🌙 Episode 17: The Pull of the Bond
Ethan had always trusted his instincts. They'd kept him alive in wars, in hunts, in every fight that should have ended with his blood on the ground. But tonight, as the fire burned low and Marcus spoke of patrol shifts, a gnawing unease twisted in his gut.
He hadn't seen Lila in several minutes.
He tried to focus on Marcus's words, but the bond burned hotter with each heartbeat, tugging him like an unseen thread. At first, he told himself she was just nearby—maybe fetching water, maybe taking a walk around the clearing.
But when the bond tightened suddenly, sharp and urgent, his chair scraped back before he realized he'd moved.
Marcus frowned. "Ethan? What is it?"
Ethan's eyes swept the gathering. Lila was nowhere in sight.
"She's gone," he growled, his voice low, dangerous.
Marcus stiffened. "The girl?"
Ethan's chest heaved. He could feel it now—the distance, the fear pressing through the bond like a scream. "Lila."
Without another word, he bolted into the trees.
---
The forest rushed around him in a blur as he ran, his wolf clawing beneath his skin, desperate to break free. He didn't bother shifting; he needed his hands, his senses sharp.
Her scent was faint but there—wildflowers and the faintest trace of vanilla. He followed it, the bond pulling him like a compass needle.
Branches whipped against his arms, roots threatened to trip him, but he pushed harder, faster. Every second stretched into agony.
Fool, he cursed himself. I should never have left her alone. I should never—
A memory cut through his rage: Lila smiling softly that morning, her eyes bright as she'd watched the forest. So trusting. So unaware of the dangers lurking just beyond the tree line.
His jaw clenched. If anything happened to her—if the rogues so much as touched her—he would burn their world to ash.
---
The bond flared hotter as he neared the ridge. He slowed, senses straining. The scent of wolves—too many—hung heavy in the air. Not his wolves. Rogues.
His vision sharpened, the world narrowing to the clearing ahead. He crouched low, moving silently until he could see.
Lila stood near the edge of the ridge, her body tense, fear radiating off her in waves. Around her, shapes moved in the shadows—eyes gleaming, teeth flashing.
And standing just behind her, smug and calm, was Kiera.
A snarl ripped from Ethan's throat before he could stop it.
Every head turned.
Kiera's lips curved into a cold smile. "I knew you'd come."
Ethan stepped into the moonlight, his body thrumming with rage. "Get away from her."
Lila's eyes snapped to him, wide with relief. "Ethan!"
The rogues shifted, circling tighter around her. Darius emerged from the darkness then, larger than the rest, his scarred face illuminated by the moon.
"Well, well," Darius drawled. "The great Alpha comes running. Just like I knew he would."
Ethan's eyes burned gold, his wolf pressing to the surface. "If you touch her, you'll beg for death."
Darius chuckled. "You think you can take us all?"
Ethan didn't flinch. "Try me."
The rogues snarled, ready to pounce, but Darius lifted a hand. "Not yet. Let him sweat."
Ethan's gaze flicked to Lila, their bond thrumming with shared terror and defiance. He spoke without breaking eye contact with her. "You're going to be fine. I swear it."
Kiera's voice cut through the tension. "She doesn't belong here, Ethan. She never did. You should have chosen better."
Something inside him snapped.
"You should have stayed loyal," he spat, his voice like thunder. "Now you're nothing."
Her eyes hardened, but Darius only smirked. "Touching. But words won't save her. Only one thing will."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Name it."
"Step down. Leave your pack. Give me what should have been mine."
Ethan's chest rumbled with a growl. "Over my dead body."
"Gladly," Darius sneered.
The rogues tensed, claws unsheathing. Ethan braced, his wolf roaring within. He had one goal—get Lila out alive.
"Run when I tell you," he murmured, his voice threading through the bond to Lila.
Her lips parted in shock, but she nodded, trust shining in her eyes despite the fear.
And then Darius gave the command.
"Kill him."
---
The clearing exploded into chaos.
Ethan moved like a storm unleashed, claws flashing, teeth bared. A rogue lunged, and Ethan's fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling. Another came from the side; Ethan spun, raking claws across his chest.
Through it all, the bond kept him anchored—Lila's heartbeat, frantic and rapid, pulsing in his veins.
He caught sight of her struggling as Kiera tried to drag her back, and his rage spiked.
"Now!" he roared.
Lila tore free, bolting toward the trees. Kiera lunged, but Ethan was faster, slamming into her with bone-cracking force. She hit the ground hard, a snarl ripping from her throat.
Ethan crouched over her, teeth bared inches from her face. "Touch her again and I'll end you."
Darius lunged then, massive and brutal. Ethan barely twisted in time, their claws colliding with a sound like steel on steel.
"Run, Lila!" Ethan shouted, even as Darius drove him back.
She hesitated, torn, her eyes wide with fear.
"Go!"
At last, she turned and sprinted, vanishing into the shadows of the forest.
Ethan's chest heaved with fury as he faced Darius, the rogues closing in again.
The bond pulsed wildly, urging him after her—but he couldn't leave. Not yet. Not until he'd made sure the threat was ended.
With a roar that shook the night, Ethan launched himself at Darius, claws flashing beneath the silver moon.
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✨ End of Episode 17