I nod, my breathing shallow as I watch him shift effortlessly into his magnificent wolf form. His coat, a beautiful blend of white and gray, shines under the pale light. Without a second thought, I climb onto his back, my fingers sinking into the softness of his fur and holding on tightly.
“I’m good,” I whisper, though my voice is shaky.
With that, Kai launches forward, his powerful body surging into a run, leaving the cliffs and danger behind us. The forest blurs past, trees whipping by as he picks up speed, his focus entirely on getting us to safety. I lean over his body, clutching him tightly and feeling his determination, his fierce will to protect me, pulsing through every stride.
Kai keeps running, his pace unwavering, but I can feel my grip slipping as exhaustion overtakes me. My head lolls forward, the familiar sensation of falling creeping over me, but before I hit the ground, instinct kicks in. With the last bit of strength I have, I mist into shadows, reforming on my feet just in time. But as I reform, my legs give out beneath me.
Kai shifts seamlessly, catching me before I crumble completely, his warm arms wrapping around me.
“I’ve got you, beautiful,” he whispers, his voice a soft reassurance.
I’m jostled slightly as he repositions me to be carried, my body weak and limp in his arms. The scent of saltwater lingers in the air, and I realize we must’ve somehow looped back toward the ocean.
“It’s okay,” Kai murmurs, as if reading my thoughts. “I went inland and then north. We hit another cliff, but we’re far enough away now. I don’t sense anything tracking us.”
“He will, though,” I manage, my voice hoarse. “Just give him time.”
Kai gently sets me down, propping me up against a large boulder in a small clearing. The cool stone is grounding against my back, but my body is screaming for relief. I need something, anything, to help me recover faster. The surge of adrenaline is long gone now, leaving me weak, shaky, and with a crushing headache.
Kai crouches beside me, running a hand through his tousled blond hair, his face a mix of concern and frustration. “I wish I had some food or water to offer you.”
A weak smile tugs at my lips. “There’s one thing that will help speed up my healing.”
His head snaps up, blue eyes locking onto mine. “What? Name it, and it’s yours.”
“You don’t even know what I’m going to say.” I chuckle softly, though the sound is weak.
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Aww, you’re so sweet.” I reach up and pat his cheek.
“Ash,” he cuts me off, his impatience barely masked. “I don’t like seeing you like this. Now, what can I do?”
“Blood.” At his confused expression, I huff, forcing myself to explain. “I need blood.”
“My blood?” he asks, hesitant.
“Any blood,” I reply, trying to make it sound less dire than it is. “You could catch me an animal, and I’ll take its life force into me.”
Kai stands up slowly, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest. “Okay, I can do that.”
I narrow my eyes at him, sensing something is off. “When was the last time you hunted?” I ask.
He frowns, refusing to meet my gaze.
“Kai,” I press, my voice firmer.
His face hardens, jaw clenching. “I’ll be back,” he says gruffly, before shifting into his wolf form and darting into the trees, the sound of his paws quickly fading into the distance.
I lean my head back against the boulder, my body still aching, but the tension eases just a little. Since Kai removed the chains, the cuts on my body have completely closed. And once again, I can feel the surge of my magic coursing through my veins, filling me with the strength and confidence I thought I’d lost.
Chapter twenty-two
Kai
“She is soft but not weak.”
Iswiftly disappear among the trees, leaving Ash alone in the small clearing. Witnessing her in such a battered state ignites a fierce, raw energy within me, urging me to surrender to my animalistic nature and annihilate the creature responsible.
