-THIRD PERSON’S POV-Valen followed the barakian kripling into the dark Lifeless Ebonvale dimension. He hovered in the air looking for the kripling that had taken his younger sibling. His hazy vision experienced difficulties through the unusually scalding atmosphere of the dark-red misty realm with canyons of ocean-deep silty valleys.The volcanic mount spewed boiling lava in various areas, and the canyons trembled. Several ruby boulders with wavy patterns and dazzling minerals eroded into the hollow. No civilization was evident.Cough!The toxic atmosphere began to affect Valen. He placed his right index finger under his nostrils to reduce his intake of the alien air. Zuzu plunged into the abyss of the canyon to chase after the monster. The bald eagle guardian shared the vision with her master as she latched on the kripling’s worm-like smoky tail.Venus screamed incessantly, thrashing and violently fighting a futile battle. She could not connect a blow. Luckily, Valen teleported in f

-SIANNA’S POV-“Baby, why aren’t you home?”The mind-link came through and to provoke him, I ignored it.I slinked through the moonlight, pursuing the critters of the night, and enjoying the freedom that came with morphing into my silver wolf form. The woodland was strangely peaceful at this hour. With patrols tightened, a curfew on forest grounds was stipulated. Nevertheless, my wolf wanted out tonight. So as soon as Vance left to meet with Duke and Blayne, I came out for a night’s run.Whenever I shift, I am fond of the tingling sensation on my silver fur. Around me, the tree-filtered air was like a pool of liquid metal. The earth beneath my paws as I ran with agility through the cool breeze was soothing to the mind despite the troubles of the pack. It was exhilarating being in the calm of nature.For the fun of it, I tracked a set of coyote prints on the ground, wanting a good chase. Or maybe I was looking for a ferocious fight. Something to release the rage I had felt when those k

-SIANNA'S POV-"Where's Valen and Devin?" I inquired, sitting at the window gazing into the courtyard as the school bus pulled up and let off the children.It was rather strange when Theo, Thaines, Raina, and my twins arrived at the pack house without the two older ones as their mode of transportation. Earlier in the afternoon, we sent each of them a text message to come directly here after school.Usually, I was home by 3 p.m. to make dinner and cater to my kids. Vance, Duke, Blayne, Raj, Marlena, and some warriors left before dawn for Holmeva Ferney to reign terror on the werelions. Therefore, I hung out at the pack house with the ladies and we intended to have dinner together. Since we shared the same anxiety in praying that our men would return home safely.Venus and Vaheed slumped down on the couch next to me. “Hey, Mom.” They greeted in unison.The kids joined us in the living room. As mothers, we smiled joyfully at seeing our children home.Theo and Thaines kissed Cleo in sync

-VALEN'S POV-As the fighter jet climbed the sky, Dad's stealth flipped us over when he split throttle so that we landed behind the enemy. Our guns fired endlessly until his wing caught flames and he lost control.Locking on the other aircraft, Dad lined us up properly so that the next set of bullets hit the wingbox and central fuselage. The enemy craft exploded and we banked to the right to avoid the splash.My heart burned painfully in my chest. All I can do is sit and watch. The banking and roll of the craft was making me nauseous. It was the worst rollercoaster ride of my life. Now I know why Devin hated teleporting with me. As I thought about my best friend, he must feel like shit right now.My Dad's pretty awesome. I admit that seeing him in action mounted my respect for him. I fisted my hand and jabbed my elbow back with a gloating face in celebration when he took down another fighter jet.All the werelion warships near the islands were already destroyed with little chance of a

-VANCE’S POV-My razor-sharp teeth flashed through the cold smile that I sent to Assad when Raj kneed Tygart into his crotch. Tygart’s eyes went as round as saucers as he dropped his knife, protectively clutched both hands before his family jewels, and fell to his knees. He was as vulnerable as a newly hatched chick coming out of its shell.In a rapid dash, Raj picked up the weapon and slit his neck. Tygart fell on his side and clutched his blood-leaking throat as his life slipped away right before his king and brother.Assad wrestled like crazy to be freed from my grip to no avail. He was powerless and helpless. The defeat eliminated any spark in his orange eyes. “We surrender,” his voice was a hoarse croak.“It doesn’t work like that, trog.” I gritted to Assad as fury rose, burning through my veins.In the meantime, muscles bulged in Kodjo's pallid neck as he ground his teeth in frustration, refusing to relent. As the tenuous seconds ticked by, his breathing labored during the kickb