The forest had grown darker as they ran, the trees thickening around them, blocking out the last remnants of sunlight. The air was damp and heavy, filled with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. But Eryk’s senses were heightened now, the world around him sharper, more vivid. He could hear every snap of a twig underfoot, every distant rustle of leaves, every breath that came from his chest. It was the magic inside him, alive and pulsing, urging him to be alert, to stay on edge.

Kael led the way, his movements swift and sure, though Eryk could see the strain in his posture. The battle with the Alpha wolf had taken its toll, and they hadn’t had the luxury of resting. But there was no time for weakness, no time for anything but survival.

"We can’t keep going at this pace much longer," Kael muttered, glancing over his shoulder. His voice was low but strained, the weight of their situation pressing down on him. "We need to find shelter. Somewhere we can regroup."

Eryk nodded, trying to push through the fatigue gnawing at him. His muscles burned with the effort, but he couldn’t stop. Not when he knew what was hunting them, not when he could still feel the wolves’ presence, lurking just out of sight. They weren’t far behind. He could feel them, a constant thrum of predatory energy in the air, as though the wolves were always just a breath away.

The sound of howls pierced the air once more, chilling Eryk to the bone. This time, the wolves were closer. Too close.

“They’ve caught our scent,” Kael said, his tone grim. “We’re running out of time.”

Eryk’s chest tightened. He could feel the pressure building inside him again—the magic, the force of it, surging in response to the threat. His hands were clammy, his heart racing in his chest. The power was becoming harder to control, and he could feel it clawing at him, eager to be unleashed.

“We can’t outrun them,” Eryk said, his voice shaky. “What if—what if I let the magic take over? Maybe we can fight them off—”

Kael’s sharp gaze snapped to him, his expression hard. “No. That’s not the answer. You don’t understand it yet, Eryk. If you lose control again, it will be worse. You’ll hurt us both, and the wolves will sense it. You can’t give in to it.”

Eryk’s breath caught in his throat. He wanted to argue, to tell Kael that he didn’t have a choice, that the wolves were too close, but the look in Kael’s eyes silenced him. Kael had always been the protector. The one who always seemed to have a plan. But Eryk was no longer just a helpless prince. He was something more—and he needed to understand what that meant.

“Then what do we do?” Eryk asked, frustration building in his chest.

Kael’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, Eryk thought he saw a flicker of something—doubt, maybe. But then Kael’s eyes softened, and he lowered his voice. “We keep moving. And when we get to the mountains, we’ll figure it out. We’ll find a way to control it. Together.”

Eryk swallowed, his throat dry. There was so much he didn’t understand. So much he didn’t know. But one thing was certain: he wasn’t going to let Kael face this alone.

As they pushed through the underbrush, the sounds of the forest grew more distant, but the howls were still there, haunting the edges of Eryk’s mind. He could feel the wolves closing in, their presence growing stronger, more oppressive.

And then, as if in response to the mounting pressure, the ground beneath their feet trembled.

A shadow flitted across the path ahead, moving too fast to be seen clearly. Kael stopped abruptly, his hand raised to signal Eryk to halt.

“Something’s coming,” Kael whispered, his voice low, barely audible.

Eryk’s heart pounded in his chest, his senses stretched to the limit. His body tensed as he tried to focus, his eyes scanning the darkening trees. And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw it: a pair of glowing amber eyes, shining through the underbrush.

It was the Alpha wolf—still alive, still hunting.

But there was something else too. Another figure, more shadow than flesh, moving silently through the trees. It was tall, too tall to be human. And its presence was cold, more sinister than the wolves themselves. Eryk’s breath hitched as the figure stepped into the clearing, revealing itself for the first time.

The creature was cloaked in dark, flowing robes, its face hidden beneath a hood, but the air around it seemed to shimmer with unnatural energy. It exuded power, dark and ancient, and as it stepped forward, Eryk felt an icy chill run through him.

“Velkor,” Kael hissed under his breath, his grip on his sword tightening. “It’s him.”

Eryk’s mind raced. The sorcerer. The one who had been hunting him. But he had never expected him to show up so soon, not so directly.

“Stay behind me,” Kael warned, stepping in front of Eryk, his sword raised in a defensive stance. “This is my fight.”

But before Eryk could protest, Velkor’s voice rang out, low and full of malice.

“So, the prince has finally awakened.” Velkor’s voice was smooth, cold, as though he was savoring every word. “I’ve been waiting for this moment. I knew the bloodline’s power would call to you. But I didn’t expect such a display of strength.”

Eryk’s pulse raced, and his heart seemed to stop in his chest. Velkor was talking about him—the magic inside him, the bloodline power that had been dormant for so long. And now that it had been unleashed, the sorcerer was here to claim it.

Kael’s stance shifted, his eyes hardening. “Stay away from him, Velkor. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

Velkor’s laugh echoed through the clearing, a cruel, mocking sound that sent a shiver down Eryk’s spine. “Oh, I know exactly what I’m dealing with. The prince is more than just a symbol now. He’s a weapon. And I intend to wield him.”

The words struck Eryk like a blow to the chest. Weapon? Was that all he was? A tool to be used? His mind spun, his thoughts racing, but there was no time to process it. The wolf—no, the pack—was closing in, and Velkor was right there, standing between him and the only escape.

Eryk could feel the power rising within him again, a violent surge that threatened to break free. But Kael’s words rang in his ears: You can’t let it take over.

Eryk’s breath quickened. He was running out of time, and the wolves were closing in. The path to the mountains seemed farther away than ever, but there was no turning back now.

He was a prince, yes. But in that moment, he understood: He was also something far more dangerous.

And if he couldn’t control the magic inside him, the very thing that made him a prince, it could destroy everything he held dear.

“Kael,” Eryk said, his voice tight, “I can’t... I can’t let him take me.”

Kael looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting Eryk’s with a fierce intensity. “Then don’t.”

And in that moment, Eryk knew: There was no choice. It was time to fight back.