The arena’s cacophony pressed against Kari’s senses as she stood, but underneath the roar of thousands of voices, one scent cut through everything else like a blade.

  Eric.

  Her nostrils flared, amber eyes scanning the crowd as his familiar musk—dominance, blood, and something wrong, something rotting—drifted through the air. She couldn’t see him yet, but he was here. Close.

  Through going dry and gut-twisting, she breathed deeply, attempting to calm the nervous jitters running from her ears to the tip of her bristling tail.

  Focus, Kari. You came here for this… This is for Tiri.

  Eyes closing, her ears stilled. Toes flexing, she let her brother’s scent move through her like a physical force, the trauma quivering in her bones. Her bare feet pawed the grass, the cool breeze passing through her hair as she allowed all the motivation videos, songs, and empty promises to surface.

  Her fingers twitched, recalling the feel of the janitor’s closet’s plastic bottles in middle school when she’d hide and cry. Eric’s disgusted and heated words burned her ears about how pathetic she was, how powerless she was. Her thoughts at that time were playing through her quaking frame.

  How the hell did it end up like this? Why am I trapped here in this horror story? Someday, somehow, I’m going to make it right…but not right now. When? When can it go back to normal? Why did you let this happen, Mom? How did Eric become like this? It hurts…

  Vision opening, she could feel that thirteen-year-old girl crying for relief, and the store that unfolded from that moment Lori had opened the door and sat with her. Amidst the excited throng and stamping feet, the world faded, returning her to that moment, the words written on her heart dredging up the blood she’d spilt.

  I couldn’t tell Jenny how I felt… Only you. When this began, I had nothing to say to you, Lori… You were the first person to notice me. I’d get lost in the nothingness inside of me… Confused. Angry… And you showed me I wasn’t the only person with these things in my mind.

  A tear fell down her cheek, fingers closing into a fist as she ran through those early years, and how she’d clawed for any place where she’d belonged. Then, Jenny came into the picture.

  You deserved so much better than me and what I brought into your life. I was stuck, hollow, and alone…but you made me feel like I belonged somewhere. But nothing was like how I imagined it in my mind… How you looked at me in the end. And I had nothing to say… I won’t let that happen to Sora or Tiri.

  Eyes hardening, she looked up, nose creasing as Eric launched onto the stage. Casual, domineering, greeting Jin as if he were the incarnation of power itself.

  When I played Wolf Pack in school, everything was what I wanted it to be. I can pretend I’m exactly what you want me to be, so you don’t hurt me. Yes, I am a little insecure, a little unconfident. I can’t feel the way I did before. I won’t be ignored… You’re going to listen to me, like it or not; right now, I’m taking back my life.

  Tail stilled, she took one step, and then another, calmly moving toward the steps to rise onto the stage. Heart filled with pain, head full of stress, and a handful of anger, held in her chest, waiting to be released.

  She spotted Sora emerge from the crowd to meet her on the stairs, copper hair catching the light as she stood near the main platform with Wendy. The fox’s green eyes were bright with worry, scanning the crowd with that protective intensity Kari had come to recognize as genuine.

  Dammit, Sora… You can’t help but care for me, can you? But this is one whirlwind you can’t fix; I have to stand on my own.

  The crowd exploded into deafening cheers at Eric’s abrupt appearance—a new challenger—and Kari’s heart steeled as the familiar voice carried over the noise.

  “Well, well, it’s nice having real Founders nearby. What a respectable show you’re putting on, Jin! Love the smell of blood. Really sets the mood. And looking good, as always.”

  Oh, shut up!

  With only a single glance at Sora, feeling as if she were standing on the edge of a dam that was about to break, Kari moved up the platform without a hint of hesitation. It almost felt like she was in a dream, yet her senses were sharp.

  “Kari… Wendy.”

  “I know. Go on…”

  Sora bounced up after her, holding her elbow but looking determined to stand beside her.

  Eric stood at the center of the platform, casually brushing dust from his shoulders with the relaxed confidence of someone who owned every space he entered. Even at this distance, his presence pressed against her senses like a weight: tall, imposing, radiating that natural alpha dominance that made everyone unconsciously defer to him.

  His gaze shifted to their adopted brother on the platform, and a genuine grin spread across his face, one he never gave her.

  “And there’s my little brother, finally showing some real fire. Sora’s really bringing it out in you. I felt those flames from across campus, Bro. That’s some serious heat you’re putting out now.”

  Kari's claws extended reflexively as Eric continued his casual assessment of the platform’s occupants. His voice carried that same patronizing warmth he’d always used with their adopted brother—genuine affection wrapped in casual dominance.

  “Interesting company you’re keeping,” Eric noted, his predatory gaze settling on Oberon’s adopted son. “He almost smells…like a Founder. Definitely artificial. The fae on him smells right. I’m thinking…The Mórrígan? Ah! Knew it. Fascinating work. I wonder what he tastes like. Maybe I’ll get a sample later.”

  His attention returned to Aiden, pride warming his voice. “But seriously, Bro—I’m impressed. You’ve been holding back on me for years, haven’t you?”

  Kari's human form blurred as she leaped high to land in a triangle pattern between the groups, muscles coiling and radiating her fenris kinetic force. The platform rushed up to meet her, concrete cracking beneath her feet as she landed in a controlled crouch.

  “Kari! Ugh…”

  The arena fell silent as Sora hastily darted forward to stand beside her again.

  “Pretty confident entrance, Eric…when Jin beat your face in the last time you met.”

  “Pfft!” The dragon’s toothy grin lifted. “I mean, she’s not wrong.”

  Eric turned slowly, that familiar arrogant smile spreading across his face as he took her in. His amber eyes—so like her own—gleamed with something that might have been pride.

  “Well, well, well,” he drawled. “Sora’s been rubbing off on you, sis. Diane said you were the one who requested I join this bloodbath.” He licked his lips and cast his gaze across the stands. “Please, tell me you’ve actually killed someone. Plenty of options…”

  Before he could say more, Sora finally caught up, her shiny hair perfectly settling around her face. “Why do you have to be so crude?”

  Sora… Why are you picking a fight? He sees you as a little puppy to coddle…

  Eric’s laugh was rich and amused. “Sora! The little fox who started all this chaos. You know, you bring up a good point, little sis. That amphitheater drama was exhilarating. In fact, I’d like a rematch with our friendly dragon…without all the power amping you’re doing with that energy below the stage. I was right to leave you in the vulpes’ hands.”

  Leave me? Sora basically said she’d get her mother to erase you if you didn’t let go of me… Can you ever admit defeat? No, I suppose that’s what makes you so damn powerful…if delusional.

  “Guilty!” Jin chimed with an innocent chuckle, though her eyes creased with danger. “Yet, as I recall, you were the one amped up on Firebird juice last time.”

  Eric turned to the audience, teeth gleaming as he threw open his arms. “History repeating itself. That show I put together in Miami. Same energy, same…family drama playing out for an audience.” His gaze swept over the floating platforms filled with stunned spectators, eating up his words. “Though I must say, Jin’s production values are far superior to mine… The advantage of good breeding.”

  A sharp sound—like breaking glass—cut through the air as Jin’s laughter rang out, hot wind erupting around them. The small Korean girl doubled over, yet the pulsing energy in her voice held a bitter note.

  “Oh, you have no idea, Eric,” she breathed. “You…have no idea. But, as much as embarrassing you again would brighten my day… I’m afraid this is where I take my leave. I have more important matters to attend to, which, I know—what could be more important than you?”

  Her golden eyes swept over the assembled group upon taking to the air. “Elder Caelia, as we discussed, you’re in charge now. Try not to let anyone die, which…might be challenging with him here.”

  The dryad in question made a strangled sound, her bark-like skin paling to an unhealthy gray. “But Founder Jin, this was not what I—”

  “Life is tough, Elder,” Jin interrupted, already beginning to fade while turning her gaze to Aiden and Aelion. “Consider it a promotion. Or a punishment. I haven’t decided which yet. You better get going, boys. And, Sora… I look forward to your turn. It’s been a long time coming.”

  “What? Jin, what are you planning?!”

  She vanished with Sora’s cry, leaving behind only the lingering scent of ozone and magic.

  Elder Caelia stood frozen, staring at the spot where Jin had been, her root-like fingers digging unconsciously into the platform. Around her: Eric. Aelion and Aiden. Sora and her.

  Kari’s tail twitched to the left, her narrowed gaze darting to the fae boy as he moved toward the edge of the stage. Is all the drama done… No, who am I kidding?

  “She’s right. We should go,” he said quietly, though his voice carried in the sudden stillness. “I need to confirm what Jin told us. The seven doors—”

  “Wait.” Sora’s sharp voice cracked like a whip, her green eyes blazing as she turned to face the two boys, Eric willingly lingering in the background and observing with a patient grin. “Before anyone goes anywhere, I want answers. About what Jin exposed. About what you’ve been doing.”

  Aelion’s composed facade flickered in her confrontational posture and stare. “I don't know what you—”

  The diversion did help to ground Kari. Despite having to do this herself, she really wasn’t alone, and she wasn’t the only one who had problems.

  “The hair,” Sora snarled, her vulpes nature bleeding through her human form. “My hair. You’ve been stealing pieces of me, using my essence like some kind of magical battery while pretending to be friendly. You violated me.”

  Kari’s left eye creased; it felt a tad hyperbolic to her, but magic wasn’t really her bread and butter, so maybe it wasn’t that overblown. In junior high, there had been one boy who had collected her hair, and her gang swiftly shamed him into moving away.

  The scent of Sora’s hurt and uncertainty hit Kari’s nose with force—sharp, bitter, layered with betrayal and confusion. Her instincts screamed at her to comfort, to protect, but Eric stood right there, eyes tracking every emotion that crossed Sora’s face.

  If I show weakness, he may try to bring her into the conflict to force my hand… He wants to engage on his terms. I can’t give him that power.

  Despite that, Eric’s laugh grated against her nerves, rich with amusement. “Oh, that’s deliciously stupid, boy. The artificial prince has been harvesting genetic material from a Founder? You do realize that has gotten entire omniverses erased before? How bold. Maybe calculated, since her mother has sealed herself in a weak mortal form.”

  Shut up. Just shut up. Everything has to be about your ego!

  Kari stepped forward, the scent of Sora's distress making her jaw clench. “Now really isn’t the time for your commentary, Eric. I’m right here. Just wait your turn.”

  “On the contrary, little sister,” Eric purred. “This is exactly the kind of mess I live for. I am loving this annoyed little sister routine. It reminds me of Tiri’s fights with me… But this family drama, romantic betrayal, ancient conspiracies—it’s like Christmas morning.”

  “You bastard, bringing up Tiri,” she hissed.

  No, calm down! He’s baiting you, idiot… He knows Tiri is alive. I know he does! That just…pisses me off that he’d say that, keeping this a secret.

  Aelion rubbed his mouth and cast his gaze around the expectant audience, stress beginning to show through. “Sora, this is…not how I intended for you to learn about it. My goal is to help everyone, not cause harm. I was conducting research—”

  “Research,” Sora cut in, the word dripping with disgust. “That’s what you call violating someone’s body and using my feelings to get close to me—pretending to care?”

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I’m not trying to harm you,” Aelion repeated desperately. “I needed to understand what made you different from me, what rendered you unique as a Founder. My own nature—no, we don’t have time for this,” Aelion growled, cutting himself off.

  “Sora, look, I’m sorry,” he stated, sounding truly genuine now while looking toward Aiden, who actually looked conflicted. “I will speak with you about this personally when this is over. Right now, Jin has given us something that could be vital—”

  “Oh, well, that’s convenient for you,” Eric laughed, gaze drifting to Aiden. “Wouldn’t you say so, little brother?”

  Sora threw up her hands in the air. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing with the psychopath! But yeah, that’s convenient for you! Why does everyone keep telling me they’ll explain things later, like that’s an excuse?”

  Aiden stepped forward, rainbow flames flickering around his fingers. “Sora…I know you don’t want to hear this—I don’t want to say this—but…Jin did put us onto something big. It’s not an excuse. Jin planned this—”

  Aiden’s…taking his side? So what’s up with Oberon telling me I’m the one who’s supposed to take his side in the end? Aiden seems to be doing that himself.

  Kari’s ears flicked up, vision darting to the firebird, and even Eric looked somewhat shocked, whistling at his balls.

  Sora’s tail lowered, seeming to shrink a little. “So, you’re just blaming all of this on Jin. You’re taking his side?”

  “No.” Kari watched in disbelief as Aiden positioned himself beside Aelion, his usually warm expression tight with conflict. “I’m not taking his side, Sora. Remember, I’m the one who confronted him with Jin… I hate this, but there is something bigger. You can slap me black and purple later… Whatever tongue-lashing or punishment. I’ll be there, to take it, and help you deliver it against him… I think this is for Sela, as well.”

  “Great,” Kari snarled, stepping closer to Sora’s side and brushing tails to know she wasn’t alone, just as she’d come up those steps to show she wasn’t alone. “All those secrets Eric and everyone kept from me certainly turned out okay, right? Go do your boy’s club thing, but don’t expect her to forgive you.”

  Aiden flinched as if she’d struck him. “Kari, I get that. I get how this looks. And I hate how things are turning out. All I can ask is for you to trust me. When have I ever tried to do anything that hurt you two?”

  “Trust…” Sora whispered, the word barely audible. “I…suppose you really have saved me in the past, so… I don’t buy his story. But I’ll trust you,” she finished, causing Kari’s own heart to tighten and wonder if the vulpes was being too forgiving, as usual.

  “Thank you.”

  Eric’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Man, you know how to talk. Always trying to be the middleman, aren’t you, Aiden? Some things never change.”

  And there it is; Eric dismissing everyone and everything to draw attention back to him.

  Aiden’s jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he met Kari’s gaze, something like an apology in his rainbow eyes. “I’m sorry for flaking out,” he said quietly. “For all of this. But…even though I want to stay, I want to finish this…I feel I can’t… Sorry.”

  He vanished in a flash of colorful flames, taking Aelion with them.

  The platform felt suddenly empty without their presence. Elder Caelia made another strangled sound, her bark continuing to pale as she realized she was now responsible for managing whatever was about to unfold.

  “Apparently…I win,” the dryad stated with a strained laugh, “and will be rewarded…by hosting this chaotic mess.”

  “Congratulations, teach,” Eric chortled conversationally, his attention shifting back to Sora and Kari. “Quite the match. Dramatic. Just how I like it. Though I must say, the artificial prince has terrible timing, and how could you pine after that thing over my stud of a little brother?”

  Kari wanted to bite his throat out. The most aggravating part was…she grudgingly agreed with her brother for perhaps once in her life.

  Sora’s hands clenched into fists, her hurt and anger warring with each other. Kari could smell the conflict rolling off her in waves—the desire to chase after answers battling with her need to focus on the crisis unfolding here and to support her.

  How can she put that aside…for me? Dammit. You always win.

  “Sora—” Kari started.

  “Later,” Sora firmly stated, though her voice shook slightly while looking right at Eric. “We’ll deal with…with that later. Right now—” She turned to face Eric, green eyes blazing. “Where’s Diane? Don’t think I don’t know she’s plotting something. She was supposed to bring you here. Where is she?”

  Eric glanced back toward the crowd with casual indifference. “What kind of pivot is that? Where the hell is your brain? I’ve got no clue. Why should I keep an eye on trash? Vanished into the masses the moment we arrived, probably. Not my problem.”

  “Of course it’s not your problem,” Kari snorted. “Nothing’s ever your problem unless it serves your interests.”

  “See, sis, you know me,” Eric laughed. “Why should I care about anything other than you. There’s this new…scent on you. You smell…different, Kari. New body wash? Shampoo? No, you’ve been somewhere interesting.”

  The casual tone sent ice down Kari’s spine, remembering that, despite his arrogance, he truly did soak in everything their mother taught them. She watched his nostrils flare delicately, that same hunting expression she’d seen him use on prey a dozen times larger than himself inside their mother’s realm.

  “Somewhere forbidden, I’d wager, with how ominous this feels,” he continued, Sora closing in tighter toward her as he began circling them now with slow, measured steps. “Somewhere that reeks of dimensional scars? No, a soul’s impression in space-time, linked to fae Founder magic? Shadow and something…oddly familiar."

  He can actually smell the Shadow Pits? Then…he’ll know. Perfect, she thought, watching him gradually pick it apart as if he were the one setting a trap.

  “You’ve been a busy girl, haven’t you?” Eric’s voice dropped to that dangerous whisper that had haunted her nightmares. “This shouldn’t be something you look into in your current state, little sister… It’s dangerous, even for you.”

  “Sora,” Kari whispered, looking down at the tight-mouthed vulpes as her tail lit with foxfire and the Elder looked like she was about to intervene, “this isn’t your fight… You’ve done plenty for me already.”

  The vulpes opened her mouth and then paused, eyes going wider as her meaning registered: thank you for standing by my side all this time, even when you had every reason not to. I can take it from here.

  Smile brightening the girl’s face, she nodded, determination setting in her gaze. “I’ll be cheering you on… Give him hell.”

  With that, she stuck her tongue out at Eric and walked off the arena floor, leaving her with the Elder…and Eric.

  “So,” the Elder broke into the ensuing silence, even the crowd on the edges of their seats, “I suppose this is one of the main events… Begin when ready?” she stated, scattering into flower petals and likely being relieved to be off the field finally.

  His eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, she saw something flicker behind the predatory mask. Recognition. And beneath that, something that might have been fear.

  “This change in your spirit, and that bite I see in your eyes…” For the first time in a long time, she saw his demeanor turn utterly serious. No more games. “You…found Tiri, didn’t you? Where?”

  Kari met his gaze without flinching, feeling the weight of every revelation, every truth she’d discovered in her night of meditation vindicated.

  He did know she was alive.

  “Everything. I found everything that matters, Eric.”

  His casual facade cracked, glowing eyes going cold. Around them, the arena held its breath.

  “Did you now? Everything important, huh?” His voice carried across the platform as he rolled around his neck and forced a laugh. “I highly doubt that. No, I guarantee you don’t have a sliver of what you would consider ‘most important.’ But go on. I’ll indulge you. What exactly do you think you know?”

  “No? You don’t think the most important thing is our little sister?” Kari spat, each word laced with murder. “Three years—three years, Eric, you led me to believe she was dead! You forced Jenny to become my friend to spy on me while you did what, build your empire… Played king? When Tiri was out there struggling to survive—alone?! She was eight, Eric! Who knows how old she is now!”

  “Hah… Hahaha!” Eric rolled around his jaw before running his hand over his face, body shaking with what she recognized as barely contained rage. Yet, he didn’t just pounce on her like he usually did; instead, he looked at her with an intensity that dwarfed anything he’d shown in years past. “Played king? Is that what I was doing, little sis? That’s what you think… You have no idea how much I’ve sacrificed for our family, you spoiled little brat!” he roared, magical wards warping beneath him as kinetic pressure fractured the stadium base.

  “Spoiled?” Kari shouted back, waves of her own kinetic force rippling outward to counter his spirit-laced pressure as her own eyes illuminated. “You trapped me in a prison and told your half-sister to turn me into a murderer…who tortured the only friends I had into hating me!”

  “You can’t be friends with livestock or pets, Kari!” Eric fired back, frustration seething beneath his flexing muscles as he shouted in rage and punched a hole through the stadium wards, into the stone, and ejected a large chunk into the stunned crowd; it vanished, teleported away before it struck. “I’ve done everything to try and help you see who we truly are—to be there for you with mom gone!”

  “Tell me where Tiri is, Kari!” Eric demanded, his voice dropping to that dangerous whisper now as he took a long, calming breath. “What did you find? Where is she?”

  Kari smiled, feeling a fierce satisfaction at his desperation and emotional breakdown; for once, she had him trapped. “You want to know? Beat it out of me. That’s how you like to do things, isn’t it? Be the alpha.”

  Eric’s form blurred forward with fenris speed, stopping inches from her face, yet she didn’t flinch, and he didn’t strike, which was perhaps even more shocking.

  “This isn’t the time for your tantrums! You said it. Tiri is out there. You can’t do anything, or else you’d be out there right now getting her. No, instead you call me out here to try to what…get some kind of win? While I kept us safe? While I made sure we had a place to survive, and you played school?”

  Kari didn’t budge. “I played school because you played puppet master with my life!”

  “I wouldn’t have to if you weren’t so weak!” Eric shouted back, leering down at her from his foot-taller position. “Pathetic—gragh! Where. Is. Tiri.”

  The words came out as a growl, her human form flickering as fenris power leaked through. Not from fear this time. From fury.

  “Bite me.”

  Eric’s eyes widened, finally recognizing what he faced. Not the broken girl he’d shaped. Something new. Visibly shaking, whole body turning red with anger, he balled his fists and Kari prepared to transform. Yet, instead, his voice lowered, nose twitching with levels of agitation she’d never seen.

  “Okay,” he whispered, showing more restraint than Kari thought possible in her older brother. “You want the truth? Fine. Let’s talk about our dear mother. About how she died protecting us from our uncle Hati when he came to claim our realm. Oh, you already know that part by that reaction…”

  “He went after Tiri,” Kari returned, vision narrowing as his chest met his with how close they were, feeling the kinetic strain in his muscles, neck veins bulging. “He was just about to swallow her when Mom intervened…”

  “Great. You know the Cliff Notes. Did you know she killed herself?” Eric continued, watching her reaction. “You didn’t, because for years you blamed me for killing and eating Mom, which is…just perfect thirteen-year-old girl logic.”

  That got her ears to fold back and tail bristle, but she didn’t retreat.

  And he read that like a book.

  “Oh, so you finally see how idiotic that is? Yes, the twenty-year-old half-fenris wolf cub killed and ate his millions of years old, 2nd Generation Founder mother. Stupid.”

  “Traumatized,” Kari shot back. “In shock. And you let me believe that to instill fear in me so that you could control me! I’m not afraid of you anymore, and that scares you.”

  “Scares me?” Eric laughed. “It’s what I’ve been pushing this whole time!” he shouted. “When Mom destroyed her own soul to get us past those damn barriers your precious vulpes ‘friend’s’ grandmother erected around her territory, who do you think had to ferry her across.”

  “What?” Kari mumbled, gut tightening. “She told you…”

  “Finally getting it, are you?” he asked with exasperation while jabbing two fingers against his own skull. “Think for once in your life instead of being spoon-fed everything—spoiled by Mom by letting you do whatever you wanted! She had me consume what was left of her essence to complete the journey.”

  Kari’s knees nearly buckled as he confirmed it. “You’ve been…carrying her? You never told me that she’s still alive! How could you keep these things from me?!”

  “Because you’re weak! Someone had to carry the burden when you fell into pieces, and Aiden was clinging onto me for dear life,” Eric snarled. “But my Germanic werewolf blood isn’t exactly compatible with pure fenris essence, like yours. It’s slowly killing me, Kari. We all have different fathers—mine was a pathetic creature who betrayed our mother for bobbles. I killed him for it.”

  It hit Kari that that was why he was always so obsessed with strength; he had to push to be stronger as their mother’s essence eroded his soul.

  “You want to know why I never told you about Tiri? I’ve only told you a thousand times already.” Eric’s voice dropped. “Because you were barely holding together in your perfect little ‘prison’ as you called it. Because knowing she was out there would have destroyed what little stability you had left. Because knowing we might not even be able to save Mom’s soul would crush you…because you’re weak.”

  “That wasn’t your choice to make!” The words exploded out of her. “You don’t know how I would have responded because you have never seen me for who I am…only the power I should have—that you should have—and the disappointing image that creates. I’m not you, Eric!”

  “Of course you’re not me, Kari? Hah! If you were, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Every time I tried to make you stronger, so you could handle the truth, you just kept breaking,” Eric continued, backing away to circle her now, hands trembling like they wanted to rip someone limb from limb. “You can’t stop disappointing Mom.”

  “I never disappointed Mom! That’s pure projection, you bastard! You think Mom would be proud of you? No. Every time I started to build confidence, you had Jenny tear it down by making me doubt myself,” Kari roared, power making the arena’s barriers flicker. “Fenris power isn’t built on dominance! It’s built on believing in yourself! You were my biggest weakness, Eric—the voice telling me I’d never be good enough.”

  Eric’s mask cracked, showing the frightened boy beneath. “That’s… You can’t—Kari!” Teeth clenched, fur sprouting, and voice barely controlled, he snarled, “I’m dying, Kari. Every day, her soul burns through me… Maybe you’re right. Mom expected more of me—of us! I don’t…have much time left to save her. Yet your bff fox friend’s mother could fix everything with a twitch of her nose. She chooses not to save our mother.”

  “And I’m going to confront her about that,” Kari quietly returned, emotions starting to simmer from the emotional outburst. “But you don’t get to bring Sora into this… She has been the only person who helped me through everything my family put me through. I won’t use her or leverage her…because I know I don’t need to.” Kari mumbled, glancing at the stadium’s ring-side, where her copper-haired friend sat, red-nosed and sniffling. “Power isn’t everything, Eric.”

  Eric barely glanced at her. “You’re wrong… If it weren’t, Mia would have raised our mother and fixed me, but that upsets her little family. Ylva, Mom, Mia—all of them play this power game as everyone else is left to suffer because we’re weak…but family matters, Kari. Our family matters.”

  “And that…is why you are weak, Eric,” Kari finally realized, clarity finally coming to her as she recalled their early life, her brother being taught not only by their mother, but by his father—Germanic werewolf culture. “Mary was right. I didn’t believe her psychology BS at first, but…she was right.”

  “About what?” Eric groaned, rubbing his head as if experiencing a migraine. “That human science that might as well be fortune-telling?”

  “No… That you learned all the wrong lessons. You’re fundamentally broken yourself. It’s not about sides…it’s about methods. You think relationships are about power and control… Sora taught me, they’re not. They’re about sacrifice and love.”

  The silence stretched heavy between them, Eric looking as if his brain had malfunctioned.

  Finally, her brother straightened, his alpha mask sliding back into place. “Fine. No more empty words. You want to prove you’re strong enough to find Tiri? Strong enough to save our mother? Show me.”

  His transformation exploded outward into the massive brown wolf that had haunted her nightmares for three years.

  But Kari wasn’t afraid anymore.

  She took on her fenris form.

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  + All my commissioned artwork is up for free on my Patreon!

  Current Books on Amazon and Audible:

  Series Books

  The Oscillation

  Book 1 - Chaos

  A Tail's Misfortune

  Book 1 - Transformation

  Book 1 Audible - Transformation

  Undying Empire

  Book 1 - Foundation

  Novellas (Stand Alone; Same Universe)