All it takes is a split second for the situation to change drastically. 

The fire hisses venomously and crackles louder than any flames I've ever heard before. Subtle sounds from the inferno increase into a deafening roar that fills the surrounding atmosphere.

My power suddenly ricochets back to me, stunning me enough to make me stumble back a step.

With widened eyes, I watch as the flames abruptly flare upwards before exploding completely in red, luminescent sparks, comparable to the pop of a balloon after it's been pricked with the point of a needle. Gray ash bellows out from around it, and scatters beneath the midnight sky, disintegrating in the wind.

Immediately, a massive wave of power and heat tear through the air, rolling off the explosion, and crashing into me with enough force to send me flying backwards.

Tumbling to the ground, chaos sounds around me. Shouts, yells, and voices blur into the background as a messy jumble of noise I can't decipher.

A high pitched ring echoes in my ears, dirt presses against my cheek, and my hair blankets over my face, filling my vision with chocolate colored strands that are tangled around dry leaves and pine needles.

My palms and knees burn with newly obtained angry, red scrapes, but just as quick as they come, they disappear, healing and leaving behind undamaged flesh.

Pushing off the ground, my eyes fall on the willow tree. I expect a red gaze to meet mine, and my lips part in surprise when I see that his silhouette is no longer there. His dark, cold aura lingers, but it doesn't thrive with the intensity that it had only moments ago.

I stare for a few seconds longer, trying to be completely sure that his presence is truly is gone.

When my suspicion is temporarily satiated, I reluctantly look to the recently destroyed home only to see that the flames have disappeared entirely. Heat emanates from the blanket of gray ash that's pooled beneath the unsalvageable, charred structure the fire left behind.

I twist around, looking over the treetops where the other houses were once burning.

The columns of smoke have disappeared, dispersing in dark wisps, and leaving a clearer view of the star filled sky, proving that those fires have also been worn down to nothing.

A strong hand suddenly latches onto my shoulder, shooting a spike of panic straight into my heart. I only realize that my eyes were returning to their hazel hue when they once again flash red as I whip around, jolting away from the figure behind me.

Alert, seaweed green eyes sweep over my face, analyzing my expression before his lips part to speak.

"Are you alright?" Zeke questions, brows melting together to form a concerned expression.

Releasing a relieved breath, I answer, "Yeah, i'm fine. What about the others?" My eyes rake over the disheveled pack members behind him.

They appear to be collecting themselves, brushing ash from their clothing while spewing confused questions to their Alpha.

"They're fine," he replies, briefly glancing at them over his shoulder. "They're going to need some answers though."

I nod my head, exhaling deeply before starting in the direction of the crowd while pulling a few leaves from my hair, and brushing dirt off my black shirt that I've already deemed unsalvageable.

When Gage sees me approaching, he breaks from the crowd, taking long strides to meet me halfway, and the rest of the group wastes no time in trailing behind him. In my peripherals, I notice Zeke come to a stop on my right, watching his father intently.

Gage's dark, stormy eyes glance over Zeke in acknowledgment, before falling on me. He shakes his head, pushing blonde hair away from his face and inhaling sharply.

"I know that Gabriel mentioned us helping you in this war, but I won't force any of my people to fight against something like that," he gestures toward the willow tree where Lucifer once stood, voice hard and stern, showing no room for argument. "They can voluntarily, but you should know that most of us don't even have proper training, especially not for a fight this big."

"I understand." I nod my head, directing my attention to the people around him. "If anyone here wants to fight, then they can. But, I don't expect you to. There will be bloodshed, and I can't guarantee that everyone will make it back."

Tension settles over us as murmurs and whispers fall quiet, unsure glances getting exchanged throughout the pack. Their hesitancy and uncertainty is practically palpable, and I recognize that most are wearing hard, cold expressions that speak louder then their words could.

An eerie stillness is created as no one is entirely sure of what to do next, waiting for someone else to make the first move toward either agreement or refusal.

The shuffling of leaves catches my attention when Zeke steps closer to my side with a strong expression, making the first move toward agreement. Standing next to me, he looks back to his father with fierce determination. They exchange a wordless conversation, Gage's eyes pleading his son to reconsider, but Zeke's obstinate stubbornness remains, his feet rooted to the ground beside me as he subtly shakes his head at his father.

Another body pushes through the group, Noah's freckled face coming into view. His curly brown hair is disheveled and frizzy, streaks of dry blood and smears of dirt are stretched over his white shirt, but his expression is opposite of his appearance. Fear usually coats his earthy scent anytime he sees me, but right now, only a strong willed, resolute strength is detectable.

He pushes forward to stand at my other side, surprise flooding my features when I fully comprehend his intentions.

"I trust Zeke's instincts," he comments, eyes briefly meeting Zeke's over my head, and they exchange a subtle nod. "You also saved my brother." Noah's voice takes on a thick, emotional tone, eyes falling on the crowd now in front of him.

Brows furrowed, I follow his line of sight to Aiden. My face falls in realization, the new information clicking in my mind, and making me wonder how I didn't come to that conclusion earlier.

Aiden sighs, pressing his lips into a firm line in thoughtful consideration. After a hesitant pause, he also breaks from the group, joining his brother.

"There's no way in hell i'm gonna let you three idiots fight alone," a smug voice rings out from the center of the group.

Cayden marches forward, taking his place next to Zeke with a smirk lighting up his features. The corners of my lips tug upward slightly, and I wonder how he can maintain that attitude despite the circumstances.

Cayden knocks his shoulder against Zeke's, grinning at him while Zeke only huffs in annoyance and rolls his eyes while I force down a chuckle.

"This is bullshit," a voice spits abruptly.

My amusement fades quickly, eyes snapping forward as a figure moves to stand beside Alpha Gaga.

She's only a few inches taller than me, her shoulders slightly broad, yet perfectly fitting her lean frame. Her thick, honey blonde hair is in thin, intricate braids over her head that lead to a ponytail that falls just past her shoulder blades. Wild, bright yellow eyes adorn her heart shaped face, and I finally recognize her as they shoot me a spiteful glare.