Chapter 439: RAUK

RAINA’S POV

Azara came up to me. She laid a supportive hand on my shoulder and gave me a sympathetic squeeze. “I informed your Dad. He’s on it.”

At the mention of my father, I mind-linked him immediately.

“Kiddo, I've sent a team of Elites to gather Intel. The rest will be on standby. We'll move out if we need to. Leave it in my hands,” Dad said somberly. “I know it’s hard, but stay where you are.”

I began pacing back and forth with my heart pounding in my throat. “It'll be hours before Intel gets back, and hours for backup to reach Valen.”

“That's how this works, kiddo,” Dad’s reply softened with compassion. “I'll keep you posted.”

It was not enough.

I know he was trying. They all were, but I was going crazy!

Valen, Gustav, Devin, and the others could be deep in battle right now, needing us.

I ran a hand through my hair in yet another fit of aggravation.

"Selene," I prayed slowly, calmly, needing to pacify my intensely fretting heart. "Goddess... Selene..." But for some reason, saying the goddess's name didn't bring peace; instead, something frightening set inside me.

Then a loud whistle rang through the air. My feet halted, and my eyes snapped up, searching for Zuzu. A series of short piping notes came from the eagle, and I saw her set down on a tree limb above in front of me.

“I need your help,” I practically begged. “Get to your master. Tell him he cannot enter the north-west packs. The enemy is in one of those packs, controlling them. Please Zuzu. Please go.”

The eagle stretched its neck up, and a questioning chitter escaped its beak.

Was this futile? I chewed on my lips, wringing my hands in front of me.

What was I doing talking to a bird? Could she even understand me? But if there was one chance that she could communicate with Valen, no matter the distance, I was hell-bent on trying.

I dropped my hands to my sides, drawing determination from deep within me.

Some way, somehow, I had to get the message to him.

“Zuzu, go to Valen. He needs you more than I do. For once, just listen to me. Protect him. I love him, and I can't lose him. Take my message to him.” I took a few steps until I stood right under the tree limb, fear and anger boiling within me.

“Rauk.” Zuzu tilted her white, feathery head, twitching her wings. You'd think she was trying to tell me something.

I turned around with tears brimming in my eyes, because I feared that time was against us. In a blink, Valen could be in one place and then another. He could be facing Dymian right now.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead, shoved them through my hair, raking it back frustratedly.

“Zuzu, give me some sign that he'll be okay,” I pleaded, swirling to look up at the eagle. “Please, I need to know he got the message. Did he get my message? Did he?”

All of a sudden, the forest erupted. The air shimmered, and a mighty gust rolled through, blasting leaves off the ground and tearing loose ones from the swaying trees. Birds burst from the canopy as branches lashed together. Barks creaked and groaned. A thin veil of dust rose as twigs skittered across the ground.

I flinched as the harsh wind pushed against me, blowing my hair wildly and lifting the hem of my skirt. My clothes snapped against my body as I braced myself, squinting while trying to see through the haze.

My heart skipped a beat when six figures appeared.

My shoulders sagged, and I slapped my hand over my mouth.

Oh goddess, he’s right there.

Valen’s arrival was so sudden the air shuddered around him. Devin, Thaines, Gustav, Androkles, and Figaro materialized beside him, their heavy boots hitting the earth as the last leaves fluttered around them.

For a moment, the forest went still and emeralds locked on my blues.

Hulking and battle-hardened in his black combat suit, Valen nodded. “I got your message.”

I was already running towards him, teary-eyed and overwhelmed by relief and happiness. He opened his muscular arms before I reached him, and I threw myself into them.

"Oh, thank god, you're safe," I cried out, wrapping my arms around his neck, and soaking up his scent.

“Because of you, my clever Luna,” he said huskily, locking his large arms around me.

“Kree-rah!” Zuzu let out a sharp screech from above us.

“And Zuzu,” Valen promptly praised with a low chuckle. “I heard your call. My good guardian.”

Valen squashed me against his hard, heaving chest as I clung to him, burying my face against his shoulder, sniffling. Everything in me was tingling, as it should, as the bond pulsed between us.

He held me just as tightly, sliding one of his hands up my back while he pressed his cheek against my hair. He breathed in my soft scent, calming himself. “I made it in time for dinner.”

“Yes, you did.” I chuckled against him, trembling with relief.

“Guess I’m tougher than I look.” He pulled back, smiling at me.

The world narrowed to just him, the press of his muscular chest against my bosom, the sound of his breathing, the way my own heartbeat thundered in response.

Then he grabbed my face and locked our lips together in a long-awaited kiss, awakening the butterflies in my stomach. Our lips moved in a heated frenzy. It was hot and fast. He wrapped his strong arms around me and pressed our bodies together. I drowned in the enticing sensation of his tongue against mine, twirling around my mouth. Nothing held us back from the desperation to show our true hearts.

Unable to breathe, I broke the kiss first so I could feed oxygen into my lungs.

After a while, I realized the others were cheering behind me. They were as happy as I was that they were home safely.

Theo and Jason hooted the loudest.

Azara was already in Thaines’ arms, enveloped in a lingering kiss. Penn simply hugged Devin, then pushed him off like it was an impulsive mistake. Theo and Jason rushed into the group, high-fiving all the guys.

Valen’s arms loosened. One arm slipped away from me as he directed his gaze towards the rest, his expression turning grim.

The cheering abruptly died as the air grew heavy from Valen’s aura. Everyone sobered, turning their full attention to their Alpha, ready to listen.

I turned slightly, and that’s when I caught his bloody clothes. "You were hurt?"

Wiping my tears with his emeralds set on me, Valen said gruffly and low, "It's not mine.” He glanced over the group at the Worgens. “I’ll explain later.”

“Did you fight them?” My brows drew together as my gaze searched him anxiously.

Valen stared at me, his eyes softened with a frown. “Not me. Them and Dymian.” When my lips parted to speak, he narrowed his eyes at me before giving my nose an affectionate tap. “I’ll tell you in a minute.”

Pursing my lips, I immediately snuck a look at the three of them. My Worgen brothers. Gustav and Androkles smiled at me and waved their hands. Figaro yawned, looking like he had not slept in days.

My eyes raced over them, searching for wounds or any sign of injury. There was nothing. They appeared unharmed. I wanted to hug them, but I could sense the intensity from Valen’s body. His arm tightened around my waist, pinning me to his side. I gazed up at him and saw his jaw tighten like a bolt.

Addressing everyone, Valen said gravely, “Dymian’s here.” His features darkened as his eyes drifted to his grandfather. “And he’s ready for war.”

As I glanced at the others, Victor was pale-faced, gaping at me. The previous doubt he had about my vision was gone from his eyes, and the expression he had was as if he finally understood that I had truly tried to warn them.

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