The creature stood just beyond the gates.
Rain dripped from its massive frame as it stepped slowly into the moonlight.
Every wolf in the courtyard went silent.
It was enormous.
Larger than any wolf Dominic had ever seen—nearly the size of a bear. Its black fur was thick and jagged along its spine, and silver veins pulsed faintly beneath its skin like molten metal.
But the most disturbing part…
Was its eyes.
Cold.
Intelligent.
And completely empty of pack bond.
Dominic felt it instantly.
A wolf without connection.
Without instinct for hierarchy.
Without the natural pull toward an alpha.
It was wrong.
Marcus muttered under his breath beside him.
"That… is not natural."
Leila's voice was quieter.
"No."
The First Bloodline inside her reacted violently the moment the creature appeared.
Not fear.
Recognition.
Dominic stepped forward onto the rain-soaked ground.
The pack behind him tensed.
"Alpha—" Marcus began.
Dominic raised a hand.
"No one interferes."
The creature's head tilted slightly as if studying him.
Then it spoke.
Not with a howl.
With words.
"Dominic."
The pack gasped.
Dominic's expression didn't change.
"So you can talk."
The creature took another step closer.
"I was made to find you."
Its voice sounded hollow, like something speaking through a throat not meant for speech.
Leila felt a chill run through her.
"Be careful," she murmured through their bond.
Dominic's wolf pushed forward inside him.
Already preparing.
"I always am."
The creature lowered its massive body slightly.
"Your death begins the new order."
Marcus muttered from the wall, "Yeah, definitely not natural."
Dominic's eyes glowed faintly as his wolf rose closer to the surface.
"You're not the first wolf sent to kill me."
The creature's lips curled back.
"I am the last one you will face."
Then it moved.
Faster than anything Dominic had ever seen.
The ground exploded beneath its paws as it launched forward.
Dominic shifted mid-motion, his wolf bursting out with a surge of shadow and silver energy.
The two wolves collided in a thunderous crash that shook the courtyard.
The Alpha Killer's claws raked across Dominic's shoulder.
Blood splattered across the mud.
The pack roared in outrage.
Marcus gripped the gate.
"Hold positions!"
Dominic twisted, slamming his massive wolf body into the creature and sending it skidding across the courtyard.
But it landed perfectly.
Balanced.
Unhurt.
It grinned again.
Leila felt dread tighten in her chest.
It was learning.
Dominic circled it slowly.
"You're stronger than the mutations," he growled.
"I was perfected," the creature replied.
It lunged again.
This time Dominic anticipated it, dodging and snapping his jaws toward its neck.
But the Alpha Killer moved faster.
Its claws tore across Dominic's ribs.
A deep wound opened instantly.
Dominic stumbled.
Leila's heart slammed painfully.
The creature laughed softly.
"You feel pain."
Dominic bared his fangs.
"So do you."
He launched forward again.
This time shadow energy exploded from his body as he slammed the creature against the stone wall.
The impact cracked the stone.
But the Alpha Killer only laughed harder.
"You are stronger than expected."
Then its body changed.
The silver veins beneath its skin began glowing brighter.
Dominic's instincts screamed.
Danger.
He jumped back just as the creature released a violent burst of energy.
The blast shattered wooden structures and threw several wolves off their feet.
Marcus barely held onto the gate.
"What the hell was that?!"
Leila stepped forward, her eyes blazing.
"That energy…"
Dominic shifted back to human form briefly, breathing heavily.
"It's absorbing alpha power."
The courtyard fell silent.
Leila realized the horrifying truth.
"That's why it's called the Alpha Killer."
The creature stepped out of the dust cloud calmly.
"Correct."
Dominic's wounds were already healing, but slower than normal.
The creature tilted its head again.
"You carry the restored bloodline."
Its silver eyes turned toward Leila.
"And you…"
Leila's wolf stirred instantly.
"You are the eclipse."
Dominic stepped in front of her.
"Focus on me."
The creature smiled again.
"You misunderstand."
Then it vanished.
Dominic's instincts screamed.
He turned—
Too late.
The Alpha Killer appeared behind Leila.
Its claws swung toward her throat.
But before they connected—
Silver and obsidian light exploded outward.
Leila's Eclipse Form erupted instinctively.
Her body shifted into the half-wolf state, glowing with intertwined shadow and moonlight.
The creature froze mid-strike.
Leila grabbed its arm.
For a brief moment—
The impossible happened.
The creature looked… afraid.
The First Bloodline surged through her.
Not violently.
Commanding.
"Stop."
The word carried ancient authority.
The Alpha Killer staggered back.
The pack stared in shock.
Marcus whispered from the gate.
"She just… stopped it."
But the creature recovered quickly.
Its grin returned.
"Interesting."
Leila stepped forward slowly.
"You were made wrong."
The creature laughed.
"I was made superior."
Leila shook her head.
"No."
She raised her hand.
Silver-black energy flowed outward like threads of light.
Dominic realized what she was doing.
"You're trying to purify it."
Leila's voice was steady.
"If there's any wolf left inside…"
The energy touched the creature's chest.
For a moment—
It screamed.
Not in rage.
In pain.
Memories flashed through Leila's mind.
A wolf strapped to metal tables.
Warlocks carving symbols into flesh.
Needles injecting dark energy.
A mind slowly breaking.
Leila gasped.
"You were forced."
The creature roared and tore free of her energy.
"Silence!"
Its body trembled violently.
"You will not fix me!"
Dominic shifted again instantly.
"You're done hurting my mate."
The Alpha Killer snarled.
"Then die together."
It lunged again.
But this time—
The entire Cursed Pack moved.
Marcus and twenty warriors leapt from the walls.
Claws and fangs slammed into the creature from every direction.
The courtyard exploded into chaos.
But the Alpha Killer only laughed.
Because even surrounded…
It wasn't afraid.
Leila felt the First Bloodline surge again.
And this time—
It showed her something terrifying.
There wasn't just one Alpha Killer.
There were more.
And they were already moving toward the Iron Mountains.
Preparing for war.