ents quick and efficient as they fortified the territory. Logs were sharpened into stakes, traps were l

ounger member's stance with a firm but patient hand, guiding him to shift his weight properly. Desp

th a crooked smile. She leaned against a nearby tree

s expression softening.

o be. You know, not everyone he

replied, his voic

'll follow you into this fight. Even Jon, th

ct him from the reality ahead. "It doesn't change what we're up

head. "And you'r

burned with determin

holding its breath. Jason and Emma sat by the fire outside one of th

houghts a swirl of emotions. "Do

le. "They're watching us. Waiting for the ri

er of unease crossing her

his touch grounding her. "Wh

in them. "I just hate that this is happ

our fault. Magnus would have found another reason to come for me, f

zed his hand tightly. "Just promise me

is forehead resting ag

the first sign

rning mist clung to the ground, and the silence was unnerving. Her inst

g as she caught the faint scent of wolve

st. Moments later, Vincent and Jon appeared, their forms blurring s

incent asked, h

t. "They're here. I don't kno

er, his expression grim.

," Shelby

n his throat. "We nee

ng, their faces hard with determination as Vincent barked orders. Jason

s to break us, but we won't give him the chance. Protect each other. Fight

d howls erupted, the

s we're weak, divided. But he's wrong. We're stronger than he'll ever be because we fight for m

heir agreement, the

ality of what was coming set in. She caught Jason's eye, and

tack came ju

d seamlessly between human and wolf. At their center was Magnus, his towering frame ex

a mocking drawl. "Hiding behind yo

ng. "This isn't your territory, Magnus. Leav

Brave words for someone who's already lost ever

of Orion, Jason

her," he said,

irked. "W

the bat

illing the air. Jason charged into the fray, his movements a blur of precisi

rience evident in every move. Shelby darted through the b

ering strength, his fists an

as she watched the battle unfold. She gripped the small silver

choed in her mind, and she c

fray, his sheer size and strength unmatched. He tore

d gone," Magnus snarle

hrough the battlefield. The two alphas fought with sava

on was faster, using his agi

" Magnus growled, his v

ed with defiance.

ding Magnus crashing to the ground. But before he could finish him, an

n, both sides suff

of Magnus's lieutenants, but her victory was short-lived.

oars echoing through the cleari

he end, his sacrifice buying

is packmates fall, their sacrif

to retreat. Magnus, bloodied and defeated, let out a furious roar

except for the labored b

king him. Emma rushed to his side, wrapping her

e whispered, he

vy with both relief and grief. "We wo

o gather, their faces somber

a sense of unity-a bond fo

no matter how far he had strayed, he