Chapter 33: Clash of the Alphas
Steel met claw. Fang clashed against bone. The courtyard of the Crimson Howl became a storm of violence and fury.
Kael slammed into Korrak with the force of a crashing boulder. The rogue Alpha didn't budge—his armor of black bone cracked slightly, but he grinned like a beast tasting prey.
Korrak's clawed fist lashed out. Kael ducked, twisted, and raked his claws across the rogue's ribs. Sparks flew as fang met boneplate.
"You fight better than you look, pup," Korrak spat, voice deep and metallic, "But you lack the scent of a true Alpha."
Kael growled. "Then smell this."
He spun mid-air, using the Alpha Pulse ability for the first time. A shockwave burst out from his chest in a circle of crimson light, slamming into Korrak and forcing the larger wolf back a few feet.
> System Notification: Alpha Pulse Activated
Effect: Stagger & Debuff – 30% agility reduction on affected foes for 5 seconds
Kael didn't waste a moment.
He surged forward, claws aimed for Korrak's neck.
But Korrak laughed and opened his jaw wide—too wide.
A howl erupted from his throat, warped and thick with corruption. It wasn't a call for aid—it was a weapon.
Kael's ears rang. His body froze for a split second, just enough.
Korrak struck.
A punch to the ribs. A kick to the side. Kael was sent flying, crashing into a broken stone pillar that shattered under his weight.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
> System Alert: Health: 62%
Critical Injury Detected: Rib Fracture (3)
"K-Kael!" Flam yelled, barely blocking two rogues at once.
"Focus!" Milla screamed, hurling a dagger that pierced a rogue's eye.
But Kael wasn't down.
He rose slowly, panting, the fire in his eyes undimmed.
Around him, his pack fought like mad wolves. Seth was bleeding from the shoulder but still stood beside a trembling pup. Tamir dropped from above and slashed a glyph off a rogue's back, cutting off its link and dropping it like a stone.
Kael smiled weakly.
> System Sync: 78%
Chaos Bloodline – Pulsing... Evolution near.
"This is my pack," Kael whispered.
He lowered his stance, his wolf form bristling with renewed power. The bond pulsed stronger.
"And I won't let you tear it apart."
Korrak charged again.
This time, Kael didn't dodge.
He met him halfway, their impact sending a shockwave across the battlefield.
Claws clashed. Teeth gnashed. Blood sprayed.
And the moon watched in silence.
But just as Korrak raised his claw to strike Kael's neck—
> System Notification: Chaos Bloodline – Stage 2 Awakened
➤ Trait: Pack Surge – Temporarily amplifies all bonded members' abilities by 20%.
➤ Ability: Echo Howl – Your roar echoes through bonded wolves, granting shared instincts for 10 seconds.
Kael's eyes burned crimson.
He howled.
And across the battlefield, every bonded pack member howled in return.
Their movements aligned. Their strength surged. Their strikes became one.
Korrak's grin faded.
Kael struck—hard and fast, like a storm of claws and rage.
The rogue Alpha stumbled, bleeding from a deep wound across his chest. His corrupted armor cracked.
Kael stood tall.
"You underestimated the bond of the broken," he growled.
"Now kneel, Hollow Fang."