Encounter

Malik

Seven days. Seven long, grueling days since Audra escaped. My paws pounded against the forest floor, wind whipping through my fur as I pushed forward. Ajax and Desmond flanked me, their forms just as determined, with three of my top warriors trailing close behind. We were running out of time. Isla's voice cut through my mind. "She's been spotted in a town about twenty-seven miles from you. If she keeps moving south, you'll intercept her in a day or two." Relief surged through me, but it was fleeting. Acheron wasn't far behind her. If we didn't reach her first… I refused to think of that outcome. My only focus was getting to her—bringing her back to safety. And once I had her, I would never let her out of my sight again.

Acheron pov

Rage simmered beneath my skin, barely contained. It had been seven days since her escape, and my patience had run thin. Our tracking hounds had failed miserably, losing her scent almost immediately. She must have soaked in the water for hours to mask her trail. Clever, but not clever enough. I slammed my fist against the table, flames erupting from my palm and splintering the wood beneath me. "Don't worry, Acheron," Sylvin said, his hand on my shoulder. "We're not even sure the werewolves know she got out." I scoffed. "They know." My gut twisted with certainty. "There's a rat among us. Someone tampered with the security footage before she even left. And if I'm right—Prince Malik is already on his way." Sylvin frowned but didn't argue. My phone buzzed, and I snatched it up, scanning the message. A slow grin spread across my lips. "They found her." Without hesitation, I opened a portal, the air around us splitting into a swirling void. Sylvin and I stepped through into the cool night, my pulse quickening as we followed the road. Ten minutes. That's all it took to reach her.

Malik's pov

There she was. Audra lay curled on the forest floor, her body rising and falling with soft, steady breaths. She looked fragile, her frame thinner than before, dirt smudging her pale skin. My heart clenched. I stepped forward, nudging her with my nose. She stirred, her lashes fluttering open, and then her eyes—those pale blue eyes—locked onto mine. A beat of silence stretched between us before recognition dawned. "How did you find me, buddy?" she whispered, tears welling. She reached up, wrapping her arms around my neck. I stilled at the contact, feeling the damp warmth of her tears seeping into my fur. She's safe. I got to her first. I lowered myself, urging her onto my back. She hesitated, but exhaustion won, and she climbed up, clutching my fur. She was too light. That worried me. But I had her now, and I wasn't letting go.

I turned to leave—

Footsteps. A cruel laugh sliced through the night. "Malik, it seems you have something of mine. I'd like it back now, if you don't mind." Acheron. My eyes narrowed in disgust.I snarled, my muscles tensing as he and his men stepped into view, surrounding us in a perfect trap. "Wait." Audra's confused whisper cut through the tension. "What do you mean, Malik?" Acheron rolled his eyes. "You'd have found out soon enough, Princess. You see, we are not the only ones with gifts." He gestured to me with a smirk. "These aren't just wolves. They're human too." Audra stiffened, her grip tightening. "Enough talking." Acheron's tone turned sharp. "Be a good girl and get down. Unless, of course, you'd rather watch them all burn." A shudder ran through her. Then, barely above a whisper, she pleaded, "Please… help me, Malik." My heart twisted at the sound of my name on her lips. I huffed in response, bracing myself. "Wrong answer, Princess." Flames erupted from Acheron's palm, surging straight toward us. I dodged, twisting to shield Audra— But the fire never reached. A wave of water burst forth from Audra's hands, colliding with the flames and extinguishing them instantly. The liquid pulsed, lashing out like a living force, sending tendrils of water hurtling back at Acheron. Steam hissed as fire met water, evaporating into the night. Acheron's fury twisted his features. He launched another attack, flames raining down. I dodged as best as I could, but then— A scream. Audra was thrown from my back, her body hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Flames had grazed her skin, searing deep burns into her arms. She writhed in agony— Then water gushed from her, wrapping around her body. Before my eyes, the burns vanished. Her wounds knitted together as the water pulsed with light, healing her within seconds. I barely had time to process it before Acheron's laughter cut through the air. I stepped in front of Audra as she struggled to regain her footing. My warriors clashed with Acheron's men behind me, but my focus remained on him. He smirked. "Enough playing around, Malik. I know you're holding back." I lunged. He sent fire hurtling toward me, but I weaved through it, jaws snapping. He barely sidestepped in time, my teeth sinking deep into his shoulder. Blood filled my mouth, and I bit down harder, shaking my head, tearing flesh— A fiery hand clamped onto my snout. Pain exploded as flames engulfed my face, my fur igniting. I refused to let go. Then slicing through the air an arrow of ice struck my back, piercing deep. I howled, releasing Acheron as agony ripped through me. "Don't touch my brother!" Sylvin. But my focus locked onto something far worse— Audra. Limp. Draped over Sylvin's shoulder. No. I lunged, but a wall of fire cut me off. Acheron chuckled, blood dribbling down his torso from when I had taken hold of his shoulder. "Where do you think you're going?" I snarled, rage eclipsing pain. Spinning, I leapt straight through the flames, my body colliding with his. He choked on blood, the impact forcing him down. I tore into his flesh, desperation giving me strength— Then a force slammed into me. An air wielder. I hit the ground hard, my vision blurring. Acheron staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his lips. "Let's go, Sylvin. We have what we came for." Sylvin nodded, stepping through a swirling portal—taking Audra with him.

No.

I scrambled forward, but the gate snapped shut. They were gone. Silence fell over the battlefield. My men remained standing.

No lives were lost.

Just my heart.