Nymera's POV
The bolt flew fast, a silver blur slicing through the chaos.
I barely had time to scream.
Dain twisted at the last second—the arrow meant for his heart slammed into his shoulder instead. He staggered back with a grunt of pain, blood soaking his tunic instantly.
"No!" I lunged toward him, but Astra was faster.
In the confusion, she broke free, snatching the dropped dagger from the floor.
She didn't go for me.
She sprinted straight for Dain.
Everything slowed.
Kaelith roared, trying to reach her. Warriors clashed and shouted. Blood splattered the stones under our feet.
I shoved through the fighting bodies, dodging a sword swing, skidding across the slick floor.
I was too far.
She was too fast.
Dain ripped the arrow from his shoulder with a snarl—but Astra was already closing the gap, blade flashing for his exposed back.
There was no time to think.
I threw myself forward, tackling her mid-stride.
We crashed to the floor hard. The dagger clattered across the stone.
Astra screamed in rage, clawing at me, teeth snapping. Her strength was terrifying. I barely kept her pinned.
"You should have died out there!" she spat, blood flecking her lips. "You ruined everything!"
I tightened my grip. "You did that yourself."
Around us, the battle raged. I caught glimpses of Dain fighting off three warriors with one good arm. Kaelith holding the doorway, blood streaming from his temple.
They were fighting for me.
And I wasn't going to let Astra win.
I reared back—and slammed my fist into her face.
Once. Twice. Three times.
She sagged under me, dazed, blood dripping from her nose.
A pair of hands grabbed her roughly, hauling her off me. Dain's Beta, snarling with fury, locked iron shackles around her wrists.
"It's over," he growled.
Astra just laughed—a raw, broken sound.
"You think you've won?" she gasped, head lolling back. "You have no idea what you've unleashed."
The Beta punched her in the gut to shut her up. She collapsed, unconscious.
I staggered to my feet, my entire body shaking.
Dain caught my eye across the room.
His face was pale, blood pouring from his shoulder, but he gave me the smallest nod.
Pride. Trust.
The ground shook under our feet.
At first, I thought it was just the battle.
Then the walls cracked.
A low rumble, deep and terrible, rolled through the earth.
Everyone froze.
From the ruins of the chamber entrance, a figure stepped through the smoke.
Not Astra.
Not the Elders.
Something else.
Something worse.
A wolf—but not like any I had ever seen.
Enormous. Twisted. Its fur black as tar, its eyes burning red.
It let out a growl so deep my bones vibrated.
The fighting stopped completely. Even Dain staggered back, instinctively shielding me.
The monstrous wolf fixed its gaze on me.
And it smiled.
An awful, human-like grin full of broken, jagged teeth.
Dain cursed under his breath.
"What is that?" I whispered, heart hammering against my ribs.
"That," Dain said grimly, "is what Astra was buying time for."
The monster crouched—and leapt straight at us.