The Attack
542 Words
Chapter Twenty-Five: The Attack
Elara's POV
The training grounds emptied within seconds.
Nightshade warriors rushed toward the eastern border.
The laughter from only moments before disappeared, replaced by the sounds of armor, weapons, and commands.
Draven's expression changed completely.
Gone was the patient Alpha who had spent the morning teaching me how to hold a sword.
Standing before me now...
Was a leader prepared for war.
"Ryder."
"Already assembling the warriors."
"Protect the packhouse."
"Yes, Alpha."
Draven turned to me.
"You stay here."
I frowned.
"What?"
"It isn't safe."
"I don't want to hide."
His silver-gray eyes softened.
"I know."
"But you're still learning."
His words weren't meant to insult me.
They were true.
I had barely learned to hold a sword.
How could I fight trained killers?
Still...
Something inside me refused to stand still.
"I can help."
"You will."
He stepped closer.
"When you're ready."
Then, before I could argue, he gently touched his forehead to mine.
A simple gesture.
Gentle.
Respectful.
"I'll come back."
My heart skipped.
"You promise?"
"I swear it."
Orion rumbled proudly.
"Always."
Lunara answered.
"Return safely."
Vespera added with a grin,
"If you get hurt, we'll blame your wolf."
Orion actually huffed.
"Rude."
Despite the fear knotting in my stomach...
I smiled.
Draven smiled back.
Then he turned and sprinted toward the eastern gate.
---
Minutes later...
I stood on the balcony overlooking Nightshade.
The clash of steel echoed through the valley.
Growls filled the air.
Smoke drifted above the trees.
My hands trembled.
"I should be helping."
"No."
Lunara's voice was firm.
"Not yet."
"I can't just watch."
"Sometimes protecting people means surviving."
Vespera was unusually quiet.
That alone frightened me.
"What is it?"
"Something feels wrong."
My stomach tightened.
"Wrong how?"
"This attack..."
She paused.
"It's a distraction."
The words had barely left her mouth...
When every candle in my room suddenly went out.
Cold air swept across my skin.
The bedroom door slowly creaked open.
No one had touched it.
A hooded figure stepped inside.
My heart stopped.
How had someone gotten into the Alpha's home?
The stranger slowly removed his hood.
His face was hidden behind a silver mask.
Only his crimson eyes were visible.
"You've grown."
My voice shook.
"Who are you?"
He tilted his head.
"I've searched for you for eighteen years."
I took a step backward.
"What do you want?"
"You."
Lunara growled violently.
"Run!"
Vespera shouted at the same time.
"NOW!"
The masked man smiled.
"You really should listen to them."
His hand shot toward me.
Instinct took over.
I threw my hands up.
A burst of silver light exploded from my body.
The room shook.
Windows shattered.
The attacker was thrown backward through the doorway.
He landed hard...
Then slowly stood.
Instead of looking angry...
He laughed.
A cold.
Terrifying laugh.
"So..."
He dusted himself off.
"The Eclipse Power has finally awakened."
My blood ran cold.
"Eclipse..."
The stranger looked directly into my eyes.
"Yes, Princess."
He smiled beneath the mask.
"We've been waiting for you."
Before he could move again—
A thunderous roar echoed through the hallway.
Draven.
The Alpha burst through the broken doorway in full wolf form.
His massive black wolf launched straight at the masked attacker.
The room exploded into chaos.
- Writer
