The blow struck Eila with a force that sent her reeling, her body crashing against the cold stone wall. Pain radiated through her ribs as she struggled to her feet, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Sera's growl echoed in her mind, a feral reminder of their shared resilience.
Before her, the entity loomed—a shifting mass of darkness, tendrils of shadow coiling and uncoiling like living smoke. Summoning her courage, Eila demanded, "Why are you attacking our pack? Who aided the rogues?"
The creature's response was a cacophony of dry, rasping laughter that reverberated through the chamber, setting her teeth on edge. "For you, my dear Eila," it hissed, the words slithering into her ears like venom.
Confusion knotted her brow. "Me? What do you mean?"
But the entity had no intention of clarifying. It emitted another shrill, bone-chilling laugh, and as if summoned by the sound, more shadows seeped through the walls. They moved like phantoms, intangible yet menacing, converging at the centre of the hall. The darkness coalesced, forming a monstrous figure that towered over her—a grotesque amalgamation of smoke and flesh. Twenty gaping mouths, each lined with jagged teeth, gnashed and drooled as the creature loomed closer. Its form was as black as the void, absorbing the dim light that dared to touch it.
Eila's heart pounded in her chest, a drumbeat of fear and determination. The monster's central maw yawned wide, a cavernous abyss aiming to consume her whole. Time seemed to slow as it lunged forward.
A sudden whistle sliced through the air. From the periphery of her vision, a crystalline spear of ice hurtled toward the beast, striking with lethal precision. The icicle severed the creature's head, the solidified darkness dissolving into nothingness. Another shard followed, impaling the area where a heart might have been. The monster let out a guttural screech before collapsing into a puddle of inky shadow.
Eila's scream caught in her throat, a mixture of shock and relief. Her gaze darted to the source of the icy assault—Luna Priscilla stood with arms outstretched, her usually radiant face pale and drawn. The effort had drained her, and as the last remnants of the creature faded, Luna's eyes fluttered closed, and she crumpled to the floor.
"Leonard! Zois! Lukas!" Eila's voice rang out, urgent and sharp.
The heavy thuds of footsteps echoed as her mates burst into the hall, their eyes wild and searching. They took in the scene—the dissipating shadows, the fallen Luna, and the exhausted Alpha Magnus slumped beside her.
Eila rushed to Luna's side, her fingers fumbling to adjust the makeshift garments she'd hastily donned after shifting back from Sera. The fabric was askew, but modesty was the least of her concerns. She pressed her hands to Luna's icy skin, willing her healing energy to flow.
Before she could channel her power, strong hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her back. Zois and Lukas stood before her, their faces etched with grief and horror.
"What did you do to her?" Zois's voice was a broken whisper, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Eila's breath hitched confusion and hurt warring within her. "I was trying to help! She—she's barely breathing. I need to heal her!"
Lukas's grip tightened momentarily before he released her, running a trembling hand through his hair. "We thought—when we saw you over her—we thought she was gone."
Leonard knelt beside Alpha Magnus, checking for signs of life. "He's alive, but barely. We need to get them both to the healers. Now."
Eila nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'll help."
Zois hesitated before offering a curt nod. "Let's move."
Together, they carefully lifted the unconscious leaders, their combined strength making the task easier. As they navigated the blood-streaked corridors toward the infirmary, Eila couldn't shake the entity's words from her mind.
"For you, my dear Eila."
What did it mean? Why had it targeted her? The questions swirled, dark and foreboding, as they carried the wounded through the shattered remnants of their home.
The battle was over, but the war within had just begun.