THE FALTERED BOND

Ava | Chap. 18

Worry gnaws at my stomach. As minutes blur into hours, Jace is still nowhere to be seen. Raising my eyes to the sky, my heart sank to see the sun at its highest; we'd been searching all morning.

How much longer will the pack wait for us to return?

A wary sigh escapes my throat. Was I holding onto a fool's hope? A gentle hand to my shoulder grounds me back to reality. I turn to look over my shoulder, meeting Angel's worried gaze. ''You okay?''

I only manage to nod, too overwhelmed by the growing pit in my stomach. All evening, my wolf had insisted on fussing over Jace's disappearance, scrambling my thoughts until I couldn't focus anymore.

Furthermore, this whole thing had ignited a curious spark within me- one I hadn't been able to shake all morning. It seems as though my wolf had formed a strange infatuation for Jace, one that seems to have taken residence ever since we met- or so I assume. As to why this is, completely eludes me. I haven't told anyone about it either; how can I expect them to understand, when I can't get my own thoughts in order?

At last, turning to Angel, I muster the courage to ask, although the words still struggle to form. "Has anything... Strange happened to you around Jace?

- Not that I know of. Why's that?"

The words tumble at the tip of my tongue. "Everytime I look into his eyes... It's like this... A-a string pulls at my chest." I pause, the realization of just how ridiculous I sound dawning over me. I continue nonetheless. ''I thought perhaps it was the Link forming between us but- something tells me this is different. It's like I can feel what he feels.''

To my surprise, a smile rose to her lips, her mouth opening to a chuckle. "Yeah, that's what happens after you've met your mate. It is similar to the Link but much, much more powerful. Or so I was told. I never found mine, but I'm optimistic it'll happen one day."

I look back at Angel, who looks to be lost in her own thoughts before she turns her gaze my way. As she peers into my eyes, confusion veils her features.

My blood turns to ice as the words slide off my tongue, her words sinking in. "Jace is my mate...?"

Her smile falters, then fades, eyes saucer-wide. "You didn't know?"

I can only shake my head in response. I've found my mate... Jace is my mate.

Rustling leaves ground me back to reality. I stand, Angel quick to follow as the shape of a massive black wolf peers out of the brush, forest green eyes raising to me. Relief flickers in my chest.

''Jace!'' I quickly close the distance between us, meeting him as he collapses to the ground. ''What happened?''

He whimpers, chest heaving with shallow breaths when he raises his eyes towards Angel then to me. I could've sworn fear flash through those deep green eyes, pleading for our help.

''He's not answering...'' Angel whispers, low enough so that only I would hear.

My mind begins to flood with a storm of thoughts. Something about his silence makes my heart ache, feeling as though someone had tugged at the string of my heart. My wolf howls desperately.

''Can you shift...?'' I blurt, although it is more to allow myself time to think and clear my mind.

He weakly shakes his head.

Angel quickly follows, ''Were you hurt?''

His throat bobs. No response. My thoughts run wild as I turn to Angel. ''Go get Kyra. I'll stay here until you return.'' My throat tightens at my words. I did not wish to be left alone, not with him. But what other choice did I have? He may die here and now if we do not get the help he needs.

Angel seems to notice my concerns and places a reassuring hand to my shoulder. ''I'll be back.'' At that, she strips herself from her clothes, and bolts into the forest on all fours.

Deathly silence fills the air, and I suddenly become aware of the gnawing pit lodged in my stomach. I turn to Jace and meet his forest green gaze, hardened and stoïk as he stares right back. Only then do I feel it; the bond. A tiny, ethereal string, coils around my wrist and weaves itself towards him, gently reaching out. I feel his body stiffen beneath my hand as I place it onto his shoulder, his soft fur prickling beneath my skin. We still for a moment, looking into each other's gaze when the green of his eyes seems to falter, flickering through shades of forest and crimson. I pause and glare into the dark pools, feeling as though another presence peers from the end of the bond-

The thread snaps and air is suddenly robbed from my lungs. Pain stabs into my back as I am lifted from the ground and slammed into a tree with a hand tightly wrapped around my neck.

Jace raises his eyes to mine, glinting viciously as he says, ''The fuck you think you're doing...?'' only it wasn't his voice which growled to my ears; it was deeper, dripping with a venomous disdain.

My lips part to speak, but the words die on the tip of my tongue, paralyzed by icy fear when Jace's eyes suddenly widden. Gazing into my own, he seemed to realize his action, anger replaced by a look of terror and regret. He pulls his hand and I am left coughing on the ground as I struggle to regain my breath. Unable to see much as I lift my head, I start when I hear the quiet whimper slip from his throat. He leans to the ground, his crimson orbs softened with worry.

''Ava...?'' he whispers, so low and calm, I didn't know what to make of it.

Only then do I realize, this isn't Jace- or at least, he isn't the one in control. Something else has taken over his body; a creature whose eyes shine red.

Then, as quickly as it appeared, the color of his eyes flicker back to a forest green. ''Fuck, my head... You!?'' And with it, came his scorching temper as he staggered to keep his footing. ''Where am I-?'' He nearly trips over his footing.

I stammer, ''We're a little far from camp- you went missing for hours. Angel and I came to find you.

- Missing? No I was... I was just by the village. I-'' He begins to fall.

Closing the distance between us, I grab his arm and holster him onto my shoulder. He groans, his head lolling back. Heat tingles where his bare skin comes into contact with my own, shooting shivers down my spine. My cheeks flush red, suddenly hyper aware of his lack of clothes.I shoo the thoughts away- this isn't the time to be thinking about that!

''Ava!'' Angel's voice barks as she emerges from the brush, Cade and Kyra on her heels. Reaching my side, she presses a hand against Jace's head, eyes wide with worry.

''He's not feverish-

- It seems he left for the village. He may have inhaled smoke and ash. Idiot...'' Closing the distance between us, I heat Kyra mumbling as she hobbles over. ''I should not have let him leave-''

Cade's ears lay flat on his skull, his lips curled with a snarl. The Healer's eyes roll as she tartly responds, ''Don't accuse me of such nonsense, young man! He bolted off without telling me, do you sincerely believe me this stupid to have kept such information from you?''

A growl rumbles from Cade's throat, as I assume he had spoken over the link. I can only remain silent, icy panic flickering through my chest; is he going to be okay? Focusing my attention onto Kyra, I watch while the healer pulls a batch of herbs from her satchel, grinds and turns them into a pulp before feeding the mixture to Jace. His face

''This will help him sleep. Cade.'' The pale wolf steps forward. ''You'll have to carry him to camp. Girls, I will need your help.''

-*-

Happy timezone readers! I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter, as well as it's early release :p As for now, expect to see a few updates in the older chapters as I wanna do a quick reread and editing session before I continue ahead.

Furthermore, updates will continue to be bi-weekly, however some chapters may be released a little sooner depending on my work schedules. Feedback is always appreciated!