Shadow of the Unknown

Chapter Eleven:

Shadow of the Unknown

*Sara's perspective

I opened my eyes wide. Cold stone pressed against my back. Chains clinked softly as I tried to sit up.

A woman stood a few steps away, watching me with the same dark eyes from the forest.

"Where am I?" I asked, tugging at the restraints on my wrists.

"You are safe. For now," Elora said calmly. "My name is Elora. That's all you need to know."

I glared at her. "You attacked me. Why?"

Elora smiled weakly. "Your father once trusted me. That's why you're still alive. The real war is much bigger than your little pack drama, Sara. Blackthorn, Silvermoon – they're all just pawns."

“I don’t trust you,” I snapped at her.

"Good. You shouldn't," Elora replied. "But you'll need me if you want to survive what's coming."

Before I could reply, distant howls echoed from outside. Elora's expression hardened.

"Rest. We'll talk again when you're stronger."

She turned around and left the room. The heavy door slammed shut behind her.

*Snow's view

Pain. Everything was pain.

I coughed up blood and forced my eyes open. The forest floor was sticky beneath me. Ryker's wolf stood over me, teeth bared, then turned away with a growl.

"Leave the weak one behind," Ryker ordered his warriors. "Find Sara!"

They charged deeper into the woods. I tried to stand up, but my legs gave way. Blood gushed from the wounds on my side and shoulder.

"Damn it!", I growled.

A massive black wolf rammed Ryker from the side – Kael. They charged through the undergrowth, claws and teeth clenched. Kael was bigger, but Ryker fought unfairly, going straight for Kael's throat.

I dragged myself forward. “Kael! Don’t let him—”

Kael roared and briefly pinned Ryker to the ground, but three more Blackthorn wolves leaped at him from behind. He shook off two, but the third sank its teeth into his hind leg.

I transformed back into my human form and grabbed a dropped dagger. Ignoring the burning sensation in my wounds, I charged forward.

"Leave him alone!" I slashed an attacker's throat with the blade. He fell to the ground. Kael lunged at another.

Ryker broke free and lunged at me. His claws scraped across my chest. I staggered, but managed to plunge the dagger into his side.

"You should have stayed lying down," Ryker hissed.

 Kael rammed him, sending Ryker flying against a tree. "Snow, back off! You'll bleed to death!"

"No," I growled. "Not without Sara."

More howls filled the night. Blackthorn reinforcements were rapidly approaching.

Kael transformed back into a human and grabbed my arm. "We can't win like this. We regroup and find them. That's an order."

I hated it, but he was right. We were both badly injured. I nodded weakly.

We ran – or hobbled – towards the ruins of the warehouse. Behind us, Ryker's voice cut through the darkness.

"This isn't over yet! Sara belongs to me!"

*Kael's perspective

The warehouse was half destroyed. Bodies lay everywhere. There was no trace of Lira – the traitor had probably fled with the survivors.

I punched a broken wall with my fist. "Sara."

 Snow leaned heavily against me, his breath coming in gasps. “She ran into the woods. I tried to follow her, but…”

"I know," I interrupted him. "Well done, brother. Stay alive. I need you."

The warriors who had remained loyal to us gathered around us, their eyes wide with terror.

“Alpha,” said one of them, “Blackthorn has also suffered heavy losses, but they are regrouping. What now?”

I looked at the blood on my hands. My leg throbbed where Ryker's wolves had bitten me.

"We heal. Then we hunt," I said in a deep, deadly voice. "No one takes what is mine. We find Sara. And when we find her, Blackthorn burns."

Snow coughed and forced a weak smile. "It was about time we went on the offensive."

I nodded, but fear gnawed at me quietly. Sara was out there with that mysterious woman. And I had no idea if she was still alive.

 *Sara's perspective

I paced back and forth in the small stone room, testing my strength. It felt stronger here. Somehow darker.

The door opened again. Elora entered.

“Don’t you feel it?” Elora said. “Your father’s blood. The true power.”

“Tell me who you really are,” I demanded.

Elora inclined her head. "Not yet. But know this: Kael and Snow are still breathing. For now. The question is whether you'll be strong enough to save them when Blackthorn comes to take us all."

I stepped closer, my eyes shining silver. "If you hurt them..."

“I won’t,” Elora interrupted. “But others will. Choose your side wisely, Sara.”