CHAPTER FIFTY

Elena's POV

The dark figures loomed out of the darkness, their eyes ruddiness with the same uncanny light that had enveloped the traitor leader, and the air grew cold. My stomach sank with my heart. This after barely surviving the last battle?

Stefen stepped forward, his body poised and prepared. He snarled, "Elena, stay behind me."

Beside him, the silver wolf was staring at the new danger. I could tell it was still weak from the last battle, but even though it was silent, its presence exuded power.

"What are they seeking?" With a trembling voice, I whispered.

One of the figures said in a low, threatening voice, "They're here for the child." "You believed this would be resolved if we defeated our leader? You were mistaken.

Stefen growled, rage blazing in his eyes. "You must first pass through us."

The figure gave a gloomy laugh. "The plan was always that."

The figures hurried forward, their movements quick and lethal, without another word. Stefen shifted into his wolf form in an instant, charging to meet them head-on. The silver wolf followed, its teeth bared and ready for the fight.

"Remain back!" Stefen’s voice boomed across the mind-link, his tone urgent.

But I couldn’t just stand there. Not this time. Grabbing a stout branch from the ground, I braced myself to fight, my heart beating. I wasn’t going to let these thugs take our child.

The clearing burst into turmoil as the figures clashed with Stefen and the silver wolf. Their attacks were swift, vicious. The dark energy surrounding the figures made them even more dangerous, each strike hitting with bone-crushing force.

"Stefen!" I shouted as one of the figures aimed a deadly blow at him.

He dodged at the last second, but I could see the strain in his movements. He was exhausted. We all were.

I swung the branch at one of the creatures that had gotten too near, but it hardly flinched. It turned toward me, its bright eyes locking upon mine. My heart hammered in my chest as it stepped closer.

“You’re coming with us,” it hissed.

"No, she isn't!" Leila suddenly materialized, transformed into a wolf, and slammed full force into the person.

“Leila!” I gasped, watching as she tore into the figure, her growls filling the air.

“Help Stefen!” Leila hissed via the mind-link, her voice laced with urgency.

I turned to find Stefen embroiled in fight with two of the entities, their attacks relentless. The silver wolf was battling off the others, but the numbers were against us.

I grabbed another branch and sprinted toward Stefen, swinging it with all my effort at the figure next to him. It struck so forcefully that the figure stumbled.

With a tight voice, Stefen snarled, "Thanks."

"We must have a strategy!" I looked around at the confusion and yelled.

He swung at one of the figures and sank his teeth into its arm, saying, "We take them out one by one."

However, the numbers were not readily given up. Their dark energy swirled about them like a shield as they battled back with terrible force.

“We can’t keep this up,” I mumbled, terror pulling at me.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, one of the figures let out a chilling howl, and the others stopped their attacks, stepping back into the shadows.

Breathing heavily, Stefen transformed back into a person. "What are they doing, exactly?"

I was too busy to respond. The lead figure abruptly moved forward and fixed me with his eyes as the air changed.

"I take it that you don't comprehend the prophecy?" His tone was one of wicked delight as he spoke.

Stefen stepped between us, growling. "Remain apart from her."

The figure disregarded him, his gaze riveted on me. “The child isn’t just a key. It's a weapon. A weapon capable of destroying all you hold dear.

My blood froze. "You're telling lies."

The figure grinned broadly. "Am I? Why have so many people attempted to take it away from you? What do you think prevented you from seeing the prophecy?

Stefen stiffened, wrath blazing in his eyes. You're attempting to influence her thoughts. It will not succeed.

The man's head cocked slightly. "You underestimate the child's power. And nothing will remain after it is out.

With my heart pounding, I took a step back. "No, you're mistaken."

"You haven't missed it, have you?" He went on in a silky, low voice. "The visions." The dreams. You sensed the strength increasing.

I tried to ignore what he was saying by shaking my head. However, I knew in my heart that he was telling the truth.

"Enough of this!" With a growl, Stefen transformed back into a wolf and charged at the creature.

However, the figure was quicker. Stefen waved his palm, and a burst of dark energy blasted him back, smashing him with a terrible crash into a tree.

"Stefen!" I ran to him and screamed.

He was scarcely breathing. Even though I could see the pain in his eyes, he persisted in trying to stand.

The figure took a step closer and chuckled. "It is unavoidable. You will all be consumed by the child's might.

The silver wolf reappeared before he could get to me, crashing into the person with such force that he flew across the clearing. With unsure flickering in their blazing eyes, the other forms took a step back.

The lead figure stumbled to his feet and muttered, "This isn't over." "The prophecy will come to pass."

Between us, the silver wolf stood, its eyes blazing with a low growl that warned them to keep back.

There was silence for a while.

The figures then withdrew into the darkness and vanished into the night with one last sneer.

The clearing grew quiet once more, and my heart began to rush. Stefen leaned heavily against the tree and transformed back into a human.

"Are you alright?" I hurried to his side and inquired.

He gave a feeble nod. "I'll survive. But it doesn't end here. Their return is imminent.

With trembling hands, I knelt next to him. "What are we going to do?"

Leila retreated, her side pouring blood. "We get ready. We discover the true meaning of this prophecy and put an end to it before it's too late.

Stefen was staring at me with a determined expression in his eyes. "Elena, we'll work things out. We'll keep our family safe.

Even though the worry was still bothering me, I nodded. However, what if he's correct? What if the prophecy comes true?

Stefen took my hand and firmly said, "No." "They can't take anything away from us. Not the kid. Not the group. Nothing.

Leila wiped the blood from her face and sighed. "The packs need to be gathered now. It's no longer just about us. We are all in jeopardy if the prophecy is as harmful as they claim.

With its eyes fixed on me, the silver wolf advanced. I could tell by the look in its eyes that this battle was far from over.

I muttered, my heart heaving with fear, "We don't have much time."

Stefen's voice was full of resolve as he squeezed my hand. "Then, we'll make every moment matter."

But before we could move, a closer, louder cry rang out across the darkness. The realization that they weren't backing down made my blood run cold.

They were getting back together.