Howl of Destiny: Alpha Lira's Legend novel Chapter 2

Lira's POV:

Raina waved her hand with a triumphant smile.

A vicious black wolf bared its fangs and leaped straight for my throat!

"Lily!"

I called out desperately, trying to wake her.

But there was no response at all.

The cold, sharp points of its teeth pressed against my neck. Pain shot through me.

I shut my eyes, giving up.

Then, I saw it. The ring Raina was holding suddenly blazed with a bright blue light!

She shrieked, like she'd been burned. She clutched her hand and threw the ring aside.

It rolled to my feet. I grabbed it and held on tight.

At the same moment, a cold, strange woman's voice exploded inside my head.

Lira, protect the ring!

That wasn't Lily.

Who was that?

Before I could wonder, a fire ignited in my chest. My insides felt like they were on fire. The tearing pain was so bad I almost blacked out.

Then, just as fast, the burning faded. A new, strong power took its place.

I am Victoria. Your other guardian wolf spirit.

That female voice rang out again, with a tone that brooked no argument. From now on, we share one life.

The moment she finished speaking, a burst of raw energy surged through me. My body broke free from the shackles.

Raina, Ruby, and all the guards stared at me in shock. They didn't even try to stop me.

My voice was rough as I spoke, slow and clear. "Raina. I will pay you back for today. A hundred times over."

As soon as the words left my mouth, the roof of the dungeon caved in. Rubble blocked the main exit.

Victoria's energy held me up. I slipped through a dark crack in the back wall and ran. I ran straight for the Brookstone Pack's border.

Her power pushed the pain down, but it was too much for me. Every step felt like my bones were breaking. My muscles screamed.

When I couldn't go on, she took over. She ran my body for what felt like miles.

Finally, we crashed into the dense woods at the pack's edge.

The thick trees and the scents of other Rogue wolves would hide me for a while.

Victoria slowed down. She stopped behind a giant tree and gave my body back to me.

Have a rest. Your body is weak. We've just merged. It can't handle my full strength yet.

I slumped against the trunk, gasping. My voice was hoarse. "Who are you? How are you inside me?"

I'm the inherited wolf spirit of your mother's bloodline. Sealed within you at birth. Victoria's voice sounded distant.

The wolf ring is your maternal family's token. It can wake me. But only when you face true death, when your own bloodline power rises, can I wake fully. We share one life now.

Her words hit me hard. I sat there, stunned.

I never knew I had this inside me. I always thought I was just a weak Omega...

A spark of hope lit in my chest. But worry followed close behind.

"Does this mean... you replaced Lily? Is she gone?" I asked, the weight of it heavy in my voice.

No. I did not replace her. You, me, and Lily—we exist together. We share this life.

My girl, you were born special.

You carry two spirits. Lily, the Omega from your father's line. And me—Victoria, the strong and noble one from your mother's.

When we are fully settled, you can call on either of us.

Your body is frail. As an Omega, your strength was always limited. Victoria's tone turned serious now.

But I can teach you to use spirit energy to make your body strong. Strong enough to fight like an Alpha.

But not yet. We just merged. Our energy is unsteady. It needs time.

Quick! Let me take over! Victoria seized control again.

Stay sharp. They've found us. Her voice rang in my head, urgent.

Victoria felt it. She gave control back to me at once. We're still in the adaptation period. I can't hold your body for long.

From here, I can only feed you a little power from within. You must run on your own.

As an Omega, I was already weaker than those guards. And Victoria's power was still wild inside me. I couldn't control it fully.

I just ran. Ran with everything I had. Toward the border cliffs.

It was a natural wall between Brookstone Pack and the outside world. My only way out.

"You little b*tch! Stop!"

The lead guard let out a low growl. "Give us the ring!"

I gritted my teeth and didn't dare to look back.

The sound of pursuit got closer. I could hear the "swish" of claws cutting the air right behind me.

My strength was draining fast. My legs felt like blocks of lead.

Finally, I burst out of the trees at the cliff's edge.

Below me was nothing but a deep, dark drop.

The four guards fanned out, surrounding me. Their killing intent was a thick, hot wave. Their eyes said they'd tear me apart any second.

"Nowhere left to run. Hand it over," one guard snarled, stepping closer. "Luna says we can make your death quick if you give us the ring."

I was forced back, step by step, until my heels were on the very edge.

Victoria's voice was tired. Our energy is still unstable. I can't fully shift to fight.

"I know," I whispered.

I took one last deep breath. My fists were so tight they shook. "I'd rather take my chances here than go back to that cell."

I turned my head and looked at the guards. I gave them a cold, final smile.

"You want the ring?" I said. "You'll have to follow me down to get it."

And without another second of doubt, I stepped off the cliff.