An Alpha's Dilemma
The ley lines surged beneath her feet, intertwining with her own magic until she felt less like an individual and more like a conduit—a channel for the Temple's ancient power.
Then, suddenly, the world shifted. Shadows flickered at the edges of her vision. A low growl echoed from the darkness.
Ava's hands blazed with blue flame as a figure stepped out from the gloom: a beast cloaked in shadow, its eyes glowing red with hatred. The Shadow Beast—Malrik's lingering essence given form.
It snarled, lunging forward with claws of darkness.
Ava dodged, feeling the cold bite of shadow scrape her skin. The magic around her flared in pain, reacting to the beast's corruption. She had to move fast.