The forest beyond Nightfall Dominion trembled beneath the thunder of paws.
Ardyn's rogues surged forward like a living shadow, their eyes burning gold beneath the fractured moon. The Dominion wolves responded instantly, rallying behind Kaelen, growls rolling like storm clouds through the trees.
Nyra stood at the edge of the battlefield, blade drawn, heart hammering. Her wolf surged violently beneath her skin, instincts screaming. She had trained all her life for this—yet nothing could have prepared her for this chaos.
Kaelen met her gaze briefly. His presence alone steadied her. Every inhale, every heartbeat, synchronized with his. This was no longer just a battle for the Alpha seat—it was survival, for the Dominion… and for them.
The first clash rang out. Metal against claw. Teeth sank into fur. Roars tore the air apart. Wolves collided in mid-leap, bodies flying like missiles through the frost-covered ground.
Nyra lunged forward instinctively, slashing at a rogue attempting to flank Kaelen. Her blade caught him across the side; he yelped, staggering, but did not fall. The rogues moved as one, trained and disciplined. This was more than a challenge—it was war.
A howl split the chaos, piercing the cold air.
Ardyn.
He had entered the fray himself. Massive, lethal, and impossible to ignore. Every wolf he passed fell back instinctively. Even the Dominion warriors flinched under his presence.
Kaelen roared in response, shifting into his wolf form, black fur shimmering under the fractured moon. The ground trembled as he met Ardyn head-on.
The two brothers collided mid-clearing. Fur, blood, and pure power exploded outward. Wolves were knocked to the ground. Trees shook.
Nyra's wolf roared from within, demanding release. She forced herself to remain human, to maintain focus. But every instinct screamed for her to join, to leap into the chaos beside Kaelen.
Ardyn threw Kaelen to the ground. Golden eyes glinting, he pounced, teeth snapping inches from Kaelen's throat.
Nyra didn't hesitate. She ran.
Her blade flashed, catching Ardyn across the shoulder. He roared, twisting, claws raking toward her. She dove backward, barely avoiding the strike.
Kaelen's roar split the air, and Ardyn froze mid-attack, snarling.
"This is not your fight, Executioner!" Kaelen shouted.
"It is if you die!" Nyra yelled back, charging again.
Her blade found purchase in Ardyn's flank, silver flashing. He twisted, spinning her into a tree. Pain lanced through her ribs, but she gritted her teeth, rolling with the motion and slicing again.
Ardyn staggered back, a shallow gash running across golden fur. He shook his head, eyes widening.
"You… dare…" he hissed.
Nyra stood tall, chest heaving, eyes locked on him.
"You want Kaelen?" she spat, voice low and lethal. "Then go through me first."
For the first time, Ardyn hesitated. The rogues faltered.
Kaelen recovered, lunging with deadly speed, pummeling Ardyn from behind. The brothers collided again, fur and blood flying, shaking the very earth beneath them.
Nyra's wolf surged, but she resisted. She was human. She was Executioner. And she had a choice that could tip the battle.
A pulse of energy shot through the battlefield—ancient magic, thrumming with the fractured moon. Ardyn roared, staggering backward.
Kaelen's eyes glowed black, a warning.
Nyra realized the truth in a heartbeat: the bond between Alpha and Executioner had grown stronger than any oath. Faster, sharper, lethal. Together, they could face even this corrupted magic.
But the rogues were regrouping.
And Ardyn was smiling again.
"This is far from over," he growled, golden eyes locking on Nyra. "I've waited my whole life for this day."
Kaelen roared in response, shifting fully, black fur bristling, muscles coiling.
Nyra gripped her blade, heart pounding with the thrill of the hunt and the fear of loss.
The war had begun.
And there would be no mercy.