He emerged from the shadows as a jarring sound tore through his subconscious. Rylan's eyes popped open. The noises were then detected. The sound of wolves growling. The crunch of bone was sickening. The splatter of blood hitting the ground wet. A terrible fight.When his vision cleared he saw something that made his stomach turn. Wolves engaged in vicious combat, their claws tearing through fur and their fangs digging into flesh.His tongue was coated like iron by the overpowering smell of blood.He saw her there in the midst of the chaos. Ravena. Her wolf form moved like liquid death as she battled like a demon, tearing through opponents with terrifying ease. The few who dared to resist were overwhelmed as her warriors charged ahead and pushed through the ranks. Nightfang was losing. Rylan's frustration was brewing as he clenched his jaw. He had wasted time. Not anymore.He sent a frantic mind link reaching through the haze of his mind. Tristan. Find me by following my s
She was awakened by pain before her eyes. The dull throb swept through her skull like wildfire pounding behind her eyes. Slowly and heavily Selene's eyelids fluttered. When she finally opened her eyes the world swam around her and she could not identify the places on her body that hurt. She gasped. Her arms were bound to a thick wooden pole and painfully twisted behind her. She tugged at the bindings as panic flared in her chest but they held tight and felt rough against her skin.Where is she? Her memories were a haze with shadows and images darting through her head.Then she remembered what happened.The wind. The portal. Elder Vulcan. Ethan. She clenched her heart. Fear gripped her like a vice and she wondered if Ethan was still alive. Twisting and struggling, she attempted to move once more but the ropes only made their way deeper into her flesh. She heard voices.There was the crunch of footsteps on the ground. People started to emerge from the pack ground corners. Man
His beta, Sab questioned cautiously, eyes darting through the foggy woods. “ Are you sure this is the right place?” He held his hand close to his blade. It doesn't feel right. Kieran took a moment to respond. Something darker shone beneath the gleam of frustration in his emerald green eyes. Anxiety. “I was instructed to come here,” he finally said in a firm voice. Sab scowled. “You can't trust Elder Vulcan. Nobody is more aware of that than you are.”Kieran halted his pacing and looked at his beta. He gave me his word. He said he would release my mother if I did my part. That's the only reason I'm here.” Sab did not seem persuaded. “It has been hours of waiting.” “I understand,” Kieran yelled. Tension broke in his voice. Something moved in the shadows and they stiffened, regaining themselves.Both men immediately whirled around their instincts as swords were drawn out. “Easy boys,” a smug-sounding voice said. Like a ghost, Elder Vulcan emerged from the shadows, his robe rust
The night air blew by.It wasn't just the wind it was the death, the grief and the pain. That hung in the air.As silence descended upon the land the moon gazed down like a chilly watchful eye.Ravena lay shattered in a cage that had been forgotten far away from the sound of campfires and pack wolves laughter.The weight of time made the old cottage groan. Like the veins of a dying body, cracks ran along the stone walls. Something once powerful was trapped by the sturdy door made of rusted iron bars. Ravena. once dreaded. Once strong, writhed in pain. Just a shadow of herself now.Thick cold chains were buried in her neck and limbs as her wolf form lay curled on the wet floor. She was breathing weakly in shaky whispers. The ground beneath her was covered in blood which smelled bad and was blackened.She had patches of matted fur that was falling out. Rot had started to appear. The pain never stopped stinging her flesh like fire ants. Next came a fresh wave, a searing burn that tor
A heavy wind blew and the tree branches danced as they swayed to the wind. The tall trees cast long shadows.Daemon stopped in his tracks. As he tried to control his breathing his chest heaved. Dread sank into his bones as he surveyed the deserted clearing, the moist ground feeling soft under his boots. Ravena. Ethan. Luna Selene.He had followed the receding scents left behind retracing his steps a dozen times. They were now weak, dispersed, and overpowered by something else. He trembled as he tried to steady his balance. His nerves were frayed from all he witnessed.He couldn't believe that what started as a rescue mission ended up swallowing them all in grief.Which had led to a huge loss. How will the rogue pack take the news?He tried once again to mind-link for help, but a throbbing headache pierced through him, and he groaned in pain.Gripping his hair as he winced. He fell down but dragged himself up to continue walking.His throat burned with thirst and his bone arched
Their voices were filled with surprise as the name exploded from their mouths like a spell. “Fea!”Ashton's eyes bulged seeing his sister standing right before them.A tidal wave of anger rushed through him. Why can't the damn girl listen to instructions?Fea’s silver eyes glinted with strength and mystery.Her long jet-black hair caught the wind as it cascaded past her waist like an inky waterfall while she leaned boldly on her staff. Despite a lighthearted smile, she felt purposeful energy all around her. “ I had to follow you even though you told me to stay back,” she shrugged. You need me, so come on.”With his eyes hard and his brows furrowed, Ashton strode toward her. “You were meant to remain in the hiding place and keep an eye on the pack!”Lifting her chin, Fea rolled her eyes. “Ashton, you can't give Seer instructions. And the pack is being protected by the warriors. They are capable.”His face turned red and he grabbed his sister's arm. “Leave at once! You'll put yourself
Like an unwanted ghost, the smell of blood clung to the walls.Each second seemed to drag on forever and every breath in the room was labored. Ethan's skin was as pale as ashes from a fire as he lay sprawled on the narrow wooden bed. His chest heaved violently, and more blood, thick, red, and terrifying, spilled from his mouth with each cough. Under the blankets, his limbs shook, and his lips trembled with cold. With her hands pressed together in a prayer, she was no longer able to whisper. Fea sat next to him. Tears that would not stop swelled her silver eyes. Her voice cracked like dry leaves beneath her feet as she choked out. “Ethan. Please don't leave us. Fight back!”Ashton yelled. “Where is that damn healer? We don't have time so why is she taking so long?”Leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Daemon's eyes were fixed on Ethan whose tense shoulders held his attention. Frank appeared to be holding himself together as he stood close to the door with his arms cross
Like tears of silver, the moonlight poured into the tiny cottage. As Fea lay sprawled on the floor, her body trembled, and her eyes glowed an unnatural, dangerous white. As if her soul had fallen out of her body, she breathed shallowly, almost nonexistent. Far from the cottage, her spirit drifted through a moonlit forest, weightless and silent.The leaves had a crystal-like sheen, and the air had a faint, almost forgotten flavor. She was standing on a small dirt path with tall trees that were whispering all around. With a puzzled expression on her face, she whirled in slow circles and muttered. “Where… where am I?”She could hear the deafening silence. Her bare feet crunched softly against fallen leaves and twigs as she approached cautiously then took another step. “Ashton? Daemon?” she yelled her voice resonating feebly. Nothing. Just the hum of the night and the distant rustle of branches. Then she saw something flash by, a haze of wind and shadow. Fea's heart thumped as sh
Aside from the gentle crackle of the fire in the hearth, the room was silent. The room had an odd almost eerie atmosphere as shadows moved along the stone walls. Frank, Ashton, and Fea remained by Ethan's side after the healer had left. Fea was seated closest to him, her hand resting softly on his arm as though she was worried he would become unconscious again. “You should get some sleep,” Fea said in a worried-sounding voice.Ethan gave a resolute shake of his head. There was a fire in his eyes. Now a strong desire to understand even though he still appeared weak and pale. “No,” he said unpleasantly. “Tell me, What happened?”None of them was keen to speak first and they exchanged tentative glances.Finally, the silence was broken by Daemon who moved forward into the firelight. “We tried to rescue Selene,” he said with a regretful tone. “We discovered the location of her detention. But we were attacked.”Ethan just looked at him expressionless for a moment. Then, wincing from the
Before he could even catch his breath, Rylan's eyes snapped open, and a blast of icy water struck his face. Coughing and blinking against the unexpected wetness he let out a sharp gasp. “Thanks to the goddess.” A familiar voice said. “I was starting to worry that you had passed away while you were asleep.” Rylan looked up to see his best friend and Beta, Tristan grinning. Rylan's chest flared with irritation. He snatched up his glass of wine, which was the closest object, and hurled it at Tristan without thinking. After missing, the glass shattered into a hundred tiny pieces as it crashed against the wall. Using the back of his hand to wipe his face Rylan muttered, “ You bastard. What did you do that for?” Tristan let out a loud obviously unconcerned laugh. “Dude, what's up with you? I entered your chamber. I called you but you didn’t answer. I was alarmed to see you lying there like a corpse in the bathroom. I doused you in water as a result.” Rylan let out a long sigh. He h
As he pushed the door open, Alpha Rylan paused. Hesitating to go in. The familiar scent of Selene's perfume hit his nostrils.Sending jolts of pain that rippled through him.But this was his room. Yea, he shared it with Selene. And now she's gone, never to return.Running away won't mend his bleeding heart. He felt as though the walls themselves recalled the love that once called this place home. It felt colder and smaller now. This was the room that he had previously shared with his ex-wife and former Luna Selene, and he had avoided it for days. Pretending that the room didn't exist and immersing himself in the never-ending responsibilities of pack leadership, border combat, and quelling the escalating unrest among his people.The memories that lurked inside these four walls were easier to avoid than to face them. Something inside him, however, broke tonight, his heart.Selene's tear-stained face flashed through his mind. She kept insisting she was innocent. Was she telling the t
Then something changed.Ethan’s breaths began to even out but it was ragged and shallow. The frightful gasps were replaced by a slow steady rhythm.Fea's heart leaped for joy. “I think he is alive! He is breathing!”Just a moment ago, he had stopped breathing, but now, it seemed he fought to stay alive.The erratic flickering of his eyelids ceased and they opened slowly and feebly. Despite being blurry and unfocused his eyes wandered the tiny space. As he observed the hazy forms surrounding him, a tiny glimmer of recognition moved through his eyes. The healer leaned over him with gentle eyes.Then he could see Fea more clearly, her face glistening with tears but glimmering with a newfound happiness. Daemon was standing close by smiling at him. Frank and Ashton were also present, their faces displaying a mix of amazement and relief. A dry parched feeling tightened around Ethan's throat. His voice couldn't come out when he tried to ask what had happened. A silent plea came out of h
Ridgewood their pack and home in the woods was hidden by a large waterfall. They eventually arrived after a short walk. Daemon exhaled deeply. That the difficult times might be coming to an end made him happy. Fea moved forward. She pushed a spot on the stone wall as usual. They entered their pack after the wall opened. “You have to give Ashton and Frank the antidote,”Daemon said to Fea as the wall closed once more. “I will have to call the healer.”Fea nodded. Before departing she gave Daemon a hug. She was beginning to like him. Ever since they embarked on the journey to get the antidote, she had grown attached to him. As Daemon approached the healer's home she watched him. Some children screamed with joy as they ran past her. Even though it was nighttime a few members of their pack remained awake. Fea moved at a fast pace. Wondering if Ethan was still alive made her heart race. The antidote was securely stored in her clothing. It was gently pressed up against her skin. S
A pale glow was cast over the forest where shadows whispered among the trees by the moon which hung low like a silent sentinel.In his black warrior uniform with the Ridgewood crest faintly glinting on his chest, Jarred stood motionless in the center of a small clearing.As though attempting to calm the storm building inside of him. His hands were clasped behind his back with his fingers interlocked. Despite the cool night air, tension hung over. In the distance, a lone owl called out as leaves rustled in the wind. Jarred remained motionless. His eyes were narrowed and fixed on the horizon and his jaw was clenched. Waiting impatiently, he wondered how long it would take him to arrive.Time is a luxury he doesn't have.And then, something hit his nostrils. A much familiar scent. And his tense shoulders relaxed a bit.Footsteps echoed. Moving slowly and methodically coming up behind him. He did not turn. A low, respectful voice called, “ Master. As directed, I have the antidote.”
As the masked man and the wolves surrounded them, Fea's heart pounded frantically in her chest echoing louder with each beat.Although the air was cool, fear burned through her skin. Daemon stood erect before Fea, his shoulders squared. With a steady yet steely tone, he said, “ You have the wrong information. The antidote is not in our possession.”As though amused, the man in the mask cocked his head slightly. Then he suddenly sprang forward, snatched Fea, and pulled her in close. A cold, sharp, and gleaming dagger was pressed against her throat. Her breath caught as she froze in fear and gasped. Daemon's eyes widened. “Release her!”The man snarled. “ Then don't test me. If you lie to me again, I will cut her throat open. “Give me the antidote now!”Fea's body shook under his hold. She began to sob as she squirmed under his hold. “Spare us, please. Do not harm us.”Her fingers were fumbling as she slowly moved her hand to the folds of her cloak. She then took a tiny glass vial
The road was covered in long shadows as the sun had sunk behind the hills. After the market that day, Fea and Daemon sat at the back of their cart and blended in with a group of farmers and traders heading out of the Whitefur Pack. With her cloak covered in dust from the road, Fea covered her hair with a brown scarf. With his eyes darting from guard to guard, Daemon had lowered his hood. As the horses dragged them forward with slow resolve, their hooves clopping against the stone-paved path, their cart creaked softly.The closer they got to the gate the faster Fea's heart beat. The guards hardly gave them a look. To keep moving, one waved lazily at the traders.With a slight moan, the heavy wooden gates opened. The gate was rolled open.Freedom.Fea, however, couldn't resist looking behind her. She froze. Her gaze fell on a swarm of warriors leaving the guesthouse where she and Daemon had been staying. One of them appeared enraged, his voice resonating through the walls as th
Ashton's face was etched in deep worry. He kept pacing outside back and forth like an angry lion.It was night already and yet no word from them. Each time he heard a sound, he'd look up in the direction, expecting to see Fea and Daemon, but he saw nothing.Another sound came and he stopped pacing again. This time, it was a squirrel that ran past with speed. His shoulder slouched in disappointment.His arms were crossed then he uncrossed them and rubbed his face.He took three steps forward. And turned back.His gaze drew in an anxious glint. In the hopes of seeing Fea and Daemon emerge from the forest carrying the antidote, his gaze kept to the trees. But each time his hope rose it sank once more.And then he heard footsteps. He stopped. His heart leaped to his throat. He swiftly spun around looking at the direction of the sound. However, he saw neither Fea nor Daemon. Swords slung over their backs, two of the pack's warriors were on their way to their night watch.With their boo