Chapter 12 - The Heart of the Mountain
“Kill him before he completes the ritual!” Commander Corin roared, charging forward with his sword raised.
Before the guards could reach him, a massive shockwave of dark energy erupted from the vortex, sending Corin and the front-line soldiers flying backward against the stone walls.
Malakor raised his staff, a triumphant sneer twisting his features. “You cannot destroy what has existed before your pathetic kingdoms were even built! The shadow-wolf awakens!”
From the center of the swirling vortex, a pair of glowing red eyes opened in the darkness. A low, earth-shattering growl shook the entire foundation of the mountain, causing dust and stone rubble to rain down upon them from the ceiling.
Maren felt a terrifying chill grip her soul. This wasn't just political treason or a family curse; this was a primordial evil, an ancient beast of shadow and chaos that sought to consume the entire kingdom of Baldross.
She looked at Theron. He was staring at the emerging beast, his massive white wolf howling furiously within his mind, urging him to protect his mate, his son, and his kingdom.
“Maren,” Theron said softly, his voice steady despite the cataclysm unfolding around them. “Channel your light into the core of the vortex. It is the only thing pure enough to burn away the shadow.”
“What about you?” Maren asked, panic tightening her chest.
“I will clear the path,” Theron replied with fierce determination.
Without hesitation, Theron charged straight toward Malakor and the raging dark vortex, his sword blazing with royal alpha light. Malakor shrieked, thrusting his staff forward to intercept him with a barrage of dark lightning.
Maren closed her eyes, taking a deep, centering breath. She raised both hands forward, letting go of all her lingering doubts, all her past trauma, and every ounce of fear.
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She let her Veorn healing power flow freely—not as a defensive shield, but as a blazing sun.
Golden light erupted from her palms, illuminating the dark cavern with the brilliance of a thousand dawns. She stepped forward, marching right into the heart of the chaos beside her mate, directing the full, unbridled force of her power straight into the ancient shadow-beast.
