CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Elena's pov

I was shivered by the snarls and growls that followed the huge smash that reverberated throughout the pack house.

Stephen whispered in a tight voice, "They're here." His wolf shape rippled under his skin as he changed.

Leila's eyes were concentrated and keen, and she was already moving. "We must venture outside. Right now.

Around us, the pack members scurried, changing into their wolf forms in anticipation of the impending battle. Fear and adrenaline pumped through my veins, making my heart speed.

Stephen looked at me and urged, "Stay close to me," in a forceful voice. "I will not allow you to leave my sight."

My body shook with a mixture of terror and resolve as I nodded. "I'm prepared."

The night air was heavy with tension as we hurried outside. I could see the rogues coming in from the treeline as the pack attacked its turf. Their snarls filled the air, and their eyes gleamed with ill intent.

With a growl, Leila transformed into a wolf and charged toward the first group of outlaws. Stephen trailed behind, spearheading the assault in his formidable wolf form as he ripped through the adversaries with lethal accuracy.

With shaky hands, I picked up a heavy branch from the ground and got ready to battle. I was urged to change by my wolf instincts, but I couldn't take the chance—not with the infant. I was forced to battle as a human.

The teeth of one of the rogues snapped inches from my face as it pounced at me. I swung the branch as forcefully as I could, and it fell to the ground. I kicked it in the side, sending it falling backward before it could recover.

"Remain back!" With trembling voice, I yelled.

There was another rogue, charging at me with a snarl. This time, I swung the branch more quickly. Its claws slashed toward my arm as it ducked my blow.

"Elena!" As he jumped between us, his enormous wolf form knocking the rogue to the ground, Stephen's voice reverberated through the confusion. He plunged his teeth into its throat, and the renegade went limp after one last snarl.

Stephen took hold of my arm and shifted back, panting fiercely. "Are you alright?"

With my heart pounding, I nodded. "I'm all right. However, they are found everywhere.

His eyes were black with rage as he looked about. "We must force them to retreat. Go to the main group.

As we advanced toward the battle's center, I trailed behind him. The rogues were unrelenting, but the pack was holding its own. Two more emerged for each one we eliminated.

Leila battled next to us, tearing through the outlaws with her wolf form a blur of motion. However, even she appeared tense, moving more slowly than normal.

Through the mind-link, Leila snarled in a frustrated tone, "They just keep coming."

Stephen squinted his eyes. "Darius is responsible for this. He is wearing us down and testing us.

Darius was mentioned, and my blood froze. Even though he wasn't present, he was all about. I sensed it in the rogues' movements and their methodical, well-planned attacks.

I whispered, my voice shaking with terror, "He's planning something."

A loud howl pierced the night before anyone could react, slicing through the confusion. My heart stopped beating.

Stephen mumbled, looking at the treeline, "That's not one of ours."

At the forest's edge, a tall, commanding figure emerged. I knew him, and my blood froze.

Darius.

His eyes glowed with a terrible resolve as he stood at the edge of the battlefield. The snarls of the rogues surrounding him grew louder as they pressed their attack, as if they were reacting to his presence.

Stephen's voice was filled with anger as he growled. "He's present."

Leila's face went white with rage as she transformed back into a human. "We must prevent him from approaching."

With a tight physique, Stephen nodded. "We confront him with the fight."

Fear twisting in my stomach, I swallowed hard. "Are you certain? Could this be a trap?

Stephen's voice was steady and quiet as his gaze shifted to me. "It most likely is. However, we have no other option.

With a grunt, Leila fixed Darius in her gaze. "Let's get this over with."

Stephen nodded and transformed back into a wolf, spearheading the rush in Darius' direction. I trailed after, my pulse racing as we crossed the battlefield.

The argument grew more violent as we drew closer. As though they were aware that we were pursuing their commander, the rogues appeared to concentrate their attacks on us. Even Stephen was beginning to slow as he ripped through them with vicious precision.

With her wolf form at Stephen's side, Leila snarled, "We're almost there." "A little bit farther."

Darius wasn't anticipating our arrival, though. He took a step nearer, grinning cruelly as he fixed Stephen with his eyes.

"Little brother, you're making a mistake," Darius stated in a cool, collected tone.

Stephen's body shook with rage as he growled. "This pack is not yours to take."

Darius's eyes glowed with ill intent, and his smile grew. "You have no other option."

Darius transformed into a wolf before Stephen could react, and his enormous body rushed toward him with terrifying speed.

"Stephen!" Panic rushing through me, I screamed.

With a force that rocked the earth, Stephen and Darius collided head-on. Their jaws and claws tore into one another as the two wolves wrestled with savage intensity.

Darius was obviously stronger than Leila, but we managed to repel the rogues who attempted to encircle them. His movements were lethal, his blows precise and well-planned.

I could see the tension in Stephen's actions, even though he was battling with everything he had. He was unable to continue.

"We must assist him!" With desperation gnawing at me, I yelled.

Leila's voice was strained as she growled. "He's too powerful. He cannot be defeated in this manner.

As I saw Stephen battle against Darius, my heart raced and I felt terrified. Something has to be done, but what?

Then suddenly, like a blade slicing through the darkness, a dazzling light burst from the treeline. The rogues froze, their shocked eyes wide.

I turned to see the figure coming out of the trees, my breath seizing in my throat.

The silver wolf.

Its eyes glowed with an intensity that chilled my spine, and it moved with a grace and strength I had never seen before.

Facing the silver wolf, Darius narrowed his eyes and snarled. "Why are you in this place?"

The silver wolf remained silent. Its presence was unquestionable and imposing as it merely moved between Stephen and Darius.

There was silence for a minute.

The silver wolf then leaped at Darius with a deep growl, its claws ripping into him with such force that he fell to the ground.

The silver wolf, its eyes blazing with might, stood over Darius as he strained to stand. This was no longer merely a fight. This marked the start of the end.