Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 595: Energy Rune

Alaric saw, in terrifying clarity, the many ways they could die if the third explosion went off.

With the nitrogen purge system and foam suppression in place, the bomb wouldn’t level the entire packhouse, but they were the ones in danger now.

If that third device detonated, even without a full facility-wide chain reaction, the resulting shockwave would bring the warehouse down on top of them. Iron walkways, heavy racks, and massive pipes could come crashing down. Even supernaturals like werewolves weren’t invincible against being crushed if pinned beneath a multi-ton structure.

And that wasn’t the worst of it.

The wreckage could trap them deep inside, leaving them buried and scrambling for a way out while the toxic fumes crept in. If they couldn’t dig or fight their way free in time, they’d choke to death, suffocated in darkness.

"We have to go now!" Alaric roared, his voice hoarse and raw over the chaos.

But even as he seized Violet’s hand, ready to run, she saw the unsaid truth in his eyes: they weren’t going to make it.

Alice’s words flashed in Violet’s mind — "Trust your instincts."

Up until now, she’d been second-guessing herself, afraid of her own power. But the thought of losing Alaric filled her with a desperate clarity. She couldn’t let it happen.

Before Alaric could react, Violet wrenched her hand free.

"Violet—" His face went pale, his wolf blazing in panic. "What are you doing?"

Violet’s voice was calm even with the impending threat. "You have to leave now. I need to concentrate."

"What are you talking about...?" Alaric started, but his words died on his tongue when he saw it happen.

Dark tendrils erupted from Violet’s hand, slithering across the floor, and shot up the nearest rack, wrapping around it. In the next instant, the heavy steel structure crumbled into dust, vanishing into nothing.

The entire team froze.

jaws fell open, shock rippling across their faces. They had just witnessed the impossible. Wasn’t Violet supposed

credit, they

There was

muttering under her breath, "Didn’t think

is too much structure, Violet.

Her voice was oddly calm. Then her golden eyes flared, glowing with otherworldly light. "That’s why I

the leader of the A-Team, her tone commanding. "Take him out

in his eyes. With a subtle glance, he gestured for his

lightning crackled across his entire body, his

layered with power, "and get the

instinctively, caught between obedience and

hurt you."

won’t," Alaric said tightly. "I’m

gaze lingered on him, conflicted, and then she turned to

didn’t need to be told twice. They bolted, sprinting like their lives

were gone, Violet closed her

in violent waves. Alaric’s breath caught when he saw how the darkness devoured everything

horror, the darkness turned toward

that abyss was like staring at the end of existence itself. For a split second, pure fear

he didn’t. No matter what happened,

swallowed

or bone-deep destruction — but instead, it was warm. Warm like

let out a shaky,

at her, her eyes were screwed shut, her