Chapter 1(The Call of The Bond)

Raven's POV

"Do you sense that?" With her breath hazy in the chilly night air, Raven muttered.

Dax narrowed his dark eyes as he looked at her. "How do you feel?"

Raven felt her heart thumping in her chest. It was too quiet in the forest. There were no crickets or rustling leaves to be heard. The wind itself felt as though it was holding its breath. Her nails were digging into her palms as she clinched her fists.

"The bond," she uttered quietly. "I'm being pulled by it."

Dax tensed up next to her. He clenched his jaw, but remained silent. Raven was aware of his thoughts. He wasn't to blame. She was almost devastated the last time she trusted the relationship. However, this evening was different.

She took a step forward, looking around the shadows. She could *feel* the Silverfang territory even though it was still a mile away. More than ever, she felt a pull in her chest that felt like unseen threads drawing her in his direction. In Kael's direction.

"Wait, Raven." Dax gently but firmly took hold of her arm. "We have no business being here."

She dismissed him. "I'm not interested."

"You ought to." With hardly more than a snarl, his voice fell. "Kael turned you down. left you to perish. Why do you continue to pursue him?

Raven's eyes flashed as she pivoted to face him. "I'm not after him." Anger and something else, which she would not identify, made her voice tremble. "There is a problem. I *feel* it.

Dax's lips became a thin line. He didn't think she was real. Not at all. He wouldn't leave her alone, though. He didn't.

"All right." He let out a sigh. "Let's get this done quickly."

Calm as shadows, they walked among the trees. The woodland floor was lighted by the pale silver light of the moon, which was low in the sky. Under her skin, Raven's wolf shifted restlessly. In an attempt to control her breathing, she put a palm to her chest.

The sensation intensified as they approached the border. Her heart pounding, she accelerated her steps. All of her instincts told her to flee. to locate him.

Then she heard it.

A howl. Echoing into the night, long and low.

Raven stopped. "Kael."

"Wait, Raven!" She was already on the run when Dax growled.

Around her, the woods became hazy. She didn't slow down even when branches grazed her arms. She was guided through the darkness by the bond that burned within of her. She crashed to a halt after bursting through the tree line.

She could see the Silverfang village in front of her. Houses with broken windows stood silent and gloomy. There were huge cuts in the ground and the ground was ripped apart. The grass was smeared with blood.

"Thank heavens," Raven said.

With wide eyes, Dax caught up to her. "What took place here?"

She gave a headshake. "I'm not sure."

Then she heard it.

A grumble. ominous and low.

Raven slowly turned. Her throat tightened each breath. From the darkness, she could see a set of bright red eyes staring at her. A wild wolf. Its fangs were sharp and yellowed, and its lips curved back. From its muzzle, blood trickled.

Dax muttered, "Run."

Raven, however, refused to back down. The outlaw lunged. She narrowly escaped its jaws as she dodged. With a shift, Dax's wolf slammed into the rogue, its teeth digging into its throat. Raven took a step back and looked into the darkness.

"Kael!" She gave a call. "Where are you, Kael?"

Someone staggered out of the shadows. Raven's heart stopped beating.

Kael.

His chest was stained with blood, and his shirt was ripped. The world vanished for a second as his eyes met hers.

"Raven?" It was hardly more than a murmur in his voice.

He collapsed, but she caught him as she ran to him. She said, "I'm here." "I've got you."

His eyes flitted closed. Panic rising in her throat, Raven shook him.

"Kael! Remain with me!

He opened his eyes and met hers. "You ought not to be here."

"You shouldn't either," she retorted. "What took place?"

"Rogues." He gasped for air. Too many. Couldn't... stop them.

Raven's blood became icy. "Where is the pack?"

Kael grimaced. "Gone."

Her heart tightened. "No. That isn't feasible.

His eyes were glowing with desperation as he held onto her arm. "You must flee."

A low growl resounded behind them before she could respond. Raven turned, her stomach churning with fear.

More outlaws. stepping out of the darkness. Their teeth were exposed, their eyes flashed red.

Dax's fur was streaked with blood when he skidded to her side. "We're outnumbered, Raven."

She gave Kael a quick look. He was not strong enough to fight. They would not escape unscathed.

Unless...

Raven inhaled deeply as the link ignited within her. Letting its power run through her veins, she grasped for it.

Ready to fight, her wolf charged forward.

"Remain behind me," she said in a whisper to Kael.

Her eyes were burning silver as she turned to confront the rogues.

They made a lunge.

Raven let forth a growl.

Dark blood splattered over the ground as Raven's claws cut through the first rogue. Two additional wolves lunged at her from the sides as the first yelled and slumped. Her wolf instincts took over as she spun. She continued while one clawed at her shoulder, sending a burning pain down her arm. She tore it from her by sinking her teeth into its neck. Her mouth tasted of blood, but she had to fight instead of ponder.

Beside her, Dax battled, his wolf a tornado of rage. Bones crunched under his jaws as he clamped down on another rogue. And yet more arrived. Red eyes circled closer, glinting in the gloom. Raven's heart was racing. Too many were present.

Behind her, Kael moaned and attempted to get up. "Remain down!" she yelled.

Ignoring her, he stumbled to his feet. He was too feeble, but his golden eyes flashed. His knees struck the floor as he staggered. Raven had a sore chest. She was unable to keep them both safe.

Kael was attacked by a rogue. Raven would not reach him in time, but she would scream and run toward him.

**No!**

It knocked the rogue aside as a swirl of reddish-brown fur slammed into it. Over Kael, Dax stood with a low growl in his throat. "I have him!" he yelled. "Fight!"

Raven looked back at the group of outlaws. Even though her breathing was labored and her muscles burned, she persisted. She continued to struggle despite jaws snapping inches from her face and claws tearing at her flesh. Her wolf roared with strength, each blow driven by anger and something more profound, something primordial.

She kicked off the ground, turned around, and cut through the final renegade. With one last whimper, it fell, and the jungle was quiet again. Raven's eyes was swimming as she stood, panting. Her claws dripped blood, which seeped into the ground.

Everything was silent for a while. Kael coughed behind her after that. She fell on her knees and hurried to his side. Sweat was trickling down his blotchy face.

She shook him and said, "Kael." "Remain with me."

His eyes opened a little. "Raven."

"I'm present." She touched his cheek with her hand. "You're secure."

Wincing, he coughed once more. "No, we're not." He met her gaze with his beautiful eyes. "It's not finished yet."

A deep growl reverberated through the trees before she could inquire what he meant. Raven's heart stopped beating. She turned slowly in the direction of the sound.

A figure emerged from the darkness. He was tall and slender, and his cold blue eyes shone in the shadows.

Kael rasped, "Elias."

The traitor grinned, his eyes calculating and icy. "Well, well. Look who made a scurrying return! His smile grew as his gaze shifted to Raven. "I hoped you would arrive."

Tendrils of gloom curled around his feet as darkness whirled about him. Raven's wolf screamed, all of her instincts telling her to flee.

Elias's eyes glinted as he tilted his head. "Let's complete what we began."

The darkness rushed ahead.