– TOBIAS-
The corridor leading to the cells was dim and oppressive, the faint scent of wolfsbane lingering in the air. Tobias, Liam, and Mira moved silently, their senses heightened and every muscle coiled for action. Mira’s sharp green eyes flicked to Tobias, her voice a soft whisper. “Two guards. Just outside George’s cell.”
Tobias’s jaw tightened as he peered ahead, his wolf pacing restlessly. “We’ll handle it,” he said quietly. “Liam, be ready for reinforcements. Mira, keep watch.”
The trio advanced, their movements fluid and precise. As they rounded the final corner, the two guards came into view—young, tense, and clutching batons laced with wolfsbane. Tobias stepped forward, his stance casual, though his wolf simmered beneath the surface.
“Evening, boys,” Tobias said, his tone smooth but loaded with intent.
The guards stiffened, their eyes narrowing. “Tobias,” one of them said warily. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“And you’re not supposed to be holding my Beta in a cell,” Tobias countered, his voice dropping to a growl. “Release George and Lyra. Now.”
One guard scoffed, his grip tightening on his weapon. “We don’t take orders from you. We’re following Victor’s command.”
“Victor’s command,” Tobias repeated darkly. “Doesn’t sound like Alpha Rowen gave the order. Funny, isn’t it?”
The other guard stepped forward, raising his baton. “You don’t want to start something you can’t finish.”
“Oh, I’ll finish it,” Tobias said, his eyes flashing with his wolf’s fury.
Before anyone could react further, Mira’s urgent whisper cut through the air. “Four more. Approaching fast.”
Tobias’s wolf surged forward, his lips curling into a snarl. “Liam, take the reinforcements. Mira, keep eyes on the corridor.”
The guards lunged, and the fight erupted. Tobias was a blur of motion, his speed and precision overwhelming his opponent. Liam met the reinforcements head-on, his immense strength toppling two guards in a single strike. Mira darted through the chaos, her heightened senses giving her an uncanny advantage as she outmanoeuvred a third guard.
As the scuffle intensified, two figures burst into the corridor. Kian and Bren, the young warriors from earlier, rushed in, their faces set with determination.
“We couldn’t sit back,” Kian said breathlessly, shoving a guard off balance. “We’re here to help.”
Tobias cast them a sharp look, his blue eyes blazing. “Take Lyra. Now. Get her to the cottage.”
Kian and Bren didn’t hesitate. They pushed through the chaos, reaching Lyra’s cell. Bren quickly unlocked the door while Kian shielded her from the fight.
Lyra hesitated for a moment, her green eyes meeting Tobias’s. “Thank you,” she said softly before Kian and Bren hurried her out, disappearing into the shadows.
With Lyra safe, Tobias turned his full focus to the guards. Liam fought like a force of nature, his massive fists and supernatural strength overpowering his opponents. Mira’s agility and sharp instincts made her a blur of strikes and dodges. Tobias moved with lethal precision, his wolf driving every blow.
Finally, the last guard hit the ground, groaning in defeat. Tobias straightened, breathing heavily as he turned to George’s cell. “George,” he called, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
George stepped forward, his face pale but determined. “You’re late,” he said with a weak smile.
Liam grunted, stepping up to the cell. With a single twist, he snapped the lock and pulled the door open. George stepped out, his shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours.
“We need to go,” Tobias said sharply. “Victor’s guards won’t be far behind.”
George nodded, his expression grim. “We can’t go back to the packhouse. Not now. It’s not safe.”
“No,” Tobias agreed, glancing at Mira and Liam. “We head for the cottage. Lyra will be there. Once we regroup, we leave—no turning back.”
They moved swiftly through the shadows, their steps silent and purposeful. Despite the weight of their escape, adrenaline kept them sharp. When they reached the cottage, the sight of the two youngsters waiting for them, guarding the cottage, was a small relief.
Freya stood at the door, her hazel eyes calm but firm as she addressed Kian and Bren. “You have a choice,” she said, her voice steady. “You can stay here with the pack or leave with us. But if you leave, there’s no coming back, not anytime soon. The road ahead will be hard, and you’ll need to be ready for whatever comes.”
Kian exchanged a glance with Bren, his resolve clear. “We’re with you,” he said without hesitation. “But there are four more who feel the same. Let me bring them. We need every loyal wolf we can get.”
Liam stepped forward, his dark eyes scanning Kian closely. After a moment, he nodded. “He’s telling the truth,” Liam confirmed. “Let him go.”
Tobias’s jaw tightened, but he gave a short nod. “Make it quick. We don’t have time to waste.”
Kian sprinted off, his determination palpable. Bren lingered with the group, his youthful energy barely contained as he eyed the team, his admiration clear.
Twenty minutes later, Kian returned, flanked by four more boys, each carrying a small bag slung over their shoulders. Their faces were resolute, their spirits unshaken despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
“We’re ready,” Kian announced, his chest rising and falling with exertion. “This is Alex, Luke, Sean, and Nathan. We are all 17. We’ve all trained together. We know how to fight, and we swear loyalty to you Freya, and to Tobias.”
The four boys stepped forward one by one, each kneeling and bowing their head, one hand on their chest, in deference swearing loyalty. Tobias’s blue eyes softened, pride flickering beneath his stern exterior. Freya smiled gently, her calm demeanour reassuring the new recruits.
“Thank you,” Freya said quietly. “Your loyalty means everything. Now, let’s move.”
The team moved with efficiency, stripping down and packing their clothes into small travel bags designed for their wolf forms. As they reached the edge of the forest, one by one, they shifted, Freya and Daemon shifting the fastest.
Freya’s pure white wolf stood tall and luminous under the moonlight, her wolfs piercing lavender eyes radiating strength. Daemon’s white wolf mirrored her in stature, his fur sleek and commanding, an embodiment of power and grace. His eyes however remained a darker version of his human ones, brown but now almost black.
The youngsters froze, their mouths slightly agape. Kian’s voice broke the silence. “You’re… white wolves?” he stammered, awe lacing his words.
None of the older wolves answered; they didn’t need to. The sight of Freya and Daemon in their true forms was answer enough.
After a moment, the group shared a look of silent agreement, their bond as a pack solidifying in that instant. Without a word, the rest finished shifting. The wolves then turned as one and began their journey into the dense woods, moving like shadows under the canopy of trees. Their steps were silent, their resolve unyielding, as they made their way toward the palace and the unknown future that awaited them.
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