Chapter : Through the Forest

The forest was a labyrinth of ancient trees and dense undergrowth, their twisted branches casting long, eerie shadows under the Blood Moon's glow. Rain moved swiftly, his silver eyes scanning every flicker of movement, every whisper of the wind. The bond pulsed faintly in his chest, a quiet hum that he couldn't ignore no matter how far he ran.

Soren followed close behind, his expression tight with worry. "Rain, we need to stop. You're running yourself into the ground."

Rain ignored him, his claws flexing as he pushed through the brambles. His wolf was restless, pacing within him, its instincts torn between fleeing and turning back. Rain's jaw clenched as the memory of Nathaniel's words echoed in his mind.

"No matter how far you go, the bond will always bring you back to me."

Rain growled low in his throat, his frustration bubbling to the surface. He hated how calm Nathaniel had been, how confident. The Alpha King had let him go, knowing full well that the bond was a chain Rain couldn't break.

"We'll stop when we're clear of his reach," Rain said finally, his voice sharp.

Soren's brow furrowed, but he didn't argue. He knew better than to push Rain when he was like this.

As they pressed deeper into the forest, the air grew colder, the shadows darker. Rain's instincts prickled with unease, and he slowed his pace, his silver eyes narrowing.

"What is it?" Soren asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rain held up a hand, signaling for silence. He tilted his head, listening. The forest was unnaturally quiet. No wind, no rustling leaves, no distant calls of wildlife. Just silence.

And then he felt it—a presence.

The bond flared sharply, sending a jolt through Rain's body. His wolf bristled, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he spun around, scanning the trees.

"Rain—" Soren began, but he didn't get the chance to finish.

A blur of movement shot out from the shadows, too fast to track. Rain reacted instinctively, his claws slashing through the air as he dodged to the side. The figure landed in front of him, and Rain's eyes widened in recognition.

It wasn't Nathaniel.

It was a woman, her dark hair tumbling over her shoulders, her eyes a piercing gold that seemed to glow in the moonlight. She was dressed in black, her movements fluid and deadly as she rose to her full height.

"Well, well," she said, her voice smooth and laced with amusement. "The infamous Blood Moon Alpha. I was beginning to think the stories were exaggerated."

Rain's claws remained extended as he bared his teeth. "Who are you?"

The woman smirked, her eyes flicking briefly to Soren before returning to Rain. "My name is Althea. And I'm here on behalf of someone very interested in you."

Rain's growl deepened. "If you think I'm going back to Nathaniel—"

Althea laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. "Nathaniel? Oh no, darling. I don't answer to him."

Rain's eyes narrowed, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for a fight. "Then who?"

Althea's smirk widened, but she didn't answer. Instead, she moved with lightning speed, her claws flashing as she lunged at Rain. He met her attack head-on, their claws colliding in a shower of sparks.

Soren moved to intervene, but Althea's speed was unmatched. She dodged his strike effortlessly, her focus remaining on Rain.

"You've got fire," Althea said, her tone almost playful as she danced around Rain's attacks. "No wonder he's so obsessed with you."

Rain's breath hitched at the comment, his anger surging. "Stay out of my head," he snapped, his claws slicing through the air.

Althea laughed again, her movements a blur as she darted past him, her claws grazing his side. Rain hissed in pain but didn't falter, his silver eyes blazing as he countered with a strike of his own.

The fight was fierce, the air crackling with energy as the two wolves clashed. But Rain couldn't ignore the bond's pull, the way it seemed to thrum in response to Althea's presence.

"Who sent you?" Rain demanded, his voice rough as he caught her wrist mid-attack.

Althea's smirk faltered for a brief moment, her golden eyes narrowing. "You'll find out soon enough."

With a sharp twist, she freed herself from his grip, her movements a blur as she disappeared into the shadows.

Rain stood frozen, his chest heaving as he scanned the darkness. The bond was still thrumming, but it felt different now—distant, fractured.

Soren approached cautiously, his expression grim. "What the hell was that?"

Rain didn't answer immediately, his mind racing. Althea wasn't just a rogue wolf. She was something else entirely, something tied to the bond in ways he didn't understand.

And whoever had sent her wasn't done with him yet.

"We need to move," Rain said finally, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him. "This isn't over."

Meanwhile, back at the fortress, Nathaniel stood on the balcony of his chambers, his amber eyes fixed on the forest. He could feel the bond fluctuating, the faint pull of Rain's presence flickering like a dying flame.

"Elena," Nathaniel said without turning around.

His second-in-command stepped forward, her posture stiff. "Yes, my King?"

"Send scouts to the northern forests," Nathaniel said, his voice calm but firm. "Something's wrong."

Elena hesitated, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You think Silvano has encountered... interference?"

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "I don't think. I know."

The bond pulsed faintly, its rhythm uneven. Nathaniel's gaze darkened, his wolf stirring restlessly.

"Whatever it is," he murmured, more to himself than to Elena, "they won't take him from me."

To Be Continued...