The valley lay bathed in silver moonlight, peaceful on the surface, but Tevlon felt the tension like a weight pressing down on her chest. She had grown comfortable among the allied creatures, but Kane's warning still echoed in her mind: Trust wisely.
"Princess," Kane murmured, eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadows. "Something's off. Riven…"
Before he could finish, a sharp, echoing howl cut through the night. From the treeline, a group of dark wolves—twisted, larger than any Kane had faced before—emerged, eyes glowing crimson.
"Posidus," Kane hissed. "He's testing us… or worse."
Tevlon braced herself, light sparking at her fingertips. But instead of attacking, the dark wolves stopped just short of the valley, forming a barrier. And then… Riven stepped forward, his silver fur glinting under the moonlight.
"Kane… Princess," he said, voice calm, too calm. "You shouldn't have gathered all these allies. Posidus will destroy them if we stay here."
Tevlon's stomach twisted. "Riven… what are you saying?"
He gave a slow, measured sigh. "I'm saying… maybe it's better if we let him win. Power like his… it's irresistible. I can't fight it anymore. Not fully. But I can help him succeed."
Her heart froze. Betrayal. She had sensed tension before, but never this blatant. Kane growled low, his form already shifting to wolf, muscles taut. "Riven… you'll regret this," he snarled.
Riven's eyes flickered, almost human in their complexity. "Regret? Maybe. But loyalty to Pack 23… loyalty to survival… sometimes it means choosing the strongest. Posidus is stronger than you think."
Tevlon stepped forward, light flaring around her like a shield. "You won't touch the valley. You won't touch my people. Not while I stand here."
The dark wolves surged, Riven at their center. Kane lunged, striking at Riven with feral precision, teeth and claws flashing. But Riven was fast, almost anticipating Kane's moves. "I warned you," he said, voice cold.
Chaos erupted. Tevlon's light swirled, slicing through shadows, repelling creatures, protecting the allied creatures who shrieked and scattered to safety. Kane and Riven clashed, wolf against wolf, their battle brutal and unrelenting.
Tevlon focused, tapping deeper into her power than ever before. Blades of light shot from her hands, forcing Riven back. Her heart raced, determination burning hotter than fear. "I won't let betrayal stop me!" she shouted.
Kane, still locked in combat with Riven, barked sharply, "Focus, Princess! Your power—use it now!"
A surge of energy exploded from her, brilliant and blinding, forcing Riven and his dark wolves to retreat into the shadows. Silence fell over the valley, the only sound the ragged breaths of Kane and Tevlon.
Kane returned to human form beside her, eyes blazing with pride and fury. "He'll be back," Kane said, voice low. "Posidus will use this betrayal. And Riven… he's more dangerous than any of Posidus' creatures. He knows our weaknesses."
Tevlon's chest heaved, her magic flickering like embers around her. "Then we fight smarter. We protect our allies. And we stop Posidus—no matter what it takes. Even if it means facing betrayal again."
The moon hung high above, silver and serene, but the valley was no longer safe. Shadows lingered at its edges, whispering threats, watching, waiting.
And somewhere far away, Posidus smiled. His plan was unfolding perfectly.
Riven betrays Kane and Tevlon, adding internal tension and danger.
Posidus' strategy escalates—he manipulates allies and enemies alike.
Tevlon grows in courage and power, stepping into leadership under extreme pressure.