Awakening Darkness

The fire quietly crackled, casting pale shadows against ice walls in the sanctuary of the Forgotten Ones.

Yna sat next to the lip of flame, staring down into her hands, Something within her was different, More powerful, More primal, Not just magic, Something older.

She had given away her power in the Veil to save Marcus.

And yet… the Forgotten Ones restored it.

But they didn't return to her what was taken from her.

They had changed her.

Yna flexed her fingers and watched silver fire run along her skin and vanish, She no longer required her to will them to appear. Her ability was instinctive to her.

Liora’s voice pierced through her head. "You all right?"

Yna looked down to see Liora sitting in front of her, still pale but alive. Her death playing out vividly in her mind was still in her head.

Yna swallowed. "Yes, Just trying to know what went wrong."

Liora studied her. "You feel different,"

“I am different,” Yna admitted.

Marcus stirred beside them, sitting against a rock. His eyes still smoldered with traces of silver, but he was strengthened.

Leo stood with his arms crossed at the doorway, observing the Forgotten Ones.

He still didn’t trust them.

Yna wasn’t sure that she did either.

The leader of the Forgotten Ones moved forward, his silver eyes unflinching. "You are no longer a wolf," he said.

Yna met his gaze. "Then what am I?"

Silence.

Then—

“The only thing that can stop what is inevitable.”

The fire extinguished itself, as if in response to his words.

Liora frowned. "You mean Selene?"

The Forgotten One shook his head.

“No. I mean what she just unleashed.”

Selene’s Blood Ritual

Deep in the devastated heart of her castle, Selene stood before the altar, the shadows danced around her, throbbed with supernatural hunger.

The blood was offered in the presentation.

Her warlocks were all destroyed, her army was burned to ashes.

But that wasn't what mattered to her, because she didn't need them any more.

Not when she was experiencing this.

Selene lifted her arms and spoke words that went unspoken for centuries.

The air shook, the ground broke apart.

A deep, primitive voice thundered out from nowhere.

“You dare call upon me?”

Selene smiled. "I will do more than bring you here."

She stepped forward and laid her bloody palm on the altar.

“I offer myself.”

The darkness stirred.

A shape started to rise—something vast, monstrous. Its shape was changing continuously, a mangled body of churning dark and glinting red eyes.

It had been concealed for centuries.

Locked in the depths of space.

And now, it was waking up.

The Ancient One

Selene knelt, struggling to breathe. "Grant me the ability to destroy her."

The creature snickered.

A sound that caused air to scream.

And then it spoke.

“You seek to slay a wolf.”

Selene grinned. "Yes."

The shadows crept over her, soaking into her skin.

Selene’s body arched and her veins darkened to black.

The Ancient One spoke its last command—

And Selene vanished into space.

The earth was motionless.

But something new was born.

Something far worse.

A War like No Other

Yna felt a change before the Forgotten Ones spoke a single word.

A pulse of energy traveled in the air, stifling and warm.

Something is wrong.

She turned abruptly to the chief. "What has just taken place?"

His expression was serious.

“She has awakened an Ancient One.”

Yna’s stomach fell.

“What?”

The Forgotten One spoke softly, yet with a seriousness in his voice.

“She has made its receptacle.”

Leo cursed. "Great. Just what I needed. Like she wasn't trouble enough already."

Marcus sat bolt upright with his jaw clenched. "What does that do to us?"

The Forgotten One turned his gaze to Yna.

“It means,” he said, “you are the only one left who can stop her.”

Yna swallowed hard.

She had outlived only Selene.

Now, she was confronted with something more powerful than any wolf, any warlock—

Something immortal.

Her hands shook.

“Then I will have to be stronger,” she said.

The Forgotten One leaned his head. "And we will teach you."

Yna exhaled, steadying herself.

She had no alternative.

If Selene bonded with an Ancient One, then she was no longer a threat to Yna's pack.

She was a danger to the world.

And Yna was going to stop her.

Or die trying.

The Hunt Begins

In the depths of emptiness, Selene's eyes were open.

They were no longer human beings.

No longer a warlock.

They burned with a primitive fire.

She smiled.

And whispered, "I see you, little wolf."

Yna shuddered.

Because for the first time, she realized that Selene was observing her as well.

And she was arriving.