I can't imagine what she's feeling right now.

Vera

"Alright. Noah, Eli, Lucas. Grab your packs. We can get to the tunnels through Sofia's office. Move it."

"No. Absolutely not." Eli shakes his head. "If you can see that thing, then we need to put it down. If we run now, it'll just hunt us later anyway."

I think about it. Actually killing this creature and being done with it forever. But even if I can see it, I can't coordinate an attack. I can't mind link anyone in this pack except Sofia.

Eli keeps pushing. "Doc, we have to kill it. We need to know for certain what attacked us and murdered our men."

I study him for a long moment. The old man isn't wrong. If we don't end this now, what's stopping it from coming back? The borders clearly mean nothing to it anymore. The pack house means nothing. But I have somewhere I need to be. Right now.

The thought of Sofia pulls me toward her, and I can feel her through our bond. Her fear. Her pain. She needs me.

"We'll figure it out on the way. Take your packs just in case." I catch Noah staring at me with those big sad eyes. "Noah, don't give me that look."

I can't deal with him right now. Whatever happens next, whether they run or stay and fight, it all leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

They grab their things fast, and we're moving toward Sofia's office. The chaos in the halls is gut-wrenching. Elderly pack members, women, children, all crowding toward the tunnels. Most of them have no idea what's really happening. No clue how much danger they're in. This evacuation plan has existed for decades, but it hasn't been used in over a hundred years. Not since the last war.

We make it to the office without trouble. The upper floors are already cleared. Alex runs down from the top of the stairs to meet us at the Alpha's door. He gives us a solemn nod, his eyes empty. Through his bond with Sofia, he's connected to every wolf in this pack. Especially the warriors at the borders. He's one of them, after all.

Inside the office, everything is motionless. Nobody around. The only sign of life is the fireplace, always kept burning. The lycans glance around, confused about why we're standing in an empty office, but there's no time to explain. I go straight to the bookshelf and throw my whole body against it, pushing the massive thing aside to reveal the hidden entrance. The passage leads down into the tunnels. I step in first, Alex and Noah right behind me.

The room Sofia's in is tiny. The ceiling sits so low it almost touches our heads. It was fixed up for emergencies a while back, some lamps, blankets, basic supplies. Still, it's a shit place to have a baby.

Sofia looks up at me, her eyes glossy. I can't imagine what she's feeling right now.

I go to her immediately, checking her temperature, her pulse, anything I can. I start talking to Carina about dilation, contraction timing, whether the twins are showing any signs of distress. Everything looks good, all things considered.

"Vera, you need to listen to me. Tell me exactly what happened to you."

The memory hits me. What that thing was doing to our people. To our family. I feel the tears coming and I can't stop them.

"I... I don't even know where to start. What I remember feels more like a dream than anything real." I wipe my face. "I can't make sense of it."

"What did you feel when you woke up? Violet said you warned the lycans before the alarms even went off."

"I didn't feel it. I *saw* it. Breaking through the southern border. I..." The tears spill over. "I don't know what it is, Sof. I don't know how to stop it. It's killing our wolves."

"Vera, I think you're our only hope. You saw that thing. Even if it was just a vision, you might be the only one who can see it and kill it. It's a long shot, but you have to try."

I let her words sink in. We look at each other, and something passes between us. Just the two of us. I know what she's asking. I also know how much it costs her to ask it. But I also know that I, like any wolf here, would give my life without hesitation if it meant protecting the pack.

She reaches into her bag and pulls something out.

A spear. Beautifully made, tiny jewels embedded along the base, a long slender shaft. The material is unlike anything I've ever seen. The blade and its wings are elegant, with blue crystal hanging from the shaft.

"This, and you, are our only hope."

Sofia's words pull me out of my daze. I know what I have to do.

I plant my feet and focus. My heart slows as I reach for a part of myself I haven't touched in years. Not since I became a doctor. That primal, animal instinct I spent so long learning to control. Even in human form, I know this is what shifting would feel like.

I open my eyes. My vision is razor-sharp. I take the spear from Sofia's hands.

I'm ready to hunt.