The voice that echoed through the fog was deep and authoritative. The huntress froze mid-strike, her fist suspended in the air. Her red eyes glowed even more, narrowing and scanning through the midst. Lucian staggered on his feet, his chest heaving and his face stained with streaks of blood. The air felt thick with the tension of an impending storm, but the appearance of the voice had put an unexpected pause on the battle.

A figure emerged from the densed midst. The leader of the Council of werewolf—Eli. A man whose presence commands immediate respect walked slowly towards them. His eyes, pale as moonlight yet glimmering with ancient knowledge. His long cloak billowed behind him, the edges shinning with an ethereal light. It was clear that his power was not of the physical kind, but of something much older and mystical.

" What is this, Eli?" The huntress sneered at the sight of him, her lips curling in disdain. " Why are you interfering?" She spat out, her voice dripping with venom.

Eli's gaze locked with hers, a quiet storm brewing in his eyes. They remained like that for a few minutes, it was like they were communicating without any words. " This Onyx wolf is not a toy to be played with, huntress." He said in a calm tone. " You know the consequences of it's power better than anyone."

The huntress glared at him, her red eyes flashing with fury. " I don't needed a lecture from you, Eli." She snarled, her body tense as if she was about to spring at him. " I know exactly what I'm doing. The Onyx wolf has always been offered to me."

" Your ambition blinds you, Katana. She is a special Onyx Wolf, more powerful than all the rest that has passed." Eli said taking a single step forward. They looked like they had history together.

She hesitated, just for a moment before the arrogance returned. " I'll take my chances."

Lucian, still reeling from the attack, clutched unto his sword. His breath was ragged, but his eyes, though clouded with pain, were still filled with determination and defiance.

"You don't have the right to take her," he said with a steady voice. "The Onyx wolf belongs to Serena. And I will fight for her, no matter what you do to me."

Eli finally turned his attention to Lucian, a soft knowing smile played at the corner of his lips. " And you Lucian, don't let history repeat itself."

Lucian furrowed his eyebrows in anger, he knew exactly what the elder meant— his mum. Before Lucian could respond, a sharp scream pierced through the air.

" Lucian!" Serena screamed in pain as the huntress soldiers dragged her. They held her with a twine that was gleaming red, it wasn't just an ordinary bound.

" I told you she was going to be mine, she no special." The huntress chuckled as she motioned for them to bring her.

" Serena, the power is within you, you need to awake it." Lucian said through their mind link connection. Serena nodded and closed her eyes as she summoned her wolf.

The ground beneath them trembled and the air seemed to hum with raw, untamed energy. The presence of the Onyx wolf surged through the pack, the earth itself seemed to bend under the weight of her awakening power.

In a flash, Serena's bones started to restructure, breaking lose from the shackles that held her. The golden lines on her palm blazed to life and she shifted. A deep growl erupted from her throat, a sound unlike anything any wolf in the world had ever heard before. Serena was no longer in control, she had surrendered fully to the Onyx wolf.

The huntress stared at Serena, her expression a mixture of shock and insatiable hunger. " The ancient wolf. No.... This is impossible." She whispered.

Lucian's heart pounded as he watched Serena attain her full wolf form. Her form was a perfect reflection of the legend that had hunted their people for centuries. She was beautiful in a terrifying way. Her black fur emanated raw power radiating through the forest, shaking the roots of the trees.

The huntress took an involuntary step back, her eyes still widened in shock. " You think she is ready?" She hissed. " She'll destroy everything, she can't control it— none of you can."

The Onyx wolf eyes locked onto the huntress and for a moment, the forest held it's breath. The wolf had formed a shield over the Night Fang pack, protecting them. With a growl from the Onyx wolf a small whirlwind started to form in the east, pulling and picking anything in it was. It got bigger as it approached them. Lucian could see the whirlwind and he knew Serena was no longer in control.

" Serena you have to take control." He said trying to communicate with her but she was lost in her wolf.

Eli watched the confrontation unfold, his expression unreadable. The ancient Onyx wolf was gradually gaining full grounds.

The huntress seemed to reconsider her fiery gaze shifting between the Onyx wolf and Lucian. " This is far from over" she muttered darkly before retreating into the forest. " I will return for the Onyx wolf. Mark my words!"

Lucian didn't respond, watching her leave. The battle was won but the war was far from over.

The whirlwind was still fast approaching them. " Serena, wake up!" He screamed. Immediately, something jolted in the wolf and it shifted, giving control back to Serena. She shifted back to her human form making everything stop and go still.

Serena stood admidst the stillness, her chest heaving as she struggles to catch her breath. The power of the Onyx wolf still coursed through her veins, leaving her drained. Her hands trembled slightly as she looked around at what she had done. All the trees around them where all on the ground flat.

She turned her gaze towards Lucian, her heart sinking when she saw him stagger and collapse to the ground.

" Lucian!" She cried out, rushing towards him. Tears welled up in her eyes, her heart hammering in her chest. She placed her hand on his face, desperately searching for some sign of life.

" Please... Don't leave me." She whispered, her voice breaking.