The first wolf broke free with a spiritual howl that resonated through the clearing, not physically separating from its human as had happened with Helena, but breaking the chains of corruption that had bound it. The warrior it belonged to collapsed, his weapon falling from nerveless fingers as his wolf reclaimed its rightful place in their shared soul.
One by one, the Northern Alliance forces fell, their wolves freed from control. Some writhed on the ground, fighting the cleansing. Others surrendered to it willingly, as if some part of them had been waiting for release. Only Marcus remained standing, protected by whatever dark magic his now-crumbling staff contained.
"You fools!" he snarled, his face twisted with hatred. "Do you have any idea what you're destroying? Centuries of work, of
