Chapter 3 Crossing the border

Raven’s Pov

The moon was low in the sky, just showing through the dense forest canopy. As Raven entered Silverfang territory, she walked silently and like a shadow. The woodland was now darker and colder. She wasn't prepared to hear the whispers that the wind whispered through the trees.

She ought not to be present.

However, the bond prevented her from leaving.

"Are you certain of this?" She could hardly hear Dax's voice behind her.

"No," Raven answered in a whisper. "But I must leave."

Dax sighed without protesting. He didn't.

They went farther into the woods. It was not far to the Silverfang border now. The air grew thicker with each step she took, as though the ground itself realized she no longer belonged there.

Raven stopped abruptly. Her heart pounded. She sniffed the air while crouching low. The breeze carried the subtle smell of blood. Her wolf shifted uncomfortably.

"There's a problem," she whispered.

Dax crouched next to her, looking around the shadows. "I can also smell it." new.

They moved stealthily, slicing through the bush and trees. The shadows became denser and deeper. Raven's heartbeat accelerated. She froze after pushing through the final row of trees.

In front of her was the Silverfang border, a line of old stones with claw marks and moss on them. However, there were no regular patrols. Not a guard. Not even sentries. Nothing but quiet.

"This is incorrect," Dax said.

Raven's body stiffened as she crossed the boundary. Nothing took place. No howls, no panic. Simply be silent. She became uneasy.

They stayed in the darkness and moved swiftly. The village was close by. She would be able to understand what was happening and leave sooner if they arrived sooner.

Behind her, a branch snapped. Raven's claws slid loose as it twirled. Dax knelt down, his eyes gleaming in the shadows.

Did you hear him whisper that?

She gave a nod. As they advanced, her heart raced. As the trees closed in, the woodland grew darker. She was guided by the relationship, which drew her closer. That it still had control over her was something she detested.

The ground beneath her feet abruptly changed. She tripped and collided with a tree. Her teeth ached when the earth shook with a low, rumbling rumble.

Dax took hold of her arm. "What on earth was that?"

The shadows shifted before she could respond.

Silently and quickly, a black figure moved between the woods. Raven's eyes darted into the darkness as he tensed. There was another figure. Then another.

"We're not by ourselves," she muttered.

Red-eyed, the figures circled about them. Rogues. Raven's hands clenched. They would be here, of course. It was intended that the Silverfang boundary would be impenetrable. However, these wolves walked around as if they were locals.

Dax was stiff next to her. "They're all around us."

Raven let out a low-pitched snarl. "Give them a chance."

The lone wolf lunged. Raven ducked, slicing the air with his claws. The outlaw staggered back and yelled. Another came at her throat, jaws snapping. Twisting, she pressed her elbow into its ribs.

With his claws gleaming in the moonlight, Dax battled next to her. Raven moved more quickly than the rogues. Her wolf surfaced as she ripped through them. She was propelled forward by the searing pulse of the tie in her veins.

The ground began to tremor once more. Raven stumbled, his eyes darting around in the shadows. The outlaws paused, their ears twitching. Then they ran away, disappearing into the forest.

"What the devil?" Dax wiped blood from his cheeks and panted.

Raven gave a headshake. "I'm not sure."

With a thunderous rumble that reverberated across the forest, the ground moved again. Raven's heart was pounding. This wasn't typical. There was a problem.

She ignored the pain in her body and pushed forward. The village was near. She sensed it. She was guided by the relationship, which drew her closer.

At last, the trees became thinner. Raven froze after stumbling into a clearing.

Darkness enveloped the Silverfang settlement that lay in front of her. Houses with smashed windows stood motionless. The smell of blood and ash filled the air.

"What took place here?" Dax muttered.

Raven felt sick to his stomach. She didn't recall this house. It was a cemetery.

Eyes searching the shadows, they walked cautiously through the village. The quiet was overwhelming. Not a howl. Not a voice. Nothing except emptiness.

A deep growl rumbled behind them abruptly. Raven's claws slid loose as it twirled. A wolf emerged from the darkness. It was a Silverfang, not a rogue. In the darkness, his golden eyes shone brightly.

"Who are you?" The wolf snarled.

Raven cautiously lifted her hands. "I'm not fighting here."

The wolf took a whiff of the air. His gaze expanded. "Raven?"

She blinked. "How are you aware of my name?"

He paused. "Kael, he mentions you."

Her heart tightened. "Where is he?"

The wolf cast a sidelong gaze. "In the packhouse. However, you shouldn't be present.

"Why not?"

The ground shook once again, more violently. The wolf's anxious gaze darted around. "Because something is about to happen."

A howl tore through the darkness before Raven could inquire. The shadows darkened and the air grew colder. The wolf of Raven snarled.

A dark figure stepped out from the trees. slender and tall, with cold blue eyes that shone in the shadows. Elias.

"All right," Elias drewled. "Look who scurried back."

Raven's blood became icy.

Kael was in danger.

As Elias entered the moonlight, his cold blue eyes glimmering with savage laughter, Raven's heart raced. He had that arrogant smile she remembered all too well, and he was tall and wiry. But suddenly there was a darker side to him. Like a second skin, the shadows held on to him.

Elias tilted his head and drawled, "Well, this is a surprise." "The fugitive mate comes back." We didn't anticipate seeing you again.

Raven's claws curled into her palms as she tensed. "I'm not here to support you."

Elias laughed. "Obviously not. You are here to support *him*. He took a hesitant step forward and sneered. "How heartwarming."

With a low growl rumbling in his chest, Dax moved closer to her. "Do you know this guy?"

"Unfortunately." Raven never took his eyes off of Elias. "Kael's old beta."

“Former?” Elias scoffed. "I have some influence still." There was a dark glint in his eyes. "Silvershadow, things have changed since you left."

"Why are there no guards at the borders?" Raven insisted. "Where is Kael?"

Elias chuckled quietly. "Oh, he's here. I guess he's busy licking his wounds. Silverfang has changed over time. That was ensured by the rogues. He grinned. "Or, perhaps more accurately, *I* ensured that."

Raven felt sick to his stomach. "You allowed them to enter."

"Give them access?" Elias threw open his arms. "I *invited* them." Something sinister distorted his grin. Kael was frail. When power was offered to him, he declined. I just grabbed what he refused to take.

Raven wanted to rip him to pieces with his claws. "Why?"

Elias's eyes were blazing. "Because Kael isn't worthy of this pack." He is not worthy of *you*. He scoffed. Raven, you ought to have kept away. You're simply another lost cause now.

Elias gave a piercing, low whistle before Raven could move. More rogues appeared from the shadows, their red eyes gleaming in the darkness. They circled her and Dax like sharks as they moved in softly.

Dax muttered an expletive. "I detest this place."

Raven's teeth were exposed. "Elias, you'll need to perform better than this."

Elias laughed. "Oh, don't be concerned. I've got plans. Malice glinted in his eyes. "But first... Let's check to see if you're still as tender as Kael claimed.

He flicked his hand, and the rogues came in.

The wolf of Raven charged forward. She pushed her elbow into the first rogue's ribs while ducking beneath its claws. It staggered back and yelled. Dax was there, cutting it across the muzzle as another pounced at her.

They moved quickly and accurately as they battled side by side. Raven's claws tore through skin and hair as it twisted. The ground was covered in blood, but the rogues continued to arrive.

Elias was looking, and she could feel his icy stare piercing her back. She felt the tie pull at her chest, drawing her in the direction of Kael and the town. She needed to reach him.

Dax was knocked to the ground by a rogue's thrust. With a growl, Raven jumped on its back and stabbed it in the neck with her claws. The rogue fell to the ground, writhing once and then becoming motionless.

Dax gasped for air and clambered to his feet. "It doesn't look good."

"We are unable to combat them all," Raven gasped. "We must flee."

Dax wiped blood from his cheeks and nodded. "Take the lead."

Rogues were right behind them as they ran into the trees. As they ripped through the forest, Raven's face being whipped by branches, her heart pounded. She was drawn forward by the bond, which directed her movements.

Elias's laughter reverberated through the trees behind them. Run, Silvershadow, while you can! You will never be able to escape the darkness!

The ground shook beneath her feet all of a sudden. Raven lost her balance and landed on a tree. The shadows darkened and the air grew colder.

"Raven!" Dax yelled.

She froze as she looked up.

Kael stood at the edge of the trees.

His amber eyes glowed in the shadows and met hers. His muscles tensed, blood spilling from his claws, he stood tall. Their relationship was so intense that it nearly took her breath away.

The world froze for a second.

A dark figure then sprang toward Kael from the shadows.

Raven let out a scream.