Chapter 40

• The journey back to Xander’s territory was a blur of urgency and tension. The artifact, now cradled in Amara’s hands, pulsed with a steady rhythm, its light illuminating their path through the dense forest. Each pulse seemed to resonate with her heartbeat, a constant reminder of its immense power and the responsibility it carried. Amara’s mind raced with questions and doubts. Could she control it? Would it be enough to save the pack?
• As they neared the territory’s borders, the sounds of battle reached them—howls of pain, the clash of steel, and the roar of combat. The acrid scent of smoke filled the air, and Amara’s stomach churned. Xander broke into a sprint, his expression grim, with Asher and Amara close behind.
• When they emerged from the forest, the scene before them was one of chaos. Xander’s pack was under siege, the rogue army swarming like a tide of darkness. Warriors fought valiantly, their forms shifting between human and wolf as they defended the pack’s borders. Fires raged across the open fields, and the main gate to the pack’s stronghold lay in ruins.