The scent of blood hung thick in the air, a coppery tang that set my teeth on edge. I crouched in the shadows of a derelict warehouse, every sense on high alert. This was supposed to be a simple reconnaissance mission, but the night had quickly spiraled into chaos.
A low growl rumbled in my chest, a sound caught between a vampire's hiss and a wolf's snarl. Sometimes, being a hybrid really sucked. Especially when it meant I was everybody's favorite target.
Peering around a rusted shipping container, I scanned the moonlit yard for any sign of movement. The attackers had to be close. No one ambushes you and then just disappears.
A flicker of movement caught my eye. There—a figure darting between the shadows. I tensed, ready to spring, when a familiar scent hit me like a punch to the gut.
Axel.
My heart raced, a jumble of emotions flooding through me. Fear, longing, regret—and something else I didn't want to name. It had been five years since I'd last seen him, since I'd rejected our mate bond and sent both our lives spiraling in different directions.
Why was he here? Was he behind the attack?
Before I could process the implications, a crossbow bolt whistled past my ear, embedding itself in the wooden crate beside me with a solid thunk. I spun, catching sight of a black-clad figure on the warehouse roof.
"Shit," I muttered, diving for cover as another bolt flew by.
Human hunters. Just what I needed to make this night complete.
I sprinted across the open yard, zig-zagging to avoid becoming a pincushion. My vampire speed gave me an edge, but these hunters were well-trained. Another bolt grazed my arm, and I hissed in pain.
Suddenly, a blur of motion to my left. Axel burst from the shadows, tackling the hunter on the roof with inhuman speed. They tumbled out of sight, and the sound of breaking bones echoed in the night.
I didn't have time to process Axel's unexpected assist. Two more hunters emerged from behind a stack of pallets, silver-tipped stakes gleaming in their hands.
I bared my fangs, feeling my eyes shift to a predatory gold. "Boys, you really don't want to do this."
They charged without a word. I ducked under the first hunter's wild swing, using his momentum to flip him over my shoulder. He hit the ground hard, the breath whooshing from his lungs.
The second hunter was more cautious, circling me warily. "Abomination," he spat. "Your kind doesn't deserve to exist."
I rolled my eyes. "Really? That's the best insult you've got?"
He lunged, stake aimed at my heart. I sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting. The stake clattered to the ground. In the same motion, I pulled him close, sinking my fangs into his neck.
The hot rush of blood filled my mouth, and for a moment, I lost myself in the primal pleasure of the feed. A part of me wanted to drain him dry, to give in to the darkness that always lurked beneath the surface.
"Raven! Stop!"
Axel's voice cut through the haze of bloodlust. I released the hunter, letting his unconscious body slump to the ground. Wiping my mouth, I turned to face the man I'd spent five years trying to forget.
He looked good. Damn good. His dark hair was longer now, brushing his shoulders. A new scar ran along his jawline, and his green eyes were harder than I remembered. But he still radiated that quiet strength that had drawn me to him in the first place.
"What are you doing here, Axel?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.
He approached cautiously, hands raised in a non-threatening gesture. "Believe it or not, I'm trying to help you."
I scoffed. "Help me? That's rich, coming from you. Shouldn't you be back with your pack, howling at the moon or whatever it is you do these days?"
Pain flashed in his eyes, quickly masked. "There's a lot you don't know, Raven. Things have changed."
"Yeah, well, whose fault is that?" The words came out harsher than I intended, old hurts bubbling to the surface.
Axel opened his mouth to reply, but a groan from the hunter at my feet interrupted whatever he was about to say. I glanced down, realizing I might have taken more blood than I thought. The man's pulse was weak, erratic.
"Dammit," I muttered. I hadn't meant to go that far.
Without a word, Axel knelt beside the hunter. He placed a hand on the man's chest, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. To my astonishment, a soft glow emanated from his palm. The hunter's breathing steadied, color returning to his pale face.
I stared at Axel in disbelief. "How did you... What was that?"
He stood, avoiding my gaze. "Like I said, things have changed."
Before I could demand an explanation, a high-pitched whine filled the air. I clapped my hands over my ears, pain lancing through my skull. Through watering eyes, I saw Axel similarly affected.
"What the hell?" I gasped.
"We need to go," Axel growled through gritted teeth. "Now."
The whine intensified, bringing me to my knees. It felt like my head was about to explode. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision.
Strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me off the ground. Axel's scent enveloped me, achingly familiar. Despite everything, I found myself clinging to him as he ran, the world blurring around us.
The last thing I remember before losing consciousness was Axel's voice, rough with concern: "Hold on, Raven. I've got you."
Then darkness claimed me, leaving me with more questions than answers and the sinking feeling that my carefully constructed life was about to be turned upside down. Again.
I came to slowly, my head pounding like I'd gone ten rounds with a werewolf during a full moon. The first thing I noticed was that I wasn't in my own bed. The sheets were softer, the pillow firmer, and the scent...
My eyes snapped open. Axel's scent surrounded me, a heady mix of pine, musk, and something uniquely him. I sat up too quickly, wincing as my vision swam.
"Easy," a deep voice said from nearby. "You took quite a hit."
I turned to see Axel leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. He looked tired, shadows under his eyes, but still alert.
"Where am I?" I demanded, my voice raspy. "What happened?"
He pushed off the doorframe and approached, offering me a glass of water. "My safe house. And as for what happened... that's a long story."
I took the water, our fingers brushing. A jolt of electricity shot through me at the contact, and judging by Axel's sharp intake of breath, he felt it too. Damn mate bond.
"I've got time," I said, taking a sip. "Start talking."
Axel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The short version? The supernatural world is on the brink of war, and you and I are caught right in the middle of it."
I stared at him, waiting for the punchline. When it didn't come, I laughed bitterly. "Great. Just great. And here I thought my biggest problem was going to be finding a new apartment."
"Raven..." Axel started, then hesitated. "There's more. But I'm not sure you're ready to hear it."
I set the glass down with more force than necessary. "After being ambushed, chased, and knocked unconscious by some kind of supernatural dog whistle, I think I can handle whatever you've got to say."
He met my gaze, his green eyes intense. "Alright. But remember, you asked for this."
As Axel began to speak, laying out a tale of conspiracy, ancient prophecies, and looming disaster, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life as I knew it was over. And maybe, just maybe, that wasn't entirely a bad thing.
