Wolf Bond

I try to turn my face, but Donovon’s hand holds my head from behind keeping it pressed against his chest.

“Don’t look,” he orders while tightening his hold on me. His voice filled with anguish, and I don’t need for him to spell it out what has happened.

A sad howl slices the silence around us, following by another equally pain-filled howl. Even Julia must have shifted, as the first howl, I recognized is of Arthur’s.

Oliver, my poor Oliver.

Something in me is shattering with the pain that is clenching my heart. Pushing Donovon away, I turn to look at Oliver and instantly I know I will never be able to erase this sight from my mind.

Oliver’s entire body is mangled while some of his bones are protruding outside his skin. His legs are bent in an awkward angle while some of his skin is covered in brown fur. However, which will always haunt me is the lifelessness of eyes, eyes that used to hold so much warmth and brightness in them.

A loud scream reaches my ear and it takes me a moment to realize this scream is mine while hot tears are continuously running down my face, blurring my vision.

“No!” I scream loudly as I fall on my knees because my heart is crying at the loss of this innocent soul just like I have lost someone of my own.

Touch his heart.

An unknown voice echoes in my mind. Sounding more like a command than a request. This voice sounds strange, yet there is a hint of familiarity in it, but no warmth.

You don’t have much time, go to him.

Not thinking once, I crawl towards Oliver’s body because I know my knees will give out if I try to stand as my body is not much coordinating with me.

My body is shaking with sobs, but there is a burning sensation inside me which is giving me the strength which I need.

My hand trembles as I raise my hand to touch his chest. Closing my eyes, I place my hand over his heart and another cry passes through my lip, feeling his crushed chest bone under my palm.

Gradually, my sobs quieten down as the burning sensation which I am feeling in my core intensifies while hot rages run through my veins. Suddenly, everything goes in the background and my sole focus is on Oliver.

Something happens and abruptly I start to experience the pain which he went through, forcing me to clamp my mouth shut to stop myself from screaming. Still, I can’t stop the small whimpers which are escaping from my mouth as tremors of pain pass through me.

When the pain reaches its peak and I feel his torment when his soul forcefully snatched from his body. Exactly at that moment, warmth starts to radiate from my entire body then slowly it travels towards my palm while I try to block the pain which I am going through.

Innocent little thing has suffered so much without any fault. He shouldn't have suffered at all.

My heart cries for Oliver, as something dark swirls inside my chest wanting to draw the blood of everyone who has tortured this pup.

The next thing which I experience is a burst of energy and I hear a faint voice of Donovon calling my name. Momentarily my eyes connect with Donovon's pain-filled eyes, then but darkness washes over my senses and every noise instantly quietens down.

I watch Ivory struggling to reach Oliver, as she drags her body towards him. I want to go to her, but it seems like I am frozen in my spot like something is forcefully stopping me from reaching to her.

Looking around, I realize I am not the only one who is struggling against this invisible hold, compelling us to stay in our position.

Dad’s wolf is trying to comfort mom’s wolf as she is whining lowly. While Gavin and Luca have shifted into their wolves trying to fight against this invisible wall, but nothing is working. I can notice all these struggles are draining their strength. But this doesn't stop them, in fact, this is making them even more fierce.

Even Storm is thrashing inside me wanting nothing other than to be on Ivory’s side as her pain is reaching our heart and breaking us from inside from not being able to do anything. Each of her sobs is slashing our soul and with every passing minute, it is becoming unbearable.

Threatening growls are erupting from my chest wanting nothing but to protect our mate because all this doesn’t feel right.

She is losing her strength. She needs us.

Storm howls painfully in my mind.

I can clearly understand what he is trying to say, whatever is happening is making her weak, but what is worrying me the most is that her heart rate is dropping at an alarming rate.

I let out a powerful growl and try to break the invisible barrier around me focusing just on my mate. I will not care even if I die while trying to reach her, but I will not stand here and watch her withering away before my eyes.

Abruptly, my struggles stop as my eyes land on Ivory whose body has started glowing. She is trembling as if she is physically in pain, but her face holds a determination that I haven't seen before.

Gradually, the glow around her starts to increase creating a bright outline around her body. And I can't help but watch in awe when that glow flows from her body towards her palm then slowly it encases Oliver's body.

However, as soon as I realize what is happening panic settles in, as I remember Micah's words that every time she uses her power she loses a part of herself. From what I am witnessing this not something usual.

"Ivory!" I shout at her trying to gain her attention, hoping to stop whatever she is trying to do. My voice is filled with panic and dread because it seems like even my voice is not reaching her. "Please, stop, Ivory!"

Then there is an explosion of energy which throws us a few feet backward. My back crashes against the tree, but my eyes not moving away from Ivory. Storm is howling fiercely inside my mind trying to come forward fighting against everything that is stopping him from shifting.

"Ivory!" I call her again desperately.

Her eyes snap to me and for a moment our gaze connects, then her eyes shut and she falls on her side as the light leaves her body and everything turns back to the way it was.

Storm completely quietens in my mind, while all the fight leaves my body as I glance her helplessly.

Silence falls on all of us as we watch her limp body lying beside Oliver's.