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Malik

I threw punch after punch, each one landing hard against the heavy bag Ajax held steady. He grunted under the force, his arms straining to keep it upright. My breaths came in sharp, ragged exhales, but I didn't stop. My eyes flashed gold, then brown—then gold again. Ever since Audra came into my life, my wolf refused to retreat. He prowled at the edges of my mind, restless, agitated. "Slow down, Malik!" Ajax barked. "Your form is slipping! You're gonna hurt yourself!" I ignored him, driving my fist into the bag with enough force to jolt him back a step. The pain was grounding, a fleeting distraction from the gnawing ache in my chest. "Malik!" The bag dropped as Ajax let go, and I had to sidestep fast to keep from hitting him. My heart pounded, my muscles coiled tight with frustration. "Ajax!" I snapped, throwing my hands up. "You wanna talk about reckless?" "Do you?" he shot back, his voice sharp. I exhaled hard, grabbing my water bottle. The fabric of my shirt clung to my skin as I lifted the hem to wipe my face. Every muscle in my body was taut, buzzing with the need to move—to fight—to do something. Then my phone screen lit up from the bench.

Luna.

I hadn't heard from her in weeks. My gut twisted as I reached for it, my fingers tightening around the device. With a swipe, I opened her message.

Acheron is slipping.

He's getting more careless around her.

I don't think he's going to wait until the power is at full potential. I... I think he might try something sooner. Now would be your chance. Before it's too late.

A sharp breath left me. My grip tightened until the phone creaked under the pressure. "I have to go," I muttered, shoving it into my pocket. "We're not done here!" Ajax called after me. I didn't look back. The car was silent except for the relentless drumming of rain against the windshield. My knuckles had turned white from how hard I gripped the wheel, my fingers aching from the tension. The headlights cut through the downpour, illuminating the winding road ahead.

She's been gone for too long.

The thought echoed, relentless. I could still hear her voice, see the way she smiled at me in the moments before everything fell apart. My mind drifted, pulled into a memory I hadn't let myself revisit in months.

Eight Months Ago

I followed her silently, my paws pressing into the damp earth, leaving shallow imprints in the mud. She had no idea I was there. Ever since the waterfall, she had kept coming back to this spot. Always alone. Always quiet. She leapt over the rocks, her movements effortless, and settled on the ledge behind the rushing cascade. The mist clung to her dark curls, catching the last rays of the setting sun. A book rested in her lap, the pages illuminated by the golden light. I watched her for hours, hidden among the shrubs, letting the world slow around me. The sound of the waterfall, the gentle rustling of leaves—it was peaceful. She was peaceful. I shifted my weight, my fur brushing up against some shrubs, her gaze snapped in my direction. My ears flattened. Damn. A slow smile spread across her lips. She closed her book, rising to her feet. She moved carefully, gracefully, stepping across the slick stones with confidence. "I finally found you," she whispered. I lifted my head, meeting her eyes. Her dark curls framed her face in damp waves, her breath curling in the cool air. "I've come out here every day," she admitted. "Hoping I'd see you again." Hesitantly, she reached out, her fingers barely grazing my fur. Soft. Tentative. "I never got a chance to thank you," she murmured, stroking my head. "For saving me that day." Her touch was warm. Comforting. I leaned into it, letting myself exist in that fleeting moment.

Present

The rain pelted harder against the windshield, jolting me back to reality. That moment had felt infinite. I should've known better. Nothing between us ever lasted. Thunder cracked, shaking the car. The storm wasn't peaceful anymore—it was unrelenting. Just like the one coming for Acheron. My jaw locked. My foot pressed harder on the gas. I was getting her back. The tires screeched slightly as I pulled into the driveway. Water dripped from my hair as I stepped out, the rain soaking through my clothes. Caspian answered the door, his expression shifting from casual curiosity to concern. "Malik," he greeted. "What brings you by?" I didn't answer. My eyes flicked past him, searching. Then I saw her. Cordelia sat on the couch, the quiet hum of the news playing in the background. The soft glow from the lamp cast shadows across her face, deepening the worry lines etched into her skin. I stepped inside, shaking off the cold. No time to waste. "Luna texted me," I said, my voice tight. "She said Acheron is slipping. He's going to act sooner than we thought." Cordelia's expression darkened. "We don't have enough allies." I shook my head. "We have to act now. I can't sit around and wait anymore!" My voice came out harsher than I intended, but I didn't care. Cordelia flinched. Just slightly. "You can't," Caspian interjected, his voice rising. "Think about what you're saying. We wouldn't win. We would upset the supernatural balance!" "It's the only way to get her back alive!" I snarled. My fists curled at my sides, my nails biting into my palms. "If… if he does the ritual, it's all over. She'll die for good." My eyes flickered gold. My wolf pushed forward, barely restrained. Cordelia stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Malik. We will find a way. But not like this. Rushing in will only—" "You don't get it!" My voice cracked, the words strangled. My breathing turned ragged, my vision blurring at the edges. "She was right there! I should've held her tighter." "What don't we get?" Caspian's voice thundered through the room. "She's our daughter!" His words struck deep, slamming into my chest like a physical blow. My face wavered, but I refused to break. Of course they were hurting. Of course. But it didn't change what needed to be done. "I'm still taking her back," I said, my voice low, unshakable. "Whether you're with me or against me." Cordelia's breath hitched. "Malik—" "Don't do this!" Caspian roared as I turned for the door. "You will doom her!" I didn't stop. I didn't look back. The door slammed behind me, swallowed by the storm.