Wildling

~~~Ember’s POV~~~

My whole body is trembling and aching. The burning in my back almost becoming too much. I can’t seem to remember what it feels like to be without pain. Dimitri visited my cell a few hours after Mark left, taunting me with vile words and crass actions. I have a few more bruises and scars to add to my collection but I tonight it all ends. Either Dimitri dies; or I do.

I can hear the sounds of the pack quiet down and I realized the sun must be setting. I’m hoping that this all goes smoothly, and that Dimitri doesn’t come back until the alarm is raised. I really hope the boys got the video Mark was supposed to send. It really all comes down to timing.

A clank and a thud reach my ears. The sound of a heavy door being pushed open. Footsteps descend the stairs into the lower level my cell is on. Slow shuffling comes closer and closer. The extra bolt Dimitri placed after my last escape was nudged from its lock. My cell door opens with a soft squeak as Mark pops his head through hesitantly. He nods at me. It is time.

I draw on Aoralia who has been abnormally quiet. Releasing my aura but maintaining my human scent, I grimace as I pull against my restraints. To minimize the noise, I decide against just breaking the chains from the wall. Instead, I go the more painful route, slowly dislocating my thumbs like I had done last time. I groan as each one pops from its socket, releasing me from my bonds. I heave a sigh of relief, snapping my thumbs back in place and stretching out my stiff muscles.

I can feel my old wounds healing, the pain lessening, giving me the reprieve, I need to fight this next battle. Mark embraces me in a fierce hug as soon as my stiff posture relaxes.

“God, I don’t know how you fucking do it. You just stood there and took everything! Christ, I almost lost control seeing you like that.” He whispers softly into my ear, but I can hear the sorrow and anguish in his voice. I hug him back, relishing in the comfort of his embrace.

We swiftly and quietly move towards the exit. We must do this during the shift change of the guards. Dimitri apparently thinks highly of himself, so guards leave their posts for about ten minutes before they are replaced. I had to roll my eyes at that.

Mark raises his arm to stop me as a guard shuffles past the entrance to the cells. I exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding in when the guard continued past, unaware we were right behind the door. Once he was a good distance away, Mark opens the door as quietly as possible and we dart towards to forest edge.

The forest appears eerie and silent once we reach it. The dark shadows keep me on edge, my eyes darting everywhere to watch for threats. It feels like each shadow could hold the enemy just waiting to pop out from hiding. I know a few miles away; Jaxson and the guys should be waiting, and they will have brought all my gear.

Suddenly, a piercing howl splits the air. Mark looks at me wide eyed wondering what to do. The alarm has been sounded.

‘I’ll wait here. Run to find the others. I need my weapons. Get back here as quick as you can!’ I mind link Mark and he takes off, shifting midair as he races to find out friends.

I glance up and around, trying to find a good place to hide. I turn and grasp a low tree branch, hauling myself up and climbing to the top. I find a sturdy branch about three quarters of the way up and stand there staring towards the pack. I can hear the guards shouting orders to each other, growls of discontent sounding about.

I mask any scent of myself and continue surveying my surroundings, hoping Mark gets back before they find me. My keen eyes snap to the outline of Dimitri stalking towards the center of the clearing in front of the house. He was positively fuming. Good. Maybe that means he hasn’t figured out my plan.

As if our eyes are drawn together by invisible tethers, they meet. A sinister smile overtakes his face as his eyes take my form. An involuntary shudder spreads throughout my body. Shit. I did not want him to find me so quickly.

‘Mark I’ve been spotted. Hold the guys back at the edge until we figure out what Dimitri’s plan is.’

‘Shit. Ok, Ember. I’ve just reached everyone. On our way.’

I glare at Dimitri, never wavering my gaze from his. I clench my jaw wondering what the hell his plan was. His warriors line up behind him, waiting for his cue. It looks like our pack will have the advantage. He only has about 35 warriors. His red eyes gleam as he walks forward a few steps as he smirks at me.

“Couldn’t get to far could you? You got farther the first-time little wolf.” He laughs at my “pathetic” attempt at escape before sobering again. “You won’t escape me again.” I narrow my eyes at him.

Crouching down on the tree branch I take a moment to gather myself. It’s time to end this. I launch myself off the branch, flipping in the air a few times before landing softly on my feet a few yards from Dimitri. My eyes close involuntarily as I prepare to release my aura.

They snap back open, focusing on Dimitri’s shocked face as he inhales my wolf’s scent. I can feel my eyes begin to change color as the power fills me. Warming my weary bones.

Dimitri gapes and staggers backwards a few steps. He looks like a fish out of water. “Impossible.” I hear him mutter under his breath.

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

~~~Jaxson’s POV~~~

We made it to the edge of the boundary just after sun set. Ares is anxiously pacing in my mind, desperate to find our mate. We can do nothing but wait.

A few minutes after darkness sets, we hear a faraway howl. We all glance at each other, worried that it may have been the alarm. Did they find Ember before she could escape? Was she fighting right now? I need to get to her! My muscles tightened ready to spring loose at any second to get to my love.

Rustling ahead of us make us all jump on guard. Suddenly, Mark appears nude and out of breath.

“They spotted her! We have to go now!”

“Where the hell is she? You left her alone?!” Mark glares at me in exasperation.

“We can fight about this now or we can go fucking help her!” He yells at me in defiance, which thankfully snaps me from my anger that he left her alone without backup. He’s right, we need to get to her fast.

We all take off through the woods, still in human forms since all our weapons are strapped to us. I have Ember’s bow and quiver slung over my shoulder and her knives strapped to my belt.

“Ember told me to have you wait at the edge of the clearing until we know what Dimitri’s move with be.” I growl at Mark’s words. He wants me to stand back and just watch as my mate is outnumbered?!

We all slow down at the clearing just in time to see a dark figure leaping from a tree, flipping and then landing in front of the asshole I so desperately want to kill. My heart leaps in my throat as I notice Ember staring down her nightmare. A wave of relief hits me knowing that at this moment she is unharmed.

I see Dimitri become visibly shaken, even stumbling back a few steps. Pride swells in my chest at watching her stand there, unwavering, at the man who caused her so much pain. Confusion rolls through our warriors at his fearful reaction until we begin to feel the power being emitted from Ember. Jesus she’s almost making me submit. I glance to Sean and Ash and find they are facing the same issue. Their necks straining as they try not to bare their necks.

Ember’s eyes glow white hot. “This ends tonight.” Her voice an angry snarl.

🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

~~~ Ember’s POV~~~

I can feel my pack behind me, waiting in the clearing. Jaxson’s emotions are rolling off him in waves. Relief, anger, worry, pride, and love. He’s in emotional turmoil and I wished with all my soul that I could just run into his embrace and forget the world.

My intense gaze doesn’t break from Dimitri’s shocked and fearful one.

“This ends tonight.” Aoralia’s voice came through with mine, making me sound even more powerful. I can see Dimitri visibly gulp. He shoots backwards towards the pack house, shoving warriors in front of him.

“Finish them! Attack!” He screams at them using their bodies to block his own from me. He wants us to grow fatigued by fighting his warriors first. Guess we will do this the hard way.

Be careful Ember.

I always am Aoralia. I do not want to die. Not anymore. Not now when my life has become so blessed.

No, Ember. You need to be even more cautious. Protect yourself at all costs. We have something even more precious to keep safe. My eyebrows furrow at her words.

What?!