The Alpha's Shape of Deception

ves engaged in conflict, turning the area into a battlefield. The chaos below was illuminated by the moonlight that broke through the

to her perspiration-drenched face. She looked over at a group of young wolves crouched close to the base of

around them, their anxiety evident. "But... there are too many of them

"There are more of us." "Have faith in your

l intent, stepped through the queue, Lyra gave herself a time to catch her breath. Its jaws snapped inches from her face as it lunged for her. She spun away

e. This attack was planned and intentional rather than haphazard. She observed one rogue giving

ior with the silver hair was fighting two rogues at once, her motions precis

ire to the cliffs. "Not happening," she whispered as she gripped her dagger more tightly

her. A glimmer of pride flickered through Lyra's mind, but it was swiftly dashed when

efield before settling on her. Lyra's heart skipped a beat when s

nd uncanny methodical motions, it was taller than any wolf Lyra had ever seen. Its presence appeared to give th

he younger wolves that were still defending the western line and the Alpha. "You'll have to go thro

a snarl. With a low, gravelly voice, it snarled, "You're brave

e adjusted her weight. As the Alpha started to circle her, its mot

the beast's claws touched her arm. She slashed her dagger quickly in response, ignoring the flar

sed on the conflict. Their fear and hope mixed like a physical force in

s and ducked, approaching from behind. Her blade sliced through its rear leg as she struck o

acknowledged, "You're better than I expect

l see about that." She was aware that she was lo

wever, it was a ruse. With a swift turn, the beast swept its claws across h

She lost her grip on the knife, and it fell just out of her reach. She attempted to s

e, it murmured, "You fought

oises of battle going on, but they sounded far away, like echoes from another planet. She

saw the beast towering over her, her heart racing. And then a burst of energy came from deep with

the impact knocked it back. With a gulp for breath, Lyra stumbled to her feet, her hands shaking. Her limbs we

reatening than before. With its eyes narrowing, it remarked,

ing. Even though she was in pain, she said, "Maybe not,"

ach hit brought her closer to the brink of her abilities in the vicious and relentless b

. Her knife escaped her grasp and lodged itself in the earth a few feet distant. With her he

operate. The Alpha was standing over her, its eyes shining with victo

ls reverberating throughout the forest. Blood-soaked earth and fallen bodies dotted the once-pristine area, which now showed t

e, Celeste slaying rogues with lethal accuracy, and the younger wolv

ra

ructing the moonlight, the renegade Alpha towered over her. The sight made Ryker's che

is Beta was standing close by, his face streaked with blood. "T

to Lyra's defence, but he made himself turn aside. He was unable to l

take the west." Keep the queue and support

aze shifted to her rumpled b

firm yet hushed voice. "But it w

ed himself to concentrate on the fight and switched his attention to the eastern flank. He was urge

cy. The renegade Alpha circled her like a predator playing with its prey each time he spotted her lyin

me like a flash

the confusion. Her motions were as smooth as water, and she arrived at Lyra in a matter of seconds. S

d battle the Alpha and defend Lyra at the same time, but