Elara awoke to growls. They sounded too close as if someone was whispering in her ears.
She bolted upright in bed, heart hammering, senses sharpened. Callen was already up, shirtless, the silvery mark on his back glowing faintly in the dark. His eyes flicked to her wolf-bright and alert. Her heart raced.
"Wha…" but one look from him cut her at once.
"Elara," he breathed, voice a harsh whisper. His hand reached for her cheeks and caressed as if he wanted to assure her. Though she could see the fear in his eyes. "Shift! Now."
Then the window shattered.
A black-furred wolf lunged through the glass, snarling, foam-flecked jaws snapping for her throat. Elara rolled, landing barefoot on the cold floor. With a flick of her wrist, her power surged. **blue fire** danced up her arm, flickering like moonlight on water. She hurled it at the wolf, knocking it back with a yelp and crash.
Callen shifted mid-leap, fur exploding from his skin, bones twisting, body elongating into the sleek silver-gray wolf she knew. He tore into the intruder with fury, blood splashing across the wall.
But that was not enough because she knew many were waiting outside. They have come too far from the pack to spend a moment together. A mistake she regrets now. She knew nothing had ended, she had felt it in her bones, yet when he had asked, she had accepted.
If only, she had refused. Her rage burnt her chest as the wooden wall was cracked by the attacks. The growls whispered in her ears.
Elara didn't wait. She ran barefoot into the chaos, lightning flashing from her fingertips. The courtyard was overrun and black-furred wolves were everywhere. They were tearing through the two warriors guarding the boundaries.
They slashed doors, snapping necks.
His wolf was a blur of silver fury, flanked by his warriors, but they were being pushed back...
Fur rippled back into skin as he shifted mid-charge, tackling one wolf, snapping its neck. Another tore into his side, but he didn't stop. Didn't feel it. He was all fire and rage and the desire to protect her, his mate! He knew it was not simple!
Were they rogue Or worse! They were sent by luca!
Callen was already wounded yet he was fighting bravely with four wolves at once. The guards were long dead, their body covered in blood. Elara shot a blast of fire magic that carved a wolf off her back.
She could feel callen's eyes on her and even in his wolf form, she knew he was stunned. Guilt hovered her chest. She had planned to tell him tonight. But she had never thought she would show him. Yes! She could not shift. That was why she had ignored all the pack training.
But she was stronger than many wolves with her powers.
"I will tell you everything." she whispered as she attacked another wolf holding Callen back.
Callen was freed now. But he had a large cut on his fur and it was bleeding profusely. She walked closer as she had ended the five wolves. But just as she was an inch away, Callen lunged in the mid air. She forze unable to understand and then she heard more growls
Five large black fur wolves attacked him once. One bit into his neck. She pushed the wolf again with her power but it was too late. She turned just in time to see Callen stumble, blood pouring from a fatal wound.
"No," Elara growled, voice distorted by the rising magic in her blood. "Callen!." she shriek was gut wrenching and then her eyes gleamed. The whole woods were covered with fires.
The wolves howled. They tried to attack again but callen and elara were engulfed in that fire. They circled them as they kept howling loudly but each time they tried to attack, the fire fought with them.
Unable to do anything, they left.
She cradled him in her arms. His eyes found hers, unfocused.
"Elara…" he whispered, blood bubbling on his lips. "Run. Please…"
She sobbed, pressed her hand to the wound, tried to call her power to treat him. But all her power was confused by those flames. She was drained, barely holding to her will.
"No," she begged. "We were going to have a house. You promised—"
He smiled faintly. "You still can.. I will be watching you form up there. I will be with you forever." he tried to touch her face for one last time. But before his fingers could brush her cheeks, he was gone.
She stood there stunned, shocked and lost. Callen, just an hour ago they were engulfed in each other;s arms and now he was gone and if he never existed. Lying limp in her arms.
The fire around them started to diminish and then footsteps followed. It was not from the rogues that attacked them earlier. But their pack members. They have heard howls and seen the fire. They have followed the fire and come here. Only to find Callen in her arms and she.. Could she even be called alive.
Garron ran to them and took callen from her.
"I will take her to Tamara." but the moment he touched the cold body, he froze.
Elara raised her head to meet his eyes. She was not shocked by his reaction.
"Who were they?" he asked through gritted teeth but he did not wait for her reply. "The council had promised that the war would not happen. That we would not be attacked anymore. It was betrayal and I would not let it go." his voice met the nod and howls by the other warriors of their packs.
Elara did not react to them. Her hands reached for her neck where Callen had bit her a week ago. Where his mark had connected them. It was burning. The mark on her neck burned. And then it went cold. She knew it was gone even before she saw it.
"This is not your fight. It is mine."