The Hollow Mark

Chapter Four – The Wolf’s Cry

“ARIA’S POV”

The first was tall and lean, his skin pale like bone. His eyes glowed faintly red and cold. His lips curved into a smile, showing too many teeth, sharp and thin, like he enjoyed the sight of fear.

The second was broader, his shoulders heavy beneath his black cloak. His presence felt heavy, pressing against my chest. His eyes were pitch-black, no whites at all, his glance pierced at me like an endless pit.

When he breathed, the air shivered, and a stench of blood clung to him, burning my nose…making me gag.

The cloaked man who had been in the room not too long, stiffened.

His smirk was gone, replaced by a grim look.

“You’re early,” he said, his voice low now.

The pale one tilted his head at me, his smile widening as his gaze landed on me.

“So… this is the little wolf who howled at the moon.”

The other’s voice rumbled like gravel grinding together.

“And the one marked by it.”

My heart slammed so hard against my ribs. Ivy’s fingers dug into mine, her hand trembling as she pressed closer to my side.

The pale one took a slow step closer, his eyes gleaming like a predator spotting prey.

“Pretty little thing. "The Council would want her alive… but no one said untouched.”

His hand twitched, and the fire in the room dimmed at once, shadows stretching long and sharp across the walls.

I shrank back, every instinct screaming danger. My wolf snapped awake, snarling furiously in my chest, pushing at my skin, ready for a fight.

I shoved Ivy toward the wall. “Run.”

“Aria, no—”

“Now!” My voice cracked like a whip.

The pale one lunged first, his hand reaching for my throat. Ivy screamed.

My wolf broke free in a burst of instinct and I ducked under his arm, my claws sliding out as I slashed across his side. His cloak tore, and dark blue liquid oozed instead of blood. His hiss was sharp and inhuman.

The bigger one moved next, faster than I expected. His massive hand caught my wrist, his grip felt like iron.

Pain shot up my arm as he twisted, forcing me to the floor. My wolf thrashed, but before I could fight back, a vial flashed in his other hand. The same dark blue liquid spilled.

Wolf Poison.

The smell burned my nostrils, sharp and metallic.

“No!” I snarled, kicking hard. My boot connected with his knee, buying me just enough time to rip free. My claws slashed across his arm, the syringe clattering to the floor before he could jam it into my skin. He staggered but didn’t fall.

The broad one moved faster than I could blink, seizing my wrist with a grip like iron. Pain flared, my bones threatening to snap. His other hand swung, another syringe flashing.

I bit him. Hard. My fangs sank into his cloak-covered arm, warm metallic blood flooding my mouth. He snarled, shoving me back into the stone wall. My skull cracked against it, sparks of pain blinding me.

“Go, Ivy!” I screamed again.

This time she listened. Through the blur, I saw her slip behind the pale one, darting toward the door.

Her footsteps pounded toward the door, fading fast.

Both monsters turned their heads in unison, watching her run. My thought stirred—if I didn’t keep them here, they’d catch her.

I lunged. My wolf roared through me, claws out, teeth bared, striking wild and desperate.

A sudden strength surged through me, landing blows on each of them, they struck back twice as hard. My ribs burned, I raked my nails down the broad one’s face. He bellowed, stumbling.

I shoved off the wall, crashing my elbow into the pale one’s jaw. His red eyes flared, rage boiling as he lunged for me again. I kicked the syringe across the floor, sending it spinning into the fire. Black smoke hissed up from the flames.

I fought harder. But they were too strong.

When I sensed there was nothing else left to do—I bolted.

My shoulder crashed through the door. My body ached, but adrenaline dragged me forward. The night air slapped me hard as I stumbled into the courtyard, my eyes caught ivy slipping through the gate as I watched her figure vanish into the dark.

Relief eased through me sharply, knowing she had escaped safely.

Then I darted out the gates. My feet carrying me blindly into the trees.

But they were still on me.

I ran.

The forest swallowing me whole. Branches clawed at my arms, my face, drawing blood. My bare feet pounded the ground, tearing on stones and roots, tripping me. I still continued.

Hot tears blurred my vision. My chest burned like fire, the mate bond had just started snapping again and again, shards of it driving deeper every time I remember his words echo in my head.

Weak. Unworthy.

The forest tilted. My legs gave out, and I collapsed, the dirt swallowing my knees. I pressed my fists into the earth and screamed.

But it wasn’t a human scream.

It ripped out of me raw and wild, rolling from my chest like thunder. The sound shook the trees, rattling through the forest. Birds burst from the branches, scattering in terror. The earth itself seemed to tremble beneath me.

My wolf howled with me, our voices splitting the night open.

And then—silence.

I fell forward, my face smashing into the dirt. My blood dripped from scratches across my skin, soaking into the earth.

My breath hitched, weak and ragged.

And then suddenly, I felt the touch of an arm.

Strong arms yanked me up, pulling me against a hard chest. A hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my sob before I could cry out.

His body shielded mine, heat radiating off him, his scent cutting through blood and smoke.

My body stiffened in shock.

I twisted my head, my blurred gaze lifting just enough to see.

Storm-gray eyes flashing in the moonlight.

‘Kael!