The shattered windows rained glass across the great hall.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Malachar stood in the center of the broken entrance, his crimson eyes fixed only on Ivy.
Behind him, twelve masked warriors spread into formation, their black cloaks billowing as if the shadows themselves obeyed them.
Jayden stepped forward, placing himself between Malachar and Ivy.
"You've got five seconds to leave."
Malachar smiled.
"I've waited twelve years."
"I can wait five more."
A low growl rolled through the hall as every wolf shifted into a fighting stance.
Jake moved beside Jayden.
"Touch my sister..."
His silver eyes flashed.
"...and I'll bury you."
Malachar looked between the two Alpha wolves and chuckled.
"So protective."
His gaze settled on Ivy again.
"You still don't remember."
Ivy swallowed hard.
"Remember what?"
"The night your parents died."
Silence.
Jake's fists tightened.
"Don't listen to him."
But Malachar continued.
"You think you watched them die."
"You think they sacrificed themselves."
His smile widened.
"They didn't."
"They chose you."
The words struck Ivy like lightning.
"What are you talking about?"
Malachar raised one hand.
A swirling sphere of black mist appeared above his palm.
"Your parents sealed the Elemental Heart inside you."
"They knew I couldn't take it by force."
"So they hid it..."
"...inside their daughter."
The violet light beneath Ivy's skin pulsed violently.
A memory flashed.
Her mother's tear-streaked face.
"Forgive us, little star..."
Another flash.
Her father kneeling.
"Live..."
The world spun.
"Ivy!"
Jayden caught her before she collapsed.
Her breathing became uneven.
"I remember..."
Jake stared.
"What did you see?"
Before she could answer—
BOOM!
The floor exploded.
One of Malachar's masked warriors lunged forward with impossible speed.
Jayden shifted instantly.
Bones cracked.
Dark fur erupted across his body as his massive black wolf slammed into the attacker, sending both crashing through a stone pillar.
The hall erupted into chaos.
"Protect Ivy!" Jake roared.
Warriors charged.
Steel clashed.
Magic exploded.
The air filled with snarls, flames, and flying debris.
One masked warrior rushed toward Xander, who stood frozen near the staircase.
"No!" Ivy screamed.
Without thinking, she thrust out her hand.
The earth answered.
Massive roots burst through the marble floor, wrapping around the attacker and hurling him into the ceiling.
Everyone froze.
Even Ivy.
"I... I didn't mean..."
Another warrior attacked.
This time, wind exploded around her.
Then fire.
Then water.
Then stone.
All four elements spun around Ivy in a glowing circle.
Her eyes shone with brilliant silver and violet light.
Malachar smiled.
"There you are."
"The Guardian."
He stretched out his hand.
"Come with me."
"You were never meant to belong to wolves."
Jayden, still in wolf form, placed himself in front of Ivy with a deafening growl.
Jake stood beside him, claws extended.
Aslam drew twin blades and took position at Ivy's left.
Behind them, the entire Crimson Dusk Pack formed a wall.
No one spoke.
Then little Xander stepped forward, clutching his wooden toy sword.
His tiny hands were shaking.
"You can't have my mommy."
The room fell silent.
Malachar looked down at the child.
For the first time...
His smile disappeared.
Something unreadable flickered across his face.
"You have your father's courage," he murmured.
Jayden's eyes narrowed.
"My father?"
Before anyone could question him, Malachar lifted two fingers.
The shadows beneath his feet twisted into a swirling black portal.
"This isn't over."
He looked directly at Ivy.
"When the last seal breaks..."
"...you'll come to me willingly."
The portal swallowed him and his remaining warriors.
Silence fell over the ruined hall.
Only the crackle of broken beams and heavy breathing remained.
Xander ran straight into Ivy's arms.
She hugged him tightly, tears spilling down her face.
Jayden shifted back to human form, bruised but alive, and wrapped both of them in his embrace.
Jake stood nearby, staring at the place where Malachar had vanished.
His jaw tightened.
"He knows something."
Ivy looked up, still holding Xander.
"So do I."
Everyone turned toward her.
She whispered the words that had just returned with her memories.
"My mother didn't seal the Elemental Heart to hide it..."
"She sealed someone else inside me."
The room went deathly still.
The war they thought they understood had just become far more dangerous.
End of Chapter