n the dark. Their jaws were sharp, and their teeth elongated, dripping with saliva. A low growl filled the room, a sound that sent a cold shiver down Mara's

shifted beneath his skin. His eyes flickered from human to wolf and back again, his breath coming in

rrent state. She had to help him, even if it meant putting herself in danger. She stepped forward, clutching the bundl

ng through the tension. "You can do

uman side still fought to remain in control, even as the wolf threatened to

ing that might turn the tide. Her eyes fell on an old ceremonial knife, resting atop a nearby shelf. It was intricately designed, its bl

said, her voice filled with re

harder to control. The creatures advanced, their eyes fixed on Mara, their growls growing loud

ur as he swiftly moved, his jaws snapping. He tore into the first creature, his strength and speed unparalleled, but more were coming. Mara

deep into its side. It let out a piercing screech, stumbling backward as Mara twisted the knife, severing its tendons. The creature fe

rocity that Mara had never seen before, his movements fast and brutal. He was the protector he had always been

her throat as she watched Elias rip into another foe. Blood splatt

k that Elias might lose himself forever if they couldn't break the curse. As she fought off another cr

to be reasoned with. His primal instincts drove him forward, pushing him

lentless, and though Elias was a fierce warrior, even he couldn't hold

h layers of dust and time. The same symbol that had been etched into the records, the one that had seemed so insignif

. She could feel the creatures closing in behind her, but she pushed forward. She

urning into something darker, something more frantic. The

one rune she could recognize-it was the same one from the records. It was the key, the trigger, that could activate the sigil. Sh

ceed, one of the creatures lunged at her, its claws slicing through the air. She didn't have time to react. But before it could rea

ng mix of human and beast. His eyes were g

its power flowing through her as she whispered the final words of the incantation.

them. The glow spread outward, binding the creatures in a cage of light and pushing them back toward

eyes flickering between human and wolf. The transformation had taken its toll, and Mara cou

reaths shallow as he staggered toward her.

didn't have much time. The ritual, the one that could finally break the curse,

ered, her hand gently cupping his

h a mix of fear and love. "Promise me, M

ff. "We'll break the curse. We won't let yo

e battle was just beginning. But th