LOGINOver the next week, coalition wolves began returning to their home territories. The massive army we had built started to disperse. Pack leaders said their goodbyes and promised to stay in touch.Alpha Reed approached me before his pack departed. "I owe you an apology, Miss Hart. I doubted your leadership many times during this war. Questioned your decisions. But you were right. Your hero complex, as everyone called it, was exactly what we needed. You saved hundreds of lives by refusing to give up on anyone.""Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.""Where will you go now? Back to Westbrook City Hospital?"I had not thought about it. My life at the hospital felt like it belonged to a different person. A naive intern who did not know about royal bloodlines or ancient conspiracies or world ending sacrifices."I do not know yet. I need time to figure out who I am now that the war is over.""Take all the time you need. But know that when you decide, there will always be a place for y
"Casualties are lower than expected. Eighty seven dead. One hundred and forty three wounded."Theodore's voice was heavy as he read the report three days after the Montana assault. We had gathered in the coalition war room for a final debrief. I sat between Owen and my mother, still feeling weak from the sacrifice but alive.Eighty seven dead. That was eighty seven families destroyed. Eighty seven wolves who would never go home. But it was also much better than the three hundred we had feared."The Covenant facilities worldwide are shutting down," Lucas added, looking at intelligence reports. "Without The Elders coordinating operations, the entire organization is collapsing. Regional commanders are surrendering or fleeing. Prisoners are being freed. It is chaos but good chaos.""What about the prisoners from Montana?" I asked. My voice was still weak but getting stronger each day."Two hundred and thirty four freed. All receiving medical care and counseling. Many of them have been cap
My team responded instantly. Aurora shadow walked directly behind an Elder and drove a silver blade through his back. Serena unleashed a spell that burned two Elders with violet fire. Owen and my mother working together brought down a third.Three Elders fell. Dead or dying. The ritual was falling apart.But the remaining ten Elders were furious now. They abandoned the ritual completely and focused all their power on us."You have destroyed three thousand years of preparation!" the lead Elder roared. His form began to change, growing larger, more monstrous. "For that, you will suffer beyond imagining!"He released a wave of dark magic so powerful it knocked half my team off their feet. I felt my bones crack from the impact. Blood filled my mouth.Through blurred vision, I saw the other Elders transforming as well. Without the renewal complete, they were burning through their remaining immortality. Using everything they had left to destroy us."Retreat!" Owen shouted. "Fall back! We ca
"All teams ready. Waiting for your signal."Theodore's voice came through my earpiece. I stood at the edge of the forest with the infiltration team, staring at Montana headquarters in the distance. The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the mountain in shades of gold and red.It would have been beautiful if it was not the site of so much horror."This is it," Aurora said quietly beside me. Her shadow walkers were ready, their power making the darkness around us deeper. "Once we start, there is no turning back.""I know." I checked my gear one final time. No weapons, I was still a healer not a fighter. But I had medical supplies and most importantly, I had my power fully recovered and stronger than ever.Owen stood on my other side, his expression grim and determined. "Remember the plan. We shadow walk to the inner sanctum entrance. Fight through whatever guards are there. Reach The Elders before they complete their ritual. Stop them by any means necessary.""Simple plan," Evelyn
Over the next week, the coalition headquarters became a hive of constant activity. Strike teams drilled endlessly. Witches practiced coordinated spellwork. Medical teams prepared field hospitals. Supply lines were organized and reorganized.Everyone knew this assault was different. This was the final battle. Win or lose, after this there would be no more chances.I spent my days training with Damon, practicing shadow walking with Aurora, healing wounded wolves, and planning with the council. My nights were filled with nightmares about failing. About watching The Architects break through into reality. About having to use the sacrifice and losing everything.Owen stayed close, supporting me through the fear and exhaustion. He never brought up the sacrifice again but I could see the worry in his eyes. He was terrified of losing me."Three days left," he said one evening as we sat on our balcony watching the sunset. "Are you ready?""No. But I do not think I will ever feel ready. This is
"Your form is improving but you are still telegraphing your moves."Damon circled me on the training mat, looking for openings in my defense. We had been sparring for an hour and I was exhausted. But I had asked him to train me harder, push me further, prepare me for the battle ahead."I am a healer, not a fighter," I panted, blocking his next strike. "I do not have decades of combat experience like you.""Which is exactly why you need this training. In ten days, you are going into Montana where The Elders will try to kill you. You need to be able to defend yourself when healing is not enough."He was right. During the last assault, I had relied on my team to protect me while I focused on healing and rescuing prisoners. But this time would be different. This time I would be in the heart of the battle, trying to reach The Elders before they completed their ritual.Damon struck again, faster this time. I barely dodged and he swept my legs out from under me. I hit the mat hard, the wind







