Two of Grits wolves had my arms held with wolfsbane gloves on which stopped me from using my wind, however wind wasn't my only skill. Head butting one was enough of a distraction to elbow the other as they both fell back stunned giving me enough time to run after Raven and Grit.
Just as the cold air outside hit me they disappeared out of sight. How did he move that fast? Shifting I ran after them but it was no use they were long gone and there was no way of knowing where they went.
'Shit!'
'She will be back Zeld.'
'I know that but who will she be when she does.'
'She has made her choice there's nothing we can do.'
'Are you giving up on them then?'
'I could never give up on our mate but if you try and force her it will only push her further away.'
I growled in frustration.
'Why does she have to be so stubborn, I know she was lying about our kiss. She felt something!"
'That's true but you also saw the hint of fear in her eyes. She is scared of her feelings for us.'
'Argh why did Exon wait so long to tell me?!'
'You can not blame him, you are technically Ravens rival.'
'You and I both know that's bull shit I was never in the running for alpha. Raven was always meant to win over me. I just wish Keyon could see that.'
'Speaking off shouldn't you be at training by now?'
I growled.
'Screw training there's more important things to worry about.'
'She is gone Zeld there's no point going after her you do not know the area like Grit does.'
'No but Talieus does.'
'Would he help us though?'
'I'll give him no choice.'
Turning around I headed back towards the pack. I don't care what happened between them I would make him help me found her. However before I could get to far another wolf slammed into my side knocking me to the ground. In my haste I hadn't noticed I was being followed. I sprang back to my paws facing one of Keyon's lackeys.
"Get out off my way!"
I mind link him.
He said nothing as more wolves surrounded me Keyon being one of them.
"Did you forget about your training Zeld? Seems like you need reminding!"
I snarled at him.
"I don't care about your dam training now get out of my way!"
"How was I cursed with such a disobedient grandson I'll never know."
"Maybe if you'd actually listen I might not be so disobedient!"
He scoffed.
"You have no ambition, don't you get it you could be alpha. You have the chance to avenge your parents death. Make those city dogs pay for ever crossing us."
"I don't care about your stupid vendetta all I care about is Raven!"
"Your a fool Zeld and if I have to beat it out of you I will!"
The wolves around me closed in.
"I don't have time for this!"
I turned to the wolves around me.
"I don't want to hurt any of you but if you don't get out of my way I'll make you regret ever following his lead."
I few of them hesitated giving me hope.
"It's no use they know their place."
"You mean you've forced them into doing your bidding."
I turned back to the others.
"He is not the alpha and he will never be the alpha for too long you have let him fill your hearts with hatred and anger over what happened years ago. Instead of moving on and enjoying what you have left your letting him take away your future. This pack is what matters not revenge, not some overwhelming need to avenge loved ones that died trying to keep this pack together. Think for yourselves fight for the pack not because he told you too. Shiya is coming, the other packs are coming if we do not stand together in this the vision we've all seen will happen. I am not your alpha and I know with all my heart that Raven will save this pack from annihilation and the sooner all of you realise that the better off we will all be."
I padded closer to Keyon my head held high.
"You are the fool not me and now they realise that too."
Keyon growled at my words but as his eyes looked around his growls grew quiet. The wolves that he once had control of now stood behind me as they glared at Keyon.
"Give up grandfather there is no room in this pack for your hatred if you can not let it go then I suggest you leave otherwise fall in line behind Raven the true alpha of this pack."
He stood firm as he stared at each of us til finally he hung his head.
"I have, been a fool. You are right Zeld the pack is what matters."
He sighed.
"You are a good match for her I only hope she realises that. She will need you by her side being a leader can distort the soul....I should know."
He stepped aside.
"Come if anyone knows where Grit has taken her it will be Talieus."
"Your going to help?"
He smiled his wolffish grin.
"She is our alpha whether she passes the trails or not. I see that now."
I ran forward, the others followed including Keyon as we headed towards the pack and Talieus.
As we reached Talieus's house I ordered the rest to stay outside while I rushed in. Talieus was standing at the back of his den he shoulders slumped his demeanour defeated.
"Your wasting your time Zeld."
He said without looking back.
"I won't help you."
I growled at him.
"So you know where he's taken her?!"
Talieus spun around.
"Of course I know!"
He sighed.
"She needs to do this alone. Not me, you or even Grit can save her from herself. She's determined to have the worlds weight on her shoulders and nothing any of us say or do can change her mind."
"So you give up on her just like that!"
"I tried to help her just like I tried to help Lyieta."
I stared at him confused.
"What are you talking about?"
He avoided my eyes as he answered.
"Lyieta knew Tharon was coming, she knew so she sent Loki away with Raven, but she also sent us away. She ordered us as our alpha. We were her pack and we left her there to die. She made us leave her there. When she died so did the order we went back hopeing to at least get her body back, but we were overwhelmed. Most lost their lives only a few of us escaped."
His eyes met mine.
"You can not save her history will repeat itself. If it comes to her dying or the pack dying she will sacrifice herself for the pack."
I snapped at him.
"I refuse to believe that! The odds may be stacked against us but that doesn't mean we give up. We are a pack and as a pack we fight together. I will not let her die, as her friend and her mate she will survive. Just as the pack will survive. Now tell me where they've gone!"
"He's good with speeches, is he not?"
Both Talieus and I spun as Keyon entered the den.
"Sorry to interrupt but time is of the essence."
Talieus narrowed his eyes at Keyon.
"Keyon?"
Keyon stepped closer to Talieus.
"I think you'll find if anyone can help our alpha through this it's Zeld."
"Our alpha?"
Talieus stared in shock from Keyon to me.
"Why are we depending on some trail to determine our alpha Talieus? Should it not be our decision as her pack? If my grandson believes in her then so do I."
Talieus face showed admiration as he looked to me, but just as quickly his face darkened.
"It may be too late."
I growled.
"What do you mean?"
Talieus looked to Keyon.
"The trails... Grit would've taken her to attempt the trails."
"But it's too soon if she is not ready for the trails she could be killed or worse!"
I snapped my head towards Keyon.
"Why is that so bad she was going to do them anyway?"
"The trails are more dangerous then you realise. They take your worse fears and make them reality. If you are not ready to overcome them then they will consume you. It is why each participant is trained with an elder for a week first that way we can determine if they are in their right mind set to attend. If they are not they are not allow to enter."
He started towards the exit.
"She has only just reject two of her mates, her soul is still recovering. if she goes in now her fears will kill her before she even gets a chance to overcome them. Come on we must hurry their probably already there!"
I followed Keyon out as we raced through the dens the rest of the pack staring as our group ran through Talieus not far behind having joined in wolf form.
"Why would he put her through the trails early?"
"The trails are not of this world everything depends on your state of mind when you go in. If you go in with the wrong state of mind and survive it could change you. Some are known to go mad. Some come out with their souls darkened to the point of no return. I believe This is how Grit wants her to be. He thinks that the only way to win this fight is to be just as Corrupt as our enemies."
"Raven would never be like that!"
Talieus looked sideways at me as he ran.
"You can not know that if she goes in there there's no telling how she will come out if at all."
His words spurred me forward as I ran faster urging Keyon to hurry up as I didn't know the way.
We weren't as fast as Grit which only frustrated me more.
"How much further?"
"Not far its just over that ridge."
That was all I needed to hear as I ran ahead of Keyon. I bounded over the ridge and the first thing I saw was Grit sitting before the tallest mountain in the area. He heard me coming as I tackled him to the ground with my paws. He was bigger then me but I didn't care as he pushed with his paws forcing me backwards.
"Your too late young pup, she has already gone in."
I snarled at him as I attacked using my wind to propel me forward. I knocked him down again snapping at his snout.
"I'll kill you for this!"
The others caught up just as I was about to rip at his throat.
"Zeld no!"
I snapped my head back at Keyon's voice as I was pulled back by Talieus.
I snapped at him Grit stood up facing our group.
"Why did you stop me!"
"Because as much as what he did was wrong we will need him in the future."
I growled.
"you can't seriously want him around when he clearly can't be trusted?!"
Keyon stood before Grit growling.
"Talieus is right as much as I don't like it he has his uses."
Grit eyed Keyon.
"Switched sides as well have we there was a time when you would have done the same thing I have."
Keyon looked to me.
"That was before my grandson showed me its better to leave the past in the past."
Grit growled towards me.
"You are more dangerous then I gave you credit for young pup if you changed Keyon's view with mere words."
I went to attack again but Keyon blocked my path it was at that moment Grit moved to rip at Keyon's throat.
His jaws never hit their mark as a explosion of wind erupted from the mountain forcing us all backwards.
Grit snarled in the direction the wind originated as Raven appeared out of the side of the mountain knocking him to the ground in wolf form. Her white as snow fur making her blend in with her surroundings as she peered down at him.
she snarled down at Grit then without warning ripped out his throat.
As she lifted her head all watching could see that upon her brow was a green crescent moon.
All the wolves in our group stared at her in awe as each one bowed to their alpha. She ignored the rest of us however as she howled to the sky.
Padding forward cautiously i mindlinked.
"Rav?"
Her head snapped towards me her wolf eyes glowed brighter as she growled. The green crescent on her brow turned to black as she stalked towards me her intent as obvious as the blood on her snout.
"Rav it's me Zeld."
She didn't answer as she padded closer staring at me like she would if she were hunting prey.
The others moved to help but I stopped them.
"No stay back all of you!"
I turned back to Raven as she snarled again.
"Rav please I know your still in there."
Talieus stepped forward her wind created a whirlwind with us inside creating a wall just like the first time at the blue moon pack house.
I shifted back to human form making her pause as she watched me. Her green eyes narrowing as she snapped when I moved to get closer.
"You won't hurt me."
Another step and I was close enough to touch her as I wrapped my arms around her.
"Come back to me Rav."
Beneath my touch her wolf form faded away as her small frame shook in my arms.
Staring into my eyes she whispered two words before she passed out and the whirlwind disappeared.
"Their here."