he pack as they prepared for what would be their greatest test yet. Jason stood at the forefront, his golden eyes scanning the treetops, his body taut with antici

y?" Jason asked Mar

set along the northern perimeter. Scouts report Magn

ad insisted on fighting, training alongside the pack with an intensity that left no roo

fight," he had

vering. "It is now. Wher

hought of her in the cross

ile others fortified the clearing, their movements silent but purposeful. Jason helped oversee the d

the silence. "Do you think we have a chan

. "We always have a chance. Magnus u

She wasn't alone in that; Jason could smell the anxi

pened instincts, heightened senses, and turned

owl shatter

his body moving before his mind could

ansformed with bone-snapping efficiency. Emma stayed by Jason's side, her silver dagger glint

crimson in the dark. At their center stood Magnus, his massive frame radiati

ttural snarl. "You've brought quite the we

ing over the clearing. "You talk too m

as a low rumble.

ng erupted

met the first wave head-on, his claws slicing through fur and flesh with lethal

the fray, her agility making her a blur of motion as she took down enemies twice he

ed herself against the onslaught. Despite her human limitatio

houted, his voice cut

f an attacking wolf. The creature crumpled, and she turned b

she said, her g

ide and fear war

battle, Magnus and J

th his fur as he swung at Jason with brutal force. Jaso

arled, his claws slashing through the

unged, his claws raking across Magnus's

deadly dance. Magnus's strength was undeniable, but J

ve you?" Magnus taunted. "You're a l

with fury. "You don'

at Magnus, the force of his att

ng, Emma found herself

ith mockery. "The human girl. Jason must reall

heart pounding. "If you think I'm an easy t

old and sharp. "Brave word

ed his attack, her blade slicing across his

for that,"

deliberate. She knew she couldn't match him in strength,

e. Traps set along the perimeter slowed the Bloodfangs

ry came a

mpling in the dirt. Marcus, too, was wounded, his

knife to his heart. But he cou

en Jason managed to pi

son growled, his claws di

iance. "You think this changes anything?

a swift, final motion, he en

e. The remaining Bloodfangs, leaderles

e stock of their losses. The air was thick with sorrow an

eyes heavy with grief. He had proven

slipping into his. "You

rected, his voice fill

rekindled. Jason had not only fought for them-he had fo

was far from over. But for the first tim

ey would face wh