I'm knee-deep in rogue territory, and it's about as welcoming as a Blackfang's snarl. The forest here's wilder, untamed, with gnarled trees twisting like they're trying to grab me, and the air reeks of damp moss and old blood. My wrist's on fire, the crescent mark burning like it knows we're walking into a bad idea. Kael Draven's beside me, his gray eyes sharp as he moves through the shadows, all scars and quiet intensity. The mate bond's pulling at me, a tug that makes my blood sing when he's this close, and it hard to keep my head on straight. I'm Lila Thorn, tracker, not some starry-eyed mate, but Kael's got this way of making my heart do stupid flips, and I'm fighting it with everything I've got. That rogue—our so-called guide—is leading us deeper into this mess of a, his matted fur catching the moonlight as he slinks ahead. I don't trust him, but we need him, and that's a deal I'm already regretting.
"Keep up, Silverclaw," the rogue calls, his voice rough, with a smirk that makes my skin crawl. He said his name's Gavyn, but I'm betting it's as fake as his friendly act. "The ruins ain't far, but you're moving like you're scared."
I grip my dagger tighter, my boots crunching to the uneven ground. "Scared? I just took on three Silverclaw wolves and didn't break a sweat. Keep talking, Gavyn, and you'll see what I'm made of."
He chuckles, low and gritty, but doesn't look back. Kael's close enough I can feel his pine-and-earth scent, and he leans in, his voice a whisper. "Don't let him bait you, Lila. Rogues like him thrive on chaos. Stay focused."
I shoot him a look, my eyes to meet his. "Focused? I'm the one who got us the journal, remember? You're the one who's acting like I'm gonna trip over my own feet."
His lips twitch, almost a smile, and it's gone fast, but there's a warmth in his eyes that makes my chest tight. "Noted, Thorn. Just don't stab him yet. We're stuck with him for now."
I huff, but he's right. Gavyn's our only shot at finding the ancient ruins, where that journal said the "heart of the moon" might be—the relic that could break Isolde's curse. My mark's tingling, and I think of the vision of her: black hair, amber eyes, chaining Kael with dark magic. If this relic's real, it's our best chance to stop her and save Kael from dying because of me. But rogue territory's no picnic—lawless, full of wolves who'd sell their own kin for a scrap, and Gavyn's "favor" is hanging over us like a storm cloud.
The path narrows, forcing us single file. Gavyn's leading, Kael behind him, and I'm at the back, my tracker senses on high alert. Every rustle in the bushes, every snap of a twig, has me ready to fight. The Blackfangs could be tailing us, and after that run-in with Torin's patrol, I know my pack's out for blood. I think of Jace, probably tearing his hair out, and Mara, hurt by my lies. Guilt claws at me, but I shove it down. I'll make it right—after we get this relic.
"Lila," Kael says softly, glancing back. "You good?"
"Yeah," I lie, my voice steady. "Just don't like this place. Feels like it's waiting to eat us."
He nods, his eyes holding mine a second too long, and the mate bond hums, making my skin prickle. Since that binding ritual, it's stronger, like a current pulling me to him. I hate how it makes me want to trust him, to lean into him, but I'm not that girl. I turn away, focusing on Gavyn's back, his lean frame moving with a predator's grace.
We reach a clearing, and Gavyn stops, his head tilting like he's sniffing the air. "Ruins are through there," he says, pointing to a tangle of vines and broken stone. "But we got company. Rogues, not mine. They don't take kindly to outsiders."
I step up, my dagger ready. "How many?"
"Six, maybe seven," he says, his grin sharp. "You still wanna play hero, Silverclaw?"
"Watch me," I snap, but Kael's hand on my arm stops me, his touch sending sparks through my mark.
"Stay close," he says, his voice low and serious. "We do this together."
I pull free, my heart racing. "I don't need a leash, Kael. Let's just get this over with."
The rogues emerge from the shadows, their eyes glowing, claws out. They're a ragged bunch—matted fur, scars everywhere—but they move like they mean business. Their leader, a wiry wolf with a missing ear, snarls. "This is our turf. Hand over your weapons and maybe you walk away."
I laugh, short and sharp. "Yeah, not happening. Step aside, or you're gonna regret it."
Kael's claws flash, and he steps up beside me, his Alpha presence making the air heavy. "Last chance," he growls. "Let us pass."
The leader lunges, and all hell breaks loose. I duck his claws, my dagger slicing his arm. He roars, but I'm fast, kicking his knee and dropping him. Kael's on two others, his strength brutal as he slams one into a tree. Gavyn's fighting too, his moves quick and dirty, but I don't trust him to watch our backs. A rogue comes at me, his claws grazing my shoulder, and I hiss, driving my dagger into his side. He staggers, and I finish him with a kick to the chest.
"Lila!" Kael shouts, tackling a rogue who's aiming for me. The bond's screaming, and I feel his pain when a claw catches his arm, like it's my own. I charge, my dagger flashing, and together we drive the rogues back. They scatter, leaving their wounded leader groaning on the ground.
Gavyn wipes blood from his lip, grinning. "Not bad, Silverclaw. You're tougher than you look."
"Shut up," I snap, panting, my mark burning. I check Kael's arm, blood seeping through his sleeve. "You okay?"
He nods, his eyes soft. "I've had worse. You?"
"Fine," I say, but my shoulder's throbbing, and the bond's making it hard to think. Gavyn's watching us, his eyes too sharp, and I know he's up to something.
"Ruins are that way," he says, pointing. "But the favor I mentioned? I'm calling it in soon. Don't forget."
Kael growls, but I cut him off. "We won't. Now move."
We push through the vines, the ruins looming—crumbling stone, overgrown with moss, humming with old magic. My mark's on fire, and I know we're close. But Gavyn's words stick with me, and I can't shake the feeling we've just made a deal with the devil. The Blackfangs are out there, Torin's after me, and now we've got a rogue who thinks he owns us. But I'm Lila Thorn, and I'll fight through hell to break this curse.