The Battle

Heather’s POV

What the hell just happened?

A moment ago, power coursed through me as I faced my tyrant brother, Colt, head-on. Now, it was gone. I couldn’t shift. I was stuck, vulnerable, while he stood there in his semi-shifted form—clawed hands and fur-covered arms glinting under the sunlight.

“Out of fuel already?” he sneered, shifting back into his human form. His dark, predatory gaze bore into me, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips.

My chest heaved as I tried to summon my strength, but nothing came. I couldn’t even answer him.

“Wondering why you can’t kick my ass, dear sister?” His grin widened, sharp and merciless. “You should’ve been able to. But here’s the thing: I’ve already won.”

He took a step closer. My legs refused to move.

“I can paralyze your body and your powers. It’s the easiest way to make a Raven Heir useless.” His voice dropped, venom dripping from every word. “And once I kill you? I’ll take those precious powers for myself. They’ll be mine, Heather. All mine.”

My heart raced, my hands trembling at my sides. This was it. I shut my eyes, bracing for the inevitable, my mind screaming while my body refused to move.

A roar ripped through the air.

Not Colt’s.

“Don’t you dare come near my mate!”

The power of the voice was deafening. My eyes snapped open just in time to see a blast of magic strike Colt, flinging him across the battlefield like a ragdoll. He landed hard, skidding across the ground in a heap.

And there he was.

Kayden, in his massive wolf form, snarled, his fur bristling as he turned toward me. He lowered his head and began licking my wounds, his actions frantic but purposeful. A strange warmth spread through my body as his touch reached my torn flesh. My wounds began to close, the pain dulling with each sweep of his tongue.

The mate bond.

The legends weren’t just fairy tales. It was real—and it was saving me. My fingers found his fur, burying into it as I nuzzled my face against his neck. Relief flooded me, and I whispered hoarsely, “Thank you, Kayden.”

“Mates don’t thank each other,” his voice echoed through the mind-link, warm and protective. He turned his gaze back to Colt, shielding me with his massive body.

Colt wasn’t done.

He rose to his feet, shifting fully into his wolf form. He snarled, his hulking frame stalking toward us with renewed determination. But I wasn’t powerless anymore. I forced myself up, shifting back into my wolf form, and together, Kayden and I launched ourselves at him.

The fight was brutal. Claws slashed, jaws snapped, and growls filled the air as we drove Colt back. But he was fast—too fast. He dodged most of our attacks, and though he was tiring, so were we. Blood stained the ground beneath us as the battle raged on.

“We need to finish this,” I growled through the link.

Kayden’s golden eyes met mine. “You can’t kill a Raven Heir unless Xael’s power pierces his heart,” he reminded me.

Xael’s power.

The realization struck me like lightning. My child—the life growing inside me—was the key. As I am the Raven Heir, I carried the ancient power of Xael because I was pregnant with Kayden’s child. That power was mine to wield.

“Then let’s end this,” I said.

Kayden gave a sharp nod. “I’ll cover you.”

I darted away, drawing Colt’s attention. He followed, his eyes wild with hunger. He wanted my power. He needed it.

“Now!” Kayden’s voice roared in my mind.

Colt lunged, knocking me to the ground. His massive form pinned me as his canines tore dangerously close to my throat. I struggled against him, my claws igniting with the golden and blackish glow of Xael’s energy. With a roar of my own, I plunged my claws into his chest, right where his heart should be.

Kayden struck at the same moment, his jaws tearing into Colt’s back.

Colt let out a bloodcurdling scream as the power surged through him, and then... nothing. His body went limp, collapsing on top of me.

Kayden shoved Colt’s lifeless body off me with his massive frame before shifting back into his human form. He looked terrible—bloodied, battered, and barely able to stand. I shifted back as well, collapsing to the ground.

“It’s over,” I murmured, my breath ragged.

Kayden nodded, but his expression was grim. Around us, the distant sounds of battle faded into silence.

“Damn it,” he muttered, running a hand through his blood-matted hair. “This war... it ended in two days, but it felt like an eternity.”

I nodded weakly, my body heavy with exhaustion. “I just want peace. No more wars. No more fighting.”

“I want the same,” he said softly.

The doctors arrived soon after, tending to our wounds. Kayden helped me to my feet, his arm steady around my waist as we limped home. Stella and Damon were waiting at the entrance, their faces pale but relieved. Everyone looked ready to collapse.

Later, as the hot water soothed my aching body, I felt the weight of the past few days settle over me. The doctor’s orders to rest for two days seemed like wishful thinking, but I promised myself I’d try. After my shower, I curled up in bed, too tired to even think—until Kayden walked in.

He looked freshly showered but just as exhausted as I felt.

“Hey,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “The pack members are heading home. The maids aren’t coming to work for a while,

so... I’ll cook tonight. What do you want to eat?”

I blinked at him, startled. “Aren’t you exhausted?”

“You need to eat. So does everyone else,” he replied simply.

I shook my head. “I’ll help.”

“No,” he said firmly. “Rest, Heather.”

“How about I sit in the kitchen and watch you cook?” I countered.

He sighed but nodded, and I followed him to the kitchen. To my surprise, Damon was already there, picking up vegetables from the fridge. Stella joined us moments later, plopping onto a stool beside me.

“Two men cooking while the ladies watch? Feels like a date night,” Stella quipped, her tired grin lifting the mood.

I laughed softly, watching Kayden roll up his sleeves while Damon stirred a pot. “Honestly, this does feel suspiciously planned,” I teased.

“Nah, just a coincidence,” Kayden muttered, though Damon smirked.

The warmth in the room was a stark contrast to the chaos of the past few days. Laughter bubbled up, light and genuine, as we bantered back and forth. For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of normalcy.

After dinner, Kayden and I walked Stella and Damon to their home. On the way back, Kayden took my hand in his, his touch warm and grounding.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“I’m fine,” I replied automatically.

He stopped, turning me to face him. “I don’t mean that. How are you really, Heather?”

I hesitated before whispering, “Numb. At the moment, I just... feel numb.”

Kayden nodded, his gaze soft. “Time heals, Hea. It always does.”

“You’ve been calling me, with nickname a lot lately,” I said, trying to change the subject.

“Do you mind?”

“No,” I said, smiling faintly. “I like it.”

We walked to the edge of the forest, sitting by the lake under the starry sky. The peace was almost overwhelming after the chaos, but something deep inside me refused to settle.

Because even now, in the stillness, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t over.

Not yet.