The clearing had grown restless.
Whispers moved through the pack like wind through dry leaves. Every Lycan could feel it now—the strange energy that had pulsed from Elara's pendant.
Lucien stood beside her, his gaze sharp as he watched the forest beyond the clearing.
"They will come," Gamma said quietly.
Lucien didn't look at him. "I know."
Elara wrapped her fingers around the pendant again. It had cooled, but a faint warmth still lingered beneath the silver charm.
"I still don't understand," she said. "Why are they so interested in me?"
Gamma exhaled slowly.
"Because power attracts enemies."
Lucien finally turned toward her.
"And allies," he added.
Before Elara could ask another question, a sudden sound echoed from the edge of the forest.
A howl.
Not from their pack.
Every Lycan in the clearing froze.
Another howl followed.
Closer.
Gamma's eyes narrowed. "Rogues."
The pack immediately shifted into motion. Warriors moved toward the outer edges of the clearing while others guided the younger members toward the shelters.
Lucien's expression hardened.
"They found us faster than expected."
Elara's heart pounded.
"You said they were getting closer, but I thought—"
"That we had more time?" Lucien finished.
He shook his head slightly.
"We rarely get time."
Another howl cut through the forest, this one deeper and more aggressive. The trees beyond the clearing rustled violently.
Something was moving out there.
Something big.
Gamma stepped forward, his body already beginning to shift.
"Orders, Alpha?"
Lucien's eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"Hold the line."
The pack spread out, forming a protective barrier around the clearing.
Elara felt the air grow heavier again.
But this time the pressure wasn't coming from outside.
It was coming from her.
The pendant pulsed once more.
A flash of light shot through the silver charm, and Elara gasped as warmth spread through her chest.
Lucien noticed immediately.
"Elara."
"I can feel it," she whispered.
"What?"
"Something… waking up."
The forest suddenly fell silent.
Too silent.
Then a pair of glowing red eyes appeared between the trees.
Followed by another.
And another.
Rogues.
Dozens of them stepped from the shadows, their movements slow and predatory as they surrounded the clearing.
One of them moved forward.
Larger than the others.
Stronger.
Its yellow eyes locked onto Elara.
The creature bared its teeth in something that looked almost like a smile.
"There she is," the rogue growled.
Lucien stepped forward instantly, placing himself between the rogue and Elara.
"You chose the wrong territory," he said coldly.
The rogue chuckled.
"No, Alpha," it replied.
"We chose the right target."
The pendant flared with light again.
And this time—
Elara didn't feel afraid.
She felt powerful.