MARKED BY FATE

Shadows Unleashed

Vivian's POV

The rustling of foliage and the far-off howls of wolves define the evening. The air seems packed with both anxiety and expectation. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Lucian, our allies encircling us, their faces rigid as they securely grab guns, poised for the fight ahead.

Lucian orders, "Stay alert," his voice low but forceful. I sense his anxiety and the protective quality about him. But I refuse to be sidelined this time. I will fight next to him; I will not be a damsel in crisis.

"Vivian," Ethan says, approaching. You are not compelled to do this. It's far too hazardous.

I give him a deliberate stare. "I have previously been in danger, Ethan. I will not watch you two take all the risks. I am in this no matter what.

A harsh growl from the shadows interrupts his preparation to object. The sound chills my spine, and I grab my dagger's handle firmly. My voice almost above a whisper, I say, "They're here."

Lucian's eyes sharpen and he looks across the black woodland. "Get ready". We will keep our distance.

Rising from the trees like a black wave, the pack shows up with eyes full of hate. Lucian's father is up front, his presence terrible and commanding. He hasn't changed much; nonetheless, the strong man I recall from Lucian's tales sends shivers down my spine today. This is deadly anger.

"Lucian!," he yells, his voice resonating over the clearing. You brought this upon yourselves! You cannot resist me indefinitely!

"Stay behind!" Step ahead, Lucian yells. "This is my pack right now; I won't let you ruin it!."

The opposition pack lets out a sharp battle cry, and anarchy follows right away. Wolves launch at us, teeth bared, and the air snarls and body collision fill us.

"Vivian!!" Lucian yells, but I am already on motion. I refuse to let him tackle this alone. My pulse thumping, I run toward a charging wolf ready to protect myself. Feeling the surge of excitement as I touch the side of my dagger, I swing it. The thing yells and withdraws, but I know this is only starting.

Looking back at Lucian, I see him involving his father in a lethal dance of power and anger. Every collision of their bodies sends vibrations across me. This is a struggle of wills, a collision of the past and the future, not only a brawl.

Ethan yells behind me in the heat of the fight. Vivian, be careful!

I turn just in time to evade still another wolf lunging for me. I knock it back, but I trip and fall to the ground. My chest fills with panic as the wolf circles back, teeth showing.

But Lucian is there, his strong figure preventing me, before it can leap. He pushes a knife at the side of the wolf, which thuds. "Get up!," he exhorts, reaching out to assist. I grab it and get myself upright.

"Thanks; I'm trying to catch my breath here." Around us, the battle rages on, and I can feel my anxiety replaced with something else—fury. I won't let them steal anything from us.

"We have to pull them back!," Lucian yells angrily. He strikes me as having a will that inspires my own.

I say, "Together," adrenaline driving every action.

We charge ahead side by side. I connect with him, a synergy that is our power. I stick near his side, duck and weave, and together we eliminate one wolf after another.

Still, I spy movement out of the corner of my eye just as I believe we have the upper hand. From the shadows, a creature leaps toward me and I discover too late that it is not only a wolf. This is a rogue wolf, its predatory need shining in its eyes.

Vivian: Lucian yells, but the renegade is quicker. It leaps at me and I lift my dagger automatically. But its weight causes me to fall, and the breath is forced from my lungs.

Time seemed to slow at that instant. I hear the growls vibrating through the air and feel its hot breath on my face. As I struggle with it, my heart races as I fight to keep its fangs off my throat.

"Get far from her!" Lucian yells, charging right toward us. His eyes seem desperate, and that drives my battle.

Strongly grasping, I twist the dagger and slide it into the side of the rogue. It pauses momentarily astonished and screams in agony. Just as it stumbles, Lucian comes to us and snatches it, yanking it away from me.

He tosses it one quick motion and it thuds heavily against a tree. Shaking from the surge, I get to my feet. His eyes darting across me, he asks, "Are you okay?

"I'm fine," I say, yet my heart is racing. "Just a slight shake."

Lucian nods, his face both angry and scared. "Stay near. We must keep on battling.

The struggle continues, yet as we resist the tide starts to change. Though the rogues are unrelenting, I can see our allies standing their ground. Though I feel the weight of tiredness slinking in and my muscles hurt, I won back off.

Ethan valiantly battles two wolves at once close by. I see the fire in his eyes—the will to shield us. Then I watch him trip, startled by a renegade wolf.

"Ethan!." I yell and rush to assist him, panic building in my chest.

Lucian is already there, covering Ethan and tackling the renegade to the ground before I can get to him. He yells, "Get to safety!" at Ethan, his voice demanding.

Ethan nods, steadiness restored and turning back to face the chaos. It motivates me seeing their friendship developed in war and their togetherness. Not now; we cannot lose anyone.

I see Lucian's father once again as the battle gets more intense, his eyes looking for Lucian among the turmoil. My own spark of wrath starts me to realize the magnitude of their fight. This is about family, treachery, and recovering a legacy—not only about territory.

Driven now, I ran ahead prepared to meet him. "Lucian, cover me!," says As I negotiate the wolf swarm, I yell.

"Vivian, hold off!" Lucian phones, but I am unable to stop. I have to go through this. I have to go to the cause of our suffering.

"Why are you acting like this?” I yell and start walking toward Lucian's father. "You are breaking apart your family!"

Surprise blazing in his eyes, he looks at me. "This is not your fight, girl," he says with a contemptuous sneer. For my son, you are only a diversion.

My heart beating, I say, "maybe," but I refuse to let you destroy what he has created. You left him, and today you believe you could simply undo it all?

His face gets stiffer, and he lunches at me. I hardly avoid him, rolling to the side just as he passes by. Adrenaline racing through my veins, the momentum drives me forward and I dash to my feet.

"I won't let you take him from me!" I yell, firmly clutching my dagger.

Lucian runs up behind me roaring and tackles his father with such power that both of them fall to the ground. I see the two of them struggle, each seeking the upper hand.

"Lucian!." I yell, but in the struggle of will and might he is gone. I could feel the suffering in his eyes, the weight of years of bitterness and anguish.

The tide swings once more suddenly. Rush of rogues arrives, encircling Lucian and his father. "We have to assist him!". I call for Ethan, who lives close.

"We cannot let them overwhelm us!" His visage is gloomy as he answers.

I turn to Lucian, whose battle gets more frantic. Any more I stand by and watch him struggle alone. It is intolerable. "We have to pull them back!." I yell to call our friends together.

We advance together, recovering territory. The fight is hard, and I feel the weight of every blow and body collision. Though I dodge and weave with Ethan, my eyes are always on Lucian. I will keep him from falling.

As we start to get the upper hand, I hear a howl from the woods that sends chills down my spine. The howl is full of wrath, and I turn to see a huge wolf rising from the shadows with angry glistening eyes.

"Lucian!" I yell, but the tumult drowns out my voice.

The great wolf lunches forward, and in that instant time appears to slow down. Lucian's father's eyes widen in amazement as he realizes too late the tide is about to flip.