Chapter 53 FIFTY-THREE
Raven shifted into his wolf form, his fur standing on end as he prepared for battle. His father, Arthur, followed, transforming smoothly into a large, powerful wolf. Nearby, Ravena got ready while Cecil worked quickly to guide the pack members to safety.
"Ravena, take the best warriors and lead them into the fight with Raven," Arthur said firmly through the mind link. "I’ll be right behind you. Carter, help Cecil with the evacuation and return as soon as you can," he added.
Without hesitation, Ravena nodded and called the warriors to her side. She led them forward, her sharp eyes focused on the battle ahead. Ravena wasn’t just any fighter. She was once the first in line to inherit the pack, but her passion made her give it up. Ravena had been training since she was a child, sharpening her skills to perfection. She was strong, skilled, and ready to protect her pack.
"Raven! Stay focused," Ravena said to her brother through the link, her voice calm but serious. "We’ll handle this, and when it’s over, we’ll find her. I promise," she added.
Raven gave a small nod, his sharp ears twitching as the sounds of the fight grew louder. The wind rushed past them as they ran. Ravena glanced at her brother, feeling his worry. They may argue sometimes, but as his older sister, Ravena would do whatever it took to help Raven.
When they arrived in the forest, they saw a terrible scene. Blood stained the ground, and bodies were scattered everywhere—both rogues and Crescent Stone warriors lying lifeless in the chaos.
"Damn it," Ravena growled under her breath, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "These bstards," she muttered angrily.
The scene before her was horrifying. The rogues weren’t acting like normal wolves—they were wild, almost feral. Their eyes glowed an unnatural red, their movements were jerky and unpredictable, and they seemed to have bursts of strength. Ravena clenched her fists.
The warrior who had reported to them was right. Something was seriously wrong with the rogues. They weren’t just attacking; they were in a crazed, drug-like frenzy. Ravena turned to the warriors behind her.
"Some of you, take care of the wounded. While the others come and join me, we kill the rogues!" she barked. "These rogues aren’t normal. Watch their movements and don’t let your guard down!" she added through the link. Her eyes flicked to Raven, who was already stepping forward, his wolf growling low in his throat. Ravena could feel the tension in the air.
"Let’s take them down," she said through the link, her voice firm. The warriors howled in unison and began attacking the rogues.
Raven wasted no time, lunging at the nearest rogue wolf and tearing its head from its body with ferocious precision. His anger and anxiety fueled his every move. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Brienne, but his body fought instinctively, driven by the need to end the rogues.
A brown rogue suddenly leapt at Raven, and the two wolves tumbled across the blood-soaked ground. The rogue snapped its jaws, aiming for Raven's face, but he twisted just in time to dodge the attack. Raven struggled to push the rogue off, but it managed to sink its teeth into his shoulder.
A growl rumbled deep in Raven’s chest as he shoved the rogue away with a powerful force. He rose to his feet, his shoulder aching. His sharp gaze locked on the rogue, anger burning in his blue eyes.
On the other side, Ravena had already taken down two rogues attacking her. Her white fur was now stained with the blood of her enemies.
"Alpha Ravena!" a voice called out in the link. She turned to see Carter arriving with her father close behind. A sense of relief washed over her. She let out a loud howl, signaling the warriors. Their team was now complete.
"Father," Ravena said. Arthur stood tall and steady beside his daughter, his presence commanding.
"Help your brother," Arthur said to Ravena. "I’ll handle the rogues here with Carter," he added.
Ravena nodded and quickly turned to where Raven was struggling against the brown rogue. Without hesitation, she ran towards his direction and leaped at the wolf, pinning it to the ground with a powerful strike.
"Raven, are you okay?" she asked, noticing the blood dripping from his shoulder wound. But Raven didn’t answer. He walked past her, his focus sharp, and sank his teeth into the rogue’s neck, killing it instantly.
Raven turned his attention to the remaining rogues still fighting the Crescent Stone warriors. His growls were low and dangerous as he started walking towards the enemies.
"Raven," Ravena called his name again, her voice filled with worry, but he didn’t respond. His thoughts were elsewhere, but his wolf instincts kept him in the fight.
Ravena let out a frustrated growl. Anger burned inside her as she thought of Brienne. Whoever kidnapped her would pay dearly.
Brienne struggled to catch her breath. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what she had just witnessed. Jasper—a werewolf? She felt trapped, helpless, and terrified. The massive wolf circled her, its sharp eyes fixed on her trembling form. When Jasper suddenly struck the chair she was sitting on with his paw, she let out a scream, her fear spilling out uncontrollably.
The wolf stopped circling and stood in front of her. Slowly, his form began to shift. The sound of cracking bones and stretching muscles filled the air, and Brienne’s eyes widened in horror as Jasper transformed back into his human form. He stood there, grinning with satisfaction at her obvious terror.
"See, Brienne? It’s not just Raven who has secrets," he said smugly, stepping closer. He leaned down and grabbed her face roughly, forcing her to meet his cold, unforgiving gaze.
"If you had just come back to me, none of this would have happened," he added bitterly, his grip tightening before he shoved her face away harshly. Brienne whimpered, tears welling in her eyes as she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. Jasper stood back and chuckled darkly.
"I bet your precious Raven is losing his mind right now," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "How pathetic," he added with a sneer.
But his laughter stopped abruptly, and his eyes fell to her belly. His expression hardened, sending a shiver down Brienne’s spine. She instinctively placed her tied hands over her stomach, trembling.
"J-Jasper..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Shut up," he snapped, glaring at her with a look that made her flinch. For a moment, the room was silent, filled only with Brienne’s ragged breathing and the sound of Jasper’s footsteps against the floor as he turned away.
"See you later, Brienne," he said coldly before leaving the room, slamming the door behind him.
The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed in Brienne’s ears, and she finally let the tears fall. She had to stay strong—not just for herself, but for her baby. Brienne closed her eyes and silently prayed that Raven would come and rescue them.