The first light of dawn broke across the rain-soaked courtyard, but it brought no relief.
The Alpha Killer had vanished after its encounter with Leila, but its presence lingered like a shadow over every wolf in the Cursed Pack. The pack was tense—every muscle coiled for the inevitable return of the creature or its allies.
Dominic stood at the center of the courtyard, shifting between human and wolf form, his shadow and silver aura rippling around him. Leila was beside him, her Eclipse Form barely contained, radiating power that made the air itself vibrate.
Marcus and the other warriors moved in tight formations, guarding every entrance to the pack territory.
"This is it," Dominic said softly. "They won't give up until we're dead—or they've destroyed the pack."
Leila's silver eyes scanned the forest. "They're coming from the east. Hundreds of mutated wolves. The Order isn't sending just one Alpha Killer—they've sent a strike force."
From the trees, a howl rose. It was not natural—a chorus of distorted, unnatural sounds, each wolf screaming in unison.
Dominic growled. "Positions!"
The pack scattered into defensive formations, fangs bared, claws sharp, ready to protect their home.
The first wave hit.
Mutated wolves poured into the clearing like a dark river, their bodies twisted, silver veins glowing faintly beneath blackened fur. Their eyes were dead, their instincts warped, all drawn toward Dominic and the restored bloodline inside Leila.
Dominic transformed fully into his wolf form, muscles rippling, shadow energy exploding outward. He charged the front line of attackers, teeth snapping, claws slashing.
Leila moved beside him, controlling the energy of the First Bloodline within her. Her hands and paws glowed with intertwined silver and obsidian threads as she reached toward the mutated wolves, attempting to purify their corrupted essence.
Some of them faltered.
Others screamed, tearing through the ground as their unstable bodies resisted.
A massive Alpha Killer emerged from the trees, larger and faster than the first. Its silver eyes locked onto Dominic. This time, it came prepared.
Dominic met it head-on. Shadow energy clashed against its twisted power, creating an explosion that shook the entire courtyard.
The pack fought valiantly around them. Wolves leapt from walls, claws raked across corrupted bodies, teeth sank deep, yet the mutated wolves kept coming, relentless, organized, unnervingly intelligent.
Leila's hands glowed brighter as she reached toward another Alpha Killer approaching from the left flank. She poured the First Bloodline energy into it, feeling its memories and pain.
"You can fight this," she whispered through the bond. "You were never meant to be a weapon."
The creature hesitated, giving a brief opening that Marcus took advantage of, slashing its legs and buying her time.
Dominic and the Alpha Killer collided again, the courtyard erupting in chaos. Trees splintered, walls cracked, and mud and blood covered everything.
Through the storm of battle, Leila realized the horrifying truth—the Order had experimented not just with physical power, but mental manipulation. Every mutated wolf was partially aware, partially enslaved, and some were more powerful than natural alphas.
Her silver eyes flared. "I can't purify them all," she said aloud. "Not fast enough."
Dominic growled. "Then we hold them until I can!"
He surged through the battlefield like a living storm. Wolves who had once doubted him now followed without question, inspired by the sight of their alpha standing unbroken against impossible odds.
Kael appeared from behind a ruined wall, holding a makeshift spear. "We can't let them overwhelm the gates!" he shouted. "I'll cover the eastern flank!"
Leila's hands glowed brighter. She could feel the First Bloodline inside her resonating with Dominic's shadow and silver energy. Together, they created a pulse of power that radiated outward in a wide arc, forcing back hundreds of mutated wolves.
But the Alpha Killer wasn't done. It leapt high into the air, claws aimed at Dominic's chest.
Leila shouted, summoning every ounce of the First Bloodline's energy. Silver and obsidian threads wrapped around the creature mid-air, restraining it, freezing its muscles.
Dominic seized the opportunity. He lunged, fangs sinking into its shoulder, shadow energy lashing out like a whip, forcing the creature to the ground.
The courtyard went silent for a heartbeat. Then the remaining mutated wolves faltered, sensing the Alpha Killer's fall.
Leila exhaled, panting heavily. "It's not over. There are more… hundreds more waiting at the mountains."
Dominic's eyes glowed faintly. "Then we prepare. And we go to them."
Marcus nodded beside him. "Then it's war. Full-scale."
Leila looked at Dominic. "Are you ready?"
Dominic's gaze hardened. "I've been ready my entire life. Now it's time everyone else is too."
From the shadows of the forest, another howl rose. Not one Alpha Killer. Not a few. Entire packs of corrupted wolves were moving, converging toward the Cursed Pack.
Leila's heart tightened.
The war had just begun.