CRIMSON VOWS

Elora’s blood turned to ice.

That howl wasn’t from any wolf she had ever heard. It was deeper. Older. It vibrated in her bones, in her very soul, like the sound of a world splitting in two.

Joel’s golden eyes widened. He turned toward the treeline, his claws flexing. “No… it’s too soon.”

Maren’s knuckles whitened around her bloodied blade. “It’s him. The true heir of the curse.”

The shadows at the forest’s edge began to writhe like living things. Black tendrils snaked along the ground, twisting and snapping as a figure emerged.

At first, it looked human—tall, broad-shouldered, cloaked in tattered black. But as it stepped into the moonlight, its true form revealed itself.

Its face was pale and beautiful, but its eyes… gods, its eyes. They glowed with a sickly crimson light. Fangs too long for a normal wolf gleamed in its mouth as it smiled.

“Finally,” the figure said, its voice smooth as silk but carrying a venomous undertone. “The hybrid child. The Alpha who betrayed his blood. And the elder too cowardly to stop me.”

Joel’s claws extended fully, his body trembling with barely contained rage. “You don’t belong here, Kalen.”

The creature’s grin widened. “Oh, but I do. The curse is mine to wield, and she—” his gaze slid to Elora, making her stomach turn—“she is mine to break.”

Elora tried to summon her light, but nothing came. Her body was spent, her power drained from the fight with Rowan.

Joel moved in front of her, his golden eyes blazing. “You’ll have to go through me.”

Kalen’s laughter was like shattering glass. “That’s the plan.”

The air thickened. The blood moon pulsed overhead like a heartbeat. And then—

Kalen’s form twisted, growing, bones snapping as his wolf took shape. But this was no ordinary wolf. It was massive, towering above even Joel’s Alpha form, its fur as black as night, its eyes twin pits of blood-red fire.

Maren’s voice shook as she whispered, “The Blood Wolf. The original curse incarnate.”

Joel braced himself, but Elora grabbed his arm weakly. “Joel… you can’t fight him alone.”

His jaw clenched. “I have no choice.”

Kalen lunged.

The ground exploded as the two titans clashed, teeth and claws tearing into each other. Blood sprayed across the clearing as the pack scrambled back in terror. The fight was unlike anything Elora had ever seen—Joel’s silver-streaked fur matted with blood, Kalen’s monstrous form relentless and brutal.

Elora struggled to her feet, her vision swimming. I can’t… I can’t just watch.

The Watcher’s voice echoed faintly in her mind. “If you want to save him… you must awaken.”

She screamed as the silvery veins of power burst back to life under her skin, her palms igniting in brilliant light. Her body felt like it was on fire as something ancient and terrifying stirred in her blood.

Kalen paused mid-fight, his crimson eyes snapping to her. “Ah… there you are, little moonchild.”

The ground cracked beneath Elora’s feet as a shockwave of energy surged from her, splitting the clearing. Her voice rang out, strange and layered, as if another spoke with her:

“You will not take him from me.”

The light around her condensed into a swirling aura, her hair lifting in a phantom wind. For the first time, Joel faltered—his golden eyes widening in awe and fear.

“Elora…” he whispered.

Kalen let out a guttural laugh. “Finally. The monster wakes.”

But Elora didn’t flinch. Her eyes now glowed silver as she raised her hand. “No… the protector does.”

With a scream, she hurled a blinding wave of energy that slammed into Kalen’s massive form, sending him crashing into the treeline. Trees splintered and fell as smoke rose from where he landed.

Joel stumbled, shifting back to human form as he dropped to his knees. “Elora… what did you do?”

But she didn’t answer. Her glowing form flickered as exhaustion took hold. She collapsed just as Joel caught her.

The forest was silent—except for Kalen’s low, amused chuckle in the shadows.

“You’re stronger than I thought,” his voice echoed. “But this is far from over.”

And then… he was gone.

Joel cradled Elora against his chest, her silver glow fading as unconsciousness claimed her.

Maren stood over them, her face pale. “The true war begins now.”

The blood moon burned brighter overhead, its crimson light promising chaos yet to come.