Chapter 4: Into The Blackthorn Pack
708 Words
The glowing red eyes crept closer through the darkness.
One by one, shadowy figures emerged from the trees, dressed in black cloaks with crimson markings stitched across their chests. Every one of them carried a weapon coated in a strange black poison.
Aria's breathing quickened.
"They found me..."
Kael stepped in front of her, his sword gleaming beneath the moonlight.
"No."
"They found us."
His Beta, Rowan, and the Blackthorn warriors rushed into the clearing, surrounding their Alpha.
"More than fifty enemies," Rowan reported grimly.
"They've surrounded the forest."
Kael never took his eyes off the approaching hunters.
"So they came prepared."
The hooded leader stepped forward.
His scarred face twisted into a cruel smile.
"Alpha Kael."
"You've made a terrible mistake."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"And what mistake is that?"
"Protecting her."
He pointed directly at Aria.
"Hand over the girl, and we'll leave your territory peacefully."
Kael didn't even hesitate.
"No."
The hunter laughed.
"Do you even know who she is?"
Kael glanced at Aria.
"No."
"But I intend to find out."
The man's smile disappeared.
"Then you'll die with her."
With a wave of his hand, the hunters attacked.
Steel clashed against steel as the forest erupted into battle.
Kael charged first, cutting through the front line with terrifying speed.
His sword moved like lightning, forcing the hunters backward.
Rowan fought beside him while the Blackthorn warriors formed a protective wall around Aria.
Despite their strength, the hunters kept coming.
"They're not trying to win," Rowan shouted.
"They're trying to keep us busy!"
Kael's eyes widened.
"Aria!"
He spun around just in time to see two masked hunters break through the trees behind her.
One grabbed her arm.
The other pressed a poisoned dagger against her neck.
"Don't move," the hunter hissed.
Aria struggled desperately.
"Let me go!"
Kael's wolf roared inside him.
Protect our mate!
Without thinking, Kael shifted into his massive black wolf and lunged forward.
The hunter pushed Aria away and raised the dagger.
Too slow.
Kael slammed into him with crushing force, sending him flying into a tree.
The second hunter fled into the forest.
Kael shifted back into human form and hurried to Aria.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, though her hands trembled.
"I... I'm okay."
Kael noticed the fear in her eyes wasn't because of the battle.
She was afraid of herself.
Before he could ask why, a strange silver glow appeared beneath Aria's feet.
The ground began to shake.
The moonlight above grew brighter than ever before.
"No..." Aria whispered.
"Not again."
Silver energy burst from her body, creating a powerful wave that threw everyone backward.
The hunters screamed as they were knocked off their feet.
Even Kael stumbled.
The light surrounded Aria like a protective shield.
Ancient symbols floated around her, glowing with a soft silver radiance.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
One of the hunters whispered in terror,
"The prophecy..."
"So it's true."
The hooded leader immediately dropped to one knee.
"Retreat!"
The surviving hunters disappeared into the darkness as quickly as they had arrived.
The forest became silent once more.
The silver light slowly faded.
Aria collapsed.
Before she could hit the ground, Kael caught her in his arms.
She looked exhausted.
"What... happened?"
Kael looked down at her.
"I was hoping you'd tell me."
Aria closed her eyes.
"I don't know."
"And that's what scares me."
Kael remained silent for several moments.
Finally, he made his decision.
"You can't stay here."
Aria opened her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Whoever is hunting you won't stop."
"And if you keep running alone..."
He shook his head.
"You'll never survive."
She searched his face.
"You want me to come with you?"
Kael nodded.
"To Blackthorn Pack."
"My home."
Aria hesitated.
Trusting an Alpha she'd only just met sounded like madness.
But returning to the forest meant certain death.
She slowly nodded.
"I'll come."
A small smile appeared on Kael's face.
"Good."
As the Blackthorn warriors escorted them through the forest, none of them noticed a pair of crimson eyes watching from high above the trees.
A shadowy figure smiled beneath a black hood.
"So..."
"The Moon Heir has chosen the Blackthorn Alpha."
He turned and disappeared into the darkness.
"The Master will be pleased."
- Writer
