Aria

The trees loomed like silent sentinels around us, shadows thickening as the sun dipped lower. Alec’s grip was tight on my arm, his eyes sharp, scanning the underbrush. “Something’s off,” he murmured.

Before I could reply, a low growl sliced through the stillness. My breath hitched. From the gloom, glowing eyes appeared—dozens of them, a snarling pack circling in like hunters closing in on prey.

“Wolves,” Alec said, voice steady but tense.

I swallowed hard, heart pounding. “We have to move—now.”

But the wolves were faster.

They lunged, teeth bared and claws scraping the earth. Alec pushed me behind him, his hands glowing faint with flame magic, casting fiery streaks that made the closest wolves yelp and back away—momentarily.

One snarling beast slipped past Alec’s defense and dove at me. I tried to dodge, but sharp claws raked across my side, a searing pain exploding beneath my ribs. I gasped, staggered, the taste of blood bitter on my tongue.

“Aria!” Alec shouted, turning just in time to catch the wolf mid-leap with a burst of searing flame. The beast yelped and retreated, but I was already sliding down a mossy log, clutching my side.

“Stay with me,” Alec said, dropping beside me, eyes blazing—not just with magic, but with something fierce and raw.

“I’m—” I tried to stand, but dizziness stole my balance. The Hollow Twin stirred inside me, whispering dark promises, tempting me to unleash power I wasn’t sure I could control.

“We’ll get through this,” Alec said, voice soft but iron-strong. “Just hold on.”

Pain flared again, sharp and insistent, but so did something else—a stubborn spark of defiance. I clenched my jaw and nodded, knowing this fight was far from over.

Alec

The world narrowed to the sharp, ragged pain I saw in Aria’s eyes as she collapsed against the mossy log. Her hand pressed fiercely to her side, and my stomach clenched—blood was seeping through her fingers.

“Aria,” I breathed, dropping beside her. My fingers hovered over the wound, but I couldn’t afford to lose focus—not with those wolves still prowling, eyes glowing from the shadows.

Flames flickered to life in my palm, crackling with heat. I could feel the raw energy pulsing beneath my skin, begging to be unleashed. I wanted to burn this whole forest to ash if it would keep her safe.

The pack circled tighter, snarls echoing off the trees. One large wolf—the alpha—stepped forward, its fur bristling, eyes locked on me.

I rose, flames licking up my arm, ready to fight.

“Stay close,” I said, voice low but fierce, eyes never leaving the alpha. “I won’t let them touch you again.”

Aria winced but nodded, her strength holding just enough. My heart hammered—not just with anger, but something deeper, something protective that tightened around my chest like a chain.

The alpha lunged.

I met it head-on, fire and fury blazing between us.

The alpha lunged, jaws snapping mere inches from my face. I twisted aside, flames bursting from my hands in a searing arc. The fire caught the beast’s flank, sending it yelping back with a spray of sparks.

But the wolves were relentless. Another came from the right, teeth flashing. I caught it mid-air with a burst of flame, but the effort drained me, heat crawling up my arms like wildfire.

“Aria, stay down!” I barked, crouching protectively in front of her. She pressed her hand tighter against her wound, pale sweat slicking her forehead.

A dozen pairs of eyes gleamed out of the dark, their hunger unyielding.

I grit my teeth, summoning every ounce of my power. Flames curled like serpents around my fists, licking the bark of the trees, scorching the ground.

One wolf circled behind me, and I spun, feeling its hot breath against my neck. My fist connected with its skull, and it crumpled to the earth with a guttural yelp.

But my focus flickered back to Aria.

Her breaths were shallow, her face ghostly white, but her gaze was fierce—defiant. Something in that look stoked a fire in me fiercer than any magic.

“We’re getting out of here,” I promised, voice rough with desperation.

The Hollow Twin inside her was stirring again, I could sense it—like a shadow lurking beneath her skin. I had no idea how much control she had over it, but right now, all I wanted was to keep her safe until she could heal.

The pack hesitated for a heartbeat, sensing my resolve. And then, one by one, they slinked back into the shadows.

I dropped to my knees beside Aria, brushing damp hair from her face. “You’re going to be okay,” I said, though the knot in my chest told a different story.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, the forest was silent—except for the ragged rhythm of our breathing.