Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

J axon nodded and darted off to relay the orders. Ariana stayed close by Colt’s side, her resolve mingling with the adrenaline that surged through both their veins. The tension in the air was palpable, a living, breathing entity that seemed to coil and constrict around the pack. Every second they lingered felt heavy with the weight of impending violence.

As they approached the outer perimeter, Colt scanned the tree line, his sharp gaze looking for the slightest movements. Ariana felt his wolf—who was on high alert—stir, and it was like the beast was now a part of her.

The rogue pack lurked just beyond sight; a menacing presence hidden by the foliage. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken threats, waiting to tip over into open conflict. Ariana’s powers were ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice. Her connection to the elements thrummed beneath her skin, each one eager to be summoned. As Colt barked orders to the warriors, she reached out with her own magic to touch the earth beneath her feet. The intentions of the rogue pack vibrated through her connection—hostile, desperate, and all too willing to shed blood to claim territory. Yet, there was another issue. Something out there, far beyond the rouges that sent a shiver down her spine. It was heavy with hate and revenge.

Selene?

There was no reply other than the cold bite of wind against her cheek. But then she didn’t expect one.

Colt turned to her, his expression a mix of determination and concern. “Stay close,” he commanded. “I don’t want to lose sight of you.”

“You won’t. I promise.”

Together, they moved, the pack flanking them in a tight formation. The boundary line of their territory loomed ahead, the invisible barrier that separated safety from chaos. As they neared, the rogue pack emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowed with malevolence. The air grew thicker, charged with the anticipation of conflict. Both sides stood poised on the knife’s edge, waiting for the first move that would lead to bloodshed.

The leader of the rogue pack stepped forward, a hulking figure with eyes the color of cold steel. He surveyed Colt with a sneer, his stance a blatant challenge. “You’re the alpha,” he spat, his voice rough and oily. “And this must be your precious new mate.”

Colt’s growl was low and rumbling. “State your business or leave.”

The rogue leader chuckled. “We’ve come to claim what you can’t protect, Tyler. Your territory, your pack… And from the looks of it, your mate, too.”

Ariana felt the pulse of Colt’s anger through their bond, a feral, protective rage that simmered just below the surface. She stepped closer to him, her fingers sparked with the promise of elemental retribution.

Colt’s voice was deadly calm. “You made a mistake coming here. This territory is protected by the Moonshadow pack. Leave now while you still can.”

The rogue leader’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the forest was silent except for the whisper of wind across the frozen landscape. Then, with a snap, a dozen rogues lunged from the shadows, their eyes filled with savage intent.

Chaos erupted. The warriors of the Moonshadow pack met the assault head-on, a clash of snarls, growls, and the sickening thud of bodies colliding. Colt shifted into his wolf form, a fearsome sight of fur and muscle, his sharp teeth bared as he leapt at the rogue leader.

Ariana channeled her power. The elements surged through her. Fire danced at her fingertips, and she sent a wave of flames curling toward a group of rogues attempting to flank their position. The burst of heat scattered them, their yelps of pain rang in the cold air.

Sharp nails scraped her skin as someone tried to grab her, but with a snap of her fingers, the air solidified around her attackers, slamming them back against the trees. She scanned for Colt amidst the fray.

Her mate was a blur of motion. His powerful form cut through the wolves who had moved around their leader with ruthless efficiency. He met the rogue leader in a savage clash, teeth and claws slashing. The ground beneath them churned to mud by their violent struggle.

Ariana moved to intercept another group of rogues. Summoning power from the earth, it responded to her call. Roots and vines shot up to entangle the rogues, pulling them down with relentless force. The power of the forest was with her, every tree, every plant, lending her their strength.

Despite their initial surprise, the Moonshadow pack held strong. The rogues, though numerous, were disorganized, driven more by desperation than strategy. Ariana stood silent for a moment, searching for the force she had felt earlier.

It was gone.

Had Selene been testing them? Something was definitely off with this attack.

A roar of victory pulled her attention; Colt had the rogue leader pinned, his teeth at the other wolf’s throat. With a final growl, Colt tore open the rogue’s neck and left the lifeless body limp on the ground. He shifted back to his human form, chest heaving, eyes still blazing with the fury of the battle. Blood smeared his skin, a stark testament to the savagery he’d unleashed to protect his pack and his mate.

The remaining rogues, leaderless and demoralized, retreated, scattering back into the shadows from which they’d emerged. Relief mingled with the adrenaline still coursing through Ariana’s veins. Her powers crackled and sparked around her, a testament to the intensity of the confrontation.

Colt turned toward her. His piercing blue eyes softened as they met her gaze. Despite the blood and dirt, he looked regal, every bit the alpha she knew him to be. She met him halfway, her own heart slowing its frantic pace as she reached out, her fingers brushing against his.

“We drove them off,” she murmured, feeling the tension in her muscles slowly ease. “But they’ll be back. We need to prepare.”

Colt nodded, his grip on her hand firm and reassuring. “We’ll be ready. Thanks to you.”

“I’m certain Selene was watching us,” she said.

He worked his jaw. “I felt it too. Eyes watching our every move.”

“We can’t afford to rest.” She scanned the darkened forest. “We need to find Selene, and we need to secure that blade before it’s too late.”

Colt’s expression hardened, a fierce determination kindling in his eyes. “We will. But first, we regroup. The pack needs us to be steady, to show them we’re in control.”

She nodded, knowing he was right. They turned back toward the pack house, their steps slow but deliberate. Pack members emerged from the shadows, some sporting injuries, but all of them radiating loyalty and respect. They had defended their home tonight, and they would continue to do so under Colt’s leadership and Ariana’s strength.

As they made their way back, Jaxon approached, his face a mix of exhaustion and relief. “Alpha, we held our ground, but we’ve got some injuries that need attention. Dylan is already setting up in the infirmary, but we’ll need Ariana’s help.”

She looked at Colt. An unspoken conversation passed between them. Neither had rested since the discovery of the blade’s true power, and their bond had only strengthened with their mating. There was an insatiable need to protect, to heal, to ensure their pack’s survival, and it surged within her as fiercely as it did within Colt.

“Let’s get to work,” Colt said, his tone brooking no argument. He squeezed Ariana’s hand one last time before releasing her to follow Jaxon to the infirmary.

The pack house was a flurry of activity, wounded wolves being carried in, their groans filling the air. The scent of blood and sweat mingled with the ever-present earthy smell of the forest. Ariana promptly assessed the situation. Dylan was tending to the more serious injuries, his hands steady and sure as he worked to stem the bleeding and patch up the wounds. Sienna, Dylan’s apprentice, was right by his side, her face set in a mask of determined focus. She glanced up briefly as Ariana entered, giving her a quick nod of acknowledgment before diving back into her work.

Ariana rolled up her sleeves, her hands already glowing with the soft, healing light as she approached the nearest injured pack member. She focused her energy, channeling the elements that flowed within her. The glow of her hands intensified, and the wound beneath them closed, the torn flesh knitting back together with slow certainty.

Colt moved through the room, offering words of encouragement to his pack, his presence a calming force amid the chaos. His gaze would occasionally find hers, their bond thrumming in silent communication, a shared strength that passed between them as they worked to mend their family.

“Ariana,” the powerful voice of her father rang out across the room. She looked up from the shifter she was attending.

“Dad, I am happy to see you.”

He made his way across the room, his presence commanding respect from every shifter there. Her father had fought and won many battles against ancient evils. He had served under the king and queen and when both had lost their lives; he was there to steady a young Aidyn. Many immortals knew of her father and the curse he had fought back until the day he had found his mate, her mother. Thinking of her parents and what they had been through made her realize she could do anything with her mate beside her.

“The shifter is resting, but I’m afraid not even I can clear him of the curse.”

As she stood to greet her father, Colt moved beside her, his arm slipping around her waist. Her father arched a black brow.

“I see you have marked my daughter.”

“Were you hoping your son-in-law would be a vampire?” Colt grinned. “Thanks for coming, Marcus.”

Her father chuckled. “Welcome to the family, Alpha. My mate will be pleased and, of course, will want to make a big fuss.” His gaze turned to steel. “But I understand there are much bigger concerns right now.”

“Yes. Did Hannah fill you in?” she asked.

“She did, and it might explain why there was an earthquake in Vandeldor.”

She gasped. “What? Was anyone hurt?”

He shook his head. “No, but we took some damage. I’m afraid your cottage was one of them, but it is being repaired.”

The news shook her to her core. That her home world could suffer from such a thing as an earthquake was unheard of. Something big was stirring. She felt it down to her bones.

Colt’s mind churned as he processed the gravity of Marcus’ news. He kept Ariana close, the warmth of her presence a grounding force amid the chaos and concern now entangled with their newfound bond. Marcus, as stoic and imposing as ever, watched him with a gaze that seemed to pierce through to his very core. Colt made a motion toward his office.

“Marcus, join me there. We need to discuss this—away from the ears of the injured.” He looked at Ariana, his expression softened. “Get some rest after this. You’ve done more than enough.”

His mate pursed her lips, about to argue, but he gave her a pleading look, and she relented with a weary nod. As she moved to assist Dylan and Sienna with the remaining wounded, Colt led Marcus into the dimly lit confines of his office and shut the door behind them.

The room smelled of aged wood and faint traces of ink—the space where Colt had charted battle plans and signed countless pack decrees. Colt motioned for Marcus to sit, taking his place behind an imposing oak desk that had been in his family for generations. Marcus lowered himself into a chair, the weight of their conversation clear in his every movement.

“What else did Hannah tell you?” Colt started, getting straight to the point.

Marcus leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his eyes holding the weight of years of wisdom and war. “The energy of the quake felt otherworldly. Not a natural force, but one driven by powerful, ancient magic.” He paused, his gaze unwavering. “We suspect it may be connected to the blade—or rather, the ancient threat the blade was crafted to fight against.”

Colt worked his jaw. “Any leads on where Selene might be hiding?”

Marcus shook his head. “Not directly. We’re dealing with a former leader of the Sentinels of Balance, a master of subterfuge and evasion. She could be hiding anywhere. Here on earth, or in any number of realms.”

His mind raced through the implications. “What about Zarek? Could he not locate her?” Zarek was the king of gods, creator of the guardians. A being of such power would surely be able to locate Selene.

“Zarek has gone back to the old world. Back to Eadala,” Marcus replied.

Anger and desperation had Colt slamming his fists on the desk. “This blade could end all of us. Sever the connection with our mates. Would that not concern him?”

Marcus sighed. “You know how the gods are about interfering in anything. Besides, Eadala is not a place even I can go without being summoned. What I can do is speak to Aidyn and Hades. They travel between the realms of the old gods and their current homes. Maybe they can offer some advice.”

Colt’s frustration simmered just beneath the surface. The gods’ detached stance did little to quell the urgency of their situation. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady his thoughts. The stakes were too high for hesitation or divine ambivalence.

“Speak to them,” Colt said, his voice firm. “Any insight or aid they can provide might be the edge we need. We can’t afford to stumble in the dark while that blade remains in Selene’s hands.”

He pushed away from the desk, standing to pace the room. The steady rhythm of his steps echoed the racing of his mind. “We also need our own plan to track her down. The elements responded to Ariana when she connected with Vilkas’s wound. However, I hesitate to have her try it again. She came back out of it severely shaken.” He stopped and looked at Marcus.

“You saw Vilkas? Did you get a sense of anything?”

Marcus shook his head. “I don’t carry the same gift as my daughter when it comes to the elements.”

“Damn it. There has to be a way to trace the blade’s dark energy.”

“Perhaps combining Ariana’s elemental affinities with Maya’s magic could create a synchronization powerful enough to locate Selene. But it will require immense concentration and precision.”

“Jeopardize both females?” Colt shook his head. “I don’t like that plan, and I know damn well if proposed, both of them would jump at the chance.”

“You’re right about Ariana. It’s in her blood to never back down.”

A knock on the door interrupted them, and Nova, the pack’s messenger, poked her head in. “Alpha, we’ve received a message from the Northern Territories. They’ve offered their help in tracking down the blade. Would you like to respond now?”

Colt strode towards Nova. “Thank you. Tell them we appreciate their offer and will coordinate efforts as soon as we’ve established our strategy. Let them know the situation is escalating quickly.”

She dipped her head in acknowledgment and disappeared back into the flurry of activity outside.

Returning to his desk, Colt met Marcus’ gaze again. “Provide us with any intelligence your networks can uncover within the next few hours. I’ll hold off speaking with Maya and Ariana until such time.”

“I’ll have what I can by then,” Marcus replied, his voice edged with a promise. “And Colt—stay vigilant. The bond you and Ariana share is powerful and will be a beacon for Selene. She may attempt to exploit it.”

Colt rolled his shoulders, the tension of the night weighing on him. “I know. And I’ll be ready.”

Marcus gave a respectful nod before turning to leave. A heavy silence settled over the room once he shut the door behind him. Colt stood there for a moment, letting his mind process the barrage of information and future tasks. He needed his mate so he left the room hoping to find her in his bed.