AUBREY

The urgency in Astor's voice cuts through the air like a blade. Within minutes, Knox and I are moving through the corridors, our footsteps echoing against the stone walls as we rush toward the courtyard. The mate bond pulses between us, steady and reassuring despite the chaos erupting around us.

Warriors stream from every direction, some still pulling on leather armor, others checking the edges of their blades. The scent of preparation fills the night air—metal being sharpened, leather being secured, the tang of nervous sweat mixing with determination.

Knox takes command immediately, his voice cutting through the noise as he issues orders. I can feel his authority through our new bond, the way every wolf responds to his presence without question.

"Report," Knox demands as Marcus approaches, his weathered face grim.

"Sixty fighters, maybe more," Marcus says, his voice tight. "They've broken through the eastern perimeter, but Knox—there's something else. Avery's using magic. Dark magic. Some of our wolves are moving strangely, like they're not fully in control of themselves."

My blood turns to ice. Mind control. Of course Avery would resort to such twisted tactics.

"Then we adapt," I say, stepping forward. Both men turn to me, and I can see the questions in their eyes. "We don't kill the controlled wolves. We restrain them and focus on the source."

Knox nods, understanding immediately. "You think you can handle Avery's magic?"

I think of Silver stirring within me, of the power I've only begun to understand. "I know I can."

We move as one unit toward the eastern border, our pack flowing around us like a river of deadly purpose. The moon hangs full overhead, casting everything in silver light that makes the approaching battle feel almost ethereal.

The sound hits us first—the clash of metal, the snarls of fighting wolves, the crackle of unnatural energy splitting the air. Then we crest the hill, and I see the battlefield spread below us.

Avery stands at the center of it all, her hands wreathed in dark purple energy that pulses like a heartbeat. Around her, wolves from both packs fight with jerky, unnatural movements—our people trying to resist whatever spell she's cast over them.

"There," I breathe, pointing toward where the magic is thickest.

Knox turns to our warriors. "Remember—restrain, don't kill. Those are our people under her control."

We charge down the hillside, and I feel the change begin immediately. Silver responds to my call, rising within me like molten moonlight. My skin begins to shimmer, taking on an ethereal glow that grows brighter as we approach the battle.

The first wave of Avery's magic hits me like a physical blow, but instead of pain, I feel... absorption. The dark energy flows into me, and Silver transforms it, storing it, making it ours.

Knox leads our warriors against the mind-controlled wolves, and I watch him move with deadly grace, using the flat of his blade to subdue rather than kill. His technique is flawless—every strike calculated to disable without causing permanent harm.

"Focus on Avery," he calls to me over the din of battle. "We'll handle the rest."

I nod and begin moving through the chaos, Silver's power growing stronger with every spell Avery throws our way. The battlefield becomes a maze of fighting bodies, but I keep my eyes locked on my target.

Avery sees me coming. Her lips curl into a snarl, and she raises both hands, dark energy crackling between her fingers.

"You think your little light show can stop me?" she shrieks, launching a bolt of purple fire directly at my chest.

I don't dodge. Instead, I let it hit me, let Silver drink it in like wine. The power flows through me, adding to the growing storm building in my core.

"More," I say quietly, taking another step forward.

Her eyes widen in surprise, then narrow with fury. She unleashes everything she has—wave after wave of dark magic that should have torn me apart. But Silver absorbs it all, transforming her hatred into something pure and devastating.

Around us, I can hear the tide of battle turning. Knox and our warriors are winning, the controlled wolves slowly breaking free of Avery's influence as her power weakens.

"Now," Silver whispers in my mind.

I stop walking and plant my feet. Every ounce of absorbed energy swirls within me, begging for release. Knox appears at my side, his blade creating a protective barrier as more of Avery's followers try to interfere.

"Do it," he says, his voice steady despite the chaos.

I raise my hands, and Silver erupts from me in a column of brilliant light that turns night into day. The energy Avery spent trying to destroy me comes rushing back at her threefold, carrying with it the pure force of the moon itself.

Her scream cuts through the air as her own magic consumes her, the dark purple energy turning silver-white as it burns away everything twisted within it. The light expands outward in a wave, washing over every controlled wolf on the battlefield.

When the brilliance fades, Avery is gone—not even ash remains. The wolves she had controlled blink in confusion, their eyes clearing as they remember who they are.

The battlefield falls silent except for the sound of heavy breathing and the whisper of wind through grass.

Knox's hand finds mine, his fingers warm and steady. "Is it over?"

I look around at our people—battered but alive, free but shaken. "It's over."

Through our bond, I feel his relief mixing with pride, his love wrapping around me like armor. We've won, but more than that, we've proven that light will always triumph over darkness.

Even when that darkness wears a familiar face.