Page 43 of Night with a Gamma
As we prepare to transport the stone, a sense of urgency settles in my chest. I can’t shake the feeling that this is only the beginning. The shadows I felt during the ritual — how they writhed at the edges — suggest something more sinister is at play. I glance at Harrison, who seems to sense my unease. “What’s on your mind, Little Bird?” he asks, his voice gentle.
“I just… I can’t help but feel that whatever darkness I contained tonight is part of something larger,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “We’ve only scratched the surface.”
He nods, his expression serious. “I feel it too. It’s almost as if this artifact is a calling card, a marker for something that wants to be unleashed or harnessed in a way. A bigger purpose.”
Just then, Dalton approaches, his expression tense. “I overheard some of the warriors talking,” he says, his tone urgent. “They mentioned seeing a figure lurking near the edge of the woods while we were training. Someone who didn’t belong.”
My heart races at his words. “Did they see who it was?”
“No, but they felt it — something dark Harrison,” Dalton replies, glancing at the stone. “I think it’s connected to what we just dealt with.”
Harrison’s jaw tightens. “We need to investigate. If there’s someone out there, they could be after the artifact, trying to tap into the darkness we contained, or even looking for Lenore because we can all feel this rogue nonsense isn’t finished.”
“I’ll gather a few warriors,” Dalton says, already turning to leave. “We’ll scout the area and see if we can find any trace of this figure.”
As Dalton strides away, I exchange a worried glance with Harrison. “What if they’re looking for the artifact? What if they want to break the seal I just added?”
“Then we’ll be ready for them,” he says, determination in his voice. “We’ll protect our pack, Wren. We’ll protect each other.”
With those words, I feel a surge of hope, a reminder that I’m not alone in this fight. Harrison is my mate, my partner, and together we can face whatever challenges lie ahead. The bond we share is a shield, and I draw strength from it as we prepare to confront the unknown.
Once the stoneis secured in the vault, I join Harrison and a small group of warriors as we head toward the woods. The night air is crisp, filled with the sounds of nature, but there’s an underlying tension that makes my skin prickle. I can sense the shadows lurking just beyond the treeline, waiting, watching.
“Stay alert,” Harrison instructs, his voice low and authoritative as we make our way through the underbrush. “If there’s someone out here, we need to be cautious.”
I follow closely behind him, my senses heightened. The forest feels alive, the trees whispering secrets as the wind rustlesthrough the leaves. I reach out with my aura-reading ability, hoping to catch a glimpse of any lingering energy that might give us a clue about the figure Dalton mentioned.
As we venture deeper into the woods, I catch a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. My heart races as I signal to the group to pause. “Did you see that?” I whisper, my breath hitching in my throat.
Harrison turns to me, his eyes sharp and focused. “What did you see?”
“I’m not sure,” I reply, straining to listen. “Something… black with tinges of charcoal. Just a flash.”
Before I can say more, a low growl echoes through the trees, sending shivers down my spine. The sound is primal, filled with a sense of danger that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I hear bones popping out of place and shifting. I glance at Harrison, who’s already in his wolf form before I can warn him to bring his wolf forward, his body tense and ready for action.
“Stay behind me,”he growls through our bond, his voice low and fierce. The other warriors follow suit, shifting into their wolf forms, the air thick with the scent of adrenaline and power.
I close my eyes for a moment, honing in on the energy around us. I can feel it pulsing, shadowy tendrils weaving through the trees, coiling like smoke. There’s something here, something dark that wants to break free.
Suddenly, the figure emerges from the shadows, stepping into the dim light of the moon. It’s a tall, cloaked figure, their face hidden beneath a hood. The air around them crackles with dark energy, and I feel a wave of unease wash over me.
“Who are you?” I call out, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.
The figure tilts their head, and I can just make out a smirk beneath the hood. “You’re the witch who dares to bind thedarkness I need and take the lonely witch I was using to my advantage,” they say, their voice smooth and laced with malice. “You’ve put the stone in a prison, but it’s only a matter of time before it finds its way back to me.”
Beta Dalton steps forward, a low growl rumbling in his throat. “You’re a fool if you think you can control that power. We won’t let you.”
The figure laughs, a chilling sound that echoes through the trees. “You think you can stop me? The darkness is patient. It waits for the right moment to strike.”
With a flick of their wrist, shadows whirl around them, coalescing into a dark mist that swirls menacingly. I take a step back, my heart racing. “What do you want?” I demand, trying to keep my voice steady.
“To reclaim what was lost,” they reply, their tone dripping with disdain. “You think you can hold it forever? The shadows will always find a way back and I will take back what is rightfully mine.”
Before I can respond, the mist lunges toward us, tendrils reaching out like claws, seeking to ensnare us. Harrison leaps forward, a fierce determination in his eyes, and the other warriors follow suit, their combined strength pushing against the darkness.
“Wren, focus on the light!”Harrison calls out, his voice cutting through the chaos.“We can’t let it overwhelm us!”
I gather my magic, feeling the fire within me ignite. Drawing on the connection of the pack, I reach out, weaving a barrier of light that shimmers between us and the encroaching shadows. “Stay together!” I shout, pouring my energy into the spell.
