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Chapter 26 - THE BEAST OF NORTHERN SKIES

The night was heavy, winds screaming across the icy North. Theodore lay in his tent, resting for the briefest moment his body would allow, golden eyes closed, muscles tense. Around him, his friends—Oliver, Leo, Lucas, Rowan, Dorian, and Cassian—were buried in their sleep, some snoring, some hugging their weapons as if they could never let go.

Then—a sound shattered the silence.

A creature of nightmares, massive, wings stretching wider than any tent, scales shimmering like molten obsidian, and eyes ablaze with a strange, unknowable light, descended upon their camp. Its wings beat with the power to flatten trees, its claws could split mountains, and a roar erupted that shook the icy earth.

Theodore stirred immediately. Heart pounding, senses screaming, he leapt to his feet. "Wake up! ALL OF YOU—WAKE UP!" he shouted, the sound cracking like lightning.

Leo mumbled, half-asleep: "Alpha… is that you? Go back to sleep… unless you plan to wake the moon too."

Dorian groaned, "If that's a monster, tell it I'll be late for breakfast. I'll deal with it later."

Cassian, still tangled in his blanket, muttered, "Important things only, Alpha. Monsters can wait."

Theodore's jaw tightened. "MONSTERS DON'T WAIT, AND NEITHER DO I!"

Oliver, finally opening his eyes, took in the monstrous figure hovering before them. His face paled. "Alpha… that thing… it's… colossal!"

The friends scrambled out, some falling over blankets, some tripping over each other. Theodore led the way, body tense, senses flaring. The creature lunged immediately, claws slashing through the icy ground. Theodore barely dodged, but the beast's claws raked across his back, tearing through armor and flesh alike. Pain flared, but he did not falter.

Oliver moved to strike, but the monster's swipe caught him, cutting deeply. Blood poured, and for a moment, his golden eyes rolled back—he was nearly dead. His friends surrounded him in panic, trying to keep him upright.

But Theodore—unshaken, eyes glowing molten gold—shifted. Fur erupted, claws formed, and the Alpha became a black wolf of immense power, every sinew radiating lethal energy. With a single, precise strike, the creature roared, slashing its wings, but Theodore countered, claws slicing deep, the beast staggering.

With another swipe, Theodore struck with such force and precision that the creature was left trembling, its pride broken. It bowed its massive head, wings drooping. "I submit… I serve… spare me, Alpha," it rumbled, voice like rolling boulders.

The friends watched in awe and disbelief. How could one being—Theodore—compel a creature of legend to submit?

Theodore stepped closer, eyes glowing, "You will serve. Fail me, and you will regret crossing an Alpha of the Crescent Blood."

The creature bowed again, this time with reverence. Theodore turned to check on Oliver. Though pale and weak, he had survived—his breathing shallow, but his life intact. Oliver whispered hoarsely, "Alpha… I… nearly… died… thanks… I… I owe you…"

Theodore, still fierce, smirked slightly. "Good. Next time, don't try to sleep through a life-or-death moment, genius."

The friends, still shaken, burst into nervous laughter, some half-laughing at Oliver's near-death predicament, others at the dark humor of Theodore's remark.

The night settled again. The monster, now subdued, pledged loyalty. Theodore, golden eyes softening only slightly, instructed his friends to camp and rest. "Tomorrow at sunrise, we ride back. Prepare yourselves. The Crescent Blood waits, and we return stronger than ever."

Humor returned in small doses as they tried to sleep—Leo whispered, "Next time, Alpha… can the monster at least bring breakfast?"

Dorian muttered, "I vote for bacon. Or at least toast."

And Theodore? He allowed a small, rare grin to appear, knowing that even amidst death and monsters, humor and loyalty would follow him as fiercely as his claws and golden eyes.

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