15: Iris
Adrenaline coursed through me as I made my escape through the snow–clad venture. I could hear the ripping of flesh behind me. My heart jumped into my throat as I realized that they had begun to tum. Their wolves would hunt me down. My home was anything but a pushover, she speil through the knee length snow as though she knew that my life depended on her. Which it did.
Then growling followed as my raptors gave chose. Everything was a blur of white and green in Temerged from the dense forest into an open field The icy wind whipped against my face, stinging with each gust. I reached a clearing and I knew that I was almost at my destination. I would soon mach that border of the two packs. But what would happen once I reached it? I tried not to think of the obstacle that was ahead. The answer came as soon as I noticed the banner ahead, it had the Ashfall insignia. Then I saw more and more as I got closer, there was a crowd of park guanils. My heart stopped as my eyes fell on the person who stood at the forefront of all of them. Blond hair touded from that cold wind, eyes steely with determination. Black armor that he never seemed to want to take off after he became Alpha. It was Kavriel. He found me and I saw his features harden with an expression that I refused to read. This man would be my undoing, and I was going to give myself over to him. Isnapped the reins and my horse breezed through the snow even faster. I was so close, but I could already see my captor’s wolves in my periphery. The growling was low and filled with warnings, but I did not hesitate. They knew if they pounced they would most likely kill me, an outcome that would be detrimental to their pack. Then strangely, I noticed the wolves slow down and move away from me as though they were giving up on the chase, I almost breathed a sigh of relief
ty blood ran cold at the voice that called to me. It was not possible. How had he found me! Where had he come from!
Tri! My
For the first time, I let myself tum around for the first time since I had begun to make my escape. His midnight mane flowed in the wind, his dark eyes immediately found me in the chaos. In them, I find only hatred. A hatred that promises death and despair. Cassian must not catch me. I thought desperately. I turned forward, mising my arms to snap the reins once again when his voice reached my ears once again.
“Hald” He ordered
At his command, my body seized and I found that I was unable to move. Yet, I don’t fall off my horse, and she keeps running towards Kavriel and the small
army that accompanied him. Hope was not yet lost, I thought, relieved. Still, I had spoken too soon, with a deafening growl, one more Lycan tumed. I did not need to turn to know who it was. I noticed Kavriel and his men’s expressions contort into that of fear. They immediately retreated a little at the sight of the Lycan Alpha’s transformation.
There was not an ounce of hesitation as Cassian pounced from the back and landed right in front of my horse. My heart pounded in my el
chest as
Cassian’s wolf landed before me. His crimson eyes blazed with primal fury, lacking onto mine with a mixture of anger and possession. I could feel the weight of his hard stare through his wolf’s black hide. I had been so close. Cassian’s wolf prowled closer, his gaze never leaving me, daring me to attempt another escape.
Just then another growl sounded behind me, and before I could even anticipate any impact, I was in the jaw of another wolf. Hot bile rose in my throat as I was hit with an agonizing pain where the wolf’s jaw had clamped on my still limp body.
“Rolan, release her!” I heard Cassian’s wolf growl.
Suddenly, I was thrown by the wolf onto the cold snowy ground. As I lay on the cold, snowy ground, the world around me seemed to spin with chaos and uncertainty. I could feel the sting of the icy wind against my skin, the bitter taste of defeat lingering in the air. But amidst the turmoil, one thang remained clear I had to get to Kavriel
“Iris!” He yelled, his voice laced with frustration and fear of the Lycans that prowled too close to comfort. “Come here, or I will make you regret it” He said, not daring to even take another step closer, at least to assist me. I could smell this fear and it mirrored mine.
With each labored breath, I forced myself to crawl forward, inching closer to Kavriel and his waiting any. Despite the odds stacked against me, I refused to surrender to despair.
But before I could reach Kavriel, Cassian’s presence loomed over me once more. Suddenly, I was off the ground. His grip, firm and unyielding. With aswift motion, he had drawn me into his stronghold.
I watched Kayriel pale at the sight of the tuned Lycan whose touch killed all that lived as he held me. Yet, I drew breath.
Kavriel moved some more paces back. “You you are not dead. You you.” He stammered.
But I was barely listening as I fought against Cassian’s hold with every ounce of strength I could muster, but it was futile. In the end, I would loor- “Fight him, Iris, goddess dammit He urged, his own fear of the Lycan who now held me against my will palpable, “Come here now!” He screamed.
But my strength was drained, and I could no longer fight.
“Come here now, I am warning you now, Iris!” Kavriel yelled. Then, to my horror, they brought my family forward I saw my mother and my brother. They were almost just skeletons. Bile ruse in any throat and tears sprang to my eyes.
He took a dagger to my mother’s throat. “Come here now. Or she diest
“Not I screamed, tears streaming down my checks. “Please
But my mother spoke up with more strength than I thought her thin body could muster. “Don’t do it, Iris. Stay away! He is a monster” “You fucking bitch.. Theard Kavriel curse and right before my eyes, I watched the man Lance loved slash my mother’s neck open
