The battlefield was silent.
Not the peace of victory, but the heavy, breathless stillness after chaos. The fallen lay scattered—rogues and pack alike. The air hung thick with blood, smoke, and something more… something ancient.
Lucian stood with Aria in his arms, her body trembling from the power she’d unleashed. Around them, warriors shifted back into human form, some clutching wounds, others kneeling beside lost comrades. Elias paced among the injured, barking orders, but even he kept glancing at Aria.
She stirred slowly.
“Lucian?” her voice was soft, eyes fluttering open.
“I’m here,” he said, brushing hair from her face. “You did something incredible.”
Aria sat up with effort, her limbs aching. “It didn’t feel incredible. It felt… like something took over.”
Lucian helped her stan
