derbrush, teeth bared and claws flashing in the darkened forest. The power of their snarls echoed around the clearing, sendin

rgy that pulsed from Damon himself. Lena's heart pounded as the realization sank in, Damon's power over t

g her powe

, under Damon's control, they were trapped in a battle they didn't understand. Her instincts flared, and for the first time sinc

ch. Lena clenched her fists, fighting the frustration,

You're fighting something you can't control. But you don't belong to Damon. You don'

e wolves were hesitating, caught between Damon's dark

e, a chilling growl rose from Damon,

-

side, narrowly avoiding the sharp bite. Kaden's roar split the night as he threw Damon off him

She knew she had to protect herself, protect these creatures that were more than just pawns in Damon's g

r chest. The wolves froze mid-leap, their snarls cutting off abruptly as if they had hit an unseen wa

to hold its breath

n't fully understand it yet but the bond she felt with these wolves was undeniable. They were her

shaking but resolute. "You don't have

wly, the wolves backed away from her, their heads lowering in submis

harp pain lanced through her mind. Damon's voic

rstand the depths of your power, Lena.

influence clawed at her mind, thr

-

en

The weight of it overcame her senses, causing her to gasp and buckle her knees. After changing back into h

usually sharp, stoic gaze was now laced with concern. "Damon's magic, he's

o shake off the lingering pain in h

If we don't break that connection, Damon will sipho

rely scratched the surface of her abilities, and now Damon was tr

ace where we can sever Zara's influence. But we'll need something

er, a low, rumbling voice echoed

t make it

ir around him seemed to warp, as if the very essence of the forest was bending to his will. And with a snap of his f

widened. "Oh, Lena... you may have achieved a min

-

. He was a fighter, a protector by nature, but even he couldn't fight magic this twisted.

ng powerful but she still didn't understand how to control it. And now, Damon was twistin

ack of her mind, bothering her. *You may have achieved a

y, it h

na asked, her voice steadying e

grin faltering for the

thening her resolve. "You're using Zara's magic, Damon. But ma

ened further, but

ing but a tool to her in getting what she really wants. And lik

e dark energy that swirled all around him wavered for

all Len

ed, "I'm the one with the power. I am the

pulation had ensnared him, and now that Lena was standing in her own power, h

, more dangerous. "You think you've won? You're just like the rest of your

n turned on Kaden, launching himse

-

them both crashing to the ground. Blood sprayed across the clearing, and Lena's heart

ore she could get to him. Zara's voice rang in Lena'

rifice, Lena. And the time fo

fading as Damon's laughter echoed around