Chapter 30

Damon’s POV

The ridge vanished beneath us. Rocks and dust tumbled into the dark forest below. Sparks flew where the ridge cracked, and chains dug into our wrists, biting hard. I pressed Kyra against me. Her wolf coiled beneath her skin, muscles taut, ready to move before I even thought.

“Hold on!” I shouted, trying to keep my voice steady. She clutched my shoulders, knife still in hand, eyes sharp and wide.

The ground rushed up, trees rushing past like jagged shadows. My wolf’s senses flared, searching for every tiny gap in the air, every branch or ledge that could slow our fall. Kyra’s wolf mirrored mine, tense and coiled, instinct speaking before words.

We hit a rocky ledge hard. I braced, rolling over her, both of us skidding across the surface. Pain stabbed through my arms from the chains, but I didn’t stop. She gritted her teeth, pressing close, and I felt our bond flare, bright and fierce.

“Left! Another ledge!” Kyra hissed, moving instinctively.

I twisted, pulling her with me as the rocks shifted and crumbled beneath us. Sparks and dust filled the air. My heart pounded, chains cutting deep, but every movement, every breath was for survival—and for her.

From above, Ethan’s roar rang out. His pack dropped from the sky, wolves leaping with claws extended, teeth flashing. They struck at shadows before the Watcher could reach us. One lunged at a dark pulse, energy flaring as it hit. Another pinned a shadow wolf midair, giving us just enough room to move.

A small shadow darted toward me, faster than I could track. I swung, energy flaring, and it staggered back. Kyra struck immediately, knife flashing. Sparks lit her skin. Pain burned at my wrists from the chains, but I didn’t care. We moved as one, wolf and human, instinct and bond intertwined.

The Watcher loomed above, massive, shadows writhing like smoke in wind, energy radiating from it in waves. Sparks hissed where chains dug into me, heat biting at our skin. There was no ridge left. Only air, smoke, and instinct guiding us.

I pressed Kyra tight. “We jump. Together. Now.”

Her hands tightened on mine. “Always,” she said, calm and sharp.

I scanned below. Ethan’s pack spread out, ready to break our fall, claws digging, wolves bracing. The hidden pulse circled, seeking a weak point, but the pack met it head-on. Teeth and claws tore, energy flaring in a blaze of sparks and shadow.

I clutched Kyra, chains biting, and we jumped. The wind screamed past us, rocks spinning, sparks flying. She pressed against me, knife deflecting another shadow. Our wolves coiled, instincts guiding every movement, bond blazing between us.

Ethan’s voice carried up. “Hold tight! We’ve got you!”

The hidden pulse lunged, but was intercepted by Ethan’s largest wolf. Energy collided, sparks scattering into the night. My gut twisted—the fight wasn’t over, but we were alive.

We hit the forest floor hard, rolling, skidding, chains tangling, sparks flying. Pain shot through every muscle, but I pressed Kyra close. Her breath came ragged, but her eyes were alive with fire, wolf coiled beneath her skin, ready to strike.

Ethan landed beside us, massive and imposing. “You two are reckless,” he said, claws sinking into the earth, energy flaring as he held back shadows.

I glared at the Watcher above the destroyed ridge, eyes burning red, shadows snapping. The smaller pulse shrank into darkness, but it wasn’t gone. I felt it, patient, waiting.

Kyra leaned her forehead to mine. “We made it… but how long?”

“Not long,” I said, wolf coiled tight, energy flaring. “They’re not finished.”

A low growl came from the Watcher. Sparks and shadows flared, twisting across the forest. Ethan’s pack bristled, forming a protective ring around us.

Through smoke and debris, a new figure emerged, taller, cloaked, power humming, eyes glowing.

Kyra’s breath caught. “It’s… not alone.”

I tightened my grip on her. Wolves beneath our skin, claws ready, energy flaring, chains biting deep. The fight was far from over.

The forest held its breath.