Chapter 151: The First Strike

The forest was dead quiet.

Lyla stood at the edge of Ridge territory, her breath sharp beneath the cold bite of night air.

The moonlight filtered thinly through the skeletal branches above them, casting pale silver light across the frost-laced ground. The cold was unnatural too sharp. Too thin.

He was close.

Jonas crouched beside her, his dark gaze cutting toward the tree line. His body was low and coiled with tension. Eli stood at her right side, his silver eyes burning beneath the dark stretch of the sky.

Dani knelt near the base of a low tree, her dagger spinning between her fingers. Mason stood further back with a small group of Blackwood and Alder wolves ten bodies, lean and sharp, waiting for the order.

Lyla’s breath steadied.

Jonas’s gaze sharpened toward her. "You’re sure about this?"

"No," Lyla said quietly.

Jonas’s mouth curled faintly. "Good."

Lyla’s silver gaze narrowed toward the dark stretch of the ridge.

"Positions," Lyla said.

Jonas and Dani moved immediately. Jonas’s form blurred as he slipped into the shadows of the tree line. Dani’s body followed a second later, disappearing into the dark with fluid precision.

Mason’s gaze sharpened. "And the signal?"

"You’ll know it," Lyla said coldly.

Mason’s mouth curled faintly. "That’s what I’m afraid of."

Lyla’s silver eyes flashed.

Mason stepped back toward the others. His dark gaze lingered on her for a long moment sharp and assessing beneath the low light. Then he turned and disappeared into the treeline.

Eli’s silver gaze burned toward her. "And you?"

"I’m going in first," Lyla said.

Eli’s jaw flexed. "No."

Lyla’s gaze sharpened. "Yes."

Eli’s mouth curled darkly. "Not alone."

Lyla’s silver gaze gleamed beneath the moonlight.

"Try to keep up," she said.

Eli’s silver eyes flashed. "Always."

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

The ground beneath her feet pulsed faintly.

Cold magic.

Thin and sharp beneath the surface.

He was close.

Lyla’s silver gaze narrowed toward the dark stretch of the ridge.

"Let’s end this."

She moved.

Eli’s form blurred beside her as they crossed into Ridge territory. The cold bit deep beneath her jacket. Her muscles tensed.

The forest pressed close sharp and thin beneath the weight of magic.

Lyla’s breath steadied.

And then

A low growl slid through the dark.

Jonas’s voice cut through the comms.

"Contact."

Lyla’s silver gaze flashed.

"Where?"

"Northwest ridge," Jonas’s voice was sharp. "Six bodies moving fast."

Lyla’s pulse sharpened.

"Engage," Lyla said.

Jonas’s breath sharpened. "Copy."

Eli’s silver gaze narrowed. "He’s setting a trap."

"I know," Lyla said.

Eli’s jaw flexed. "Then why are we walking into it?"

Lyla’s silver gaze burned. "Because we’re springing one of our own."

Eli’s breath sharpened. His silver gaze glinted. "I like that answer."

Lyla’s body twisted toward the treeline.

A low snarl cut through the dark.

Shapes blurred through the shadows.

Wolves.

Fast.

Jonas’s dark form slammed into the nearest body. A sharp snap of bone echoed through the clearing. Dani’s dagger flashed through the dark quick and clean.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

"Push forward," Lyla said.

The Blackwood wolves surged behind her.

A dark shape burst from the treeline.

Amber eyes flashed beneath the moonlight.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

The rival’s wolf.

Lyla’s body coiled with tension.

The wolf lunged.

Lyla twisted beneath the blow. Her claws slid free beneath her skin.

Her fist connected with the wolf’s ribs sharp and clean.

The wolf hit the ground hard.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

Eli’s silver gaze flashed beside her.

Another dark shape lunged toward them.

Eli’s body twisted fast and clean. His claws sliced through dark fur.

The rival’s wolf crumpled beneath him.

Jonas’s breath sharpened over the comms. "Lyla "

"Here," Lyla said.

"Eyes on him," Jonas’s breath sharpened. "He's moving "

A dark pulse of magic split the clearing.

Lyla’s breath hitched.

The rival stepped from the treeline.

Dark hair. Amber eyes.

Blood clung to his claws.

His mouth curled faintly beneath the pale stretch of moonlight.

"High Alpha," the rival said smoothly. "How thoughtful of you to come to me."

Lyla’s silver gaze burned.

"You’ve pushed too far," Lyla said coldly.

The rival’s amber eyes gleamed.

"You think you can stop me now?"

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

"Watch me."

She lunged toward him.

The rival’s body twisted beneath the strike. His claws flashed toward her ribs.

Lyla’s body twisted sharply. Their claws collided.

A sharp pulse of dark energy split the air.

Lyla’s breath hitched.

The rival’s amber gaze gleamed beneath the thin stretch of moonlight.

"You’re slipping," the rival said softly.

Lyla’s silver gaze flashed.

"Then let me show you how wrong you are."

Lyla’s claws tore toward his throat

The rival twisted. His hand caught her wrist.

A dark pulse of magic surged through her skin.

Lyla’s breath hitched.

The rival’s mouth curled faintly.

And then

Another figure stepped from the shadows.

Dark hair. Cold eyes.

Vaughn.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

"Surprised?" Vaughn’s dark gaze gleamed.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned. "You picked your side."

Vaughn’s mouth curled faintly.

"I’m not the one who’s bleeding."

Lyla’s chest tightened.

Vaughn’s claws slid free beneath the pale light.

The rival’s amber gaze glinted toward him.

Vaughn’s mouth curled.

"You ready?" Vaughn said.

The rival’s smile widened faintly. "Always."

Lyla’s chest burned.

Jonas’s breath sharpened over the comms. "Lyla "

Lyla’s silver gaze burned.

"You really think you can take me down together?" Lyla said coldly.

The rival’s amber eyes gleamed. "Let’s find out."

Vaughn’s dark gaze sharpened.

They lunged.

Lyla’s body twisted beneath the blow. Claws tore toward her chest.

Eli’s breath sharpened.

"Lyla "

Lyla’s claws connected with the rival’s side.

A sharp pulse of dark energy tore through the clearing.

Lyla’s breath hitched.

Jonas’s dark form blurred beside her. His claws sank into the rival’s back.

The rival’s body twisted fast.

Jonas’s breath hitched

And the rival’s claws drove into his ribs.

Jonas’s breath sharpened

Blood hit the ground.

"No!" Lyla’s breath hitched.

Jonas’s body hit the ground hard.

Lyla’s silver eyes burned.

The rival’s smile sharpened.

"You're losing," the rival said softly.

Lyla’s breath steadied.

"No," Lyla said quietly.

Her silver gaze burned beneath the dark sky.

"I’m just getting started."

Blood soaked the frost-laced ground beneath Jonas’s body.

Lyla’s breath sharpened. Her pulse hammered violently against her ribs.

Jonas’s dark eyes fluttered beneath half-closed lids. His breath was thin too thin.

"Jonas!" Lyla’s voice was sharp and hard.

Jonas’s mouth twitched faintly. His breath hitched.

"Lyla "

"No," Lyla’s silver eyes burned. Her hands slid toward his chest. Warm blood slicked her fingertips. Too much.

Her breath hitched.

"You’re not dying here," Lyla said coldly.

Jonas’s breath sharpened. His gaze flicked toward her soft and sharp beneath the strain.

"Lyla "

"Shut up," Lyla said.

Her hands pressed against the wound.

Cold magic slid beneath her skin.

Thin. Fragile. Barely holding.

"Lyla " Eli’s breath sharpened behind her.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned toward the rival.

He stood just beyond the treeline, his amber gaze gleaming beneath the thin stretch of moonlight. Vaughn stood beside him, his dark gaze cool and steady.

Vaughn’s mouth curled faintly. "Having trouble, High Alpha?"

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

Jonas’s body trembled beneath her hands. His breath hitched.

Lyla’s chest burned.

Jonas’s dark gaze sharpened toward her. His hand twitched faintly toward her wrist.

"Lyla " Jonas’s breath hitched. His hand brushed her wrist weakly.

"Don’t," Lyla said coldly. "Don’t you dare."

Jonas’s breath faltered.

Lyla’s jaw flexed.

The rival’s amber gaze gleamed.

"Not looking good, High Alpha," the rival said smoothly. His claws glinted beneath the moonlight. "What’s the matter?"

Lyla’s silver gaze sharpened toward him. "You think this is over?"

The rival’s mouth curled faintly. "Oh, I’m just getting started."

Vaughn’s dark gaze slid toward Lyla. "You’re bleeding power, High Alpha."

Lyla’s chest tightened.

Jonas’s breath was thinning beneath her hands.

No.

No.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned beneath the dark sky.

"You really think you can stop me?" the rival said softly.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

She pressed harder against Jonas’s wound.

A thin pulse of magic flickered beneath her hands. Too thin.

Jonas’s chest heaved faintly beneath her palms.

Lyla’s jaw flexed.

"You can’t save him," Vaughn’s voice slid through the dark. "Not this time."

Lyla’s chest burned.

A low hum slid beneath the earth.

Dark magic.

The rival’s mark.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned.

Her hands tightened against Jonas’s chest.

"No," Lyla said quietly.

Vaughn’s gaze sharpened faintly. "What?"

Lyla’s silver gaze flashed toward the dark stretch of the trees.

The forest’s pulse slid beneath her skin cold and thin.

"You think I can’t stop you?" Lyla’s voice sharpened.

The rival’s amber gaze gleamed. "You’ve already lost."

Lyla’s silver eyes flashed.

"You think the forest chose you?" Lyla said coldly.

The rival’s gaze darkened.

"It’s not yours," Lyla said quietly.

The rival’s amber gaze burned. "And you think it’s yours?"

Lyla’s silver gaze narrowed.

"I don’t need the forest’s permission."

Vaughn’s gaze sharpened faintly.

A pulse of dark energy slid through the earth beneath her hands.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned.

And then

She pulled.

Magic slid beneath her skin sharp and cold.

Jonas’s breath sharpened. His body arched beneath her hands.

"Lyla " Eli’s breath hitched.

Dark veins slid beneath the thin layer of frost on the ground.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned.

"You’re not taking him," Lyla said.

Jonas’s chest heaved beneath her hands.

And then

A sharp pulse of energy shot through the clearing.

The rival’s gaze sharpened.

Jonas’s breath steadied.

His eyes fluttered open beneath the thin light of the moon.

"Lyla," Jonas’s voice was rough.

Relief burned through her chest so hard it almost hurt.

Jonas’s dark gaze sharpened toward her.

"You’re okay," Lyla said. Her breath steadied.

Jonas’s hand brushed against hers weakly.

"You’re insane," Jonas said faintly.

Lyla’s mouth curled faintly.

"I know."

Jonas’s breath hitched.

Lyla’s silver gaze sharpened toward the rival.

The rival’s amber eyes burned.

"You think you’ve won?" the rival said. His claws slid free beneath the thin stretch of moonlight.

Lyla’s silver gaze flashed.

"I think you’ve made a mistake," Lyla said coldly.

Vaughn’s dark gaze sharpened.

"You think you’re ready for this?" Vaughn’s voice was low.

Lyla’s silver gaze burned beneath the dark sky.

"I was born ready," Lyla said.

The rival’s mouth curled faintly. "We’ll see."

Vaughn’s dark gaze glinted. "Not tonight."

Lyla’s chest tightened.

And then

The rival’s body blurred.

The shadows twisted unnaturally around him.

Vaughn’s form melted into the dark a second later.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

Jonas’s body tensed weakly beneath her hands.

"Let them run," Lyla said coldly.

Jonas’s gaze sharpened toward her. "You’re not going after them?"

"No," Lyla said quietly.

Jonas’s brow furrowed. "Why not?"

Lyla’s silver gaze burned.

"Because they just showed me where they’re going next," Lyla said.

Jonas’s breath sharpened.

Eli’s silver gaze narrowed toward her. "Where?"

Lyla’s chest tightened.

"The heart of the forest."

Eli’s breath sharpened. "You think he’s strong enough to open it?"

Lyla’s silver gaze flashed.

"If he’s not now," Lyla said coldly, "he will be soon."

Jonas’s breath sharpened. "Then what do we do?"

Lyla’s silver gaze gleamed beneath the thin light of the moon.

"We stop him before he gets there."

Jonas’s dark gaze burned toward her.

"And if Vaughn stands with him?"

Lyla’s chest tightened.

Her silver gaze burned beneath the dark sky.

"Then we bury them both."

Jonas sat beneath the dark stretch of the trees later that night. His breath was steadier now. The wound across his ribs had closed barely but the strain of it lingered in his dark gaze.

Lyla crouched beside him.

"You’re an idiot," Jonas said faintly.

Lyla’s mouth curled faintly. "You’re welcome."

Jonas’s dark gaze lingered toward her.

His hand brushed lightly against her wrist.

"Next time," Jonas said softly, "you don’t take that risk."

Lyla’s silver gaze burned toward him. "Yes. I do."

Jonas’s mouth curled faintly.

"You’re going to get yourself killed," Jonas said quietly.

Lyla’s breath sharpened.

"Not before I finish this," Lyla said.

Jonas’s gaze sharpened toward her.

"And if you lose?" Jonas’s voice was quiet.

Lyla’s silver gaze flashed.

"I’m not losing," Lyla said.

Jonas’s gaze darkened.

"And if you do?"

Lyla’s silver gaze sharpened beneath the dark stretch of the sky.

"Then I’ll take them with me."

Jonas’s breath hitched faintly.

His hand brushed against hers. Warm and steady.

Lyla’s breath steadied.

Jonas’s gaze lingered toward her.

"I believe you," Jonas said softly.

Lyla’s chest tightened.

"You should," Lyla said.