er throat as she dove, her dagger flashing in the moonlight. The creature-neither wolf nor human, i

ble, as Lila's distant scream echoed in her ears."Elyra, move!

sending Kael crashing into a tree with a sickening crunch. He

d leg screaming, her shoulder still bleeding from the cult's bolt. Zane lay nearby,

, the traitor who'd orchestrated it all, still out there.The be

er relic, a blood-soaked dagger-pulsed i

ng out, but the beast didn't flinch, it

uted, her dagger tre

amulet controlling it, her family's blood fueling its power. Elyra's stomach chur

ickering open, pain etched on his scarred face. "Elyra," h

ing her eyes. Her heart warred-Zane's betrayal

rang, a knife in her soul.The beast lunged. Elyra dove,

grazing her arm, drawing blood. Pain seared, but her p

g, and Elyra's vision sharpened: the relic,

blade raised, blood streaking

e cave, its glowing symbo

her heels. Zane lunged, half-shifted, his cla

d pooling, and Elyr

s. Her powers roared, violet light flooding the walls, and a voic

r heart. Elyra's powers peaked, the runes blazing, and a silve

arl promised freedom. Elyra's legs buckled, he

holding her up. "You did it," he panted, his

g, his eyes fluttering shut. "We need to save him," s

jaw tig

a relic key. Mira's u

pawn in Mira's game, her betr

ant glowing, Mira chanting. "Then we find the rui

ng for her. "Elyra... I'm sorry. For everythi

you. Mira... she

r. "Then prove it," she whispered, kneeling beside him, h

y al

ulled Elyra up. "We can't stay. The pack thinks

But Lila's scream, the relic, Mi

alry, but nodded. They lifted Zane, his weight heavy, his blood staining their hands. T

resolve burned brighter.They trekked through the fores

lic glowing, Lila's pendant unlocking it, and Mira's amulet, its dark magic

the mate bond... I feel it. Stronger every se

nds tearing her apart. Kael's warmth, his fierce loyalty,

dmitted, tears falling. "But I ca

"Elyra... I love you. Always have." His voice was a

her powers sparking, trying to hea

e raised. The fog parted, revealing a figure-not a cultist, but an I

"The ruin's close. The cu

"The scout nodded, leading them through tangled vines to a cliff over

chained to an altar, her pendant pulsing. Mira stood above h

olding before her. "Mira," she hissed,

gripped he

t."Elyra's eyes locked on Lila, her friend's face pa

forehead, tears falling. "Hold on, Zane. I'm coming back fo

ision's dagger flashed-Mira, Zane, betrayal. She stood, her powers sparking, and followed the scout down

fallen pillar. Mira's chant grew louder, Lila'

silver orb, rising from the altar, her blood unlockin

breath

or, his face twisted, a claw pendant at his thr

They crept closer, Elyra's dagger ready, her powers unstable. Lila's e

ting her bonds. Lila gasped, clutchi

s chant stopped, her blue eyes snapping to them. "Moonsee

ra shoved Lila behind her, her powers expl

the shadows, Zane's dagger in his hand, its blade glowing w

r? Her vision lied-Zane wasn't the traitor, but his dagger was here, in the cult's hands. Mira lau

heart, and a roar shook the ruin-Zane, blo

olt struck his side, and he fe

ing, the ruin collapsing. Lila clung to her, Kael fought, a

figure, claw pendant glinting, holding

yor, but her mother, alive, her eyes glowing with Moonseer light