Elena’s POV
The mont we reached the second floor, the cacophony from those monstrous beings trying to breach our packhouse beca deafening. My heart hamred against my ribs as we sprinted toward the living room, where Marcus and Damien were frantically securing every window with whatever furniture they could find.
My blood turned cold when I spotted Skye on the staircase, clutching Caleb against her chest. The terror in her eyes mirrored my own fears.
"Take the children to my mother’s room imdiately. Pull the blinds shut and don’t co out," I commanded, my voice cutting through the chaos. Skye nodded and disappeared up the stairs, Caleb’s small face buried in her shoulder.
I bolted toward the dining room, my hands shaking as I swept everything off the massive oak table. The crash of dishes hitting the floor echoed through the house, but I barely registered the sound. Grabbing one end of the table, I threw my entire weight behind it, shoving it against the window until it ford a solid barrier.
Julian appeared beside , and together we raced from room to room, transforming our ho into a fortress. Every piece of furniture beca a weapon against the nightmare outside.
When we finally made it back to the living room, Damien imdiately rushed to my side, his hands frantically checking for injuries. The concern burning in his dark eyes made my chest tighten.
"What the hell is driving them to attack us now? They’ve never shown aggression toward our pack before," Marcus shouted over the thunderous scratching and snarling from outside.
"Because they’ve sensed Elena," Julian replied grimly. "She’s their target. Rember how that creature in the basent beca docile when she approached? They’re drawn to her specifically."
Marcus’s face went pale. "Jesus Christ. I should have realized that connection."
"Your observation skills have always been questionable," I shot back, sarcasm dripping from every word despite our dire circumstances.
"We need to get you away from here," Damien said urgently, his grip tightening on my shoulders.
"And exactly how do you propose we accomplish that miracle? Those monsters have us completely surrounded," I replied, gesturing toward the barricaded windows.
"I’ve already contacted my warriors. They’re en route as we speak," Marcus announced.
But sothing made raise my hand for silence. I strained my ears, focusing on the sounds penetrating our makeshift defenses. The scratching and clawing weren’t coming from ground level anymore.
"They’re scaling the exterior walls," I breathed, ice flooding my veins.
"What are you talking about?" Marcus demanded.
"Upstairs. Now." I was already moving, taking the steps two at a ti.
We scattered through the upper floors like a military unit, shoving furniture against every window we could find. By the ti we reached the third floor where my mother lay bedridden, my lungs were burning from exertion.
I burst into her room to find Briar’s terrified screams piercing the air while Caleb cowered in the far corner, his small body trembling. Skye had gathered both children against her, trying desperately to soothe Briar while keeping Caleb close.
The raw fear on their faces nearly brought to my knees, but I forced myself to remain strong. Damien imdiately began fortifying the window while I knelt beside the children.
"Look at ," I whispered, pressing gentle kisses to both their foreheads. "You’re going to be perfectly safe. I promise nothing will hurt you while I’m here."
"Elena." My mother’s voice was barely audible from her bed, weak and strained.
"Everything’s under control, Mom. No one in this house will be hard. Not on my watch," I assured her, though my voice wavered slightly.
"You must be extrely careful, sweetheart. Those creatures are far more dangerous than you realize," she warned.
"I understand the threat they pose," I replied.
"They’re hunting you specifically," she continued, her eyes filled with ancient worry.
"I’m aware of that. But how could you possibly know?" The question escaped before I could stop it.
"This isn’t their first attempt. When you were rely an infant, they ca for you then too. Your father fought them off and saved your life. They made several other attempts throughout your childhood, but we always managed to protect you."
My world tilted on its axis. "Why ? What makes so special to them?"
"I never discovered their true motivation, darling. But I know in my heart that you will. You have to uncover the truth."
The sound of splintering wood from below made us all freeze. The warriors had finally arrived, and the battle cries echoing from outside told us the real fight had begun.
We thundered back down the stairs to find a gaping hole torn through our front door. A skeletal gray arm, ending in razor-sharp claws, thrust through the opening, desperately trying to clear away our barricades.
Without hesitation, I grabbed the iron poker from beside the fireplace and charged forward. I drove the pointed end straight through the creature’s arm, pinning it to the door fra. The thing let out an inhuman shriek that made my bones ache.
A savage growl erupted from outside before the creature was violently yanked away. I watched in fascination as its flesh tore around the embedded poker, leaving dark blood streaking down our door as one of our wolves dragged the monster away from our ho.
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