As the echo of the howl slowly faded from the forest, the wolves' eyes remained locked on Juuhra.
The rage rising within them was swelling, yet still under control. Each one was ready to strike, but their pack instinct held them back from charging in blindly.
And then...
One of them leapt forward. No eye contact. No hesitation. The surge of fury had completely overridden her sense of reason. She was one of the females closest to the Alpha—part of the pack's inner circle.
Before the others could even react, her body launched forward, claws slicing through the air as she lunged at Juuhra.
There was pain and anger in her eyes, but no strategy. No plan.
Juuhra didn't move.
He didn't even turn his eyes toward her—he simply tilted his head slightly to the side. His finger was already raised. The black energy gathering at its tip activated before she even reached him.
"Bam."
A sharp, abrupt sound rang out.
