The rogue alpha's eyes burned with a fanatical zeal as he interposed himself between Diane and Cassandra. His lips curled back in a feral snarl, baring his razor-sharp fangs as he prepared to engage Diane in combat.

"You will not lay a claw on her, princess," he growled, his voice laced with venom. "The darkness has spoken, and it has chosen Cassandra as its vessel, its harbinger in this world."

Diane felt her jaw clench, her grip tightening on her weapons as she stared down the alpha who had once been her forbidden love. "You're a fool, blinded by your own hatred and thirst for vengeance."

The alpha let out...