Reborn in shadow

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4: The Alpha's Gambit

Eva made a blurry lunge. Dark and malevolent, the blade cut through the air in my direction. With the blade zipping by my ear, I instinctively dodged.

She staggered forward due to the power of her strike, which gave me a valuable opportunity to respond.

"What are you doing, Eva?" I screamed, my voice filled with confusion and fear.

She didn't respond. Rather, she walked around with the blade still gripped in her hand, her eyes open and wide. She moved faster and more fiercely than I had ever seen her do. She seemed to be possessed.

I was aware that I couldn't resist her. Not without understanding why. I had to get away, to see what was going on.

The woodland floor was a blur underfoot as I turned and raced. Behind me, I could hear Eva's frantic breathing and unrelenting motions. With my pulse racing, I jumped over fallen logs and ducked behind trees.

I had to locate Darius and return to the group. He may be able to clarify the situation.

However, I came to a complete halt when I burst through the woods. The laughing of the pack and the warmth of the flame had left the clearing. Rather, it was a scene of fear and mayhem.

There were werewolves all over the place, some wounded, some fighting, some just fleeing. Killian Draven stood in the middle of it all.

With his piercing blue eyes burning with a fierce anger and silver hair catching the moonlight, he was a tornado of movement. His strikes were deadly and accurate, and he moved with a deadly elegance. He was engaged in combat, but not in self-defense. He was attacking.

My blood froze. What was he doing?

Then I caught sight of him. His jet-black hair was wild and disheveled, and he was tall and strongly built. With a gloomy face and narrowed golden eyes, Darius was engaged in combat with Killian.

"Killian, please stop!" Darius let out a yell that reverberated across the open space.

Killian only grinned, a sly, predatory grin that made my skin crawl. "Why should I?" he said, his tone full of hate. "This is really entertaining."

"My pack is being attacked by you!" Darius shouted, anger in his voice. "This will cost you money!"

Killian's chuckle was low and without amusement. His amused eyes glinted as he said, "Will I?" "Or are you going to?"

With a fast and vicious strike, he sprang forward. Darius's face darkened even more as he narrowly escaped the punch.

The battle was fierce, a haze of movement and unadulterated might. Killian's assaults were designed to injure and weaken, and he moved with deliberate precision. Every action Darius made was driven by anger and protectiveness, and he battled with frantic intensity.

The air was filled with the howls of agony and panic as the pack members were caught in the crossfire. Although several attempted to step in, Killian's strikes were too quick and lethal.

My head was spinning as I watched in terror. For what reason did he do this? He attacked the Golden Claw Pack, but why?

Killian stopped abruptly and looked around the area. A slow, purposeful grin appeared on his face as his eyes met mine.

"Ah, Aria," he murmured, with a hint of humor in his voice. "Just in time for the big show."

His eyes glinted with a menacing brightness as he turned back to Darius. His voice was low and threatening as he stated, "I think it's time to end this."

With stronger and quicker motions than before, he sprang forward. Darius's defenses faltered, and he was taken by surprise. Darius fell to the ground as Killian's punch struck.

The audience let out a simultaneous gasp, as Darius lay still with his eyes closed.

Over him, Killian stood with a victorious grin. "It's over, Darius," he remarked in a harsh, icy tone. "I own the Golden Claw Pack."

His gaze moved across the features of the pack members as he turned to face them. With a powerful voice, he said, "You are now a member of the Moonshine Pack."

Fear and sorrow swept over the gathering. Already, a few werewolves were bowed their heads in acceptance of their destiny.

What I was witnessing was unbelievable. The Golden Claw Pack had been invaded by Killian, who had vanquished Darius and taken possession of them.

With my head spinning, I reasoned that this couldn't be real. This must be a bad dream.

Then I became aware of an oddity.

Killian had an unusual, almost ethereal sparkle in his eyes. And everything about him, including his posture and motions, looked to have improved.

I realized he was using something.

Something strong.

The quiet was abruptly broken by a voice.

"You're mistaken, Killian."

Darius stood with an unbridled power burning in his eyes. Despite his wounds and bleeding, he remained upright.

He said the words, "The Golden Claw Pack will never belong to you," in a voice that belied his wounds. "We're not going to bow to you."

Killian's eyes narrowed and his grin wavered. "You're a fool, Darius," he replied in a disdainful tone. "You're not strong. You've lost.

Darius moved forward while maintaining eye contact with Killian. With a low, menacing voice, he said, "I may be wounded, but I am not defeated."

A flash of electricity swept across the clearing as he lifted his hand. The air crackled with electricity, the trees swung, and the earth shook.

Killian's eyes became wide with shock. "What is this?" he said in a terrified tone.

Golden light radiated from Darius's eyes, a power that resembled Killian's yet was greater. "This is the Golden Claw Pack's strength," he said, his voice echoing with a raw, primordial force.

His motions were quick and vicious as he sprang forward. Killian was taken by surprise, and his defenses weakened. Killian crashed to the ground as Darius's assault struck.

Cheers broke out in the area as the voices of the pack members were infused with a newfound sense of resolve and optimism.

With a somber gaze, Darius stood over Killian. "Go," he commanded in a harsh, icy tone. "And never come back."

Killian's eyes were filled with anger and terror as he gazed up. His motions were shaky and smooth as he fought to rise.

His eyes lingered on me, a veiled warning of strife to come. Then there was a chilly quiet as he disappeared into the darkness.

I saw a little, silver item on the ground where Killian had fallen as I inhaled. I picked it up after going to it.

The locket was small and well-made. I opened it, and a little image dropped out.

The image showed a young lady with cold blue eyes and gray hair. Killian was the one.

She was a woman, however.

What is this? I thought. What is he hiding?