Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
F innar’s paws pounded against the earth as he raced through the forest towards the Vultor enclave. His beast whined anxiously as having left their mate behind but she couldn’t have achieved the same speed.
The enclave sprawled across a hidden valley close to his den. He’d told her truthfully that it wasn’t quite like a human village. The houses were tucked amidst the trees, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. Humans built for show. Vultor built for concealment. But his pack was there.
His paws were a blur as he passed the first scattered homes. He knew that Scarlett would have found it beautiful—the way the wood and stone of the dwellings blended seamlessly with the natural landscape. His chest ached with longing to share it with her, to watch her eyes light up and see that infectious smile on her face.
But not yet. Not until he was sure it was safe. He refused to put her in any danger. His beast snarled its agreement and pushed for even greater speed.
As he approached the center of the enclave, several Vultor glanced up at his passing. He ignored them, focusing only on his mission to find Seren. He needed to pass on the warning as soon as possible, and then return to his mate. A larger group was sprawled around the communal fire pit and they looked up as he approached. The distrust he’d expected to see was oddly muted.
“I need to find Seren,” he said sharply.
“He’s at home,” Tavar said, pointing at Seren’s cabin.
It looked the same as any of the other homes, no larger or more impressive despite his position as alpha.
He nodded his thanks and kept moving, but he caught fragments of conversation behind him.
“…with the human female…”
“…alpha allowed it…”
“…changed somehow…”
They sounded almost… approving. The acceptance felt foreign after years of isolation, but he pushed aside the unfamiliar warmth blooming in his chest. There would be time later to contemplate what it meant.
Right now, he needed to find Seren and warn him about the hunter. The possibility of finally belonging, of having both a mate and a pack, would have to wait.
He found Seren sorting seed packets—not something he’s ever expected to see—but the alpha quickly pushed them to one side as he entered.
“There’s a hunter in the woods,” he said quickly. “And he may be a bounty hunter. After Vultor.”
Seren’s expression darkened as he told him what Scarlett had said, his claws drumming on the rough wooden table.
His alpha sighed heavily when he finished his report. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The last thing we need right now is conflict between humans and Vultor.”
“Agreed. I need to get back.” He shifted his weight, his beast already urging him to return. “My mate is waiting. She has accepted my claim.”
The words felt right on his tongue, pride swelling in his chest as he claimed her.
A genuine smile crossed Seren’s face.
“I’m happy for you, Finnar. Truly.”
But despite the sincerity of the congratulations, he caught that flicker of longing in the alpha’s eyes—the same look he’d seen earlier when they’d discussed mates. It was the expression of someone who understood exactly what Finnar had found, and yearned for it himself.
He wished he could offer some comfort but he knew only too well there was none. Instead he bowed his head and left, racing back through the forest, his long strides eating up the distance. The sun was approaching the horizon, the last rays of daylight slanting through the trees, but he barely noticed the play of shadows across his path. His thoughts were centered on his mate, replaying the sweetness of their joining, anticipating holding her again.
A breeze rustled through the trees and his steps faltered. Her scent reached him, carried on the wind, but something was wrong. The usual honeyed sweetness was there, but underneath lay the sharp, acrid taste of fear.
His beast surged forward, claws threatening to emerge as panic clawed at his chest. No. He forced himself to breathe deeply, to think clearly. The hunter. Had the hunter found her? He should never have left her alone.
Each step brought her scent closer, the fear growing more pronounced. His muscles bunched and flexed as he fought against the urge to transform completely. He needed to maintain control, to assess the situation before charging in blindly.
But his beast prowled restlessly beneath his skin, demanding action. Their mate was in danger. Their mate needed them. The sound of his heartbeat thundered in his ears as he pushed himself faster, following her scent through the darkening woods.
When he finally reached the clearing, he found her bound against a large boulder, her wrists and ankles secured with thick rope that bit into her delicate skin. Her face was streaked with tears, but her eyes lit up when she saw him.
His vision went red. The beast inside him roared, demanding retribution for anyone who dared harm their mate. He knew it was probably a trap—the hunter had to be nearby—but he couldn’t stop himself from charging forward. Nothing mattered except getting to her.
“Finnar!”
The relief in her voice tore at his heart as he reached her. He extended his claws and began slicing through the ropes binding her wrists, careful not to nick her skin despite his rage.
“The hunter’s watching,” she whispered urgently, her voice trembling. “He’s out there somewhere.”
He growled low in his throat but didn’t stop freeing her. Let the hunter come. He’d tear him apart for daring to touch what was his. The second rope fell away and he reached for the bindings at her ankles.
“Look out!” Her cry pierced the air just as he heard the whisper of an arrow cutting through the air toward him.
He spun to one side but the arrow struck his shoulder with brutal force. White-hot pain exploded through his body, and his beast seized control. Bones cracked and reformed as his muscles rippled and expanded. Coarse fur erupted across his skin as his face elongated into as his fangs grew.
The transformation complete, he spun toward the threat. The hunter stood at the edge of the clearing, his face draining of color as he took in Finnar’s massive beast form. The man’s hands shook as he dropped his bow and drew a long hunting knife from his belt.
His enhanced senses picked up the acrid stench of the hunter’s fear, mixing with his mate’s lingering distress. The combination drove his beast into a frenzy. This human had dared to harm his mate, to use her as bait. The thought sent fresh rage coursing through his veins.
A deep, menacing growl rumbled from his chest as he crouched, muscles bunching. The hunter took an unsteady step backward, knife wavering in his grip.
He launched himself across the clearing, claws extended and fangs bared. His only thought was to eliminate the threat to his mate. Nothing else mattered except tearing apart the one who had dared to hurt what was his.