ra

out him," Susan whispered, her voice like a soft growl in my mind. I could feel her worry mixing with my own. The ropes cut into my wrists,

omeone who had just caught a werewolf. His look cut through me as if searching for some

and controlled. He knelt in front of me, holding the pe

ve that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. The pendant brought back mem

s sharpening. "You know exactly why I

eep my feelings in check. "I don'

e, Elara. I can see it in your eyes. This pendant means somet

going to tell you anything? You're just like the rest of them," I snapped, my voice fi

t like the others," he said strongl

t was creeping into my mind. "Then why did you captu

know who you are or what you're capable of. All I know is that you're linked to

es, the same pain that I had been trying to ignore for years. "Your mother?"

part of something... something that got he

been connected with my family's downfall? The thought made my blood run cold

. "I've been searching for answers for years,

g my unease. "Elara, be careful

stay calm. "But there's something else go

eakness. "Please," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "I need

m to be like the others-cold, cruel, and merciless. But there w

wly, "why would I tell you? What

u to trust me, Elara. But we both want the same thing-answers. A

was ridiculous, but I couldn't deny the truth in his words. There wa

smell that made my blood run cold. "They're coming," Susan g

up, his eyes searching the darkness around

rely a whisper. "Led by Alpha Marcus Gr

saw real fear in them. "We have to get out of h

heart racing. "Cut me loose!" I d

opes. I leaped to my feet, my muscles tensed, ready to run. But as soon as I was

resist. "What are you doing?" he as

m into the darkness. "You're going to tell me every

h each passing second. My heart pounded in my chest, fear and energy flowing throu

Luca whispered, his

here that was. I just knew we had to keep moving, ha

floor. The moonlight filtered through the trees, creating strange shadows that seeme

" Luca asked, breaking the

I said through hard t

is face confused.

my voice tinged with anger. "This world is d

didn't look back. I didn't have time to explain everyth

be quiet. The sounds of the coming beasts were getting louder, closer. I c

, my voice barely audibl

ing my arm. "You can't go out

, pulling away from him.

ed with despair. "Elara, don't. W

ht-we were in this together now, whether I liked it o

gned. "But you stay behind me

e the relief in his eyes.

lmost upon us now, their howls ringing through the trees. I could feel the

ce low. "And whatever happen

was strong, and I could feel the warmth of his skin against my own

from the shadows. I could see their eyes sparkling in the darkness, their teeth bared in

words dripping with hatre

p on Luca's hand, pulling him closer. Alpha Marcus Gray's ey

rcus mocked, his voice as dark as t

fear. "I'm not running, Marcus," I answer

ad across his face. "A human? You've truly lost

't back down. "She doesn't need protecting," Luca said, his voi

laugh. "You're brave, I'll give yo

, ready to strike at any moment. My heart raced, and

said, trying to keep my voice calm. "

k. "Oh, but it does," he said softly. "You've been a thor

n on me. We were overpowered, and the chances of getting out of thi

tending as he prepared to strike. My reflexes took over,

, stopping him in his tracks. I turned to see another group of werewol

. Their boss, a tall, intimidating figure,

ewcomer growled. "This fi

arrowing in fury. "Who are