Claimed by King

Chapter 13: The Return of the Killer

(Juliana's POV)

The path down the mountain was treacherous, the uneven terrain made slick by an early morning frost. Jaxon led the way, his strides steady and confident, while I followed close behind, my senses on high alert.

The silence between us was heavy but comfortable, broken only by the occasional crunch of boots against loose rocks or the distant cry of an unseen bird.

"Where are we going?" I asked finally, my voice low.

"There's an outpost not far from here," Jaxon replied without looking back. "It's used by rebels fighting against the King's forces. They might have information we can use."

Rebels. The word hung in the air, carrying with it the weight of desperation and hope.

"And they'll trust us?" I asked, my tone skeptical.

"They don't have much of a choice," he said grimly. "Not with the way things are going."

As we descended further, a strange sensation began to creep over me—a heaviness in the air that made my skin prickle and my wolf stir uneasily.

"Do you feel that?" I asked, my steps faltering.

Jaxon stopped, turning to look at me. His expression darkened as he scanned the surrounding trees, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his blade.

"We're not alone," he said quietly.

I reached out with my senses, the faint hum of energy within me sharpening as I searched for the source of the disturbance.

And then I felt it—cold, dark, and suffocating, like a shadow creeping through the trees.

My breath hitched as memories of the east border flooded back, the image of the man who had killed my parents searing itself into my mind.

"No," I whispered, my chest tightening.

"What is it?" Jaxon asked, his voice low but urgent.

I didn't answer. I couldn't.

Because I already knew who was waiting for us.

The figure emerged from the shadows, his presence unmistakable. His tall, lean frame was shrouded in a dark cloak, and his piercing eyes gleamed with a cruel amusement that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "If it isn't the little wolf who survived."

My blood ran cold, every muscle in my body locking in place as I stared at the man who had haunted my nightmares for years.

"You," I breathed, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and rage.

"Ah, you remember me," he said, his smile widening. "I'm flattered."

Jaxon stepped in front of me, his blade drawn, his stance protective.

"Who is he?" he demanded, his voice tight.

"The man who killed my parents," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

The man's laughter echoed through the forest, low and menacing.

"Still clinging to that little grudge, are we?" he said, his tone mocking. "You should be thanking me, girl. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be here now, would you?"

The words ignited something inside me—a fire that burned hotter and brighter than any fear I felt.

"Shut up," I said, my voice trembling with anger.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my defiance.

"Or what?" he taunted. "You'll try to stop me? Just like your pathetic parents did?"

The fire inside me roared to life, and before I knew it, the energy I had been struggling to control surged to the surface.

The ground beneath me trembled as a wave of power radiated outward, the air around us crackling with energy. My vision blurred, the edges darkening as the force threatened to consume me.

"Juliana!" Jaxon's voice cut through the haze, pulling me back just enough to regain control.

I clenched my fists, focusing the energy inward, refusing to let it overwhelm me.

"Not this time," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

The man's smile faltered, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

"That's more like it," he said, his tone less mocking now. "Show me what you can do, little wolf."

He lunged at me, his movements swift and calculated. Jaxon intercepted him, their blades clashing with a sharp ring that echoed through the forest.

I stepped back, my chest heaving as I struggled to focus. The energy within me was wild, untamed, and it demanded release.

"Trust yourself," my wolf said, her voice calm and steady.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as I reached for the power. It surged forward eagerly, like a river breaking through a dam, and when I opened my eyes, the world around me was bathed in a crimson glow.

The man broke away from Jaxon, his gaze snapping to me as the energy crackled around my hands.

"Impressive," he said, his tone colder now. "But raw power won't save you."

He charged toward me, but this time I was ready.

I raised my hands, the energy coalescing into a brilliant burst of light that sent him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, the impact shaking the trees around us.

For a moment, I thought it was over. But then he rose, his laughter filling the air once more.

"You're stronger than I expected," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "Good. It'll make breaking you all the more satisfying."

Before I could respond, he vanished, his form dissolving into shadows that melted into the forest.

The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of what had just happened settling over me like a heavy blanket.

Jaxon approached me cautiously, his blade still in hand.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I nodded, though my hands trembled as the energy faded, leaving me drained and unsteady.

"He's not done," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "He'll be back."

"And so will we," Jaxon said firmly, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Next time, we'll be ready."

I looked at him, his unwavering resolve bolstering my own.

"Next time," I repeated, the words a promise to myself as much as to him.

But deep down, I knew the next time would only be more dangerous.

And I wasn't sure I'd survive it.