still, it was inadequate.
" luca! As the competing Alpha pinned him with his claws sinking into Luca's shoulder, I yelled.
I pondered nothing. I lately relocated. Holding the jewelry, I moved forward, the mark on my wrist flickering with fire. Blindingly brilliant, the pendant's light surged, and the competing Alpha withdrew, growling as he protected his eyes.
He started, then I stopped him from finishing. "What—?" With all my might, I swung the staff to strike him across the chest and sent him flying.
Luca pulled himself to his feet, his eyes burning as he advanced and delivered the last hit, knocking the competitor Alpha senseless.
The battlefield went silent as the competing wolves paused, their ranks rippling at the loss of their leader. Luca's voice was clear, harsh and commanding.
Either none of you will or leave immediately.
Retreating, the competing pack moved quickly and silently into the woodland. The stress persisted, but as the noises of war subsided comfort came over me.
"You fine? Luca questioned, turning to face me.
I nodded, but my hands continued to shake. " I'm good. You?''
"I'll live," he murmured, a little but real smile.
The truth of what had just transpired started to hit in as we made back-off to the pack house. The assault by the competing pack was a warning rather than just a test of our might.
Quietly as we stepped outside, the moonlight creating long shadows on the ground, I muttered, "They'll be back."
"I know," Luca answered with a grimace. However, we will be ready.
"Will we? I asked, uncertainty coloring my voice. "The pack's split; the trials aren't finished; the bond..."
He moved nearer, his eyes fixed. We will work things out. jointly.
The pendant burst to life once again as we turned to walk inside, its glow stronger than ever.
The mark on my wrist burned, and before my eyes flashed a blood-red moon, a battlefield strewn with wolves, and the rival Alpha standing in the center of it all, his golden eyes shining.
My pulse thumping, I looked at Luca as the image darkened. My voice shaking, I added, "This isn't over."
"No," he said with a hard-faced look. "It's just beginning..."