Elwin heard the twang of a bowstring and the thud as the arrow pierced Kailu's back, dropping him to the ground. Ice formed over the wolf and spread out around the body.

His mate took control and shouted, "Scatter! Don't give them an easy target."

Out of the many seasoned veterans, only Samblar, Zaos, Edon, and the two alphas remained. Left with no other choice, Elwin and his mate asked five untested wolves to join them in battle.

How many more will die before I can end this?

More arrows peppered the ground leaving icy craters in their wake. He couldn't help but notice it grew darker obscuring the holes from view.

Desperate to save his pack, Elwin ordered, "Everyone follow me."

He started to guide them away from the source of the arrows when a feral cry halted his progress. Bloodshot eyes glowered into him as the animal bore down on him.

It's time to put my faith in Silvertree and find out if the necklace will protect us.

"Vanima and Edon with me! Everyone else watch our back and keep moving."

His mate ran to the left and the former alpha's youngest and only surviving son took the right. Elwin moved toward their foe and halted when the gem from his necklace started to glow. The dark mist shielding the creature from view vanished leaving a bear cub and its red eyes in its wake.

That's the cub I met before. Does he blame me for his mother's death? Just another question that shall go unanswered.

The bear snarled and charged at Elwin. Vanima tackled it from the left giving Edon a chance to strike at its throat. The only mercy he could give the orphan was a quick death.

Ashera howled, "You killed Kailu!"

Puzzled, Elwin turned around and when he saw the darkness that danced across the newest foe, he pleaded to Ashera, “Don’t do it! You can't harm him.”

Confusion and horror wreaked havoc with his emotions as he watched Ashera charge at the elf who leaped from the tree top brandishing a sword.

He should be dead. I watched his friend slice into the elf's neck when they fought against the monster.

The young wolf let grief and rage consume her. Ashera dodged the sword strike and leaped up to tackle the elf but passed through the shadows instead. She collapsed, powerless against the biting cold that consumed her.

Recognition sparked in Elwin’s mind. Fraeya called him Morco, among other things.

Morco grinned at Elwin as he sauntered over to the paralyzed wolf and slid his dark blade into her chest.

Kuu`Datto! You're going to pay for that.

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The former Unn Thalor scout flicked his sword spraying Ashera’s blood across the dirt, looked to Elwin, and said, “I remember you, wolf. The dark god sends his regards. After I sacrifice you to him, I’m going to show that bitch Fraeya what true power can do.”

Thoughts of the arrogance and youthful pride that Morco had shown when out on patrol and how it had been his downfall would be invaluable in this encounter. Elwin dug in his claws, readying to run when a deafening bellow blasted through the forest.

He’s here.

Zaos ran by Elwin in the direction of the former scout and said, “I’ll keep the elf occupied while you handle whatever that is.”

Only one of them would survive this encounter. He couldn’t afford to run away any longer.

The beast must have sensed the magic around his neck. It charged straight for him like an arrow. Vanima moved to intercept the creature, but it hadn’t entered the magic’s zone of influence. She was sent flying to the side instead, from a glancing blow of its claws.

Her body bounced through the bushes until she smashed into a tree. Siraye and Cithrel ran to her leaving Edon, Samblar, and Nevarth to fight the monster with Elwin.

Elwin looked at the proud fighters to his left and right and howled, “Alone we may fall, but together we stand strong. It wants me. Use that to our advantage and attack from its side when it strikes.”

Darkness bled from its fur and vanished when it had crossed the threshold formed by the necklace. For the first time, Elwin could see the animal who had so thoroughly ruined his family and destroyed his life.

The cougar reached his position and pounced. No longer imbued with his god's power or hidden in the shadows, the dark minion no longer held superiority. It roared and lunged at Elwin who dodged and watched the other three wolves bite into its fur from the sides.

This game of cat and mouse continued for several minutes. They took turns quickly biting at the cougar's flank and hind legs only to be pushed back by teeth and claws. The barrage never gave the feline enough time to focus on any one particular wolf. Neither side could land any significant blows.

Zaos rushed in and helped box in the feline who now darted back and forth whimpering and answered Elwin's question before he could ask it.

"The elf ran away in the direction of the village."

Elwin nodded and said, "Then let's finish this."

The light from above started to dim forcing Elwin's gaze up, and worry filled his gut when he saw a dark mass start to slide across the blue expanse. Crying in rage, the cougar lashed out harder than before, forcing Elwin back.

We can’t let this go any longer. The darkness gives him power.

“Edon go for its paw.”

The seasoned warrior didn't hesitate. Elwin held still giving the cougar a target and put all his faith in his pack.

Edon bit down on its paw and yanked the claws away from Elwin’s neck. The last two veterans clamped down on its hind legs allowing Nevarth an opportunity to knock the beast on its side after ramming it.

Not wanting to waste this chance, Elwin struck hard and fast. Teeth sinking into the animal’s neck, he couldn’t help but remember the day he defeated Torvar and took over as the pack’s alpha.

Forced to flee before the other paw sliced into him, Edon clawed at the feline's exposed belly instead, eliciting a painful shriek from its throat.

Empowered by the ever-darkening sky, the cougar forced Elwin to retreat but before it could break free, he dashed in one final time and tore the monster’s neck wide open.

Leaving the dead cougar behind, Elwin looked up at the light, now half hidden behind the dark mass, and cringed at what it would mean for the elves back in the village.

A soft whimper brought him back to reality and he raced to Vanima’s side. Her body lay broken and bleeding against a tree.

Is there nothing I can do to save my mate?

You have divine power around your neck. All you need to do is believe.

Elwin focused on the necklace and opened his eyes when he heard Vanima gasp as the light from the gemstone enveloped her. With Siraye and Cithrel's help, Vanima sat up and nuzzled Elwin before leaning against his body.

Your fight is not over, my child. The dark god has unleashed his force against the village. I can hold him back, but it will be up to you to face the rest of his minions.

Did Fraeya make it back home?

Yes.

Looking to his eight remaining forces, he howled, “We race to the elf village!”