“Stay with me.” I whispered to the bond. “All of you. Together, we can hold it.”
The lattice of energy pulsed, bright and sharp. The shadows screamed as the power hit them again, staggering, dissolving. But more kept coming, flowing out of the forest like water through cracks in a dam.
Then I saw movement near the edge of the clearing. A figure…human, wolf, impossible…rushed in, cloaked in energy that radiated confidence and strength. My heart skipped a beat.
“Who is that?” Kaelen shouted, slashing at a shadow that tried to reach him.
The figure struck with precision, not attacking the pack, but the shadows. Every blow was measured, every movement exact. Shadows shattered before they could touch anyone.
“Dad…” I whispered, disbelief and relief twisting together.
Eryx’s eyes went wide
