Chapter 040: The Broken Oath

Ava's POV

The packhouse was silent, that sort of silence before something changes. It kept my thoughts on edge and felt in the air, an uncomfortable hum under the surface. Eli had stepped forward some days before, pledging to eradicate any residual threats still committed to the Raven. I couldn't blame some of the pack, who watched him like a hawk, even when most of them had progressively welcomed his presence.

I wasn't sure which bothered me more—the hope he could change or the anxiety he could not.

Lost in contemplation, staring out the balcony of the packhouse over the forest, Jackson's words startled me.

Are you not thinking about him? Joining me at the railing, he inquired, staring at the woods.

Not feeling like a pretender, I nodded. "I wish he was really sincere and eager to help. But I can't exactly place something about him.

Jackson's jaw tightened and he crossed his arms, shadows in his eyes. Trust is not instantaneous. He is aware as well as we are. However, if there is even a slight possibility he has actually changed; we would have to accept the risk.

The front door creaked open before I could reply, and Leo emerged, his face pulled with desperation. "We have discovered something... unusual," he said, looking tensely between us. "It runs close to the eastern border's edge."

My gut started to drop, and I looked quickly at Jackson before trailing Leo out the door. As the sun started to drop, we hurried fast across the forest, the trees creating dark shadows over our route.

A number of warriors was already gathering when we got to the area; their faces were strained as they looked at what lay before them: a big, rough-hewn sign cut out clearly from the earth with jagged lines. That was the bold and rebellious mark of the Raven.

Jackson inspected the sign, his eyes narrowed. "It makes no sense," he said. "This is not only a cautionary note. This sounds intentional.

Knowing he was correct, I felt his words weigh. The person who did this wanted to convey a message, not only following directives. And none of us lost sight of Eli's outspoken advocacy of seeking out anyone still harboring Raven allegiance.

Leo couched his throat and looked over at Jackson. " Alpha, what do you want us to do?"

Jackson's eyes then turned to me, a quiet inquiry, and I nodded, knowing.

My voice firm, "We need to bring Eli here." "If he is speaking the truth, he could know someone else behind this. And should he not be... we will soon enough find out.

Eli was driven to the clearing within the hour, his demeanor troubled as he studied the carved symbol. His face taut, he peered between Jackson and me.

"I knew nothing about this," he remarked right away, his voice almost audible above a whisper. "I promise; I felt... We seemed to have stopped everything.

I examined him, my eyes focused sharply. We want to believe you, Eli. Still, we need more than words.

He looked down, clearly grappling with something, then he met my eyes at last. "I should have mentioned someone before." One individual by the name of Malak. One of Raven's best friends, he vanished before you could find her.

Though I had never heard it before, the name shivered down my spine. Someone out there who has been personally interacting with the Raven may be hazardous. He may be what we had been fearing.

Jackson said softly, but there was a slight edge of rage in it. And you are merely informing us now?

Eli took a hard swallow, his face pallid. "I had no idea where he'd disappeared to. Malak was distinct. More than she did, he thought the Raven had a cause. He would do anything to see her vision through.

The words sat thick in the air, and I sensed the tension vibrating among the men around us.

"So, Malak is still out there, following the Raven's orders even after her downfall,," I whispered softly, a cold covering me. And you did not consider mentioning this?

Eli's expression turned to reflect regret. I apologize. I believed he had left the territory, gone. I was unaware of his expected behavior. I never would have imagined him continuing to try to ruin you.

Jackson moved closer, his eyes fixed on nothing. Then, Eli, help us locate him. You have to lead us to him if you really want our trust.

Eli nodded while looking between us, his face ripped. "I will take care of it. Malak, but he won't go silently.

Eli guided us across the forest to a secluded area of the territory the next day; few from the pack traveled there. It was thick, overgrown, with shadows seeming to hang on the trees. Every step felt weighty, as though something dangerous was waiting there watching.

We went in quiet, the warriors around watchful and agitated. At last we arrived at a little clearing, and Eli raised a hand to tell us to stop.

"He's close," Eli said in whispers. "He always camps somewhere around here."

I looked about for any activity, then heard an unexpected sound coming from the woods. My heart hammered as a man with sharp features emerged from the shadows—a man whose cold, relentless hate glistened in his eyes. Halak.

"So the prodigal son returns," Malak remarked, his voice sharp with hatred.

Eli stiffened, but he never wavered. "It's over, Malak." The Raven is gone; nothing remains for you here.

Malak snorted, his eyes gliding over us with contempt. "Nothing left?" Oh, but you are mistaken. She assigned us goals; I want to see them realized.

Jackson stepped forward, his voice sharp. Your "purpose" has passed, Malak. Here you are not welcome; you no longer pose a threat to us.

The visage of Malak turned with wrath. "You believe you have triumphed simply because the Raven vanishes? Though she is no more, her vision endures. And I'll see to it it stays alive.

Malak surged forward, his motions rapid and lethal, before any of us could respond. Jackson confronted him squarely, stifling his onslaught, and the warriors closed in to encirclement. Malak, though, battled with a great will, his blows meant to harm and kill.

The battle was fierce and violent; I was locked in struggle with one of his supporters trying to keep up with their unrelenting strikes. Eli battled next to us, his pack allegiance clear in every blow and every motion.

I watched Jackson and Malak involved in a violent struggle in the confusion, their motions a blur of force and accuracy. Though Malak's face was contorted with hate, Jackson stayed steady.

Jackson finally drove Malak to the ground with one forceful blow. Their weapons clattering to the ground, the other followers turned themselves in realizing they were defeated.

Jackson stared down at Malak, breathing rapidly and his voice had a subdued strength. "It's done. Here you have no authority; the impact of the Raven is lost.

Malak sneered, even in loss. Though you might believe you have triumphed, her vision will haunt you. There will always be individuals who ask questions and pursue freedom.

Jackson shook his head. "Chaos and freedom differ in nature. She handed you an illusion, nothing more.

Malak was taken into captivity with that; his supporters quieted and returned to the packhouse. Eli walked next to me, his countenance a mix of guilt and relief.

"I apologize for everything," he said. I ought to have told you sooner.

Putting a hand on his shoulder, I nodded reassuringly. "Elie, you did the right thing. And thanks you will enable us to at last go past this.

Peace descended upon me as we went back to the packhouse. It was a step toward healing, toward a future free of shadows, not the end of our difficulties.

And as Jackson and I stood there observing the sun set over the forest, I sensed a peaceful hope blossoming inside me—a hope that our family could at last travel forward, more robust than ever.