Chapter 60 - Ravenna

“No killing!” I said through the mind link to my warriors. Hopping out of the narrow portal and onto the fucking nowhere. I don’t have any slightest idea where I am. Maybe it is witches’ land, or maybe the rogues’ hideout, or maybe both. I couldn’t exactly pin point but there was something bad about this place. All my senses were screaming at me to run away from here. It was natural survival instinct of animal.

One by one, my warriors walked out and stood behind me in their wolf form, eyes trained on the patrol guards in the forest a mile away. The early morning sun filed in around the monstrous trees, hit the forest floor and created shadows.

This lush green will turn into fucking bloodbath soon because I wasn’t leaving without my fucking mate.

I’d search for her even if it’s the end of me. I am done with all the plotting. All the schemes. All the mind games. Now I need her. I need her by my side and I am not taking an answer for no. Asher stood next to me with his head held high, saliva was drooping from his canines.

I growled to silence all the warriors standing behind me. Ready for the blood. Eager for the war. They all want their Luna.

“All of you. don’t stop until you find Esma. inform me at the first whoever finds her. our top priority is Esma Rockwood. I don’t care who comes in your way. if it is the rogues, kill them.” my words were followed by collective growls of my warriors.

“I don’t care if their witches. Just eat their bloody hearts.” They growled in unison and I smirked. they are really out for blood.

Esma. my mate. my beloved, I have been running from her, running from the past. Running from accepting myself.

She was the goddess with the brown hair and eyes as bright as the dawn. An alpha wolf who would rule by my side. I never wanted one, but here I am.

Part of me wanted to tear right through everything to find her, scold her for not staying. For always being reckless little wolf she is, but it was all my fault. I’d left her vulnerable.

It was all my fault.

I shake my head. The time for regrets is long gone. I neither have time nor energy to look upon my past mistakes. I can only do one thing. Fight and bring my mate back.

We covered the distance as I heard nothing but the paws of my men hitting the ground concluding their arrival at their hideout, which is going to be their death ground.

We saw the territory closing in and I stopped for a second. I am way faster to any of them still in my human form, all thanks to the alpha blood coursing in my veins.

I can sense my mate; the connection is weak but I can feel her. she is weakened but alive. My blood boiled and I turned back to look at my men.

“Now!” it was all they need before they charge towards the enemy territory. I just stood there, letting my men passing me one by one. I closed my eyes trying to search my mate.

“Esma?” I whispered.

“Emmy?”

Asher was by my side as everyone left me. He stood behind me guarding my surrounding for a threat. I can always count on Asher having my back.

I closed my eyes again and tried to search her. Try to feel her through the mate bond. I throw myself deeper. Not enough.

“Emmy.” This time I found her. Yes, her sweet scent lingered in the surrounding so faint like a single thread, but I got it.

“Asher. Kill them all.” I commanded him. He growled as he lunges in the direction of their hideout.

“Now, now. isn’t that the famous king of alphas.” I didn’t turned back as I already know who the owner of that wicked tongue.

“What? Cat got your tongue? Or you sacrifice that too for your stupid glory?”

I finally turned to look into the purple eyes, the embodiment of the witch.

“Fancy seeing you here Ravenna.” I spit her name like a curse.

“Looking for your lil pet?” She remarked and smirked at the last word.

“Don’t you dare mention her name with your fucking mouth. You have quite a nerve to show up front after you did that treachery and kidnapped my mate?”

She laughed her usual fake laugh for the show and make her way towards me.

She walked until there was considerate eight feet distance between us. She lifted her right hand and in the split second her hand emits a white light and soon that famous blade was right in her hand.

“You still carry that accursed blade around with you?” my eyes never leaving the sight of it. I can easily feel the power surging from that blade. The blade was active. Very much alive. Breathing I must say.

The blade danced as she made swift movements with her fingers. It was sharp enough to cut her finger in a swift slide. I knew she could kill me. With the scent tainted on the blade I can guess she had done her fair share of killings. Derek, she killed I know I can still smell his blood on that filthy blade.

“Why?” all I ask.

She just smiled and I swear all my senses just abandoned my body. It was not a smile. It was not a smile; it was much deeper than that. I for the first time saw the very first devil in flesh.

“Because I wanted to. Is that not the best reason out there?” she smiled before her lips twirled and she showed her teeth and started laughing like a maniac.

“Why did you betray me?” she asked dead in whisper. I clenched my jaws in tight grip. I never had the answer for it.

“Cat caught your tongue again? Or are you too ashamed of yourself?”

I looked away. I can’t bear the intensity of her eyes. The way she looked at me.

“I don’t have the time for your pathetic word play. I want my mate back along with the heads of all the lowly dogs you hired.” I said and walked past her.

“And what after you find her? you think she will accept you? now that she know everything.” She said. I stopped dead on my tracks.

I turned and look at her pitiful face. I don’t feel an ounce of hatred or anger towards her. just pure pity. Because the person I was looking at was exactly my face before I met her. before I met my light.

Who knows why we were taught to fear witches and not those who burned them alive? Perhaps, the story could turn differently if that were the case.

“I don’t have time for you.” I growled and lunges towards her. she didn’t bat an eye and before I know I was thrown across the other side mid-air.

It was as if someone just railed me with the truck or something. I coughed blood and stand back on my legs before looking cautiously at her.

She stood stoic as if she didn’t do anything or as if she didn’t care for what she did to me or what will be my next move. I know Ravenna was second to nothing when it comes to magic after of course Hecate. She is the best at what she does and the worst part of it she knew it very well.

I closed my eyes and tried to breath with my mouth as I tried to acclimatize as much as I could. With rapid breathing I could expand my lungs and my body makes extra RBC to accommodate it.

This was something I made myself do it after hard training. This give me extra boost and vitality as my muscles gets the extra oxygen.

I sprinted towards her one more time and this time I shortened the distance between us but before I could reach for her heart, she raised her hand in air and chocked me without actually touching me.

I struggled for air as she raised her right hand more. I found myself leaving the ground. The veins of my neck turned blue as I coughed struggling to wriggle from her grasp.

“Struggle is futile.” She chocked me more. The darkness started to engulf my sight of vision.

“Just before I was about to lose consciousness, I heard the crackling sound in air and before I know I landed on the ground with loud thud.

I coughed blood as I tried to even my breaths. After blinking a couple of times, I finally looked back and found Diana standing there, her eyes locked on Ravenna.

Ravenna’s right hand was half burnt. She made an annoyed sound with her tongue before I could even stand, her hand started to heal on its own.

“Leave her to me. Go find her.” Diana ordered; her eyes fixated on Ravenna not leaving her out from her sight. Not even for a second.

I tried to get back on my feet and closed my eyes.

Ravenna started laughing before muttering something under her breath and before I know a giant ball of light was making its way towards me.

“Ignis. Burn whatever comes withing the reach of your flames.” She said and started muttering something incoherently.

The giant ball of fire was soon expelled by the wave of water coming beneath the earth out of nowhere.

“Don’t just stand there. Do what you came for.”

I quickly stood and sprinted in the direction I knew Esma could see me, leaving both of them alone.

“Don’t you dare lose to her.” I spoke to myself.