Chapter 4
Ariana
Far beyond the borders of Black Ridge, Alpha Rowan stood on a high ridge, listening to reports from his scouts.
"So it is true," he murmured. "She has caused division already."
A slow smile formed on his lips.
"Prepare the offer," he said. "If Damian will not control his pack, I will gladly take advantage of it."
Back in Black Ridge, Ariana stared out the narrow window, unaware that the storm gathering around her had only just started, and Alpha Rowan will soon declare war.
The pack square was tense long before the first howl split the air......
Ariana stood near the edge of the gathering circle her hands tight at her sides her senses screaming danger.....
She could feel it in the ground beneath her feet
In the air pressing against her skin....
In the way the wolves around her kept shifting restless and alert......
Lyla stood beside Alpha Damian her posture rigid and her eyes were sharp and cold as they swept the crowd
She did not look at Ariana not once
But her anger burned bright enough to be felt.
Damian raised a hand and the noise lowered
Not fully, But enough.
"This gathering is over," he said calmly
"There will be no violence on Black Ridge land today"
The moment the words left his mouth the sky darkened unnaturally.
A heavy shadow rolled across the clearing
Not from clouds, But from power
Ariana's breath caught instantly,
Every wolf felt it, Every spine stiffened
Every head turned toward the eastern ridge
They came like a storm, in dozens, in hundreds.
Then thousands of wolves poured out of the forest their eyes glowing their movements were sharp and fearless.
At their front walked Alpha Rowan, He did not rush
He did not shout.
He walked like he already owned the land beneath his feet
His presence crushed the air,
Sorcery hummed around him unseen but deadly
The ground trembled with each step.
Lyla sucked in a sharp breath.
"So he dares," she muttered.
Damian stepped forward instantly his stance widening his power flaring outward.
The ground answered him.
Trees groaned, The pack rallied behind him.
"This is Black Ridge territory," Damian said loudly,
"You cross it with hostile intent".
Rowan smiled,
"Always so formal," he replied.
"Yet so predictable."
His gaze slid past Damian.
Past Lyla.
And locked onto Ariana.
Her heart slammed hard against her ribs.
"There she is," Rowan said softly.
"The cause of all this chaos."
A low growl rippled through the Black Ridge wolves.
Damian's voice sharpened.
"You will not take one more step."
Rowan laughed lightly.
"You think this is about permission."
He lifted one hand, the air twisted.
Suddenly the ground behind Damian exploded as Iron Crest wolves surged forward attacking without warning.
The clearing erupted, it was filled with loud howls, cries and bodies colliding together.
Damian reacted instantly shifting halfway his power crashing into Rowan's forces.
Black Ridge answered their alpha without hesitation.
Lyla stepped back her expression tight as she shouted commands to the inner guard.
Ariana stood frozen
The world around her moving too fast.
Then Rowan moved.
He vanished...
One moment he stood across the clearing,
Next he appeared directly in front of Damian.
Their powers slammed together like thunder.
The impact threw wolves aside, making trees split into two and making the ground to crack open.
Damian roared and struck back his force pure and brutal
Rowan barely moved,
Instead he smiled wider,
"You are strong," Rowan admitted
"But strength alone is not enough."
He raised both hands and the air screamed.
Dark symbols flared briefly around him.
Sorcery ancient and forbidden.
A wave of force exploded outward.
Damian was thrown back hard slamming into stone
Blood sprayed from his mouth.
"Damian," Lyla screamed.
Black Ridge faltered for half a second.
That was all Rowan needed.
"Now," he commanded.
Iron Crest surged harder, looking relentless and overwhelming.
They moved like a single mind guided by magic and domination.
Ariana stumbled backward her heart pounding while her wolf was screaming so loud.
Suddenly Someone grabbed her arm, she spun ready to fight.
Rowan stood there suddenly calm amid chaos
"Easy," he said gently
"I am not here to hurt you"
She tried to pull away
"You started this war"
He tilted his head studying her like a rare artifact
"No," he said
"You are the war"
Before she could react chains of glowing energy wrapped around her wrists and waist.
They burned cold and heavy pinning her in place.
Ariana cried out struggling.
The chains tightened instantly.
Damian roared her name his body forcing itself upright despite blood and pain.
Rowan turned his head slightly.
"You should have listened," he told Damian.
"She does not belong here."
Damian lunged forward ignoring the wolves trying to restrain him.
"I will kill you!"
Rowan sighed.
"Such wasted fury."
He snapped his fingers.
The air folded inward, while Wind screamed making Light suddenly shattered.
Ariana felt herself lift off the ground her stomach twisting violently.
She screamed as the world spun.
Rowan wrapped an arm around her effortlessly.
The chains pulling her close to his chest.
"You will be safe now," he whispered into her ear.
"With me."
"No," she cried fighting uselessly.
"Let me go!"
Damian reached them just as the space around Rowan shattered completely.
"ARIANA!"
The sound tore through her chest, Then the world vanished.
Suddenly everything went Silent, it was filled with total darkness, while cold stones were beneath her feet.
Ariana gasped dragging in air as she collapsed to her knees.
The chains were still there, they were Glowing faintly and looked unbreakable.
She lifted her head slowly.
They were no longer in Black Ridge
Massive black pillars surrounded her carved with ancient runes.
The sky above was dark even though she sensed no night.
Power soaked into the ground thick and overwhelming.
Rowan stood a few steps away watching her calmly.
"Welcome to Iron Crest," he said.
She shook her head tears streaking down her face.
"You kidnapped me!"
He crouched in front of her his gaze steady.
"I claimed you!"
Her heart stuttered.
"No bond," she said desperately.
"You cannot claim what is not yours."
Rowan smiled slightly
"Oh but I can," he replied.
"I am gifted beyond the old laws."
He reached out brushing his fingers near her collarbone.
