CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SEVEN - A Crisis Unfolds

But for every shadow they destroyed, two more seemed to take its place. The pack found themselves slowly being pushed back, the tide of darkness threatening to overwhelm them. Inside, Elara felt the strain of maintaining the remaining wards. Her magical reserves were depleting rapidly, and she knew she couldn't hold out much longer. With a pang of regret, she made a difficult decision. Reaching out with her mind, she connected with Erik. "I need to drop the outer wards," she communicated telepathically. "We need to concentrate our defenses closer to the core of the mansion. It's the only way to protect Anna." Erik's mental response was a mixture of reluctance and grim acceptance. He knew she was right, but the thought of ceding any ground to Malakar galled him. Nevertheless, he gave the order for his pack to fall back, to create a tighter defensive perimeter around the heart of their home. As Elara began the delicate process of collapsing the outer wards and reinforcing the inner o