Page 12 of Night with a Gamma (Golden Strings of Fate #2)
REVEALING A DARKNESS
Harrison
Together, we pour our energies into the air, weaving a tapestry of light that pushes against the encroaching darkness. The shadows writhe violently, trying to escape the light we create, but our combined strength is too formidable.
Wren’s voice echoes through the clearing, growing louder as she calls upon the elements around us. “Reveal yourself!” she commands, her tone fierce and unwavering.
The dark form pulsates, flickering as if caught between realms. I can feel the malevolence radiating from it, a coldness that seeps into my bones, threatening to extinguish the warmth of our light.
My instincts scream for me to shift, to let my wolf take over, but I stand firm, knowing that this is a test of our unity and strength.
With one final push, Wren raises her hands above her head, and a brilliant flash of light erupts from our connection.
The shadows convulse, and for a moment, time seems to freeze.
Then, with a roar that reverberates through the forest, the dark presence is forced to take shape, materializing into a figure cloaked in smoke and darkness.
It stands before us, a silhouette of malice, its eyes glowing like embers in the night. I can feel the weight of its hatred and anger, a palpable force that presses against me.
“Foolish witch and dirty dog,” it hisses, its voice a slithering whisper that sends chills down my spine. “You seek to uncover the truth? You are meddling in affairs far beyond your understanding.”
Wren holds her ground beside me, unyielding. “We know you’re in with those who are behind the rogue attacks. We know there’s a darkness stirring among the packs, and we will stop you.”
The figure chuckles, a sound that resonates like broken glass. “You think you can stop the inevitable? The chaos has only just begun. The rogues are but pawns in a much larger game, and soon, you will all fall.”
I step forward, my wolf surging within me, its instincts screaming to confront this malevolence. “We will not let you destroy our home. If you’re behind the chaos, we will fight you.”
The dark figure narrows its glowing eyes, and I can sense a shift in its energy. “You think you are strong, but strength is not enough. I have the power of ancient magic at my disposal. You are merely a mangy wolf and a love sick witch — a fleeting moment in time against the tides of fate.”
Before I can respond, Wren steps closer, a fierce determination etched on her face. “We are more than what you are saying. We are united, and together we are stronger than any dark force. We will expose you and your plans.”
The figure’s laughter echoes into the forest, mocking us. “United? You think your bond can shield you from the darkness? You are nothing against what is coming.”
With that, it lunges forward, a surge of dark energy radiating from it.
I instinctively shift, feeling the familiar rush of power as my wolf takes over.
The transformation is swift and smooth as my bones shift under my skin that sprouts with white fur, my senses sharpening as I become one with the beast.
Wren’s magic flares beside me, creating a shield of light between us and the dark entity. The clash of energies is palpable, a vibrant battle of light against darkness. I can see the tendrils of shadow reaching for us, but Wren’s barrier holds strong.
“Now, Harrison!” she calls out, her voice steady despite the chaos. “We need to push it back!”
I nod, focusing my energy, channeling the primal strength of my wolf. I leap forward, aiming for the figure, my claws extended. As I close the distance, the darkness shifts, attempting to evade my strike, but I’m faster, fueled by adrenaline and the desire to protect what’s ours.
With a powerful swipe, my claws connect with the dark form, and a piercing scream erupts from it, reverberating through the clearing. The sound is a mixture of anger and pain, a cacophony that sends shivers down my spine.
Wren seizes the moment, her voice rising in a chant that resonates with the very essence of the forest. The ground beneath us trembles, and tendrils of light shoot from her hands, intertwining with my energy as we work in unison.
The dark entity snarls, its form flickering and distorting as it tries to escape our combined attack. “You think you can bind me? I am beyond your understanding!” it roars, but I can see the fear in its glowing eyes.
“Together!” Wren shouts, her eyes locked onto mine. “We can trap it!”
I charge forward again, my wolf’s instincts driving me as I leap at the figure, aiming for its core.
The dark entity retaliates, sending waves of shadowy energy to push me back, but I’m relentless.
I land a powerful blow, and Wren follows with a surge of light, wrapping it around the darkness like a binding spell.
With a final push, we force the entity back, trapping it in a cocoon of energy. The clearing fills with a blinding light, and for a moment, the world around us feels suspended in time.
The dark figure struggles against the bindings, its form flickering with rage. “You think this is the end? I am merely a fragment of what is to come. You cannot stop the darkness!”
But Wren’s voice rings clear and strong. “You may be powerful, but you are not invincible. We will expose you, and with the strength of our pack, we will end your reign of terror.”
As the light grows brighter, I feel the energy of the forest responding to our call. The trees sway, the wind howls, and the very earth seems to come alive with the magic we’ve summoned.
With one last incantation, the bindings tighten around the dark entity, and it lets out a final, anguished scream before being pulled into the earth, swallowed by the light we’ve created.
Breathless, I shift back to my human form, collapsing to my knees as the energy dissipates around us. Wren falls beside me, her chest heaving as she fights to catch her breath.
“We did it,” I manage to say, a mix of disbelief and triumph flooding through me.
Wren nods, her eyes wide with amazement. “But it’s not over. We need to warn the pack. This was just a fragment of something much larger.”
I nod, the weight of her words settling in my gut. “Let’s get back. We need to regroup and figure out our next move.”
We rise, supporting each other as we make our way back through the forest after I pull on a pair of sport shorts that are left in hollowed trees for wolves who shred their other clothes for one reason or another, the remnants of our battle lingering in the air.
The sun is setting, casting a twilight glow over the trees, and as we walk, I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve only scratched the surface of the darkness that threatens our home.
As we approach the edge of the pack territory, I can see the lights of the packhouse flickering in the distance. My heart races, a mixture of anticipation and dread swirling within me. We have a lot to share, and I know the pack will need to be prepared for what’s coming.
When we finally reach the packhouse, the atmosphere is tense. I can sense the unease among the warriors and members of the pack, their eyes darting toward us as we enter the main hall.
Wyatt stands at the center, his expression grave as he meets my gaze. “You’re back! What happened?”
I take a deep breath, glancing at Wren before stepping forward to address the gathered members.
“We confronted a dark presence in the woods. It was in contact with others who are behind the rogue attacks, but it’s only a piece of something much larger.
We need to prepare ourselves for what’s coming. ”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd, and I can feel the weight of their concern. Dalton steps forward, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean by ‘something larger’?”
Wren takes a step beside me, her voice steady. “The entity we faced was a fragment, a dark force that is gathering strength. There are others out there, and we can’t underestimate their power. We need to unite and strengthen our defenses.”
Wyatt’s jaw tightens as he processes the information. “How do we prepare for something we can’t see?”
“We gather intelligence,” I reply, my voice firm. “We reach out to other packs, work together, and create a network of support. We can’t face this alone.”
Dalton nods, determination in his eyes. “I’ll contact the other Betas and Alphas. We’ll find out if they’ve faced anything similar.”
As the pack begins to mobilize, I feel a rush of gratitude for my family, my pack. We may be facing a storm, but together, we are strong.
“Wren, can you sense if the darkness is near?” I ask, turning to her.
She meets my gaze, her expression serious. “I can feel it, but it’s hiding now. It knows we’re onto it. We need to stay vigilant.”
With that, we set to work, planning our next steps and fortifying our defenses. The air is thick with tension, but there’s also a sense of unity and determination that fuels us.
As the night wears on, I find myself stealing glances at Wren, her presence a constant source of strength. I know that whatever comes next, we will face it together.
And as I look around at my pack, I realize that we are not just fighting for survival; we are fighting for each other, for our home, and for the love that binds us all together.
That night, as I lay in bed, the shadows of uncertainty linger, but the warmth of hope flickers in my heart. We may be facing an unknown darkness, but with Wren by my side and the strength of the Waterton Pack behind us, I know we will fight until the end.
Tomorrow, we will uncover the truth, and no matter what darkness lies ahead, we will shine brighter together.
As dawn breaks, bathing the world in hues of gold and pink, I rise with a sense of purpose. Wren is already awake, sitting by the window, her gaze lost in the horizon. I join her, the warmth of the morning sun wrapping around us like a comforting blanket.