Chapter#15

Varian’s POV

I’d been fighting alone since the beginning, by choice. Teaming up was a liability, a distraction that dulled the edge I needed to survive. Out here, survival demanded focus and precision, not babysitting. Kaelen, as I now knew her, was slowing us down, and I couldn’t shake the concern gnawing at me, knowing who she was. I wanted her to stay back, to take a free pass and avoid the battlefield, but the rules here were strict.

Liam was too caught up in shielding her to see the reality of where we were, treating this like some childish roleplay game. I wasn’t here to play hero; I was here to win.

When they stopped to catch their breath beneath that gnarled tree, I didn’t wait around. Someone had to clear the path ahead, and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be them. I moved silently through the underbrush, sweeping for any sign of movement in the shadows cast by the jagged cliffs.

Then, out of nowhere, a searing pain tore into my shoulder, making me stagger. A roar ripped from my throat before I could stop it. I hit the ground hard. My vision blurred as the beast loomed over me. Its red eyes gleamed with feral hunger, and its claws dripped with my blood as it lunged again.

Ignoring the fiery agony in my shoulder, I rolled to the side, grabbing my sword from the dirt. The beast’s jaws snapped inches from my face. Its rancid breath was hot against my skin, but I didn’t falter. With a sharp upward strike, I drove the blade into its chest, piercing its heart. The creature let out a strangled howl as its massive body collapsed beside me.

My breaths came in ragged gasps as I shoved the beast off. I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Reaching up, I tore a strip from my tattered shirt and tied it tightly around the wound. Every movement sent jolts of agony through my arm, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand.

Then I heard a voice that called me. I tried to ignore the call, pushing forward as my focus was locked on victory, on reaching the trial’s end alone. But the sound gnawed at me with a pull I couldn’t shake.

“Damn it,” I muttered, cursing under my breath. Whoever was hurt could die for all I cared. But my feet betrayed me, carrying me back toward the sound.

When I reached them, the scene made my stomach churn. Liam clung to Kaelen. His arm was draped around Kaelen’s shoulders, trying to keep him upright. His face was pale, and his back was a mess of torn flesh and blood.

Kaelen looked shaken, but she wasn’t the one I focused on. My gaze shifted past him. A massive beast closed the distance faster than either of them realized. They were oblivious, too caught up in their pathetic struggle to notice the death stalking them.

Adrenaline surged through me as I bolted forward, gripping my sword tightly despite the pain in my shoulder. The beast didn’t stand a chance. With one powerful strike, I drove my blade through its skull. The impact sent a spray of blood across the rocks. The creature let out a guttural snarl before collapsing in a heap. Kaelen screamed, startled, spinning around as I rushed past her.

“Varian!” Kaelen gasped, “We heard your scream…”

“You’re lucky I found you both,” I said coldly, glaring down at them, “Next time, try paying attention to your surroundings…or don’t. I’m not here to babysit.”

I turned my attention to Liam, slumped against the ground. His breathing was shallow, and his back was a shredded mess. Idiot. If he had any sense, he’d have stayed down when he had the chance, but no, he had to play the hero. Typical Emberclaw nonsense.

I knelt beside him, scanning his wounds. He’d lost a lot of blood. We were not even close to the trial’s finish line, and we had to move fast if we wanted him alive.

I tore apart what was left of Liam’s shirt. The fabric was already in shreds, and I used the pieces to clean the wounds as best I could. “We need to dress these wounds,” I muttered, glancing at Kaelen, “Take your shirt off. Now.”

She hesitated. Her reluctance grated on my nerves. “Do it, Kaelen!” I roared. Startled, she stumbled back, then turned and ran, disappearing into the underbrush.

“Where the hell is she going?” I growled under my breath. “Kaelen!” I called after her, but she didn’t stop. My instincts screamed to chase her, to drag her back, but leaving Liam in this state wasn’t an option. This was exactly why I never wanted to be paired with anyone; too much risk, too much weakness.

Cursing under my breath, I hoisted Liam up. I carried him to the riverside nearby, lowering him gently onto the rocky bank. The water was cold, biting against my hands as I rinsed the dirt and blood from his wounds.

“He’s probably dead by now,” I muttered to Liam, thinking of Kaelen.

What kind of coward runs off in the middle of a fight? But then I heard movement behind me. Instinct kicked in, and I was on my feet in an instant, sword drawn, ready to strike.

It was Kaelen, stopping short. Her gray eyes widened as the tip of my blade hovered at her throat. She let out a shaky breath as I lowered the weapon, stepping back. “What the hell were you thinking?” I snapped, “Running off like that?”

She ignored my anger, holding up a bundle of leaves, flowers, and weeds. “I… I got these for his wounds,” her voice trembled. “My aunt was a healer. I know how to make a salve.”

I stared at her, “You could’ve told me before running off like a lunatic. You could’ve been dead by now.” My words were sharp, but a flicker of something, respect, maybe, stirred in me at her resourcefulness, though I’d never admit it.

Without waiting for a response, I knelt beside her as she began crushing the plants on a flat rock. I helped, grinding the leaves and flowers into a thick, green paste with the hilt of my sword. “Here,” Kaelen said, holding up the paste, “This will help stop the bleeding and prevent infection.”

We applied it to Liam’s wounds, spreading the mixture over the torn flesh. The paste dried quickly into a protective layer, like a makeshift dressing that would hold until we reached the finish line. Kaelen sat back, brushing her hands on her thighs, and looked at me. “He’ll be okay now.”

I didn’t respond, just nodded. My eyes flicked to the horizon where the sun was dipping low. We found a small alcove tucked into a rocky hill, hidden from the main paths. Its entrance was partially shielded by tangled roots. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do. I started a small fire, casting a warm glow against the cold stone.

The three of us sat in silence. Liam leaned against the wall. His breathing was steadier now. Kaelen sat close to him. I kept my distance. My back was against the stone. The pain in my shoulder was a dull throb as I watched the fire.

“Thank you for saving us,” Kaelen said, breaking the silence.

I didn’t look at her. My gaze was fixed on the flames. “I only did it to win,” I said coldly. “If either of you dies, I lose this battle.”

The night stretched on. “Get some rest,” I said, “We’re close to the finish line, but tomorrow won’t be any easier. We’ll leave at dawn when the beasts are asleep.”

Kaelen hesitated, then nodded, settling against the wall near Liam, who was already half-asleep. As they drifted off, I stayed awake. I told myself it was for my survival, that keeping watch was just another way to ensure I made it out of this hellhole alive and claimed victory.

But deep down, I knew the truth. I wasn’t watching for myself. I was watching for her. My wolf stirred. It was a primal urge to protect what was mine, a feeling I couldn’t shake, no matter how hard I tried to bury it.