Alexandra felt the adrenaline surge through her veins as the rogue wolf lunged for Agor. Blood dripped from Agor’s black fur, his silver eyes fierce but dulled by exhaustion. He staggered as another wolf snapped at him, its claws grazing his flank.
“No!” Alexandra screamed, charging forward, her silver dagger gripped tightly in her hand.
The rogue’s glowing yellow eyes turned to her, but Alexandra didn’t flinch. With a swift motion, she slashed at the wolf’s side, her movements sharp and instinctive. The beast howled in pain, backing off just enough for Agor to strike. His massive jaws clamped down on the rogue’s neck, and with one vicious shake, it fell lifeless to the ground.
But there were more. Two wolves circled them, their growls echoing in the still night.
“Stay back!” Agor snarled, shifting back into his human form just long enough to push her behind him. Blood trickled from a gash on his forehead, mixing with the dirt on his face. “You’re hurt!”
“So are you!” Alexandra snapped, refusing to back down.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Liam standing still, his tawny wolf form motionless as he watched the chaos unfold. His glowing hazel eyes were unreadable, cold, and detached. The way his voice sounded earlier, there was something wrong.
“Liam, help us!” Alexandra yelled, her voice cracking. He cannot let us die.
But he didn’t move. He just stood there, as if the battle had nothing to do with him. As if he didn’t order them to kill Agor.
The rogues leapt again, and Alexandra didn’t have time to think. She ducked under the first wolf’s attack, stabbing upward with her dagger. It pierced its chest, and the wolf let out a guttural snarl before collapsing to the ground.
The second rogue lunged for Agor, but Alexandra charged forward, throwing herself between them. She swung her dagger wildly, her arms shaking as the beast’s claws raked against her shoulder.
“Alexandra!” Agor’s voice was raw with desperation as he pulled the wolf off her and shifted again, tearing into it with feral rage.
Alexandra fell to her knees, blood trickling from her wounds. Her vision blurred, but something deep inside her burned brighter than ever before. A strange warmth spread through her chest, like a fire waiting to erupt.
The last rogue lunged, its eyes locked on Alexandra. Her hands trembled, but before she could react, a surge of power erupted from her, throwing the wolf backward. A bright silver glow emanated from her, pulsating like an aura of raw energy.
Everyone froze. Even Liam, still in his wolf form, stared at her in shock.
“What was that?” Agor asked, his voice breathless as he shifted back into his human form. His silver eyes widened, not with fear, but with awe.
Alexandra didn’t answer. She collapsed to the ground, the fire within her fading as darkness took over. The last thing she saw was Agor kneeling beside her, his strong arms lifting her.
When Alexandra woke, the first thing she noticed was the smell of leather and pine. She blinked, her vision clearing, and realized she was lying on a small bed. Agor’s dorm. The events of the night came rushing back, and her whole body ached as if she’d been hit by a truck.
She sat up slowly, her heart still pounding. Agor was sitting in a chair near the window, his face bruised and tired, but his silver eyes softened when he saw her awake.
“You’re okay,” he said, his voice low but filled with relief.
Alexandra winced as she shifted. “Barely.” She glanced down at her bandaged arms and legs, her memories of the fight flashing through her mind. “What… what happened out there?”
Agor leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “You happened,” he said simply. “Whatever that power was… it wasn’t normal. Even the rogues felt it. They ran because of you.”
Alexandra swallowed hard, her throat dry. “I don’t even know what I did.”
Agor hesitated, his eyes searching hers. “There’s more to you than even you realize, Alexandra.”
She wanted to respond, but before she could, a sharp, vivid image shot through her mind.
She was a baby, playing in a sunlit room. Another baby sat beside her, laughing as they stacked blocks together. The memory felt warm and distant, but it shifted sharply, the warmth replaced by cold fear.
Her uncle, Raven, entered the room, his towering figure casting a shadow over them. He picked up the other baby, his expression cruel as he sneered at her.
“One day, it will be me and my son, Liam, ruling this pack,” he said, his voice dripping with venom. “There’s no room for weak, dirty Alexandra.”
The words rang in her ears, and Alexandra gasped, snapping back to reality.
Agor was on his feet instantly, his brow furrowed in concern. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Alexandra stared at him, her chest heaving. “It’s him,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Liam is the Alpha King’s son.”