Exposed

Pull the Arrow Out

Helena and Dorian slowed down falling into line with the other wolves. 

"We should keep our distance. Let them be alone."

The wolves looked at Joey, unsure if they were up to taking orders from a fox. His eyes were trained on Ki. The wolves slowed their running with the foxes. They stopped at the tree line watching the Joey and Ki approach the crack in the earth. 

"Why are we here, Ki?"

"I know who you are Joey," Ki said through heavy breaths.

With a quiet laugh Joey replied, "Well of course you do. I'm your mate. Named Joey."

"That's not what I meant," Ki gave a sad smile, "I know who you actually are."

Joey's eyebrows furrowed. He stared at Ki's face and then to the crack in the earth. 

"What's going on?"

"Trust me," Ki whispered, pressing her forehead to Joeys. She rubbed her cheek against his and used her shoulder to nudge him towards the crack.

"Ki, why are we here?" Joey asked with anger behind his voice. 

His eyes flickered back to the crack. His heart dropped in his chest. Joey's eyes searched for his pack in the trees. His eyes pleaded for help. The wolves began getting restless watching Joey fall apart in the distance. 

"What's going on out there Fox?" 

"She's waking him up."

"Waking him up from what?"

"His delusions." 

Joey's frame was stiff. Ki could no longer push him. With a sigh, Ki changed back into her human form. Bumps formed on her skin from the cold wind, but she stood tall. Joey's face was covered in confusion. The wind blew into Ki's skin, encircling her before carrying her scent into Joey. He closed his eyes, breathing her in. He opened his eyes to find her face in front of his. She kissed his forehead and whispered, "Trust me."

Ki slowly lead Joey to the edge of the crack. His heart rate increased wanting to get Ki away from here. His eyes pleaded her to follow him and he slowly began to back up towards the forest, but Ki would not move from her spot.

"Please, Ki. Get away from there."

"Why?"

"It's dangerous. You could fa-"

The world stopped then as Joey watched Ki tip backwards into the crack. For a millisecond he felt nothing. His body prepared to jump and his chest filled up with sound. 

"MARINA!" Joey belted out, about to jump into the crack with her.

As his feet lifted off the ground a warm wind used its forces against him. He watched Ki fall into the crack and struggled against the wind to save her. The wind blew harder and forced Joey back onto the ground. Something about it was comforting, but all Joey could think about was losing his mate. He could see her in his mind. Hitting the ground in slow motion. Her face staring up at him. The bones of her spine cracking against the solid rock beneath her. Then, a smell hit him. It was soft and smelled like the pine needles in the forest. The ones that tasted like orange peels. Just like the ones from Marina's favorite tree. 

"Keon, let's go! You're so slow!" Marina teased, pulling at her mate's arm. 

"I don't want to go. Don't make me," Keon whined, slowly letting Marina drag him towards the door,

"That's no way an alpha should act," Marina huffed, using all her energy to pull him outside, "And you should be nice to me or I promise we won't be making any pups anytime soon."