###Chapter Four : The Battle Begins

The storm hit fast.

The rain fell down through the trees, soaking the ground. The wind screamed, filling the air with the tang of damp earth and something else — something that burned.

Ronan went tense next to me, his golden eyes scanning the trees. "They're close."

I gripped the dagger tighter. My heart thudded so loud I could hear it in my throat. "How many?"

He exhaled through his nose. "Too many."

Lightning split the sky, exposing the trees.

Then I saw them.

Shadows moved in the rain, low to the ground, with glimmering red eyes. Wolves.

Kael's pack.

Ronan stepped in front of me, his entire body tight and ready to pounce. "Stay behind me."

A low growl filled the air.

The Keel stepped forward.

He still looked terrifying in the storm. His black fur was soaked, his red eyes hungry. He had white teeth that glowed when he smiled.

"Ronan," he drawled. "You should've ran while you had the chance."

Ronan didn't flinch. "I don't run."

Kael chuckled and shook his head. "Always so noble. Always so stupid." His gaze flicked to me. "And you, little human. You've caused quite a mess."

I raised my chin, the edges of the dagger digging deep into my palms, so hard that my knuckles burned. "Go to hell."

Kael's smile widened. "Feisty. I like that."

Ronan let out a low growl in his throat. "She's not yours."

Kael sighed. So there's more you don't realize, isn't there?' He took a step closer. "She is not some girl, Ronan. She's power. And that power is mine."

"Not on my watch," Also Ronan said.

Kael's eyes gleamed. "Gladly."

Then he lunged.

Everything happened at once.

Wolves erupted from the trees, teeth shining, eyes frantic. Ronan streaked in a blur of gold fur, colliding with Kael in mid-air. They went down, a cyclone of claws and snarls.

I barely had time to react, before another wolf came for me.

It was massive, red eyes fixed on me as though I was prey.

I moved on instinct.

I dodged, rolling aside as the wolf's claws raked through the air. Mud clutched my hands as I clambered up, the dagger raised.

The wolf lunged again.

This time, I didn't hesitate.

I swung.

The knife sliced through fur and flesh. But the wolf yelped and retreated.

I sucked in a shaky breath. I had actually hit it.

But there was no time to celebrate.

Another wolf charged.

I pivoted and ducked under its strike. My heart pounded, my breath shallow. This was not something you learned in training. This was real.

Ronan smashed another wolf, plowing into it hard enough to launch it away. His golden eyes flickered to mine for half a second.

"You okay?" he called.

I wiped rain off my face, and clutched the dagger. "Still alive."

Ronan smirked. "Good."

Then Kael tackled him.

They smacked onto the ground, jaws snapping. Kael was bigger, stronger, but Ronan was a demon of a fighter, too proud to let Kael take a victory.

I had to help him.

I turned to run toward them

Pain exploded across my back.

I heard it land, followed by a scream, mud splattered on my clothes.

A weight pressed against me. Claws dug into my shoulder.

The wolf rumbled above me, mindthrust hot against my neck.

I flailed, kicked in a panic, but it was stronger.

Panic flared.

I was going to die.

Then there was a golden blur and the wolf flew off me.

Ronan.

I gasped for air and rolled on my side. My shoulder hurt, but I ignored it.

Ronan bared his teeth and pushed down the wolf. And then he killed it, all at once.

He turned to me, breathless. "Can you stand?"

I nodded, pushing myself up. My legs shook.

Ronan reached out to me and planted me with a powerful arm.

"Stick close," he said, hoarsely.

I swallowed hard. "I'm not going anywhere."

Thunder rumbled overhead.

Kael got to his feet, blood trickling from his mouth.

He was smiling through crimson searing eyes.

"This isn't over," he said.

And then, just as quickly, he disappeared, consumed by the storm.

The other wolves stopped, then trailed after.

And then… silence.

I sucked in a jagged breath, my heart hammering.

Ronan froze for a second, body taut, as if he couldn't believe it could actually be over.

Finally, he exhaled.

"It's over," I murmured.

"For now," he said.

Rain poured around us. My clothes were soaked, my body ached, but I was still standing.

I turned to Ronan. "We won."

Something inscrutable flickered in his golden eyes as they met mine.

And then, kindly, he replied, "Not yet."

 Lively timing plus suspenseful action

Arden being Arden, and not winning anyway

 Ronan all protective but acknowledging that Arden is strong

The Aftermath

The storm had passed.

The rain eased to a drizzle, and the wind calmed. But it was too late for that.

I sat on a log next to the cabin and hugged myself. I was drenched, my body throbbed from stumbling so many times, and my shoulder was still sore from where that wolf had knocked me over.

But I was alive.

So was Ronan.

He remained several feet behind, scanning the trees with his golden eyes. His muscles tight, as if expecting a second onslaught at any moment.

I cleared my throat. "They're gone."

His jaw clenched. "Not for long."

I groaned, rubbing my sore shoulder. "Well, that's reassuring."

Ronan finally looked at me. His gaze flicked to my arm. "Let me see."

I hesitated. "I'm fine."

He raised an eyebrow. "That's a lie."

I scowled, but even if I needed to I wouldn't have had to stop him when he knelt at my side, put his hands on my outstretched knee and pasted my sleeve down. His fingertips brushed my skin, and I gasped.

It wasn't just the pain. It was what his fingers did to my stomach.

His golden eyes darkened. "It's not deep. You'll live."

"So reassuring, again," I said to myself.

His lips twitched. "I do my best."

He tore a strip from his shirt, and I saw him wrap it around my arm. His hands were steady, purposeful. I watched him boldly battle monsters and now he was a mush.

"Why did Kael leave?" I asked. "He was winning."

Ronan tied the bandage tight. "Because he won what he wanted."

My stomach dropped. "What does that mean?"

He sat back on his heels, and breathed out. "He wanted to see you fight. So you can know what you're capable of."

I frowned. "I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary."

His gaze met mine. "A lot more than you think."

I swallowed, the throat dry as a bone.

The way he looked at me tightened my chest.

It was hard to pull our gaze away from each other. "So what now?"

Noise glanced up, rising to a stand and rolling his shoulders. "Now, we train harder. Because next time, he's not testing you. He'll be taking you."

I was cold (yes, even in the morning sun's warmth).

Ronan glanced at me for a moment. Then a little more gently: "You did good tonight."

A thin, tired smile spread across my lips. "You almost sound impressed."

His smirk returned. "Almost."

I laughed, after all.

And I wasn't as scared for the first time since this nightmare began.

Fast-paced but with broken beat, a beat of silence, a beat of feeling

More Arden & Ronan sexual chemistry & tension