chapter 1

The Gathering of Shadows

The silvery light of the full moon bathed Silverbrook, illuminating the forest's edges and casting long shadows across the town. While the world outside was serene, the tension within Kira's heart was anything but.

Lukas's cryptic warnings echoed in her ears as she clutched her mother's journal tightly against her chest. Her instincts screamed that something was coming, something far darker than anything she had faced so far.

She wasn't wrong.

1. The Storm at the Door

Inside the cabin, the air felt oppressive. Damon paced the small space like a caged animal, his sharp gaze flicking to the windows every few seconds.

"You can feel it too, can't you?" Kira asked, breaking the tense silence.

Damon stopped mid-stride, turning to face her. "Feel what?"

"That they're close," Kira replied, her voice steady despite the fear bubbling beneath the surface.

Damon's jaw tightened. "They've been close for days. The Alpha's been circling, testing us."

Before Kira could respond, Lukas burst into the cabin, his presence immediately commanding the room. His clothes were torn, and faint scratches marked his face, but his expression was calm.

"They're here," he said simply.

Damon cursed under his breath. "How many?"

"Too many," Lukas replied. His gaze shifted to Kira, softening for just a moment. "Kira, you have to stay inside. No matter what happens."

"No," she said, her voice firm. "I'm not going to hide while you two put yourselves in danger."

"Kira—"

"No!" she snapped, stepping forward. "I'm part of this, whether you like it or not. I need to fight."

Lukas opened his mouth to argue but stopped when he saw the fire in her eyes. Finally, he sighed. "Then stay out of sight. If you're captured…"

"I won't be," she promised, gripping the journal tighter.

2. The Arrival of the Alpha

The three stepped outside, the cold night air biting at their skin. The clearing that surrounded the cabin was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that promised violence.

Then they appeared.

Dozens of wolves emerged from the treeline, their glowing eyes fixed on the trio. At their center stood the Alpha, tall and commanding, his presence radiating power.

"Kira Laurent," the Alpha called, his voice like the rumble of distant thunder. "We meet at last."

Kira felt her blood freeze at the sound of her name on his lips. She had heard stories of the Alpha's charisma, of his ability to compel even the strongest wolves to their knees. But hearing it in person was another thing entirely.

"What do you want?" Lukas demanded, stepping protectively in front of Kira.

The Alpha chuckled, a low and menacing sound. "Isn't it obvious? I want her. She belongs to me."

"She belongs to no one," Damon growled, stepping forward.

The Alpha's smile didn't falter, but his eyes burned with warning. "Bold words, traitor. I could kill you where you stand."

"Then try," Damon shot back.

3. The Fight for Control

The first attack came without warning. One of the Alpha's wolves lunged at Damon, its jaws snapping inches from his throat. But Damon was faster, meeting the wolf head-on in a clash of teeth and claws.

Lukas was already in motion, taking down two wolves with practiced efficiency. Kira watched in awe as the two fought, their movements a blur of raw power and precision.

But the Alpha didn't move. He stood at the edge of the clearing, watching with an air of detached amusement.

"You can't win," he said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "You're outnumbered. Outmatched. Surrender now, and I might let you live."

"We'd rather die," Lukas spat, his eyes blazing.

The Alpha's gaze shifted to Kira, and for a moment, she felt like he could see straight into her soul.

"What about you, Kira?" he asked, his tone deceptively gentle. "Would you throw your life away for these two fools?"

Kira's grip on the journal tightened. "I'm not afraid of you," she said, her voice trembling but determined.

The Alpha smiled. "You should be."

4. The Binding Ritual

Kira's heart pounded as she flipped through the pages of her mother's journal. The words of the binding ritual seemed to leap off the page, their meaning sinking into her mind like a lifeline.

The Alpha's strength came from his bond with his pack. If she could disrupt that bond, even for a moment, it might give Lukas and Damon the edge they needed.

But the ritual required something personal from the Alpha. And getting close enough to take it would be a gamble she might not survive.

"Kira, what are you doing?" Damon demanded, glancing back at her.

"I have a plan," she said, her voice steady. "Trust me."

Without waiting for a response, she stepped forward, drawing the Alpha's attention.

5. The Moment of Defiance

The Alpha's eyes lit up as Kira approached, his smile widening. "Brave little Laurent," he said. "Have you come to surrender?"

"Not quite," Kira replied.

As he stepped closer, Kira's heart raced. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but she stood her ground. When he was close enough, she moved swiftly, grabbing a strand of his hair before darting back.

The Alpha snarled, his composure cracking for the first time. "You dare—"

But Kira was already reciting the words from the journal. The air around her seemed to hum with energy as the ritual took effect.

The Alpha staggered, a guttural growl ripping from his throat. The pack faltered, their glowing eyes dimming as confusion rippled through their ranks.

"Now!" Lukas shouted, seizing the opportunity.

6. A Narrow Escape

Damon grabbed Kira's arm, pulling her away as Lukas held off the remaining wolves. They ran through the forest, the Alpha's enraged howls echoing behind them.

When they finally stopped, Kira collapsed against a tree, her chest heaving.

"You did it," Lukas said, his voice filled with awe.

"For now," Damon said grimly. "But he'll come back. And when he does, he won't be alone."

Kira nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then we'll be ready."

As the first rays of dawn broke through the trees, Kira knew this was just the beginning. The Alpha had been weakened, but not defeated. And the secrets of her mother's journal held the key to ending this once and for all.

The Whisper of Dawn

The forest was eerily silent as the first light of dawn filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor. Kira leaned heavily against a tree trunk, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Damon and Lukas flanked her, both scanning their surroundings with sharp, wary eyes.

The ritual had worked, but only temporarily. The Alpha had been weakened, his connection to his pack fractured, but Kira knew it wouldn't last. This was just the beginning of a war she had never asked to fight but could no longer avoid.

"What was that?" Lukas finally asked, his voice sharp as his gaze locked on Kira.

"The binding ritual," Kira said, holding up her mother's journal. "It disrupted his connection to the pack. My mother wrote about it, but I didn't know if it would work."

Lukas let out a low whistle. "Well, it worked. For now."

"But it won't hold him for long," Damon said, his tone grim. "The Alpha will be furious, and he'll be back with even more wolves. You just painted a target on your back, Kira."

Kira straightened, meeting Damon's intense gaze. "I didn't have a choice. If I hadn't done it, we'd all be dead right now."

Damon's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. Instead, he turned and started pacing again, his energy restless and coiled like a predator ready to strike.

Secrets in the Shadows

Lukas crouched beside Kira, his voice softer now. "You said your mother wrote about this. How much do you know about her connection to the wolves?"

"Not enough," Kira admitted. "This journal… it's full of cryptic entries, rituals, and warnings. She knew things about the pack, about the Alpha, but she never told me any of it while she was alive. It's like she was preparing me for something, but I don't know what."

Damon stopped pacing, his dark eyes narrowing. "The Laurent bloodline has always been a mystery. Your mother might have been the only one who understood its true power. That's why the Alpha wants you so badly. He thinks you're the key to something greater."

"Something like what?" Kira asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound brave.

Damon hesitated, his expression unreadable. "Control. Dominion over both wolves and humans. If he can claim you—or your bloodline—he can rewrite the balance of power."

Kira's stomach churned. The idea of being reduced to a pawn in the Alpha's game made her blood boil, but it also terrified her.

"So what do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We find answers," Lukas said firmly. "There has to be more in that journal—something that can help us fight back."

A Plan in the Making

Back at Damon's cabin, the three of them huddled around the small wooden table, poring over the pages of the journal. The entries were fragmented and cryptic, filled with symbols and half-finished sentences that hinted at deeper truths.

"This doesn't make any sense," Kira muttered, running a hand through her hair in frustration.

"It's like she was deliberately hiding something," Lukas said, frowning as he traced his fingers over a faded diagram of a crescent moon surrounded by runes. "But why?"

"Maybe she was trying to protect Kira," Damon suggested. "The less she knew, the safer she was."

"Fat lot of good that did," Kira said bitterly. "I'm already in the middle of this mess."

Damon's gaze softened, but before he could respond, Lukas tapped a section of the journal. "Wait. Look at this."

Kira leaned closer, her heart skipping a beat as she read the words aloud.

"When the moon is full and the bloodline awakened, the chosen must seek the Shadow Stone to sever the Alpha's reign."

"What's the Shadow Stone?" Lukas asked, his brow furrowed.

"It's a myth," Damon said, his tone dismissive. "An old tale about a relic that can break the Alpha's power. But no one knows if it's real, let alone where to find it."

"It's our only lead," Kira said, her resolve hardening. "If it's real, we have to find it."

As the day wore on, Kira couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every rustle of leaves and distant howl sent a shiver down her spine. The forest, once a place of comfort and connection, now felt alien and hostile.

That night, as the three of them rested in the dimly lit cabin, Kira felt the pull again. It was faint at first—a soft whisper at the edge of her mind—but it grew stronger with each passing second. It wasn't the usual connection she felt with the forest. This was something darker, more insistent.

She rose from her chair, her movements slow and deliberate, as if in a trance. Damon noticed immediately, his sharp gaze following her.

"Kira," he said, his voice low. "What's wrong?"

"I… I don't know," she murmured, pressing a hand to her temple. "There's something out there. It's calling me."

Damon was on his feet in an instant, blocking her path. "You're not going anywhere. Not alone."

"It's not just her," Lukas said from across the room, his eyes glowing faintly. "I can feel it too. Something's out there, waiting for us."

Damon swore under his breath, grabbing his jacket. "Fine. But we go together. Stay close, and don't do anything reckless."

. Into the Unknown

The forest was alive with shadows as they stepped outside, the cool night air wrapping around them like a shroud. The pull grew stronger with every step Kira took, guiding her deeper into the woods. Damon and Lukas flanked her, their senses on high alert.

"What do you think it is?" Lukas asked, his voice a hushed whisper.

"Could be a trap," Damon replied, his tone grim. "Or it could be worse."

Kira didn't respond. She was too focused on the sensation pulling her forward, a mix of dread and curiosity churning in her gut. It felt like the forest itself was guiding her, each step bringing her closer to something ancient and powerful.

Finally, they emerged into a clearing bathed in pale moonlight. At its center stood a massive stone altar, its surface etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly.

"The Shadow Stone," Kira whispered, her breath catching in her throat.

Damon and Lukas exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of shock and suspicion.

"It can't be," Damon said, stepping closer to the altar. "This has been a legend for centuries. No one's ever found it."

"Well, we just did," Lukas said, his tone laced with unease.

Kira approached the stone, her fingers trembling as she traced the glowing runes. The moment her skin made contact, a surge of energy shot through her, making her gasp. Visions flashed before her eyes—wolves running through the forest, battles waged under the full moon, and a figure cloaked in shadows watching from the trees.

"Kira!" Damon's voice broke through the haze, pulling her back to the present. He grabbed her arm, steadying her. "Are you okay?"

"I… I saw something," she said, her voice shaky. "Visions of the past, or maybe the future. I don't know."

"The Shadow Stone is reacting to her," Lukas said, his voice tight. "That means it's real. And it's tied to her bloodline."

A Sudden Attack

Before they could process what was happening, the sound of growls echoed through the clearing. Shapes emerged from the darkness—wolves with glowing red eyes and bared fangs.

"Rogues," Damon spat, stepping protectively in front of Kira.

Lukas shifted instantly, his form blending into that of a massive silver wolf. Damon followed suit, his transformation swift and seamless.

Kira stumbled back as the rogues charged, her heart pounding. She clutched the journal tightly, her mind racing. She couldn't fight them—not like this. But there had to be something in the journal, some way to help.

As Damon and Lukas fought off the wolves with lethal precision, Kira flipped through the pages, searching frantically. Finally, she found it—a passage about binding magic. It was risky and incomplete, but it was all she had.

Kneeling beside the Shadow Stone, she began to chant the incantation, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. The runes on the stone flared brighter with each word, casting an eerie light over the clearing.

The rogues hesitated, their movements faltering as the energy from the stone pulsed

. A Sudden Attack (Continued)

The rogues hesitated, their movements faltering as the energy from the Shadow Stone pulsed outward in rhythmic waves. Damon and Lukas seized the moment, their attacks swift and brutal, driving the wolves back.

Kira's voice grew louder, the chant pulling on a strength she didn't know she had. The forest itself seemed to respond—branches creaked, leaves rustled violently, and the ground trembled beneath her knees.

The lead rogue, a massive black wolf with scars crisscrossing its muzzle, snarled and lunged toward Kira. Lukas intercepted it mid-air, his jaws snapping down on its shoulder and driving it to the ground. Damon was at Lukas's side in an instant, finishing the fight with a decisive blow.

Kira gasped as the final words of the incantation left her lips. The Shadow Stone's glow intensified, releasing a shockwave that sent the remaining rogues scattering into the forest.

For a moment, there was only silence, broken only by Kira's ragged breathing and the faint rustling of leaves.

. The Cost of Power

Damon shifted back into his human form, his chest heaving as he stalked toward Kira. "What the hell were you thinking?" he snapped, his voice laced with anger and concern.

"I was trying to help!" Kira shot back, her hands trembling as she clutched the journal. "If I hadn't done that, we'd all be dead."

"She's right," Lukas said, shifting back as well. His voice was calmer, though his gaze was sharp. "Whatever that ritual was, it worked. The rogues couldn't stand against it."

"But at what cost?" Damon demanded, his dark eyes narrowing at the glowing runes on the stone. "You don't know what you've just unleashed."

Kira pushed herself to her feet, her legs unsteady. "I didn't unleash anything. I stopped them. Isn't that what matters?"

"It's not that simple," Damon said, running a hand through his hair. "The Shadow Stone isn't just a weapon—it's a conduit for power. Power that's tied to your bloodline. You've made yourself a beacon, Kira. Every wolf within miles will sense it now."

The weight of his words settled heavily on her shoulders. She looked down at her trembling hands, the faint glow of the runes still lingering on her skin. "I didn't have a choice," she said quietly. "I had to protect us."

Lukas stepped closer, his voice softer now. "You did what you thought was right. But Damon's not wrong. We need to be ready for what comes next."

A New Threat

The three of them returned to the cabin as dawn broke, exhaustion etched into their features. Kira sat at the table, staring down at the journal. Her mother's words seemed to blur on the page, the weight of the night's events pressing down on her.

"What now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We regroup," Damon said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "The rogues were just the beginning. The Alpha won't stop until he gets what he wants."

"And what does he want?" Kira asked, her gaze lifting to meet his.

Damon's expression was grim. "You."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Kira felt the weight of their stares, the unspoken truth hanging in the air. She was the key to something far bigger than herself—something dangerous and unpredictable.

"I won't let him take me," she said, her voice firm despite the fear gnawing at her. "If the Shadow Stone is tied to me, then I'll find a way to use it. I'm not going to sit around and wait for him to come after me."

Lukas smirked faintly, his respect for her growing. "You're braver than most people would be in your position. But Damon's right. You need to be careful. The power you're playing with could destroy you if you're not careful."

"Then I'll learn," Kira said, determination flaring in her eyes. "Whatever it takes, I'll figure this out. I'm not just going to be some pawn in the Alpha's game."

Damon exchanged a glance with Lukas, his expression softening slightly. "If you're serious about this, we'll help you. But you need to understand—this won't be easy. The wolves, the prophecy, your bloodline… it's all connected. And the deeper we dig, the more dangerous it's going to get."

"I don't care," Kira said, standing up. "I'm not afraid of danger. I'm afraid of not knowing who I am, of being hunted for something I don't understand. If this is my fight, then I'm going to see it through."

Lukas nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "Then let's get to work."

As the morning sun rose higher, the three of them began planning their next move, unaware of the shadowy figure watching them from the edge of the forest. The Alpha wasn't done with Kira—not by a long shot. And this time, he wasn't coming alone.

The Alpha's Demand

The days that followed were a blur of preparation. Damon and Lukas trained Kira tirelessly, pushing her to her limits. Mornings were spent in the clearing near the cabin, where Lukas taught her how to defend herself against attacks. He moved with inhuman speed and precision, forcing her to think quickly and adapt. Damon, on the other hand, focused on the Shadow Stone.

Kira sat cross-legged by the firepit as Damon crouched in front of her, placing the glowing stone between them. "Focus," he commanded. "You're connected to this. Feel its power."

Kira closed her eyes, her breathing slow and steady. A faint hum resonated from the stone, vibrating through her chest. It felt alive, pulsing with energy she didn't understand but couldn't resist.

"What do I do with it?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

"Learn to control it," Damon replied. "If you can wield this power, you might stand a chance against the Alpha."

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She hadn't seen the Alpha yet, but the name alone filled her with dread. Damon spoke of him like a force of nature—unstoppable, merciless.

"Why does he want me so badly?" Kira finally asked, her eyes opening to meet Damon's.

Damon's jaw tightened. "The Laurent bloodline is special. You're not just human, Kira. You're a bridge between the wolves and something older—something the Alpha wants to control. If he claims you, it'll cement his power for good."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then he'll destroy you."

The bluntness of his words hit her like a punch to the gut. Before she could respond, Lukas's voice rang out from the edge of the clearing. "We've got company!"

Damon was on his feet in an instant, his body tense. Kira scrambled up, clutching the Shadow Stone to her chest. The air shifted—cold, heavy, and alive with unseen energy.

From the trees emerged a figure Kira had never seen before. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his presence commanding. Silver streaks ran through his dark hair, and his piercing eyes glowed with an unnatural light. Wolves flanked him on either side, their low growls rumbling through the clearing.

"The Alpha," Damon said darkly, stepping in front of Kira.

Kira's breath caught in her throat. The Alpha looked at her with a chilling smile, his gaze like a predator sizing up its prey. "So, you're the Laurent girl," he said, his voice smooth but laced with malice. "You've caused me quite a bit of trouble already."

"I don't know what you want," Kira said, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound strong.

"You," the Alpha replied simply. "Your power. Your bloodline. It's all mine by right."

"She doesn't belong to you," Damon growled, stepping closer, his fists clenched.

The Alpha barely spared him a glance. "You think you can protect her, Damon? You're just a rogue. An outcast. I am the law of the pack."

Kira felt Lukas move to her side, his presence a reassuring weight. "She's not going with you," Lukas said, his voice firm.

The Alpha's smile faded, replaced by a cold, cruel expression. "You don't have a choice."

The wolves at his sides lunged forward, and chaos erupted. Damon transformed in a blur of movement, his wolf form crashing into the attackers with a snarl. Lukas grabbed Kira's arm, pulling her back toward the cabin.

"Run!" he shouted.

Kira stumbled, clutching the Shadow Stone as they raced through the trees. The sounds of growls and snapping jaws filled the air, but Lukas didn't slow down. He moved with supernatural speed, pulling her along until they reached the cabin.

He shoved her inside and slammed the door. "Stay here," he ordered. "Don't come out unless I say."

"What about Damon?" Kira gasped.

"He'll hold them off. But if the Alpha gets in here, you need to protect yourself." Lukas handed her a silver dagger, its blade cold in her palm. "Do whatever it takes to survive."

Before Kira could argue, Lukas was gone, leaving her alone in the silent cabin. Her heart pounded as she crouched by the window, watching the trees for any sign of movement.

Outside, the sounds of the fight grew louder. The snarls and crashes of bodies hitting the earth sent chills down her spine. Then, a sudden silence fell.

Kira's breath caught. "No…"

The door burst open with a crash, and the Alpha stepped inside. His eyes locked onto Kira, his smile predatory.

"There's nowhere left to run, little Laurent."

Kira gripped the dagger tightly, the Shadow Stone pulsing in her other hand. She felt its energy building, like a storm ready to break.

"I'm not afraid of you," she said, though her voice wavered.

The Alpha chuckled darkly. "You should be."

He stepped forward, and the Shadow Stone flared in her palm, flooding the cabin with blinding light. Kira screamed as the energy surged through her, and for a moment, the Alpha's expression twisted in shock.

Then everything went dark.

Into the Abyss

The world felt like it had split open the moment the Shadow Stone's energy exploded. A wave of darkness and light crashed through the cabin, shaking its very foundation. Kira's body was thrown back, the force pressing her against the wooden floor like an invisible hand pinning her down.

The Alpha's growl of rage echoed in her ears, and for a split second, she saw him—his face twisted in anger, his movements frozen in the blinding light. Then the light snapped out, leaving only the suffocating silence of the aftermath.

Kira's limbs felt heavy, her head throbbing. The air smelled of scorched wood and something darker, more primal. Her vision swam as she pushed herself up, gasping for breath.

The cabin door hung off its hinges, creaking ominously in the wind. Splinters littered the floor, the walls marked by deep claw gouges. But there was no sign of the Alpha.

"What… happened?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Her fingers were still clenched around the Shadow Stone. Its once-vibrant glow had dimmed to a faint pulse, as though exhausted.

"Kira!"

Lukas's voice cut through the haze, sharp and desperate. He burst through the ruined door, his clothes torn and blood streaking across his face. His wild eyes scanned the cabin until they landed on her. Relief flooded his expression.

"You're alive," he muttered, crouching in front of her.

"What happened to him? The Alpha—"

"Gone," Lukas said firmly. "For now. You unleashed something he wasn't expecting. It bought us time."

Kira clutched the stone, her hands trembling. "I didn't mean to… it just happened. It felt like it was alive."

Lukas nodded, his expression grim. "That's because it is. The Shadow Stone isn't just an artifact—it's a key, tied to your lineage. Whatever you tapped into, it's only the beginning."

He helped her to her feet, steadying her as the world tilted slightly. "We need to get out of here before he regroups. Damon's holding off the rest of the pack, but he can't hold them forever."

"Is he okay?" Kira asked, worry slicing through her exhaustion.

Lukas's jaw tightened. "He's doing what he can. Come on."

Together, they stepped out into the night, the air thick with smoke and the lingering tension of battle. Kira could see the forest in chaos—trees were shattered, the earth torn apart as though a hurricane had torn through it. Distant snarls echoed through the trees, a stark reminder that danger still lurked.

Lukas pulled her forward, keeping close to her side as they ran deeper into the woods. The moon had risen high above them, its silver light piercing through the canopy.

"Where are we going?" Kira asked breathlessly.

"To the ruins," Lukas replied, his tone urgent. "It's the one place the Alpha won't follow. Not yet."

"The ruins?"

"They're part of your family's legacy," Lukas said. "And the answers you need are there."

The Price of Power

The journey to the ruins was grueling. Lukas pushed Kira to keep moving, their pace relentless as they cut through thick underbrush and crossed uneven terrain. Her body ached with every step, but the weight of the Shadow Stone in her hand fueled her determination.

Hours seemed to pass before they arrived. The ruins loomed out of the forest like the bones of some ancient beast, stone walls crumbling under the weight of centuries. Vines crept up the cracked surfaces, and strange symbols were carved into the stone—symbols that seemed to hum with faint energy.

"What is this place?" Kira murmured, awe and unease washing over her.

"Your ancestors built this," Lukas said. "Long before humans and wolves were divided."

Kira turned to him, her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Lukas hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The Laurent bloodline wasn't always human. Your family once ruled as the bridge between two worlds—the wolves and the shadows. It's why the Alpha wants you. With you under his control, he could rewrite the laws of our kind."

Kira swallowed hard, the enormity of his words settling over her like a heavy cloak. "I don't want to be part of this. I didn't choose this."

"No one ever does," Lukas said softly. "But now it's yours to bear."

He gestured to the central part of the ruins, where a massive stone altar stood. At its center was a pedestal—empty, but surrounded by more of the strange carvings.

"This altar held the Shadow Stone once," Lukas explained. "Your mother hid it to keep it away from the Alpha. But now that it's awakened, he'll stop at nothing to claim it."

Kira looked down at the stone in her hand. "And if he does?"

"Then everything changes," Lukas said darkly. "For wolves and humans alike."

A sudden, sharp howl broke the stillness, echoing through the ruins. Lukas spun toward the sound, his expression hardening. "They've found us."

"Already?" Kira's voice trembled.

"They're hunting you," Lukas said. "And they're not going to stop."

Damon emerged from the trees moments later, bloodied but alive. His breathing was ragged, but his wolf eyes burned with determination.

"We don't have time," he said, his gaze darting between them. "The pack is coming. We need to prepare."

Lukas nodded grimly. "Then we make our stand here."

Damon turned to Kira, his expression unyielding. "You have to decide, Kira. Are you ready to fight?"

Kira stared at the two of them, her chest tight with fear and uncertainty. She didn't feel ready. She didn't feel strong enough. But as she looked at the stone, she realized she couldn't run anymore.

If the Alpha wanted her power, he'd have to take it from her.

"I'll fight," she said, her voice steady.

Damon gave her a sharp nod. "Good. Because the Alpha is coming for you, and he's bringing an army."

Kira tightened her grip on the Shadow Stone, her pulse pounding in her ears. The ruins seemed to come alive around her, the energy in the air thickening like a gathering storm.

For the first time, she felt the power in her blood. And she wasn't afraid of it anymore.