75. Howls of War

The air inside the cabin feels heavy, thick with tension and emotions that refuse to settle. Shadow moves like a caged wolf, pacing the small space back and forth, checking the windows, making sure everything is locked and secure. I remain seated on the couch, my hands still trembling slightly after his kiss.

It’s as if that moment ignited something in both of us—something we can’t ignore, yet are terrified to name.

“How dangerous is Klaus, really?” I ask, breaking the silence.

Shadow stops, leaning against the wall beside the window. His face is grim, and the moonlight spilling through the glass sharpens the angles of his features.

“He’s dangerous like few others,” he replies, not looking directly at me. “He’s calculating. Patient. He won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”

“And what is it he wants?” I press, though part of me already knows the answer.

At last, his eyes meet mine, and the weight of his gaze steals the air from my lungs.

“Me… dead. And you, Lyra, as his weapon.”

His answer hits me like a punch to the gut.

“What? Why me?” My voice breaks, but I need to understand.

Shadow crosses the room in two strides and kneels in front of me, taking my hands in his.

“Lyra, it’s not just because of what you mean to me. Klaus believes that through you, he can control everything I am—my human side, and the beast. He thinks you’re the key to breaking me.”

The honesty in his words leaves me breathless. But more than that, it fills me with a storm of fear and fury.

“I’m not a damn tool for anyone,” I hiss, clenching my fists.

“I know,” he says, his voice low and raw with emotion. “And I’m not going to let you become one.”

Before I can respond, a howl echoes in the distance—deep and bone-chilling. I shiver, and Shadow is on his feet in an instant, his senses clearly on high alert.

“He’s close,” he says, and there’s no doubt in his tone.

“Klaus?”

“Yes… and he’s not alone.”

Fear coils in my chest, but I force myself to stay calm. Shadow moves to a corner of the cabin and pulls out a small wooden chest. When he opens it, I see it’s filled with weapons—knives, daggers, and what look like silver bullets.

“Is this… normal for you?” I ask, trying to hide my unease.

“None of this is normal, Lyra,” he says as he loads a revolver with quick, practiced movements. “But I’ve learned to be ready.”

He hands me one of the daggers, and I hold it awkwardly, feeling completely out of place.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Survive,” he answers, his gaze serious but soft. “If something happens, run. Don’t look back.”

“Leave you? Not a chance.”

“Lyra…”

“I’m not arguing with you, Shadow. If we’re in this together, then we stay together. Until the end.”

He looks like he’s torn between protesting and accepting my choice, but there’s no time left for either. A loud crash shakes the front door.

Shadow steps in front of me at once, his stance protective, ready to fight.

“Come out, Shadow,” Klaus’s voice rumbles from the other side—deep, laced with malice. “Don’t make this harder on her.”

My hands tremble, but I don’t let go of the dagger. Shadow says nothing, his eyes fixed on the door like he could tear it apart with sheer will.

“Come on, old friend,” Klaus goes on, his tone mocking. “You know how this ends. Are you really going to die for someone who doesn’t even understand what you are?”

Shadow growls—a low, feral sound that raises goosebumps across my skin.

“I won’t let you touch her,” he finally says, his voice deeper, almost inhuman.

Klaus laughs, a sound that chills me to the bone.

“We’ll see about that.”

The next blow splinters the door to pieces, and Klaus steps in, followed by two men who are clearly not entirely human. Their amber eyes gleam, and their movements are far too fluid to be normal.

Shadow doesn’t hesitate. He launches at them with a force and speed that take my breath away. I watch him partially transform—his eyes glowing, his teeth elongating—as he fights with a ferocity that’s both terrifying and mesmerizing.

But it’s three against one, and though Shadow is insanely strong, I can’t just stand by while he risks everything.

Gripping the dagger with both hands, I run at one of the attackers. My movement is clumsy, and maybe it’s just dumb luck, but I manage to slash his arm. His growl of pain is deafening, and he stumbles back just enough for Shadow to finish him off.

“Lyra, get back!” he shouts, but I don’t listen.

Chaos fills the cabin, everything happening too fast. Klaus moves with eerie precision, his strikes aimed not to kill, but to wound.

Somehow, I dodge a blow and drive my dagger into the side of one of the men. Shadow takes the opening to take down the other, but not without taking a hard hit that makes him stagger.

At last, only Klaus remains. And though clearly outnumbered, his smile doesn’t falter.

“This isn’t over,” he says, before vanishing with inhuman speed.

The silence that follows is crushing. Shadow collapses against the wall, breathing hard, and I rush to him, heart pounding.

“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice thick with worry.

“I’m alive,” he says, offering a small, weary smile.

I throw my arms around him, unable to hold back.

“I can’t lose you, Shadow.”

“You won’t, Lyra,” he whispers, his voice hoarse but comforting. “Not as long as I can do something about it.”