The Alpha Bond 119

4/4

The next morning, the air crackled with tension as we stood in a wide, open

clearing at the heart of the training grounds. Unlike the previous trials, there were no trees to hide behind, no shadows to blend into. This time, we would be exposed. Vulnerable.

At the center of the clearing, a pedestal made of smooth, white stone stood tall. Upon it, a flame burned-not an ordinary fire, but a deep, ethereal blue that shimmered like liquid starlight. It didn't flicker, nor did it cast shadows.

This was no normal fire.

Eira paced before us, her sharp eyes sweeping over our group. “This the Eternal Flame," she announced. "A manifestation of pure magic, and the heart of this

trial."

I could feel the power radiating from it. My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing its significance.

Eira's gaze darkened. "Your task is simple-keep the flame alive."

Isaiah frowned. "From what?"

Eira's lips curled into a smirk. "From everything."

At her words, the air shifted.

A powerful pulse of magic erupted from the pedestal, sending a gust of wind

blasting through the clearing. The moment it settled, creatures began

materializing from the earth-figures of glowing blue light, humanoid in shape but featureless, their movements eerily smooth. Magical constructs.

One, two, four... then ten.

They kept appearing, surrounding us in a tightening circle.

"Some will attack the flame," Eira continued. "Others will attack you. If the fire dies, you fail. If you fall before it's over, you fail.”

She took a step back, arms crossed. "Let's see if you've learned anything."

The moment the words left her lips, the constructs attacked.

Elijah reacted first, moving in a blur of speed. His shield in hand while his energy blade flared to life, slicing through the air in a wide arc. The first construct shattered under the force, but before its pieces even hit the ground, another one formed.

"They regenerate! You must be fucking th me!" Austin cursed, throwing up a wall of ice just as two constructs lunged for the flame. The frost slowed them, but cracks formed immediately.

"They'r not stopping," Isaiah growled, his shadows curling around his arms. "If we don't work together, we're going to be overwhelmed."

I knew he was right.

I took a deep breath, forcing my mind to focus. Think, Stormi.

down the constructs,

be forced back until the flame was exposed. We had to do both-attack and defend-but in a way

we

1/4

around the flame.

hesitate. Alex threw up a wall of fire, his golden flamessing high to create a protective dome. At the same time, Austin reinforced it with layers of ice,

Elijah called, slashing through another

said, his shadows surging forward to ensnare the next wave of attackers. They twisted around the constructs, holding them back just long enough for Elijah to cut

That left me.

just barely. Constructs kept appearing, adapting our tactics. They started moving smarter, dodging attacks, shifting their

No. I

Then I saw it-

in the barrier, reaching for the

Too fast. Too close.

it has gotten so easy for

before its hand could touch the flame. We hit the ground hard, but I didn't stop-I flipped to my

it disintegrated, I turned

faster-hold the line! Isaiah, use your shadows to reinforce the barriers. We can't

They obeyed without question.

across the battlefield, his blade flashing like silver lightning as he cut

shadows thickened, weaving between Alex

Austin's fire-and-ice dome, forming

the constructs kept

wave was

Then-

Twice the size of the others. More solid more dangerous it towered above everyone as my

It went for me.

to react before it slammed into me, sending me flying across

in my ribs as I crashed into the

a moment, the world

2/4

My vision blurred, but I could still see it the construct marching toward me, its arm

was going to kill

already moving to intercept- but he

growled, ignoring the pain. No. I won't be a

for my power, for the bond with

And the world sharpened.

The construct stabbed downward-

I dodged. Barely.

I twisted, biting its arm and yanking it forward. With a

chest, channeling a burst of raw energy

a second,

Then

BOOM.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255