The forest was alive with movement. Leaves whispered secrets as wolves darted between trees, taking positions. The night crackled with tension, every sound sharper, every breath laced with adrenaline.
Elara stood in the center of the war circle, flanked by her elite guard and Kael. A torchlight burned beside her, casting flickering shadows across her armor — silver-lined leather, etched with ancient sigils that glowed faintly under the moonlight.
"They're approaching from three angles," Ravynn said, appearing at her side. "South, east, and west. Classic pincer tactic."
"Vael's hoping we'll panic," Elara replied. "But we won't give him that."
Kael's gaze swept the clearing. "Signal the first line. No engagement until they breach the second perimeter."
Elara nodded. "Let's bleed them on our terms."
Moments later, the first howl tore through the trees — a rogue scout, followed by dozens of them, charging forward with wild, reckless speed. They broke through the first line like shadows through mist.
But they never expected what came next.
From the treetops, Elara's archers — wolves skilled in silent death — rained arrows tipped with silverroot. Screams filled the forest as the first wave of rogues fell, their ambush reversed into a slaughter.
Elara stepped forward, her blade drawn, Moonlight gleaming along its edge. Her eyes glowed — bright, almost white — and as the second wave charged, she met them with a snarl.
She danced through them like wind through fire, fast and deadly. Her blade flashed, slicing cleanly, her body moving with grace and fury. Kael was a storm beside her, his wolf form immense and relentless, tearing through the rogues with brutal precision.
But even in the chaos, something felt wrong.
Too easy.
"Fall back!" Elara shouted. "It's a distraction!"
Too late.
A thunderous growl echoed from the ridge. Emerging from the shadows, a monstrous rogue — larger than any Elara had seen — leapt toward the center. His eyes burned red. Not just any wolf. One of Vael's blood-fused experiments.
He roared, and the very earth seemed to tremble.
Kael lunged first, meeting the beast mid-air, and the clash sent shockwaves through the clearing.
Elara's heart pounded as she raised her blade again, realizing with chilling clarity—
This wasn't the battle.
It was only the beginning.