Taken
617 Words
Ravenna’s lungs burned as the vampire dragged her through the forest. His grip was like chains of iron, his speed making the trees blur past her. No matter how she twisted or kicked, he did not let go.
Behind her, the sounds of battle faded. Snarls, growls, and screams still echoed, but they grew distant. Kael’s roar was the last sound she heard before it was swallowed by the night.
Her heart pounded with fear.
He had not reached her in time.
The vampire carrying her whispered close to her ear. His voice was cold and mocking. “You were foolish to think the Alpha could keep you. You belong to us. The queen has waited a long time for you.”
Ravenna bit down hard on his hand. The copper taste of blood filled her mouth, but he only laughed. His grip tightened, crushing her ribs until she cried out.
“You will learn soon enough,” he hissed.
The forest ended in a rocky clearing. More vampires waited there, their eyes glowing red in the dark. They looked at her with hunger and triumph, as if she was already theirs.
Her stomach turned. She wanted to fight, but her body trembled with exhaustion. Her dagger was gone. Her strength was fading.
One of the vampires stepped forward. He was tall, with hair as white as snow and a cruel smile. His presence made the others bow their heads.
“Bring her to me,” he said. His voice was smooth, dangerous, like silk over steel.
The vampire holding her shoved her forward. Ravenna stumbled, falling to her knees at the stranger’s feet. She looked up, and her blood froze.
Lucian.
Her half brother.
His sharp features were the same as her mother’s, but his eyes were colder. She had not seen him in years, not since the night he had chosen the vampires over their family.
“You,” she breathed, her voice shaking.
Lucian smiled down at her. “Little sister. Did you think you could run from us forever?”
Her chest tightened. Betrayal cut deeper than fear.
“You would hand me to the queen?” she asked.
He crouched in front of her, his pale hand brushing her cheek. “It is not about handing you over. It is about what you are. You are power, Ravenna. A weapon the queen will use to crush the wolves. Do not fight it. It is your destiny.”
Ravenna shoved his hand away, fury flaring through her fear. “I will never be her weapon.”
Lucian’s smile widened, cruel and amused. “You do not have a choice.”
Before she could answer, a sudden roar shook the trees. The vampires turned their heads, hissing in anger.
Ravenna’s heart leapt. She knew that sound.
Kael.
His wolf form burst through the trees, his eyes burning gold, his body covered in blood. Three wolves fought at his side, tearing through the vampire guards. His fury filled the clearing like a storm.
The vampires hissed, forming a wall in front of Ravenna. Lucian rose, his smile fading as his eyes darkened.
“Alpha,” Lucian said coldly. “You should have stayed down.”
Kael’s golden eyes locked on Ravenna. His growl was low and deadly, his gaze filled with a promise.
“I told you,” he said, his voice deep even in his wolf form, “she is mine.”
Ravenna’s chest tightened. Fear, relief, and something else twisted inside her. Something she did not want to name.
The vampires braced for battle. The wolves closed ranks around their Alpha.
And Ravenna realized with a shiver that war was about to begin.
- Writer
