Chapter 5 The Hunt

Smoke lingered in the air. The ruined village stank of blood and ash.

Aria stood among the bodies. Her throat burned. Her eyes stung.

Kael crouched beside a corpse. His hands were steady. His jaw hard. He studied the claw marks.

He spoke low. "These rogues were trained. See the cuts. Clean. Not wild."

Aria hugged her cloak tight. Her voice cracked. "Who would train rogues?"

His gaze rose. His eyes locked on hers. "An Alpha who lost honor. Or one who wants war."

Her heart raced. Fear coiled tight in her chest.

The bond pulsed sharp. Her wolf stirred restless. "He protects. Stay near."

But her mind screamed. "Do not trust him."

She turned away.

Kael stood. His height towered over the ruins. His voice was steel. "We cannot stay here. Whoever led them will return."

Aria's lips pressed tight. She nodded.

They walked down the road. The sun sank lower. Shadows stretched long.

Neither spoke. Silence weighed heavy.

Aria's chest ached. The image of the dead burned in her eyes. She whispered. "Do you feel nothing?"

Kael's steps slowed. He turned to her. His voice rough. "I feel everything. I feel rage. I feel the pull of blood. I feel the bond between us."

Her eyes widened.

Her voice trembled. "Do not twist this bond. You already broke it."

His chest heaved. His voice deepened. "No bond breaks. You still feel me. I still feel you."

Her cheeks flushed hot. Her wolf pressed close. Her heart thudded loud.

She snapped. "Stop. Do not speak of it."

He did not answer. He only looked at her. His eyes dark.

The silence stretched.

They reached the edge of the forest. A field opened wide.

A farmhouse stood ahead. Smoke curled from the chimney.

Aria slowed. Her hand gripped her knife.

Kael lifted his chin. His wolf senses stretched. He caught no threat.

He said, "We rest here."

She frowned. "What if they are not safe?"

His gaze was steady. "If they are not, we deal with it."

Her chest tightened. She followed him forward.

The door opened before they knocked. An older woman stood there. Her gray hair tied back. Her eyes sharp.

She looked them over. Her voice firm. "You are wolves."

Kael inclined his head. "Yes. We seek shelter."

The woman studied him. Her eyes narrowed. Then she shifted to Aria.

Aria held her gaze. She did not flinch.

Finally, the woman stepped aside. "Come in."

Inside, the air smelled of bread and herbs. The house was small, but clean.

Two children peeked from behind the table. Their eyes wide.

Aria's chest softened. Her voice gentled. "Do not fear. We mean no harm."

The children ducked back, whispering.

The woman set bread on the table. "Eat. Then speak."

Kael nodded. He tore bread, passed a piece to Aria first.

Aria's hand brushed his when she took it. Her skin burned from the contact. Her heart stumbled. She looked away quick.

The bond pulsed stronger.

She hated it. She craved it.

They ate in silence. The woman watched. Her eyes sharp.

Finally, Kael spoke. His voice calm. "There was an attack nearby. Rogues."

The woman's jaw clenched. Her hands trembled.

She whispered. "We heard. Smoke rose high. My son was in that village."

Aria's chest twisted. She lowered her head.

Kael's voice deepened. "I am sorry."

The woman's eyes glistened. She shook her head. "Do not be sorry. Be ready. More will come."

Kael leaned forward. "You know who leads them."

The woman's lips pressed thin. She hesitated. Then she nodded.

Her voice dropped. "Alpha Draven. From the East."

Aria frowned. Her brows furrowed. "Why?"

The woman's voice sharpened. "He wants land. He wants power. And he wants blood ties broken. He hates bonds."

Aria's chest squeezed. Her eyes darted to Kael.

His jaw tightened. His voice was ice. "Then he comes for us."

The woman nodded. "Yes."

Silence fell.

Later, they rested in the barn. Straw piled in the corner.

Aria lay wrapped in her cloak. She turned her back to Kael. She stared into the dark.

Her wolf whispered. "He stayed close. He fought for us."

Her heart ached. Her mind whispered. "Do not give in."

Kael lay behind her. His breath steady. His eyes open.

He watched the outline of her shoulders. He wanted to reach out. To pull her into his chest. To feel her warmth.

But he stayed still.

The bond throbbed strong. His wolf growled inside. "Claim her."

He clenched his fists. "Not yet."

The night dragged long.

Dawn broke.

They left the farm at first light. The woman pressed herbs into Aria's hands. "For wounds. You will need them."

Aria thanked her.

Kael inclined his head. "Your kindness will not be forgotten."

The woman's eyes held his. Her voice firm. "Then do not fail her."

Kael's chest tightened. He nodded once.

They walked away.

The road stretched far. The forest rose again ahead.

Aria's voice broke the silence. "She told you not to fail me."

Kael looked at her. "I will not."

Her eyes glistened. Her voice cracked. "You already did."

The words cut deep. His jaw tightened. He looked away.

But inside, his wolf roared. "Win her back."

By noon, they reached a ridge. From the top, the valley spread wide.

Smoke curled in the distance again. Another village burned.

Aria gasped. Her hands shook. "Not again."

Kael's teeth bared. His voice was harsh. "Draven moves fast."

Her wolf growled inside. "Danger grows."

Kael's hand brushed her arm. His touch warm. "Stay close."

Her heart skipped. She wanted to pull away. She wanted to lean in.

Her throat tight, she whispered. "Stop touching me."

But she did not move.

He looked at her. His eyes dark. "I will never stop."

Her breath caught.

The bond pulsed like fire between them.

They moved down the ridge. The valley floor was empty, too quiet.

Kael's senses sharpened. His wolf pricked. He raised a hand. "Wait."

Aria froze. Her knife slipped into her hand.

The wind shifted. The scent hit. Rogues. Dozens.

Shapes broke from the trees. Eyes gleamed gold. Teeth bared.

Aria's chest heaved. "Too many."

Kael growled. His wolf surged. "We fight."

Aria's voice shook. "We will die."

He looked at her. His voice fierce. "Not while I breathe."

Her wolf howled inside. Her knees weakened.

The rogues charged.

Kael shifted fast. His wolf massive, black fur bristling. His roar split the air.

Aria's knife flashed. She slashed the first rogue that came near. Blood sprayed.

Kael tore through the pack. Teeth ripped. Claws shredded. His fury unmatched.

Aria fought beside him. Her arms burned. Cuts stung. But she stood.

The ground grew slick with blood. Bodies piled.

Still, more came.

Aria staggered. A rogue lunged at her side. She lifted her blade, too slow.

Kael slammed into it. He ripped its throat. Blood soaked his chest.

He turned, snarling. His wolf's eyes burned into hers. "Stay with me."

Her heart thundered. She nodded.

Together, they cut down the rest.

At last, silence.

Blood covered them both. Their chests heaved. Their bodies shook.

Aria dropped to her knees. Her hands trembled. Her knife slipped.

Kael shifted back. Naked, bloodied, fierce. He dropped to his knees beside her.

His hands cupped her face. His voice rough. "You live."

Her lips parted. Her breath fast. Her eyes wet.

She whispered. "Because of you."

The bond blazed hot.

His forehead pressed to hers. His chest heaved.

Their lips hovered close.

Aria's eyes closed. Her wolf howled inside.

But at the last moment, she pulled back. She pushed him away. Her voice cracked. "No. Not like this."

Kael's chest ached. His eyes burned. He wanted to pull her back. He wanted to claim her.

But he let her go.

The silence pressed heavy.

In the distance, a horn sounded.

Kael's head snapped up. His jaw tightened. "Draven's army moves."

Aria's heart pounded. Her hands shook.

The war had come.