The golden eyes stared up at them from the darkness.
Mason instinctively stepped in front of Zack.
Mason: "Stay behind me."
Zack: "Mason, whatever that thing is, I don't think—"
The creature slowly climbed from the broken floor.
It wasn't a monster.
It was a wolf.
But it was enormous.
Its fur was almost completely black, with streaks of silver running along its back. Ancient scars covered its face, and its golden eyes seemed to glow from within.
Zack whispered:
Zack: "The First Wolf..."
The creature lowered its head.
First Wolf: "You know my name."
Zack shook his head.
Zack: "I've heard stories."
The First Wolf looked toward Mason.
First Wolf: "And yet you know nothing."
Mason's wolf stirred violently inside him.
Bow.
Mason clenched his fists.
Mason: "I'm not bowing to anyone."
The First Wolf's ears lifted.
Then, surprisingly, it laughed.
First Wolf: "Good."
Mason blinked.
First Wolf: "A wolf who refuses to kneel is exactly what I was waiting for."
Zack looked confused.
Zack: "Why were you waiting for us?"
The First Wolf turned toward him.
First Wolf: "Because your families made a promise."
Zack: "The pact."
First Wolf: "Yes."
Mason stepped forward.
Mason: "And the bond?"
The First Wolf's eyes narrowed.
First Wolf: "The bond was never meant to control either of you."
Mason glanced at Zack.
First Wolf: "It was meant to bring you together when the world began to change."
Zack: "Change how?"
The First Wolf suddenly looked toward the ceiling.
First Wolf: "Darius has already awakened the others."
Mason: "Others?"
First Wolf: "Ancient bloodlines. Wolves who were sealed away generations ago."
Zack's face went pale.
Zack: "How many?"
The First Wolf was silent.
Then—
BOOM!
The underground room shook.
A distant voice echoed from above.
Darius: "I KNOW YOU'RE DOWN THERE!"
Mason looked toward the staircase.
Mason: "He's here."
The First Wolf stepped toward them.
First Wolf: "Then your choice must be made."
Mason: "What choice?"
The First Wolf looked directly into his eyes.
First Wolf: "Run and spend your lives hiding..."
Then it looked at Zack.
First Wolf: "...or accept what you are."
Zack stared at Mason.
Mason stared back.
For ten years, Zack had run.
For ten years, Mason had searched for answers.
Now they finally stood in front of the truth.
Zack quietly reached for one of the silver necklaces.
Zack: "Whatever happens..."
Mason took the other necklace.
Mason: "...we face it together."
The moment they put the necklaces on, the stones began to glow.
A powerful wave of energy erupted through the room.
The First Wolf stepped backward.
For the first time, its expression showed surprise.
First Wolf: "Impossible..."
Mason's eyes flashed silver.
Zack's eyes flashed gold.
Their wolves spoke at exactly the same time.
"We remember."
The staircase above them exploded.
Darius appeared through the smoke.
Darius: "NO!"
Mason turned toward him.
Zack stood beside him.
And for the first time...
They weren't afraid.
Mason: "You wanted the bond?"
He smiled.
Mason: "Come take it."
Darius charged.
And the battle for the ancient wolf bloodline began.