Sharp pain shot through my leg as massive claws dug into my flesh. The world spun violently as I was lifted and thrown, my small wolf body sailing through the air before crashing against a weathered tombstone.
The flag flew from my jaws, landing several feet away on the damp earth. I scrambled to my feet despite the agony radiating from my injured leg, lunging desperately toward the red fabric.
Too slow. A massive paw slammed down on the flag, inches from my snout.
I looked up into glowing amber eyes, my heart sinking. The lycan looming over me wasn't Landon—this one had dark brown fur with silver streaks marking his muzzle. Marcus, one of the oldest Guardians and Landon's most trusted lieutenant.
"Surrender, little one," his gravelly voice filled my mind. "You've put up an admirable fight, but it ends here."
