CHAPTER 396: THE ROGUE ATTACK

Evaline:

The rogue’s growl tore through the night, sharp and guttural. It was a sound that made my entire body go still.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears as the massive wolf lunged toward me, its claws glinting under the moonlight. I didn’t even have the strength to scream. My body had frozen, my mind blank, my breath trapped in my throat... and for a terrifying heartbeat, I accepted it.

This was it.

But before I could even blink, a blur of movement came from behind me. A dark shadow collided with the rogue midair, the sound of bones cracking echoing through the forest. I gasped as both wolves rolled across the ground, snarling and snapping viciously.

The new wolf was massive - slightly smaller than River’s wolf, but still huge and terrifyingly fast. Its fur was black like River’s, but there was a faint blue hue to it that shimmered whenever the moonlight touched it.

And that was all I needed to recognize him.

"Draven..." The name fell from my lips in a broken whisper, followed by a sob I couldn’t hold back.

Relief hit me like a wave, shaking me to my core. My heart pounded wildly as I watched him tear the rogue apart with brutal precision, ripping into its flesh like it was nothing more than a wild animal.

The rogue yelped once - a horrible, high-pitched sound - and then fell silent. Draven’s wolf stood over it, chest heaving, fur bristled. The look in his glowing emerald eyes was pure rage.

My heart twisted painfully.

Before I could even think to move, I felt it... another familiar presence, warm and strong, charging through the bond between us. Then solid arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me to my feet before against a chest I knew instantly.

"Eva!"

Oscar.

He spun me around gently, his face pale with panic. His eyes scanned every inch of me - my arms, my neck, my clothes. His voice was urgent, words tumbling out too fast for me to keep up. "You are hurt... so many... damn it, there’s blood - tell me where else it hurts-"

His words blurred together, my mind too scattered to make sense of them. All I could think of was River.

"River," I choked out, gripping Oscar’s shirt. "He’s- he’s still fighting the rogues alone-"

Draven’s wolf, hearing my words, turned his head toward us. For a moment, his glowing eyes locked onto mine, as if to make sure I was safe , before flicking to Oscar. He gave a single nod. And then, without hesitation, he leapt over the fallen rogue and vanished into the direction where River had stayed behind.

The sound of his paws thudding against the ground faded fast, swallowed by the forest.

"Come on," Oscar muttered, his arm tightening around me as he half-lifted, half-guided me forward. "We need to get you out of here."

Right then, Kieran appeared from between the trees, breathless and visibly shaken. His normally calm face had drained of all color when his eyes fell on me.

"Evaline," he breathed, crossing the distance in seconds. "What happened?"

"Rogues," Oscar answered for me, his tone clipped and tense. "River’s still out there fighting. Draven went to help him."

Kieran’s eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his features. "Rogues? Here?" His voice cracked slightly. "No one’s ever dared... this area is under the protection of the Academy and.."

"I know." Oscar’s jaw tightened. "But they did."

Kieran looked at me again, his eyes almost watering as he took in the state I was in - torn clothes, bleeding scratches, dirt streaked across my face. The sight seemed to physically pain him.

He stepped closer, his hand trembling as it brushed against my arm. "You are hurt..."

"I’m fine," I whispered, though my voice betrayed the lie. My body was aching everywhere.

Oscar didn’t give me a chance to speak further. In one swift motion, he scooped me into his arms. "Weare getting her home."

Kieran nodded quickly and pulled out his phone, already barking orders as we started moving. I could barely keep my eyes open, as the adrenaline was fading and exhaustion was sinking in, but I could still hear his voice behind me.

"Mark... tighten the Academy’s security immediately," Kieran said, his tone sharp and commanding. "Send a team of special warriors to the house right now. Double patrols until I say otherwise. And I want every entry point sealed. No exceptions."

Even in my dazed state, the edge in his tone made me shiver.

By the time we reached the house, everything felt like a blur. The lights were on, shadows moving quickly inside. Madam Elira was already waiting with a first aid box the moment Oscar carried me through the door.

He set me down gently on the couch, his jaw tight with worry.

"Get her water," he ordered someone... I wasn’t even sure who.

Vanessa appeared nearby, holding a sleeping Lio in her arms. My little boy’s peaceful face made something in me break again. I reached out instinctively, but before I could touch him, Oscar stopped me.

"Vanessa," he said, his voice low but firm, "take Lio to the basement. Now. Stay there with the rest of the staff until we say it’s safe."

Vanessa hesitated, her eyes darting to me. "But-"

"Now," Oscar said again, and though his tone was calm, it held no room for argument.

She nodded and hurried away, clutching Lio tightly to her chest. Watching them disappear down the hallway hurt, but I knew he was right. The basement was the safest place in the house.

Kieran’s voice came from somewhere behind me as more footsteps filled the house. "Security team’s in position."

Through the large window, I could see warriors surrounding the house, their dark uniforms blending into the night.

Madam Elira worked silently, cleaning the cuts on my arms and face with a gentle hand. The sting of herbs made me flinch, but I barely felt it. My mind was still in the forest, replaying River’s last look, the sound of his growl, the chaos that followed.

He had promised he would come back.

He had to.

Oscar stayed beside me, crouched down on one knee as he helped Elira with the bandages. His normally playful expression was replaced with something grim... and protective. Every time I winced, his eyes darkened just a little more.

Kieran eventually returned, phone still in hand. "Draven and River are safe. They killed all the rogues," he said quietly. "Mark’s men are on the perimeter. No other rogue scent has been picked up yet."

I nodded, relief washing over me at the knowledge of my mates’ safety. My body trembled uncontrollably, cold despite the warmth of the fire crackling nearby.

When I finally looked up at Kieran again, I noticed something I hadn’t before. There was pain in his eyes - deep, raw, and unguarded. But beneath it, there was something else... something I wasn’t expecting to see.

He tried to hide it quickly, glancing away as he spoke to Oscar about patrol routes, but it was too late. I had already seen it.

Without thinking, I reached out and tugged at his hand. "Kieran..."

He turned toward me, confusion flickering across his face.

I didn’t say anything more. I just gave his hand another pull until he sat down on the couch beside me. Then, slowly, I climbed into his lap and pressed myself against his chest.

His arms went around me instantly, strong and protective, pulling me closer as if afraid I might slip away again.

And I just held him tighter.