Chapter 27

The guttural howl reverberated through the cave, a raw, chilling sound that twisted into something unnatural—an echo of blood clan corruption slicing through the night's stillness. Ethan's claws snapped out, his wolf surging with a feral snarl, every muscle tensing as the air thickened with the scent of danger. The fire's flickering light cast jagged shadows across the stone walls, dancing wildly as the children stirred from their fragile sleep, wide eyes darting toward the entrance. Rhea was already on her feet, her rifle snapping up, silver-gray eyes narrowing with cold precision.

"Get them up," Ethan barked, his voice sharp and urgent, cutting through the rising panic. "We're moving—now."

Sarah scrambled to her knees, tugging at the younger ones, her small frame trembling but resolute. "Come on," she whispered, her voice a thread of courage weaving through their fear. The kids stumbled upright, clutching each other, their breaths hitching in the damp air.

Eldrin stood, his medallion glowing faintly, casting eerie hues across his weathered face. "I'll hold them back," he said, his tone steady despite the tremor in his hands. "Go, young alpha. Your path begins here."

Ethan met the elder's amber gaze, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. "Stay alive," he said gruffly, then turned to Rhea. "Lead them out—I'll cover."

She nodded, her movements swift as she herded the children toward a narrow crevice at the cave's rear—a barely visible exit Eldrin had pointed out earlier. Ethan lingered at the entrance, his senses flaring as the howl grew closer, joined by others—three, maybe four distinct voices, each warped with a blood clan edge. The forest beyond rustled violently, branches snapping under heavy steps, the air carrying a faint whiff of decay and iron.

"Ethan!" Rhea's voice snapped from behind, urgent but controlled. "We're through—move!"

He didn't hesitate, darting after them just as a dark shape burst through the vines—a blood hunter, its form a grotesque hybrid of wolf and vampire, fur matted with crimson streaks, eyes glowing a sickly red. Its claws gleamed, long and curved, dripping with a venomous sheen. Ethan roared, surging into battle form mid-stride, his fur bristling, claws slashing as he met it head-on.

The hunter lunged, its claws raking the air, aiming for his throat. Ethan ducked, the wind of its strike whistling past his ear, and drove his shoulder into its chest, slamming it against the cave wall. Stone cracked under the impact, dust raining down as the beast snarled, its fangs snapping inches from his face. He twisted, claws sinking into its side, tearing through muscle with a wet rip—blood sprayed, hot and acrid, splattering his fur. The hunter shrieked, a sound that pierced his ears, but lashed back, its venomous talons grazing his forearm. A searing burn shot through him, the venom sizzling against his skin, but his wolf blood surged, resisting the poison's sting.

Another howl split the night—two more hunters crashed in, their forms equally twisted, moving with unnatural speed. Ethan roared, hurling the first hunter aside and leaping at the second. Its claws met his in a shower of sparks, metal-like tips clashing against his own. He spun, kicking its legs out, and drove his claws into its chest, blood gushing as it crumpled. The third lunged from his blind side, fangs aiming for his neck, but he caught its jaw mid-bite, wrenching it upward with a crack that echoed through the cave. It staggered, dazed, and he finished it with a slash across its throat, dark ichor pooling at his feet.

Breathing hard, Ethan reverted, the adrenaline still pounding through him. The first hunter twitched, struggling to rise, but Eldrin stepped forward, his medallion blazing. With a murmured chant, he thrust his palm out—a pulse of amber light erupted, slamming the beast back into the wall, pinning it there as its body convulsed, then stilled.

"Go!" Eldrin shouted, his voice strained. "I can't hold them long!"

Ethan didn't argue, bolting through the crevice after Rhea and the children. The tunnel was tight, its jagged walls scraping his shoulders, the air heavy with earth and moss. He caught up quickly, finding them huddled in a wider chamber, Rhea's rifle trained on the path behind. Sarah clung to a younger boy, her eyes wide but fierce.

"They're okay," Rhea said, her voice steady despite the tension. "But we're not clear—more will come."

Ethan nodded, wiping blood from his arm, the venom's burn fading as his healing pushed it back. "Eldrin's buying us time. We need to reach that stronghold."

The chamber opened into a rocky slope, the forest's edge visible above—a jagged line of trees against the starry sky. Ethan led them up, his senses probing for threats, the scroll's weight a constant reminder of what lay ahead. The air grew colder as they climbed, the wind whistling through the pines, carrying no immediate scent of pursuit—but he knew it wouldn't last.

They crested the slope into a clearing, the stronghold looming ahead—an ancient ruin carved into the mountainside, its stone walls weathered but intact, marked with wolf sigils. Relief flickered in Ethan's chest, but it was short-lived. A low growl rumbled from the trees, not blood clan this time—purer, wilder.

Figures emerged—three wolves, their fur ranging from gray to russet, eyes glinting with wary curiosity. They shifted mid-step, forms rippling into human shapes: a tall woman with braided hair, a wiry man with a scarred face, and a younger girl, barely older than Sarah, clutching a dagger.

"Who are you?" the woman demanded, her voice rough, hands poised as if ready to shift again.

Ethan raised his palms, keeping his stance open. "Ethan Mason. We're not here to fight—we're running from the blood clan and military."

The scarred man snorted, his eyes narrowing. "You brought them to us, then."

"We lost them," Rhea cut in, stepping beside Ethan, her rifle lowered but ready. "We're looking for shelter—a base."

The woman studied Ethan, her gaze lingering on the medallion. "That mark… you're one of us?"

"More than that," Ethan said, meeting her stare. "Eldrin sent us—the Lunar Elder. He says I'm the Chosen Alpha."

A murmur rippled through the trio, the girl's eyes widening. "The prophecy?" she whispered.

The woman's expression softened, though her wariness lingered. "I'm Mara," she said. "This is Kael"—she nodded to the scarred man—"and Lira." The girl gave a shy nod. "If Eldrin sent you, you're welcome. But we've got our own troubles—blood clan scouts have been sniffing around."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "Then we've got common enemies. Help us, and we'll help you."

Kael crossed his arms, skeptical. "You? What can you do?"

Ethan's wolf stirred, but he kept it leashed, his voice steady. "I've fought them off—military and hunters. I'm building something here—to protect us all."

Mara considered him, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Come inside—we'll talk."

They followed her into the stronghold, its halls echoing with age and resilience. Ethan glanced at Rhea, her silver eyes meeting his with quiet trust. Sarah squeezed his hand, her small voice breaking the silence. "Are we safe now?"

"For tonight," he said, squeezing back. "But we're not just hiding anymore—we're fighting back."

The scroll's prophecy burned in his mind—union or chaos. With Eldrin's words, Mara's wolves, and Rhea at his side, Ethan felt the first stirrings of a force rising. The blood clan howl lingered in the distance, a challenge he'd meet head-on.

[To be continued…]