Chapter 9 Journey

It had been six days since Rustyn and his team had set out, yet they hadn't found a single place where people were normal. Every location they encountered was either deserted, home to dangerous creatures that roamed at night, or inhabited by communities that tried to kill them on sight. Despite these challenges, Rustyn's team remained strong, fully aware that their journey had only just begun. Each time they entered a new place, he tried to sense through their bond whether Ava had been there, but it always proved futile.

He wondered where she was and hoped she was safe, wherever that might be.

As night approached, Rustyn and his team found themselves in a dense forest. The clouds gathered ominously, shrouding the sun and giving way to the moon. They set up tents in preparation for what looked like an impending downpour. Rustyn had arranged for them to take turns keeping watch, and it was his turn to rest. However, for the past thirty minutes, he struggled to clear his mind and close his eyes. The sounds of the forest-rustling leaves, distant howls, and the occasional snap of a twig-made it difficult for him to find peace. Just as he finally managed to drift off, one of his men burst through the tent flap, alerting him that something was happening outside.

Jumping up, Rustyn followed the man outside to see what was happening. To his alarm, he found all his patrol team standing frozen, staring intently in one direction, their eyes turned white as snow. Recognizing the signs, Rustyn understood they were dealing with a formidable creature, and he hoped it was only one rather than a whole group. If it was the latter, they were in serious trouble.

Rustyn called out through their mental bond, "Omega Justin, go back to the tent and wait patiently for me while I sort this out. Wake the others from their sleep. Each of you needs to struggle to block my voice from entering your heads. I know it'll be difficult and painful to ignore your alpha's voice, but you have to try. It's the only way I can save the rest of you. If I need your help, I'll call out with my voice, not through the mind."

As soon as he finished speaking, Omega Justin hurried back into the tent to carry out Rustyn's instructions. Rustyn turned to face the direction his men were staring and called out to the creature. "Forest sirens-or should I say, forest siren? I thought your kind had been extinguished during the Great War, but it's shocking to find one still alive."

A beautiful woman emerged from behind a tree, her hair as green as the grass, and her eyes as white as the moon in a starry sky. In a strange way, she reminded Rustyn of Ava. As an alpha, he was partially immune to her tricks, but he knew better than to let his guard down. He made a mental note to only glance at her briefly. The forest siren stepped forward, a playful smile dancing on her lips, her presence both alluring and dangerous.

"It's nice to finally see someone who knows me and what I am," she purred, her voice sweet yet laced with danger. "What brings you, young werewolf, to this part of the realms? Haven't you heard of the dangers that lurk here? You must be of royal blood since I can't seem to read your thoughts-or should I say, your needs?"

Her enchanting tone made Rustyn want to gag. Unlike water sirens, who could captivate people with song, forest sirens ensnared them with their gaze. He couldn't fathom why she was using such a disarming tone. "I just want my men freed, and I have no desire to fight you. I can sense you're alone; your kind joined the enemy during the war, and most were executed afterward for treason. I don't want to be forced to eliminate the last of your kind."

With a shrill, eerie laugh, she cackled, "You think you can end me that easily? You overestimate yourself and your men. For countless generations, my people have been hunted down and murdered by all other creatures. Both the innocent and the guilty were killed, and no one cared enough to stop it. Our time for revenge is coming, young wolf, and no one will see it coming-that I assure you."

The weight of her words hung in the air, thick with unspoken threats and ancient grievances. Rustyn felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. The siren's eyes shimmered with a malevolent light, and for a moment, he saw glimpses of a tragic history-the loss, the pain, and the bloodshed that had marked her people. He felt a surge of empathy but quickly shoved it aside. This was not a creature to be pitied; she was dangerous.

As soon as she finished speaking, she released his men and vanished into thin air. The white fog in their eyes began to dissipate, and Rustyn stood in shock at how everything had unfolded. He was relieved they didn't have to fight her, but what did she mean by their time for revenge? He needed to find Ava soon; serious trouble was brewing, perhaps even war. Whatever it was, he had to locate his mate and return home before it began.

Rustyn ordered his men to pack up, deciding they would search for another place to camp for the night, just in case the siren changed her mind and returned with reinforcements. The urgency in his voice drove them into action, their movements efficient and precise. As they dismantled the tents, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his gut. He had faced many threats before, but this felt different-more personal. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, and he felt the gnawing worry for Ava twist like a knife in his heart.

As they moved through the forest, he kept a close eye on his surroundings, every rustle of leaves and snap of branches heightened his senses. "We need to keep moving. Stay alert," he instructed his team, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. Each member nodded, their expressions reflecting his determination, yet he could sense their shared apprehension.

They eventually found a small clearing and set up their temporary camp, making sure to keep the fires low to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Rustyn gathered everyone around to discuss their next move, his mind racing with possibilities. "We need to find out more about that forest siren and her threats. I can't shake the feeling that her words were more than just bravado."

As the night wore on, the forest came alive with sounds-owls hooted in the distance, and the wind whispered secrets through the trees. Rustyn lay awake in his tent, staring up at the fabric above, his thoughts consumed by Ava and the looming threat of the siren's revenge. He couldn't allow fear to dictate their actions; they had to act swiftly and decisively. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on, for Ava's sake and for the safety of his team.

Tomorrow, he promised himself, they would continue their search, and he would find a way to protect Ava and their world from the encroaching darkness.