Kai
“Moya. Vse moya.” Mine. All mine.
With my wolf’s heightened sense of smell, I trace Ash’s scent to the edge of a cliff overlooking the roughest sea I’ve ever seen. The scent dissipates into the crisp fall air, swallowed by the vast, turbulent expanse below. I pace back and forth along the cliff’s edge, each step heavy with frustration as the relentless crashing of the waves beneath echoes the turmoil roiling inside me. The tumultuous sea mirrors the chaos in my mind, intensifying my sense of disorientation.
This place feels foreign, charged with an unsettling magic that seems to be working against me. It’s as if the very air and the arcane forces here are trying to draw me deeper into my wolf’s nature, attempting to trap me in this primal state. I shake my head vigorously in an effort to dispel the fog that clouds my thoughts.Focus, Kai, I tell myself. This can’t be where the trail ends. I know she’s in a cave somewhere. I need to push past this illusion, to find a way through the magic and continue the search.
Startled by the sound of rocks falling from the cliff face, my curiosity leads me toward the edge to see what has caused it.
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of fear and anger coursing through my veins, as I peer over the sheer drop. The sight of Ash, bloodied and bound in chains, slowly climbing the cliff face, sends a surge of adrenaline through me, overriding any rational thoughts. Instinct takes over as I let out a primal growl, my wolf form trembling with fury.
Ash’s head shoots up, her dark eyes meeting mine, a haunting combination of pain and desperation evident within them. The metallic scent of blood fills the air, heightening my instincts and fueling my desire to reach her.
Every muscle in my body tenses as I ready to launch myself over the ledge and tear apart whoever dares to harm her. But as I move closer, a strange force holds me back, like an invisible barrier pushing against me.
Frustration bubbles within as I snarl and pace along the edge of the cliff, my mind racing to comprehend the situation. It’s then I realize the magic surrounding this place feels oppressive, suffocating almost.
Is there a spell preventing me from crossing?
My attention remains locked on Ash, every fiber of my being focusing on her as she struggles to climb. My heart plummets when her hand slips, her grip faltering for a terrifying moment that seems to stretch into eternity. Before she can fall, she lunges upward, her body moving on pure instinct, desperately grabbing the next rock. The sound of her cry pierces through me, a torment that shreds my insides. More rocks crumble beneath her, tumbling down the steep incline, and I can see the fatigue in every movement, every trembling limb. Her body is pushing past its limits, each upward reach more labored than the last. The sheer exhaustion etched into her every motion makes my heart ache.
I stop pacing, my pulse pounding in my ears. She isn’t far now. I can almost reach her. Determination surges through me as I shift into my human form, immediately dropping to my stomach. I stretch my hand toward the invisible barrier, reaching as far as I can.
My fingers push through the barrier without resistance. Huh . . .
I glance below at Ash, my hand still extended. The barrier doesn’t stop me. I can save her.
“Beautiful, grab my hand.”
A sob escapes her, causing my heart to break, and her dirty, bloody, tear-streaked face lifts to mine again.
I watch as her beautifully dark eyes harden, and with a labored breath, she inhales slowly, the pain stark in her expression. She musters the last ounce of strength to reach for my outstretched hand. Our fingers grip each other’s forearms tightly, and without a moment’s hesitation, I hoist her up and over the rugged cliff’s edge. Her body lands securely against my chest, and the impact sends a shudder through both of us. The sound of her ragged breaths fills the air, mingling with the wild thrashing of my own heart.
I hold her tightly against my chest, providing both reassurance and support. Her trembling form presses against me, and I can feel the desperation and relief radiating from her. The moment crashes over us like a wave, leaving us breathless and clinging to each other, our hearts beating in unison.
“Are you really here?” Ash’s voice breaks, and anguish wells up within me at the sound.
“Yes, beautiful. I’m really here.” I place a kiss on top of her head, savoring her scent, trying to ignore the smell of her blood.
I’m going to kill whoever is responsible.
Ashpushes away from me and suddenly stands, staring down at me, fury lining those pretty eyes. “Why did you come?”
“What the fuck?” I whisper, the words escaping my lips as a hoarse breath. “Why do you think?”
“You’re a fool, Kai Cartwright,” she growls out, turning her back on me. “A fucking handsome one. But a fool nonetheless.”
I stand and wrap my arms around her small frame, resting my cheek on the top of her head. “Handsome?”
Her soft chuckle is music to my ears as she leans her back into my chest. “We need to get away from here. He’ll wake soon.”
“The dark figure from the cave?” I snarl, turning her to face me, and regret it when I see her wince.
The chains bite into Ash’s torn flesh, the metallic stench mixing with the scent of her blood. My stomach churns, rage simmering just beneath the surface as I glare at the restraints. Every instinct screams for me to destroy everything that’s ever hurt her, but I force it down. I can’t afford to lose control right now.
“Let’s get you out of these,” I grit out, my voice rough with barely contained fury.
Ash nods, her desperation clear. “Please!”
