The Return to Crimson Fang
The gates of Crimson Fang emerged from the misty horizon, their towering presence a stark contrast to the chaos that awaited within. The familiar stronghold should have filled Isla with relief, but as the sight of the weathered walls grew closer, a deep unease settled over her. She clutched Draven’s arm tightly, her silver eyes scanning the surrounding landscape for signs of danger.
Susan was already waiting at the gates, her posture tense and her expression grim. A group of warriors flanked her, their fur matted with blood and dirt from recent battles. When her eyes landed on Isla and Draven, a flicker of relief crossed her face, but it quickly faded under the weight of urgency.
“You made it,” Susan called, stepping forward to greet them. Her gaze flickered to the bundled twins in Eira’s arms, and her mouth tightened. “But you’re just in time for the worst of it.”
“What’s happening?” Draven demanded, his tone sharp.
Susan motioned for them to follow as she began to speak. “Malrik’s forces are days away from breaking through the outer borders. His shadow wolves… they’re not normal. They don’t tire, and they fight with a savagery that’s unnatural. We’ve lost good warriors just holding them off.”
Draven’s fists clenched, and his amber eyes burned with anger. “How much time do we have?”
“Not enough,” Susan admitted. “The shadow wolves are relentless, and Malrik is using them to weaken us before his main force arrives. He’s planning to storm the packhouse, and if that happens…” Her voice trailed off, but the unspoken outcome hung heavily in the air.
Isla’s heart clenched as she glanced down at her newborn twins, their tiny forms nestled securely in Eira’s arms. She straightened, her silver eyes blazing with determination. “We’ll stop him,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her.
Kaelen stepped forward, his towering frame casting a long shadow over the group. His golden eyes gleamed with a cold resolve. “Crimson Fang won’t stand alone,” he declared. “My warriors will bolster your defenses. Together, we’ll ensure Malrik regrets threatening my daughter.”
Susan looked skeptical but nodded curtly. “We’ll take every wolf we can get. But you’d better be ready—this fight will test every one of us.”
As they moved inside the gates, Isla cast a glance at her father. Despite his offer of help, a flicker of doubt lingered in her mind. What is his true motive in all of this?
