Chapter 30

The further we ventured into the forest, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The air was thick with a sense of danger, the magic of the forest alive and watchful. My heart pounded in my chest, every instinct on high alert. Then, out of the oppressive silence, a low, menacing growl echoed through the trees, freezing me in place.

" Did you hear that?" I whispered, my senses sharpening as adrenaline flooded my system.

Deon’s eyes scanned the darkness, narrowing in concentration. "We’re not alone."

Suddenly, from the shadows, a pack of massive wolf-like creatures emerged, their glowing green eyes locked onto us with predatory intent. These weren’t ordinary wolves—they were Shadowfangs, vicious creatures created by witches to guard the magical forest. Their fur was thick and matted, their jaws dripping with venom as they bared their fangs, ready to strike.

" Shadowfangs," I muttered, recognizing them instantly. " Witch-crafted to be the perfect predators."

The beasts circled us, their growls reverberating through the still night air. My hand crackled with the energy of summoned lightning, while Deon’s fists ignited with flames. We didn’t have time to waste; these creatures wouldn’t hesitate to tear us apart.

" We’ve got to take them down quickly," I said, focusing on the nearest Shadowfang.

Without warning, one of the Shadowfangs lunged at Deon, its jaws wide open. Deon reacted swiftly, unleashing a blast of fire that burned its fur, but the creature was relentless. It charged again, this time sinking its teeth into Deon’s shoulder.

Deon cried out in pain; his face contorted with agony as the venom spread through his veins. Seeing him falter, I felt a surge of rage and desperation. I couldn’t let these creatures take him down. With a swift motion, I sent a bolt of lightning directly at the Shadowfang, its body seizing up as the electricity coursed through it, turning it into a charred, lifeless husk.
Deon swayed on his feet, his face pale and slick with sweat. " Kaden…I don’t feel so good."

Fear gripped me. I couldn’t lose him—not now, not when we were so close. I hoisted him over my shoulder, his weight heavy but manageable, and pressed on through the forest. The remaining Shadowfangs snarled and snapped at our heels, but I summoned another burst of lightning, driving them back into the shadows where they belonged.

Finally, the trees began to thin, and the oppressive magic of the forest started to fade. Ahead, the borders of Calenthe came into view, and with them, a glimmer of hope. My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed toward Cassandra’s Potion Shop, every step fueled by a mix of fear and determination.

I banged on the door with more force than necessary, my voice hoarse with urgency. " Cassandra! Open up, it’s Kaden!"

The door swung open, and there she stood, her expression hardening at the sight of me. Her eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and something else—perhaps resentment, or maybe just the memory of old wounds. But when her gaze fell on Deon, slumped over my shoulder, her face softened with shock and concern.

" What happened?" she asked, her voice tight as she stepped aside to let us in.

" We were attacked by Shadowfangs in the forest," I explained, gently lowering Deon onto a nearby table. His moans of pain cut through me like a knife. " One of them bit him, and now he’s been poisoned."

Cassandra’s eyes widened, her expression turning grim. She didn’t waste a moment, moving swiftly to gather various potions from the shelves. Her hands were steady, her movements precise as she mixed the antidote, but I could see the worry etched in her features.

" Hold on, Deon," she murmured, her voice softening as she administered the antidote to the poison. " You’re going to be okay."

Cassandra’s Potion Shop was as dimly lit and cluttered as I remembered, with shelves lined with bottles of various shapes and colors, each containing a different concoction or remedy. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and something else I couldn’t quite place. As she worked, Deon groaned in pain, his skin pale and clammy. My heart pounded in my chest, the urgency of the situation gnawing at me.

Cassandra’s hands moved with practiced precision, mixing ingredients together in a small, silver bowl. She finished the potion and lifted it to Deon’s lips, coaxing him to drink. I watched, my nerves on edge, as the tension in Deon’s face slowly began to ease. The potion seemed to be working, at least for now.

But then, her gaze shifted to me, and her expression darkened. “ How dare you come back here after refusing my marriage proposal,” she spat, her words laced with venom.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “ You knew from the start that I was hoping to find my true mate, Cassandra. I was honest with you.”

Her eyes flashed with anger and something else—hurt, maybe. “And how is that going for you?” she asked bitterly.

“ I found her,” I admitted, my voice softening as I thought of Meara.

Cassandra’s green eyes widened in shock. “ You managed to find a mate? That’s so rare. Barely anyone can find a true mate these days,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “ So where is this true mate of yours now?” she asked, turning her attention back to Deon’s wound.

“ That’s why we’re here. She’s in danger, and I can’t find her,” I said, my frustration evident in my voice.

Cassandra’s brow furrowed in confusion. “ How do you know she’s in danger?” she asked, her tone skeptical.

“ Because I saw it,” I replied, my voice dropping to a whisper.

Her hands went still as she processed my words. “ Like, in a vision?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“ Something like that,” I confirmed, feeling the weight of the connection between Meara and me. It wasn’t just a dream—it was more profound, more real.

“ That means your mating bond is strong,” Cassandra mused, her expression thoughtful. “ I’ll help you, for Deon’s sake. But keep in mind, the tracking potion will take three days to make.”

I huffed in desperation, feeling the urgency clawing at me. “ We might not have that long, Cassandra.”

She narrowed her eyes, her voice firm. “ It’s the best I can do. Take it or leave it.”

I clenched my fists, frustration boiling inside me. Three days felt like an eternity when Meara was out there, possibly suffering. But I knew there was no other choice. We needed the potion, and Cassandra was the only one who could make it.

“ Fine,” I said, my voice tense. “ But we need to be ready to leave the moment it’s done.”

Cassandra nodded, her expression softening just slightly as she glanced back at Deon, who was now breathing easier, his face relaxing as the pain began to fade. “ You should stay here.”

I wanted to argue, to insist that we leave right away, but I knew she was right. The Shadowfangs were dangerous creatures, and with Deon injured, we wouldn’t stand much of a chance if we were attacked again. Reluctantly, I agreed, and Cassandra led us to a small room at the back of her shop where we could rest.

As I lay on the hard cot, my thoughts kept returning to Meara. The vision of her lying lifeless on the ground haunted me, the fear that I might be too late gnawing at my insides. I had to save her—I couldn’t lose her, not now that I’d found her.

But for now, all I could do was wait, the hours ticking by like a slow, torturous drip of water. I only hoped that when the time came, we wouldn’t be too late.


*****


When I woke up, I wasn't in Kyrell's sleeping chamber anymore. I was back in my tiny room. I tried to move, but my entire body ached, and I felt stiff all over. My face felt swollen and tender. The last thing I remembered was the beating Kyrell gave me. How did I get back here? My mind was a blank.

For the first time since arriving, I actually took a good look around the room. By the foot of the bed was the door, with an old vintage handmade rug underneath. The rug was woven with reds and browns, though the colors had faded over time. To the left was the big windowsill where I had read that book earlier. The view outside was worse than the inside. In the corner was a dark wood dresser, scratched and worn from years of use. To the right was the bathing area, separated by a simple room divider, offering just enough privacy.

Everything felt quiet. Too quiet. I shivered, remembering what had happened. The way Kyrell’s fist connected with my face, the sharp pain in my stomach from his kicks. My body throbbed with every breath. I didn’t know how long I’d been out, but the pain told me it hadn’t been long enough to heal.