Alistair's POV
The clanging of metal left me unbothered as I swayed back and forth. I didn't acknowledge it as I remembered Noir being hit and her bestial form forced to retreat.
It's odd though.
That form of weaponry shouldn't of taken down a fully turned werewolf let alone lycan in the sense it did.
I couldn't get to Noir in time before I was also hit; whatever the arrows were made of having the same effect on Hael.
Where is Noir no—
I'm jarred out of my thoughts as the cage that is carrying me comes to abrupt halt. A hiss of pain comes from the witch to my left as her small frame sags helplessly.
Evenora.
Craning my neck to look at my surroundings better, it seems we had stopped for the eve. It's been three days since the unwarranted attack.
I couldn't hear Rune or Hael.
I couldn't mindlink though I doubt I was close enough to do so even without the bitter concoction they kept forcing down my throat hindering almost all my abilities.
I worry for my pack.
I worry for my brother.
I worry for everyone and everything.
Most and foremost, I worry for Noir.
My mate.
My wife.
She didn't notice it yet but her scent had changed prior to the fight indicating she was with pup but I wanted to wait to mention this until later on. What a fool I had been.
I should of voiced this. I should of to—
I'm once again cut short of my thoughts when the clanging of metal pulled me from my thoughts as Evenora struggled slightly against her chains, muttering under her breath.
Snapping my head up to look at her, I immediately looked around but by this time the soldiers were setting up camp and some were even intoxicated, stumbling around like wee babes learning to walk for the first time.
"Evenora," I whispered, focusing my attention back on her.
When she didn't answer, I looked around once more before leaning forward as far as I could, the metal binding my arms creaking under the resistance.
"Evenora," I whispered again through clenched teeth.
The witch's head swayed for a moment before she looked up and to me; her eyes clouded over as if she was blind.
It seems the soldiers didn't take into consideration the fact they had captured a witch instead of another werewolf. The silver and wolfsbane not having the same effect on my captive company.
Where Evenora is in a weakened state, she isn't immobilized now that she is fully conscious which caused a blossoming hope that bubbled in my chest.
I watched as she kept her eyes on me before she placed her back against the cage, her restrained hands feeling the bars. They stopped after a moment and in a quick movement, Evenora raked her hand down one of the bars causing dark liquid to run down her arm.
"Forgive me, Alpha," was all Evenora said as she touched the carmine substance with the fingers of her other hand, she placed stained fingertips on a ring that was on her wounded hand.
"Wai—," I almost shouted.
Her head fell back and her chest heaved forward as the blood coming from her cut hand changed direction and instead of flowing freely down her arm, started going back the way it came and into her ring.
Blood magic.
Blood magic is strictly forbidden in my pack because it usually consumes it's caster and in a lot of cases, there is a sacrifice.
Before I could voice anything further, Evenora's head snapped forward, her still 'blinded' eyes looking directly at me.
"Sacred water, flow through me to draw them ever near. As endless rivers run to sea, their path to he is clear. Their leader's love, here they will find and know his journey's end. In his heart, soul and mind, our lives blend."
When her incantation was done, a force burst through her and out, knocking me back forcibly against the cage and reached across the camp causing the soldiers closest to us to also get knocked back.
When I recovered, Evenora's body hanged limply, head drooping low as soldiers began shouting.
Before they could fully investigate, a howl erupted from somewhere to my left and seemed to crack the air, as if the very sky might split apart.
Almost immediately, more howls echoed around us from all directions. My heart beat against my ribs as I found a surge of energy. Pulling against my chains, I rammed my back constantly against the cage, rocking it.
"Bro— go—locat— w— ar— nea—," a voice faintly broke through the mindlink.
"Alp— hol— n—," another voice hit me which caused my adrenaline to spike further.
When the door to the cage opened, I growled at the soldier who approached.
"What do you think you're doing, mutt," the man shouted.
Growling more, I swiped my leg out, taking the solider's balance. When he fell, I wrapped both of my legs around his neck, robbing him of air before shifting my body swiftly. When I heard the bones crunch in his neck, I released him.
Shit. I don't have much time.
I jerked on my restraints, the wolfsbane infused silver burning against my flesh.
I can't break these God's damned chains in this state.
Unsure what else to do, I tilted my head back and howled.
The howl came like the prelude to a great song. At first it was a alarming, violent to the ears but after came a rolling sound that dissipated into the surrounding landscape.
In moments, I was answered by more howls, much closer than last before another soldier entered the cage but instead of going for me, he went for the limp Evenora.
I jerked against my chains as far as I could and growled.
"DO NOT TOUCH HER!"
Looking at me, the man looked indifferent before a smile crept across his face and spat on the ground.
"What are you going to d—," was all he got out before everything went silent aside from the beating of paws, a growl and a black wolf collided with the man.
The wolf pinned the solider down on the opposite end of the cage and didn't even hesitate to take his massive jaws and clamp them down on the man's throat, ridding him of life.
Herlief.
Shaking his massive ebony head of the blood and bone, he looked at me and nodded before he tilted his head and gave a quick howl before taking my chain into his jowls and ripping it from it's rooted spot.
Not looking back, he did the same for Evenora as he gently bit the collar of her top and dragged her out of the cage.
He and the witch were gone by the time I stumbled out of the cage, grunting as my body hit the ground.
When I stood, a horde of shadows cascaded over the horizon and were moving towards me with heightened speed.
A soldier approached me with a sword drawn and before I could think, my body acted on its own, slinging the chain of my restraint, the chain wrapping around the man's sword.
Jerking him towards me, another's arm snaked around my neck causing to stumble back and onto the earth.
Before the other man could bring his sword down, an ashen lycan collided with him, both slamming into the now vacant cage.
When he stood, he shifted and offered me an outstretched hand. Taking it, I stood.
Haaken.
As he brought me into a partial hug, he pulled back as we were met by Gavrill, Olcan, Sköll and Rayshon.
They also shift temporarily, helping me with my restraints. When I was free completely, I looked at them as wolves and lycans alike shredded soldiers.
"We've been tracking you. Thanks to Herlief and his connection to Evenora, we were able to pinpoint your location," Gavrill spoke before looking around.
"Where is Noir," he questioned.
Kiba approached alongside Botolph before shifting.
"Where is my sister," she questioned.
My three in command was in front of me along with my brother, Noir's sister and her two fathers.
I felt bile rise in my throat as I looked at them.
"She was taken elsewhere."
They shifted, looking at one another uncomfortably before meeting my eyes again.
"We are going to find her," was all I said as I directed my attention to the wolves and lycans that were brought and finishing up the soldiers.
With a shout, we left, leaving behind a handful of soldiers to scavenge and dispose of the bodies.