Awakening the power

Heather’s POV

Relief coursed through my body, and tears burned in my eyes as Damon and Stella stepped out of the vortex. Damon’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and lethal.

“You’re not laying a finger on him.”

With a single push, Damon sent Colt staggering back like he was nothing more than a rag-doll. Colt growled, seething with barely contained rage as he locked eyes with Damon.

“You... you’re a Lycan. Stay out of wolf pack business!” Colt spat, his voice dripping with venom. “Lycans and wolves are enemies—you know that.”

Damon’s response was chillingly calm. “And you know what? That thinking is why this feud will never end. I’m not a fool like my father, clinging to outdated grudges.”

Colt froze, a flicker of shock betraying his otherwise stoic expression.

“You know.”

Damon’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. “Oh, I’ve figured it out. All this time, you and your elder Ravens have been feeding lies, manipulating egos of Lycan Alpha and Wolf Alpha, trying to twist us against each other. That crap won’t work anymore.”

The air crackled as Damon shifted into his Lycan form—towering, lethal, an apex predator radiating raw power. Beside him, Stella’s hands glowed with a golden light that pulsed outward, a beacon in the growing chaos. The battle ignited. Damon launched himself at Colt, who shifted into his Raven wolf form—black as midnight, his red eyes burning with hatred. Their clash was feral, the sound of teeth and claws echoing like thunder.

Around me, the Moonlight Pack soldiers suddenly faltered, shaking their heads like they were waking from a spell. Their confusion was brief—some shifted into wolves, others grabbed weapons, but they fought. I saw Merina and Monica shift into their wolf forms, their gazes locked on me.

They attacked without hesitation, leaping through the fray, but Stella’s magic flared just in time, encasing me in a protective barrier.

Her golden light flickered as she poured her energy into keeping us safe while healing the wounded soldiers around us.

I met Stella’s eyes through the shimmering shield and nodded in thanks. She gave a small, understanding nod before expanding the barrier to protect Kayden, who was struggling to regain consciousness. Monica and Merina, however, weren’t giving up. Their wolves snarled, claws raking against Stella’s magic as they tried to break through.

Then I felt it—my wolf stirring, power crackling to life deep within me. It was sharp, electric, and growing stronger with each second. I signaled Stella to release the barrier.

The moment I was free, I shifted into my wolf form, the energy inside me surging to the surface. My fur bristled as the charge in the air intensified, and I realized something new was awakening in me. Magic.

Monica and Merina didn’t hesitate, charging at me with snarls that sent shivers down my spine. But I was ready. Opening my mouth, I released a crackling orb of electricity. It streaked through the air and struck Monica and Merina mid-attack, sending them skidding to the ground with pained howls.

I lunged at Merina, claws slicing through her side, but she twisted away, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. Monica leapt in, blocking my path.

“Why?” I snarled through the mind link. “Why would you betray me? You were my best friend! You had no loyalty, no second thoughts about Raven’s schemes?”

Monica’s voice was cold, emotionless. “I want destruction. I want to be part of the stronger pack—the Raven Pack.”

Her words sealed her fate. I didn’t hold back. My claws slashed across her throat, and her wolf collapsed, gasping for air before falling silent. Merina growled in rage, but I was faster—my speed shocked even me as I dodged her counterattack. I tore through her defenses with brutal precision, my claws plunging into her chest. Her eyes widened in disbelief before she crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Around me, the battlefield was chaos. Moonlight Pack soldiers clashed with Raven wolves. Damon and Kayden fought side by side, taking down enemy after enemy. Kayden’s dark flames danced around his wolf form, a terrifying sight as he overwhelmed Colt, who was barely keeping up.

I shifted back, ready to join the fight, but Kayden’s wolf barked a command through the mind link.

“Heather! Stand down!”

I hesitated, growling in frustration.

“Listen to me!” he snarled. “There’s a spell around the Moon Shrine altar—a gateway for Raven’s forces. If Colt can’t kill me, he’ll use that! You have to destroy it!”

My gaze darted to Stella, who was still holding her ground, healing our wounded soldiers. I nodded and sprinted toward the shrine, my instincts on high alert. But I barely made it before a Raven wolf intercepted me, his claws tearing into my side.

“Get a grip, Heather—you’re in a war!” my wolf, Whitney, snapped.

Before I could react, a black flame streaked through the air, engulfing the Raven wolf. His agonized screams pierced the night as

Kayden’s flames consumed him. I froze for a moment, shaken, before Kayden’s voice echoed in my head.

“Run, Heather. Now!”

I didn’t waste another second. Shifting into my wolf form, I tore through the forest toward the shrine. Peering through the cracked windows, I saw them—necromancers and wizards, just like in the dungeons. And worse, several pack members were tied up, hostages to Raven’s twisted plans.

“Please, save us!” one of them cried out, their voice trembling with fear.

“Shut up!” a wizard snapped, raising a hand to silence them. “No one’s coming to save you!”

I growled low, scanning the room, trying to think. How could I save them? I was still new to this magic—my wolf’s power was growing, but I didn’t know how to wield it fully yet.

“Think!” Whitney urged. “What about the spell you read in the Book of Ravens?”

The memory flashed in my mind—the summoning spell for the true Heir of Raven. But it was dangerous. If I chanted it too many times, it could kill me.

“Awaken, awaken, the power of Raven inside me. I am the true Heir of Shawn, Alpha of the Ravens,” I whispered.

Nothing.

“Try again!” Whitney barked.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I repeated the chant.

Still, nothing.

“One more time,” Whitney said. “You can only try three times. After that…”

She didn’t need to finish. I knew the risk of getting myself killed by chanting this spell fourth time. My hands trembled as I took another breath.

“Here goes nothing,” I whispered, bracing myself for whatever came next.