The Raven’s Alpha (Nature’s Embrace #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Eddy Elwood

My chest rises and falls in laboured gasps, the only sign that I'm still clinging to life. The darkness that has engulfed me begins to recede, yielding to the soft, silver glow of the moon and stars. I wrestle to pry open my heavy eyelids, the effort leaving me gasping for air.

When I finally manage to open my eyes, my gaze falls upon the empty space beside me. My heart sinks like a stone in a dark well. Darcy is nowhere to be found. Panic sets in as I frantically scan the surrounding area, my vision blurring with the intensity of my search.

With a surge of adrenaline, I force myself to move, my body protesting with every tortured step. I push open the mangled door of the truck, the crunch of metal and glass echoing through the night air. The windshield lays in shattered fragments on the cement.

My eyes scan the deserted landscape for any sign of him, but there is nothing. No sign of life, no hint of his presence. The only sound is the distant hum of the forest, a cruel reminder that time is slipping away.

Stumbling through the wreckage I realise my vehicle is now a write-off. Terror sets in as I note, I'm stranded with no means to find my mate. I rush to find my phone, ignoring the searing pain in my arm as I nick it on a sharp piece of metal.

Frantically searching the truck, my heart thumps when I spot Darcy's phone lying in the footwell. The cracked screen seems like a cruel mockery of our fragile bond. But it's still working, and I'm desperate to find some clue that might lead me to him .

I dial the most recent number on his call history, and my father's voice booms through the line, his concern palpable. "Darcy! Are you alright? What's going on?"

My voice cracks as I confess, "He's gone. They took him."

My father's words are laced with urgency as he asks, "Gone where? Edgar, what's happening?" I recount the events of the night, my words tumbling out in a rush of fear and anxiety. "I think they took him... What do I do?" My voice breaks as I beg for guidance.

"Edgar, we'll find him. Can you walk? You need to get away from the road and conceal yourself." His words are a stark reminder that I may not be alone.

Forcing myself to move forward, my bear is screaming at me to find my mate, to protect him from harm. I can feel his rage and fear coursing through my veins, making it hard to think straight. But I know I have to keep going, no matter how much it hurts to feel my bear’s pain.

I take a deep breath and follow my father's instructions, walking towards the woods as fast as I can. The trees seem to loom over me, their shadows casting eerie silhouettes on the ground. Every step feels like an eternity, every creak of a branch or rustle of leaves making me jump with fear.

I don’t know how long I’ve been walking and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going, but I know I have to keep moving forward. For Darcy. For my mate.

I trudge forward, my legs burning with fatigue, my feet blistered and raw. My bear demanding me to let him take over, to shift forms and to give me a break from the relentless pain. I'm torn, unsure if I can trust my bear to act rationally right now. Not only is Darcy gone, but his raven is also missing.

The very idea of losing Darcy, my mate, my soulmate, my partner in every sense, is a torment that threatens to consume me .

"If we shift, you have to promise me not to rush off to try and find our mate," I plead with my bear, my voice barely above a whisper. "We need to find my father and he'll help us. He'll know what to do." My bear's response is a low growl, but he nods in agreement, his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I can really trust my bear to stick to the plan, but I take a deep breath and agree to the shift. I slot mine and Darcy's phones into my mouth, making sure they're safe and secure, and then strip out of my clothes without bothering to find a suitable place to do so. I'm too exhausted, too scared, too everything.

I close my eyes and let my bear take over, I feel a surge of relief wash over me. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can finally let go of the fear that's been driving me forward.

When I open my eyes again, I find myself in a new form, standing on all fours, things are easier to see with my night vision. My senses are heightened, my hearing sharp as I listen for any sign of danger. My eyes are fixed on the woods, scanning for any glimpse of movement or life.

Every so often, I glance up at the road, making sure we don't rush past my father by mistake. My bear is moving fast, his paws pounding against the earth as we sprint through the woods. Despite his speed and agility, I can feel his determination and focus. He knows that we need to find my father, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there.