Chapter 15

Ronan sat near the central fire, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames as he turned a small wooden carving over in his hands. The carved wolf was unfinished, its edges rough, but the distraction helped focus.

Across from him, Faye leaned against the wall, her green eyes half-lidded as she absentmindedly traced the curve of her belly.

"You sure he's coming back?" Ronan asked, breaking the silence, his voice low.

Faye didn't look up. "He's Liam. Of course he'll come back."

Ronan snorted, shaking his head. "You're putting a lot of faith in someone who walked away to chase a hunter. That's not exactly Alpha behavior."

Faye's gaze snapped to him, sharp as a blade. "He didn't walk away. He went to protect us. You think this is easy for him? For any of us?"

Ronan raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just saying. Leaving the pack to run after some hunter? It doesn't look good. And now…" His eyes flicked to her stomach. "You've got more than yourself to think about."

Faye's hand stilled on her belly. "You don't think I know that?" she said quietly, her voice tinged with frustration. "He doesn't know yet, Ronan."

"Then he'd better hurry back." Ronan muttered, tossing the carving aside.

Korrin, walked in, letting out a low growl. "Enough," he said, his amber eyes flicking between them. "Liam's our Alpha. He'll come back, and when he does, you can tell him yourself, Faye. Until then, we hold this pack together. No more second-guessing."

Korrin's ears twitched, his body going rigid. He sniffed the air, catching a faint metallic scent.

"Blood," he growled.

Before anyone could react, an arrow whistled through the entrance, striking one of the younger wolves in the chest. The wolf let out a strangled yelp before collapsing to the ground.

"Ambush!" Ronan roared, shifting into his wolf form.

Korrin darted toward the entrance but another arrow shot past him, embedding itself to the wall. He skidded to a halt, his hackles raised as a figure stepped into the den.

The archer was tall and lean, clad in black leather armor that blended seamlessly with the shadows. His hood obscured most of his face, but his piercing green eyes glinted with deadly precision.

He moved with the grace of a predator, his longbow already locked with another silver tipped arrow.

"Stay back!" Ronan snarled, lunging forward.

The archer didn't flinch. He released the arrow with lethal accuracy, striking Ronan in the throat. The wolf fell mid-leap, his body crumpling to the ground.

"Ronan!!" Faye screamed, her voice breaking.

Korrin charged, his massive form barreling toward the intruder. The archer sidestepped smoothly, pulling a short blade from his belt and slashing upward. The blade grazed Korrin's side, but the wolf managed to twist away before the wound could deepen.

The archer smirked, pulling another arrow from his quiver aiming it at Faye.

Korrin's heart stopped.

"Faye, run!!" he howled.

But it was too late. The arrow stuck her in the chest, her body crumpling to the ground like a broken doll.

"No!" Korrin roared, his fury overwhelming as he lunged at the archer.

The man sidestepped again, his blade flashing as it cut deep into Korrin's shoulder. The wolf staggered, his strength faltering.

"You've already lost," the archer said coldly.

Korrin forced himself to his feet, his body trembled as blood poured from his wound. I can't win. The pack is gone

With a final, desperate snarl, Korrin turned and bolted into the forest. The archer watched, his expression unreadable as the lone wolf disappeared into the trees.

Korrin ran until his legs gave out, his wounds burning with every step. He collapsed near a shallow stream, his breath coming ragged gasps.

The faces of his pack mates flashed in his mind, Ronan, the young wolves who would never see another moonrise.

And Faye…

The pain in his chest was sharper than the wounds on his body. She was carrying Liam's child, and now she was gone.

He let out a mournful howl, the sound echoed through the forest like a broken prayer.

When he finally rose and his resolve hardened. He had to find Liam. The Alpha needed to know what had happened, and together, they would avenge the pack.

With unsteady steps, Korrin turned toward a distant scent of his leader and began the long journey to find him.

***

The archer knelt among the ruins of the den, the faint glow of the moon casting sharp shadows over the carnage. His black leather armor was splattered with blood, his hood pulled back to reveal a gaunt, pale face. His green eyes scanned the bodies strewn around him with cold detachment.

Satisfied, he stood, pulling a cloth from his belt to wipe his blade.

"Did you do it?"

The voice came from behind him, smooth and laced with curiosity. From the shadows emerged a figure cloaked in crimson, his face obscured by the hood of his robe.

"They're gone," the archer replied, his tone flat. "The den is no longer a threat."

Cain's lips curled into a pleased smile as he stepped closer, his crimson cloak swirling around him. "Efficient, as always."

The archer sheathed his blade, turning to face Cain. "What do you want next?"

Cain chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "So eager. You've already done more than we expected."

The archer frowned, his green eyes narrowing. "You didn't summon me for one pack of wolves. This is about the No-Ability Hunter."

Cain's smile widened, his teeth gleaming like a predator's. "Ah, yes Elena." He paused, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "And her wolf companion. They've proven… resourceful."

The archer's expression darkened.

"Do you want them dead?"

Cain tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Not yet. Nick has plans for the hunter, and the wolf is connected to her. Their bond is… peculiar."

The archer crossed his arms, his tone growing sharper. "I don't care about bonds or plans. Give me a target, and I'll eliminate them."

Cain tilted his head, studying him. "You've always been so single-minded. It's why Baxter kept you close, isn't it?"

The archer stiffened at the mention of Baxter. "Baxter's dead."

"No? I don't believe you'd let him die that easily" Cain taunted.

The archer's hands clenched into fists, but he didn't respond.

Cain stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We both know you're not just another mercenary. You're nor doing this for coin. So tell me Archer, what drives you? Revenge? Redemption? Or is it something darker?"

Archer's jaw tightened. "I'm here to finish what Baxter started."

Cain's laughter echoed through the forest. "Ah yes. The resurrection of Behemoth. Baxter's grand dream." He leaned closer, his crimson eyes gleaming. "And when it rises what then? Do you think it will care about you, about anyone? Behemoth is chaos incarnate, a demon god. You're a pawn in a game you don't understand."

Archer's gaze didn't waver. "I understand enough. Chaos is coming, whether I help it or not. I'd rather be on the winning side."

"Then why not join the exiled legions?"

Archer gave out a bitter laugh. "You think you will win"

Cain smirked, stepping back. "A practical man. I can respect that."

He turned, his cloak swirling as he began to walk away. "Nick wants the hunter alive, and the wolf will lead us to her. When the time comes, you'll have your part to play."

Archer watched him disappear into the shadows. He didn't trust Cain but he had no choice.

He returned to the den, standing among the bodies, his gaze fixed on the bloodstained ground where Faye had fallen.

He'd seen her clutching her stomach before she died. Did she have a child? He clenched his fists, forcing the though away. Emotion had no place in his life anymore.

"You'll understand soon enough, Liam." He murmured. "The cost of protecting what you love."

He turned away, his longbow slung across his back as he disappeared into the forest. The resurrection of Behemoth was within reach, and the Exiled Legion would stop at the nothing to see it through.

And if that meant cutting down everyone in his path, he wouldn't hesitate.