Caspian's POV
"Last chance to back out, pretty boy."
Jax's shoulder slammed into mine. Too hard. Could have rattled my teeth.That jackass!
Sand sprayed up around our boots as I stumbled just a step and then shoved him right back.
"Touch me again and I will break your leg before the first thorn," I said, grinning.He was lucky because he knew he was my favorite bastard. My first comrade, a brother during my hardest times.
Riven snorted from the other side. "Big talk for someone who nearly face planted yesterday."
"That was tactical," I shot back. "I was testing gravity."
Laughter rolled through the group.
Six of us stood at the edge of the vast desert filled with poisonous thorns.Heat shimmered off the jagged hillocks ahead. The spikes swayed gently in the desert wind, glistening with venom thick enough to drop a bear. Perfect.Just the way I want.
Jax cracked his neck. "Rules still the same?"
I glanced at him. "There are no rules."
"Good." He bared his fangs. "Because I am not slowing down for you this time, Alpha."
I shoved him again, harder, and he staggered back laughing. "You never slow down. You just trip and roll."
Riven stepped between us, spreading his arms. "Boys, boys. Save the foreplay for the finish line."
Someone threw a pebble at his head.
"Touchy," he muttered, rubbing his temple.
I rolled my shoulders, feeling the familiar itch beneath my skin. Anticipation coiled tight in my chest. The desert hummed, like it knew what was coming.
"Alright," I said. "First to the ridge wins. Losers owe drinks."
Jax scoffed. "You still pretending you don't cheat?"
"I don't cheat," I replied calmly. "I am just better and you know it."
More shoving. Someone hooked an arm around my neck from behind, trying to drag me down. I elbowed them in the ribs without even looking.
"Dirty!" I heard Dan laughing from the back.
"Learnt it from you,Danny boy."
We lined up, discarded our boots, toes digging into the sand. The wind howled low, carrying a foreshadow of blood waiting to be spilled.
Riven crouched slightly. "On three?"
I shook my head. "On instinct."
They groaned.
"Asshole," Jax muttered fondly.
The moment stretched…and then snapped.
I had already taken off.
The world exploded into motion. Thorns slashed at my arms, my chest, my face. One hooked deep into my side, tearing through skin and muscle. The venom hit seconds later, flooding me with heat and fire and boom…an euphoric clarity.
The world zoomed in high definition and then panned out as fast.
I laughed as I ran.
Jax was on my left, neck and neck, his shoulder clipping mine on purpose. "Too slow, huh!"
I shoulder checked him back, sending him stumbling straight into a nest of spikes.
"Watch your step," I called over my shoulder.
"Bastard!" he yelled, followed by a howl that was half pain, half pleasure.
I knew the thorns were taking him to heaven.
Riven vaulted over a rise ahead of us, landing hard and rolling. He came up grinning, blood streaking his jaw. "You smell like shit, Cas."
"Funny," I said, leaping past him. "You smell like a loser, idiot."
He flipped me off and surged forward again.
We raced like maniacs…laughing, swearing, bleeding…chasing the high.
Thorns raked more ribs, more thighs, more back. The poison sung veins, keeping us light headed. Pain didn't matter out here.Nothing did, just speed.
We crested the final hill in a chaotic heap, slamming into each other and skidding across stone and sand.
Jax collapsed on his back, chest heaving. "I hate you."
I dropped beside him, staring up at the midday sky. "You love me,don't lie."
Riven kicked sand at us. "You are both idiots."
I was still smiling when it happened.
The wind shifted.
Just slightly.
My laughter died in my throat.
I sat up too fast.
"No," an involuntary gasp left my lips.
Jax propped himself on his elbows. "No what?"
I was already on my feet, scanning the horizon, heart hammering in a way the poison could not justify.
"That scent…" My voice came out rough.
The desert went quiet.
Riven straightened instantly. The humor drained from his face. "What scent?"
I inhaled again. Slower this time. Deeper.Eyes shut tight so I wasn't making any mistakes.
Moon warmed blood. The sweet scent of jasmine mingled with wild sage.
My pulse slammed so hard it drowned out the desert wind.
"No," I said again, louder this time. "That's not possible."
Jax was on his feet in a second, all laughter gone. "Cas," he said carefully, "you are going pale. And that's saying something."
I took a step forward without realizing it. Then another.
The poison still burned in my veins, but this…this cut clean through the high. Sharper than pain.
Riven's nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed. "Wait," he muttered. "I smell it too."
My head snapped towards him.
"You do?"
He nodded slowly. "Faint. Buried. But old as hell." His gaze flicked to mine. "Pack scent."
My claws slid out on instinct, scraping against stone. "She crossed the veil and was accepted back in the pack?!"
Jax swore under his breath. "She? Oh fuck, Alpha!Do you smell your mate?!"
Silence fell heavy around us.
I didn't answer. I was already moving, feet sinking into sand as I followed the pull in my chest. Every step felt like walking into a memory I had spent years trying to kill.
Riven fell into stride beside me.
Jax jogged ahead, blocking my path. "Alpha slow down and think for one damn second. You are heading towards Pack lands. David won't…"
"I said move."
Something in my voice must have done it, because he stepped aside without another word.
My mind raced faster than my body ever could.
Ki was back? My Ki? She who was gone without a second glance? It was as impossible as the fact that she would ever betray our pack and kill her own parents and sister in the process! But she did. And here she was.
Now a silhouette in the distance!!!