Chapter 4 (Unfamiliar Eyes)

Raven's Point of View

"Wait, Raven!"

Raven's ears were rushing with blood, making it difficult to hear Dax's speech. As Kael vanished into the darkness, she dashed on, her pulse racing. The woodland blurred around her as her boots skittered across the rough terrain. She was unable to ignore the bond's strong pull on her chest. She could sense Kael's proximity.

She slid to a halt as a deep growl rippled through the trees. She gasped. Claws slipping from her fingertips, she looked around the shadows.

"Raven!" Dax grabbed her arm as he caught up. "Will you stop fleeing?" He hunched over, gasping for air. "You know you're quick?"

His hand was pushed away by her. "Dax, I don't have time for this. Kael is in pain. I sensed it.

Dax straightened and narrowed his emerald gaze. What if it's a trap, too? Elias is not working alone, that slimy bastard. That gloom was palpable to you. There is more going on here.

Raven's jaw tightened. He was not mistaken. She couldn't just stand there, though. "I can't abandon him."

With a groan, Dax combed through his hair. "I understand." His eyes softened as he stared at her for a long time. "I'll accompany you."

She paused. "You're not required to."

"I won't let you go into danger by yourself." He gave a small smile. "Besides, when you eventually throw yourself into the fire, someone has to save your ass."

She suppressed the glimmer of warmth his words caused her lips to quiver. "All right. Remain near.

Silent as darkness, they made their way through the forest. Every sound, even the whisper of leaves and the crack of a twig, was strengthened as the forest closed in around them. The branches were lighted by the soft silver light of the moon, which was low in the sky.

Dax walked next to her, his look sweeping the shadows. "So, Kael."

Raven tensed. "How about him?"

"You still have feelings for him." There was no question.

She took a deep breath. "It makes no difference."

"Isn't it?" He looked at her. "You returned."

She gave a headshake. "I returned for the pack."

Dax laughed. "Yes."

For a while, they walked in quiet. She followed the bond's throb in her chest as it led her farther into the trees. She was getting closer to Kael and the memories she had worked so hard to suppress with each step.

At last, Dax spoke once again. "You know you deserve better." He said quietly. "An individual who does not push you away."

Raven paused and looked up at him. "Dax."

He moved in closer, looking into her eyes. "I am aware that we are not friends. I am aware that you are drawn to him. You don't have to allow him to break you again, though. Gently tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he extended his hand. "You're more powerful than that."

She gasped. The forest vanished for a second. They were alone, standing close to each other, his hand still feeling warm against her flesh. In stark contrast to Kael's blazing gold eyes, she gazed into his steady, green eyes.

"Dax," she muttered.

His lips brushed hers as he drew closer. The warmth of it spread like fire through her, despite its softness and hesitation. In order to fully Absorb herself in the moment, she closed her eyes. The pressure in her chest eased for the first time in a long time.

Then the relationship ignited, piercing and demanding. She was drawn back by Kael's presence, which blazed through her senses. She broke the kiss with a cry and staggered back.

"Raven?" Dax's forehead wrinkled. "What's the matter?"

A hand was pressed against her chest. "Kael. He is near.

Dax's jaw tightened. "He is, of course."

A deep murmur echoed through the trees before she could answer. Claws slipping from their fingertips, they revolved round about. The darkness changed, and a huge wolf appeared. Its eyes shone red, and its hide was completely dark. Thick and suffocating, the smell of the dark spirit embraces it.

"Rogues," growled Dax.

The wolf sprang forward. Raven slashed at its side as it dodged. With his claws digging through fur, Dax took on another. They engaged in swift, vicious combat side by side. The rogues fell one by one as blood spattered the forest floor.

But then there was a new, known smell in the air. Raven's heart jumped into her throat as she turned.

Kael.

His dress was stained with blood when he fell into the clearing. His yellow eyes met hers, blazing with an unrecognised substance.

He rasped, "Raven."

The ground trembled as she took a stride in his direction. Kael's feet were enveloped by a dark dew that rose from the ground. His eyes enlarged in pain as his body seized and he fell to his knees.

"Kael!" Raven ran toward him and yelled.

But the darkness engulfed him before she could get to him.

"Kael!" Raven ran toward him and yelled.

Branches of shadow slipped across Kael's skin as the black mist coiled around his body. His golden eyes opened in agony as he sank to his knees. His body shook as the shadow closed in on him, his claws digging into the ground.

"No!" Dax held Raven's arm and pulled her back as she pushed forward.

"Wait, Raven! It's not secure! His gaze darting across the darkness, he yelled. "Dark magic is that mist."

She growled and twisted away from him, saying, "I don't care." "I refuse to let him perish!"

Her heart thumping, she ran toward Kael. With each stride, the temperature dropped. Voices slithered through the darkness as the mist murmured around her.

The voices whispered, "He rejected you." * "Allow him to suffer."

"Stop talking!" Raven pushed into the freezing fog, growling. She was drawn to Kael by the throb of her connection with him in her chest. She grabbed his face and fell to her knees next to him.

"Kael! Look at me! She pleaded.

His eyes opened a little. "Raven...?" It was little more than a whisper.

"I'm present. Wait a moment. Ignoring the chill that was creeping into her bones, she pushed her forehead against his. The warmth and vitality of their relationship fought the darkness as it exploded between them.

Kael's body trembled as he gasped. "It hurts."

"I understand." Then she cupped his face, her hands shaking. "Remain with me."

Squeezing like a vice, the mist tightened its coils around them. Raven's jaw tightened. He would stay with her. Not in this manner.

She took his hand and murmured, "Come on." "Fight."

Kael squeezed her fingers weakly. The link flared again, brighter than before. A glimmer of light between them drove the darkness away. The mist swirled furiously, then withdrew into the darkness with a cry.

Kael collapsed against her, panting. Raven gave him a tight grip while his heart pounded steadily against her chest.

"It's alright," she whispered. "I've got you."

But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, a cold voice echoed through the trees.

"Well, isn't this heartwarming?"

Raven's head sprang to attention. Out of the shadows came a tall, wiry figure with cold blue eyes that gleamed in the moonlight.

"Elias," she growled, exposing her teeth.

He grinned. "It's been a while, Silvershadow." His eyes shifted to Kael, who was slouched in her embrace. "I had higher hopes for our beloved Alpha. It appears that rejection weakened him.

Raven slid her claws off her fingers. "This is what you did."

Elias laughed. "Oh no, sweetheart. This is just the beginning. Darker than night, the darkness swept around him as he lift his hand.

With a snarl deep in his throat, Dax moved to stand next to Raven. "We must get out of here. Right now.

Raven gave Kael a downward glance. His skin was chill, his breathing flat. Her heart pounding, she gripping her jaw.

"All right." Pulling Kael's arm over her shoulders, she stood up. "But it's not over yet."

Elias smiled. "No, Raven. It's only the beginning.

The shadow charged.