Chapter Seven
The coppery tang of blood filled my mouth, coating my tongue and dripping from my teeth as I tore into the fibrous muscle of the rogue's flank. The howl of pain reverberated through my ears as they collapsed into a twitching pile of pain.
My eyes scanned the battle field, the edges of my vision tinged red as I panted, an icy cloud huffing with each breath.
The girl had shuffled back, huddling against a tree as her quiet sobs were muffled by the grizzly sounds of the fight. But she was safe, for now.
My paws sunk into the soft dirt as I sprinted across the clearing where Talia was snapping back from beneath the filthy jaws of a rogue. My claws ached for contact, to dig into the neck of the beast who dared attack my pack. The rest of the forest was tuned out as I honed in on my target.
Then the world was spinning.
A sharp pain pierced my side as I went tumbling to the ground. Sickly yellow eyes, frenzied and bloodthirsty, closed in on me as I twisted to stand, bracing my body for the bite.
He was like a shadow, streaking through the air with gnashing teeth, latching onto the rogue poised to attack me. There was a nauseating crunch of snapping bone and the wolf went limp. It was calculated, efficient - beautiful.
My wolf howled as I took off towards Talia, a song of gratitude and promise chorused by the protective growl of Dax's midnight wolf. A shiver rippled through me as I ran, propelling me forward to leap over the rogue pinning my packmate down.
She saw me coming, anticipated my jump and launched her hind legs into the belly of the rogue, pushing him back so I could snap mid leap.
My teeth sunk into the wiry fur, piercing the flesh until it closed around the spine. I twisted, using the momentum of the kick to hurl the body into the ground. The shockwave of the landing left them paralysed long enough for my claws to draw a deep gash down its belly.
I whirled around, teeth bared, growl rolling deep in my chest as I dared the next opponent.
But the field was a sea of blood and bodies and a stillness was beginning to settle. My body trembled, chest heaving with panting breaths as I fought down the elated high of adrenaline.
His eyes found mine, an impossible magnet that pulled him towards me. I took a step, longing for the closeness, to falling into the possession in his eyes.
Talia nudged my good shoulder with her own, knocking me from the trance he held me in. Her white coat was smeared with dirt and blood, her head dipped in concern.
The pain came in drips, the burning heat radiating through my shoulder and down my body from each cut and graze. I could see the blood matting my fur, slowly spreading over my shoulder and down my leg.
There was a clear imprint of teeth on Talia's leg, her front paw raised in a limp. I looked her over, only seeing a few more minor injuries from her skirmish. My wolf acted on instinct, licking at a scratch on her back, wanting to nurture her own.
A cloudy grey wolf padded towards us, his head cocking to the side as he dropped a pair of shirts in front of us.
His ears were relaxed at the side, tail low and wagging gently, open and welcoming.
Talia's tail wagged in return, tongue lolling from her mouth.
I almost expected her to tap her feet and bow, ready for a game of chase.
She had always been so playful as a wolf.
I crouched to the ground, letting the shift roll through my body as I did. I could feel the heat of Dax's gaze rising and falling as I shifted back and pulled the much too large shirt over my body.
The heat grew as I held my hand out for Talia to pull her up. He was getting closer.
My stomach flipped and churned, the pattering of my heart filling my ears. I raised my chin as I turned, staring him down with practiced defiance, determined to not let him see that he was affecting me.
But he knocked the breath out of me anyway.
He reached out without an ounce of hesitation, his hand pinching the collar of my t-shirt, pulling it to the side.
His fingers brushed my neck, a trail of molten lava as goosebumps followed his touch.
My jaw clenched as I fought the urge to lean in, to let my body collapse into his and be comforted rather than gritting my teeth against the searing pain in my shoulder.
Dax frowned, dark eyes scanning the deep gouges that soaked my borrowed shirt in blood. My eyes stayed closed just a moment longer, relishing the warming heat that flooded through me and lessened the pain.
His hand snatched back like he'd been burned. Dax refused to meet my eyes but I could see the swirling tumult of emotions darken his face as he stepped away.
"You should get that checked by the healer," he said, his silky voice distant and removed.
The rage roared in my chest at the audacity he had to try and toy with me like this. A chill raced down my spine and I wasn't sure whether I wanted to stop it.
"Did you come up with that all by yourself?" I snapped, hostility coating my words as my composure disintegrated in his proximity.
The laugh snapped me back to reality, the icy mask frosting over my features as I turned to see a hulking wolf of a man gleaming with joy and Talia's eyes widened in utter shock at my outburst.
Dax cleared his throat, a pointed glare towards the man who just shrugged, the shit-eating grin still in place.
"You're vicious," he complimented with an approving nod. "I didn't think I would see someone who could keep up with the Alpha in a fight but damn, you're impressive."
The man held out his hand, his handshake firm and short. "I'm Alec, Beta for Eclipse Hollow."
Eclipse Hollow, the pack led by the one and only Alpha Dax Varyn.
"Talia Pascque," she interjected, saving me from the momentary freeze I felt from the scorching gaze that hadn't left since I touched Alec's hand. "And Kiera Brione. We're here from the Northern Circle."
"No kidding," Alec said as he started to stroll away slow enough for Talia and I to take the hint and fall into stride with him. "You two stand out, though your enemies will always see you bleed."
"They don't usually even get a chance to see us." It was a throw away line, measured and flat now that the space between me and Dax was steadily growing, but Alec loved it and fell into another bout of laughter.
"You're gonna be a bit o' trouble aren't ya?"
Trouble. The word snapped something in me and I whipped around to the tree the young girl had been huddled against.
She had to be okay. She had to have made it.
My heart stopped when I couldn't see her, the ice filling my veins even as Talia placed a hand between my shoulder blades.
She had to be okay.
The breath left my lungs with a stuttered shudder. She was there, her frail little frame enveloped in the arms of two young looking wolves, tears streaming down their faces as they stroked her cheeks and hair.
His voice cut through the moment, the deep smoothness flowing over me like silk, making my wolf long for him again.
"Alec, call all the guards and secure the perimeter," Dax ordered, broad shoulders set stiffly. "The Council's gonna want answers and I'm not having another breech."
Alec nodded, shooting Talia and I a quick grin before he started barking out orders to the others.
Dax stalked away, not even giving me a second glance as he made his way back to the Council house. I wanted to scream, to growl, to spring on him in an attack to force him to acknowledge me.
Instead, I set my jaw and followed. The silence hung heavy between Talia and I as we made our way back. I could feel her eyes on me, sense the weight of her concern. I ignored it, hoping that my pretense of strength would be enough to convince her. This would all be fine.
If I repeated it enough, maybe I could convince myself too.
A small group of Council members and other familiar delegates were standing around a roaring fire right inside the Council building.
Dax stood in the centre, the golden glow of the fire highlighting the subtle red hues in his thick hair. He looked dominant, regal, so wholly in charge of the room he controlled. And Lyra stood at his side, her manicured hand trailing over his arm as she looked up at him with adoration.
I was going to be sick.
"Who would be stupid enough to attack here and now of all times?" Someone asked, making Dax's brow furrow ever so slightly.
The shadows danced over the room, ominous figures lurking at the edges.
"How were they able to get past your borders?" Another accused, leading a chorus of affirming murmurs across the crowd.
"They moved in formation, waited in ambush," I said to the group, knowing I was confirming their fears. "This was coordinated but not final."
The trepidation and anxiety stank up the room, smothering the comforting scent of smoke.
"We've doubled our border patrols. They won't get through again," Dax assured the room, his gaze falling on everyone but me.
"Why now?" Lyra asked, innocent eyes batting up at her fiance. "Why today? Everyone has been here for days. Well, nearly everyone." A soft hum of agreement waved through the room, eyes darting towards where Talia and I stood, still blood soaked from the battle. "So why now?"
The unspoken accusation was obvious, fuelled by the worry that permeated the crowd.
"I'll send scouts to track their movements, gain more information on why they're here." Dax's tone was final, his decision definite.
As the crowd began to disperse, I gave Talia a nod and stepped outside.
The porch was empty, no one in the mood to be outside after the events of the afternoon. It was the only place to find some solace.
My body was still thrumming with the rush of the fight, my mind still spiraling, latching onto every movement as though it was an attack.
My shoulder ached by the bleeding had stopped, the wound slowly stitching itself together.
Other wolves had been injured in the fight, I wasn't going to take the healers time when I could manage the pain for a few days while I waited for it to heal.
The door opened but I didn't look back. The shimmering wave of heat that flowed through me told me everything I needed to know.
"What happened out there doesn't mean anything," Dax said, his silky voice strong but quiet. Of course he didn't want anyone to know he was speaking with me.
I stayed silent.
"You dove into a fight that wasn't yours to protect one of my pack members. I was simply returning the favour by offering the help of our healer," he explained, a tinge of frustration touching his voice.
I kept my eyes on the tree line ahead of me. He didn't deserve my attention.
My wolf howled inside of me, longing to turn and meet his eyes, to feel the warmth of the bond spread as we embraced our mate.
He wasn't ours.
Dax let out a heavy huff. "Don't confuse my obligation with affection."
I kept my face stoney as I turned my head to look at him.
"Don't confuse my silence with submission."
His eyes flashed amber, his growl quiet but audible as he turned on his heel and stormed away.
Coward.
Honestly, fighting scenes can be hard. Maybe that's just because my dogs mostly play fight rather than get aggressive so I have less to pull from!
But why do Dax and Kiera have to be so mean? It hurts me but it can't be too easy.