ne, predatory look, it surveyed them from the edge of the battlefiel

started

d in a harsh, gravelly vo

remained motionless, staring at the outlaw. He had to make

oved towards him. "This is their desi

. They will perceive my refusal to confront him

he rogues charged forward with increased ferocity in a matter of seconds. The warriors of the pack strug

nded in a forceful voice.

yk

he said, "Lyra, I mean it."

dvance to confront the renegade Alpha. Like predators assessing one another

ed, and the rogues' numbers had overflowed into the centre of the area. Lyra's dete

e invaders back. Her blows were accurate, her blade repeatedly striking its target.

erberated through the commotion as he and the renegade Alpha engaged in a furious comba

all she could think of was that they could

olves and colliding bodies. The moonlight that crept through the thick canopy occasionally illuminated the shadows

ame in ragged gasps. As it rushed, her dagger sliced through its flank, flashing in the moonlight

he sight of a young wolf cornered by two rogues, she turned towards the voice. As he scrambled backw

woodland floor, she ran towards him. "Hold on!"

looked it in the eye. With its claws raised, the wolf sprang at her, but she turned with ease and slashed acro

her. "Return to the packhouse by running!" Even though her hea

er, its fur bristling and giving a low snarl. Lyra tightened her hold on her dagger and re

she muttered under her breath, "Com

ely escaping the attack, Lyra went to one knee and stabbed it in the chest with her blad

their actions motivated by her bravery. She witnessed Celeste engaged in ferocious combat with

ride for a moment. She had motivated the pack and

rajectory pointed straight at Ryker. He was engaged in combat wit

e was rough with urg

was already too close. With its claws gleaming ominously in the moo

th its jaws agape, the rogue leaped, but Lyra caught it in mid-air and slammed into it wi

d her knife. She struck it squarely in the shoulder with the blade. The rogue thrashed and screamed in agony

e rogue's neck, his power overwhelming it as he grasped it by the scruff. R

hat were you thinking?" Something unsaid softened the typical

r, she shot back, her tone adamant, "I wa

like a far-off storm, and for a moment neither of them spoke. At last he extende

" Lyra shot back. "I w

ed, his tone lowering

calm voice. "Ryker, don't tell

r. He finally sighed in frustration and released her

said, her determi

first to move, throwing himself into the battle with his strong body a blur. Withou

cles ached, but she continued. She was unable to. Every rogue she encountered tes

pression imprinted on her wrinkled face, her black eyes studied Lyra closely. There was a flicke

an she was that it charged at her. Raising her dagger as it swiped at her, she hardly had t

e rogue advanced. Lyra's knuckles turned white as she tightened her hold on her dagger.

her body feel lighter and faster. With unnatural speed, she sidestepped the strike, her dagger cutting th

heaved as she stood over it. Her motions felt more confident, and

le formed on her lips. "So, it starts," she whis

the renegade Alpha stood at the battlefield's edge. Before turning and howling once more, its eyes darted across the are

uminous eyes met Ryker's. "Alpha, this is not o

e anxiety lingered like a ghost as the battlefield went silent. With her b

unreadable. His voice was lower now

fine," but her voice

fore turning to face the fleeing outlaws

him leave. This was just the beginning of

earth mixed with the subtle smell of blood that still permeated the air. Lyra's dagger rested on the table next to her as she sat at the

enacted the fight, her thoughts identifying the times she could have moved more quickly and del

on her, and his black shirt clung to his chest, still wet from exertion. With deliberate strides, he moved ac

ell out there." With his arms folded across his chest, he came t

a tone that was softer than she had intended, she sa

lips. "You went above and above. The pack also notice

dued by the tightness that still pervaded his eyes. With a deliberately bla