"Did you really think you could hide from me, Kaelen?"
Lucian's voice cut through the cold night air like a blade, sharp and taunting. His figure loomed at the entrance of Moonlit Sanctuary, flanked by a dozen werewolves in their monstrous forms—snarling, their golden eyes burning in the darkness. The sanctuary, once a haven, now felt like a trap closing in around them.
Kaelen stood in front of Ariana, his breathing heavy, his body already tense with battle-readiness. His own wolf form was still out of reach, the curse binding him to his human state. That didn't matter. He would fight, with or without claws.
Kaelen's jaw clenched. "You should've stayed dead, Lucian."
Lucian chuckled, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "And miss the chance to tear apart everything you love? No, brother. This is long overdue." His words dripped with malice, each syllable a reminder of their twisted history.
Ariana's pulse pounded in her ears. She could see the tension in Kaelen's stance, the way his fists curled at his sides, ready to strike. But even she could tell—the odds were stacked against them.
Lucian stepped forward, his movements slow and deliberate, savoring the moment. "Surrender now, Kaelen. It'll be less painful."
Kaelen smirked, but there was no humor in it. "You were never good at bluffing, Lucian."
The air shifted.
The attack came fast—too fast.
A massive werewolf lunged for Kaelen, but he sidestepped, driving a brutal punch into its ribs. Another charged from the left, claws aiming for his throat. Kaelen ducked, sweeping his leg out in a sharp kick, sending the wolf crashing into a tree. The sound of bones cracking echoed through the cool night air.
"Ariana, get back!" he shouted, urgency laced in his voice.
But she didn't listen.
Ariana grabbed a dagger from her belt, her hands trembling but steady enough. She wasn't going to be useless. Not tonight. Not when Kaelen needed her.
A wolf snapped its jaws inches from her face. She spun, slashing the blade across its chest. A sharp yelp—then blood. It stumbled back, but more were coming. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, igniting a fierce resolve she didn't know she possessed.
Kaelen fought like a storm—fast, relentless, but it wasn't enough. He was still human. His strength, though formidable, was limited. Each blow he landed felt like a fleeting victory against an overwhelming tide.
Then, Lucian moved.
A blur of black and silver, his form shifting mid-air as he launched toward Kaelen. The world seemed to slow as Kaelen realized the gravity of the situation.
Kaelen barely had time to react before Lucian's claws raked across his shoulder.
Pain. Searing, blinding pain.
He staggered back, blood seeping through his torn shirt. Lucian didn't stop. A brutal kick sent Kaelen crashing to the ground, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs.
"Not so strong without your wolf, are you?" Lucian sneered, standing over him, a predator reveling in its kill.
Ariana's breath hitched. She didn't think. She just moved.
She ran straight at Lucian, driving her dagger toward his throat.
Lucian caught her wrist mid-strike, his grip like iron. He yanked her forward, forcing her mere inches from his face, and she could see the madness swirling in his eyes.
"You've got fire," he mused. "I like that."
Ariana spat in his face, desperation fueling her actions.
Lucian's eyes darkened. "You'll regret that."
He flung her aside like she was nothing. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the air from her lungs. Stars danced in her vision, and for a moment, she felt disoriented.
Kaelen roared.
Fueled by fury, he surged to his feet despite the agony lancing through him. His fist connected with Lucian's jaw in a devastating blow, sending him staggering back.
"Run, Ariana!" Kaelen barked, his voice strained but commanding.
She hesitated, torn between staying and fleeing.
"Ariana, go!" he insisted, desperation lacing his tone.
Heart pounding, she forced herself to move, darting into the dense forest beyond the sanctuary. Behind her, the battle raged on, the sounds of snarls and growls echoing through the trees.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't.
Branches whipped against her skin as she ran, her breaths ragged, her legs burning. She didn't know where she was going—all she knew was that she had to get away, had to find help. Her heart raced with each step, fear driving her forward, but doubt gnawed at her mind. Would Kaelen be alright?
Then—a howl.
Followed by a thud.
Then silence.
Ariana's blood ran cold. She turned, her chest rising and falling in panicked gasps.
Kaelen lay on the ground, unmoving.
Lucian stood over him, breathing hard, his claws dripping crimson.
Ariana's throat tightened.
No.
No, no, no.
Lucian's eyes lifted to hers, and he smirked. "What now, little girl?"
The world around her blurred as panic surged. She could feel her heart racing, each beat a reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond her reach. The forest whispered secrets she couldn't afford to ignore, yet all she could focus on was Kaelen, lying there, vulnerable and defeated.
"Get away from him!" Ariana shouted, the sound tearing from her throat like a wounded animal. She rushed forward, fueled by a mix of terror and rage, but Lucian's laughter echoed in her ears, mocking her.
"Brave, but foolish," he taunted, stepping away from Kaelen's unconscious form. His eyes glinted with sadistic delight, and for a moment, she feared that he would finish what he started.
Ariana's grip tightened around the dagger in her hand. "You won't get away with this!" she yelled, determination igniting a fire within her.
Lucian's smirk widened, and he took a step closer. "Oh, but I already have." He leaned down, his face inches from Kaelen's, and whispered, "You should have stayed hidden, brother. The game is far from over."
In that moment, adrenaline coursed through Ariana like a tidal wave. She couldn't let fear paralyze her. She had to act.
With a fierce battle cry, she lunged at Lucian, dagger aimed for his heart. The world narrowed to the point of impact, her senses sharpening as she closed the distance. But Lucian sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and predatory.
"Nice try," he mocked, grabbing her wrist and twisting it until the dagger clattered to the ground. "But you're outmatched."
Ariana gasped, pain shooting up her arm. She struggled against his grip, but it was like trying to break free from iron chains.
"Let him go!" she screamed, her voice breaking.
Lucian's grip tightened, and he leaned closer, his breath hot against her skin. "You think you can save him? You're just a human. A weak, pathetic human."
With a sudden burst of strength, she kicked out, catching him in the knee. Lucian stumbled back, surprised, and she seized the opportunity to break free.
Ariana dashed toward Kaelen, desperate to check on him. She knelt by his side, her hands trembling as she brushed his hair away from his forehead. "Kaelen, please," she whispered, panic bubbling in her chest. "Wake up."
But there was no response. His body lay limp, and the sight of his blood-soaked shirt made her stomach churn.
Behind her, Lucian growled, enraged. "You're making a mistake, girl!"
Without thinking, she grabbed the dagger from the ground and turned to face him, holding it out in front of her like a shield. "Get away from us!"
Lucian paused, his expression shifting from amusement to irritation. "You're persistent, I'll give you that." He flicked his wrist, and several of his werewolves advanced, ready to pounce.
Ariana's heart raced. She was outnumbered and outmatched, but she couldn't let them take Kaelen. She had to protect him at all costs.
Just as the wolves lunged, a sudden roar echoed through the forest. The sound was primal, reverberating in her bones. It was followed by a burst of motion as another wolf, larger and more powerful than the rest, barreled into the fray, attacking Lucian's pack with ferocity.
Lucian's eyes widened in shock. "What the—"
The new wolf, a silver beast with glowing eyes, fought with an intensity that sent shockwaves through the clearing. It was as if the very essence of nature had turned against Lucian, rallying to protect Kaelen and Ariana.
"Run!" the silver wolf barked, its voice deep and commanding. "I'll hold them off!"
Ariana's breath hitched. It was a powerful ally, but she couldn't leave Kaelen behind. "I can't!" she shouted back, desperation clawing at her throat.
"Go!" the wolf insisted, snapping its jaws at the nearest werewolf, sending it sprawling.
With a heavy heart, Ariana looked down at Kaelen, torn between her loyalty to him and the instinct to survive.