My heart’s an endless war.

Oath moved swiftly through the darkness, his eyes fixed on the distant figures illuminated by the pale glow of the moon. His heart pounded in his chest as he crept closer, watching the two transporters and the smaller wolf they dragged between them. The sight of his brother, Abaddon, collapsed in the sand, his body limp and broken, sent a surge of fury through Oath’s veins.

His hawks had circled back, reporting what he had already feared: Abaddon was too weak to continue. The sound of the transporters’ cruel laughter, the vile commands they barked at his brother, echoed in Oath’s ears, tightening the knot of rage deep inside him. He could hear the ragged, desperate breaths from Abaddon, the ropes that bound him cutting into his skin. Oath’s teeth clenched.

There was no time to waste.

With a sharp whistle, Oath signaled his hawks to strike. The birds swooped down from above, their talons raking through the air as they attacked the transporters, diving at their eyes and wings beating furiously. The sudden onslaught caused chaos, forcing the wolves to flinch and stumble back, distracted by the vicious birds.

Oath sprang into action, moving like a shadow through the sand, his eyes locked on the wolf who had called his brother a whore. Without hesitation, he leapt, his powerful body colliding with the larger wolf, sending him crashing to the ground. Oath wasted no time, teeth bared as he sank them deep into the wolf’s shoulder, his growl low and lethal.

The transporter howled in pain, trying to wrench himself free, but Oath only tightened his grip. “You think you can break him?” Oath snarled, his voice filled with venom. He shoved the wolf away, watching him scramble in the sand before turning to the other.

That one hesitated, eyes wide in fear. Oath took a step forward, his crimson eyes glowing with deadly intent. “You’ll regret ever touching him.”

The wolf backed away, unsure whether to fight or flee, but before he could decide, Oath lunged again, tackling him to the ground. This time, his strike was swift - one sharp bite to the neck, and the transporter lay still, his breath stolen away by the darkness.

Breathing hard, Oath rose to his paws and turned to Abaddon, chest heaving. Oath rushed to his side, tearing the ropes from his muzzle with his teeth, his heart aching at the sight of Abaddon’s frail body.

“Abaddon,” Oath whispered, his voice softer now, “I’m here. You’re safe.”