The initial blow came before the sun had fully risen above the eastward ridge.
A sharp, ringing howl rent the dawn — not an alarm call, but one of war.
She spun around toward the sound as the first wave of Viktor's troops surged out of the forest.
They came together, some having changed, some not, eyes glowing, jaws agape. Rogues, mercenaries, and former wolves turned to serve Viktor. The reek of rage and bloodlust hit them.
Silverpine did not falter.
Lucas threw up his arm and shouted, "Form ranks!"
Wolves moved forward, turning as they advanced, armor clanking, claws scraping against earth. Cade took the right flank. Glenshadow warriors trailed behind.
She was standing at the front.
By choice.
She pulled forth her twin blades, heart racing, wolf thrumming under her skin like embers burning through her veins.
Let them come.
It lunged first __ sudden, fierce.
She dodged to the side, sliced in a smooth arc, and the wolf fell at her feet.
One from the side. She spun around, dodged, kicked off the tree trunk and was behind him. Swift strike.
Gone.!
She was no longer the shy girl.
She was a warrior.
And she was done being hunted.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chaos erupted around her.
The forest floor became war-torn — blood soaked into roots, growls echoing between the trees. Wolves battled fang-to-fang, blades clanged, and the scent of ash rode on the wind as fires burned along ridgelines.
Somewhere to the left of her, Lucas fought as a storm raged—the silver wolf formed a vortex of speed and fury. Merciless and methodical, but never cruel.
Every time Mia caught sight of him, she felt the pull — not just the bond, but the way he moved, as though protecting this place, these wolves, herself, was no longer duty, but desire.
And yet he did leave her alone.
Let her lead her fight.
It meant more than any apology could ever.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
She then saw him.
Viktor Blackridge.
He stood on the battlefield's edge,
arms crossed,
observing.
Unbothered.
Untouched.!
He did not take part.
Not yet.
He was waiting.
Waiting for something.
Mia's wolf growled menacingly. She sliced another attacker and started moving toward him—but suddenly a flash of movement blocked her way.
A huge, ferocious wolf with scars, armor, and one of Viktor's lieutenants__
She managed to block the first strike.
She was knocked off the ground.
She rolled, came up on one knee, blades poised.
He laughed.
"They said the omega was not safe. You look fragile to me."
She stood up, hesitantly.
"That's your first error."
Their battle was a blur of strike, parry, dodge, and agony. Her shoulder seared from a swipe of claws.
He was powerful.
Larger.
Cruel.
However, he did not do so.
He did not intend to fight.
She waited, timed it__and then let him overcommit.
One step too far.
She turned around, plunged the blade into his ribs, and then hit the back of his skull with the other blade's hilt.
He fell.
She breathed hard.
They gazed upwards.
Viktor had left.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Somewhere else on the battlefield, Lucas also witnessed it.
Viktor did not enter the conflict.
He was letting his wolves die while plotting something bigger.
Lucas turned back to human shape, his face and arms covered in blood.
"Fall back to the secondary line!"
He shouted!
Cade ran up beside him, gasping. "They're not falling back. What's next?"
Lucas's eyes widened.
"He's testing our strength. Measuring it. Waiting to see our numbers decrease."
He spun around, surveying the battlefield.
And then he espied her. Mia...!
Standing over the body of the dead lieutenant, blood on her blades, heaving chest falling and rising as she panted from exhaustion.
And behind her…
An individual walked between the trees.
"Mia!"
Lucas shouted.
She turned__in time.
An arrow soared through the air.
Straight toward her back.