Page 23 of Rebel's Fated Mate

With one last look at her, our eyes locking in a silent promise to meet again soon, I leapt back into the sky, the wind carrying me away from the tribe I had sworn to protect.[MN46]

I landed outside the rebel camp, the transformation back to human form leaving me drained. I stumbled toward my tent, my body aching from the exertion. As I reached it, Annis approached me, her eyes wide with concern.

"Kael, where have you been?" she asked with a worried voice. "I had to protect her," I replied, my voice rough with emotion. "She is the Weaver, she’s my soulmate."

Annis's eyes widened in understanding, and she nodded slowly. "Then we must prepare, Kael. The Weaver will need [MN47]all the support we can offer."

I nodded. The dreams had led me to her, and now I knew my purpose. Together, we would challenge the empire and forge a new destiny. The bond between us was unbreakable, and I would protect her with my life.[MN48] I would lead the rebels and return to her soon, and this time she would see me as Kael, not a dire bear guardian.

Later, after breakfast, I sat across from Lyra. The map of the region lay between us[MN49]. The trip I took in my dire bear form still lingered in my mind, the image of the Weaver and her tribe etched deeply into my consciousness.

"Lyra, I need to talk to you," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "The Weaver[MN50]... I-I was with them last night and I saw them with a map. It showed the location of Aeloria."

Lyra's eyes widened, her interest piqued. She leaned forward, her gaze intense. "Aeloria? The lost city? Are you sure?"

I nodded, the certainty in my gut undeniable. "I'm sure. The map was glowing, alive with magic. They're heading there, and I believe it's where we need to go too."

She considered my words carefully, her fingers tracing the worn lines on the map before us. "If they're heading to Aeloria, we need to know more. We can't risk running into imperial forces unprepared."

"I can handle them, but I wouldn’t want to risk the lives of the rebels. We should send trained scouts," I suggested, my mind already racing with possibilities. "They can gather information, look for signs. We need to ensure the path is clear for both the rebels and the subjects headed for Aeloria."

Lyra nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Agreed. I'll assemble a team of our best scouts. They can leave at first light."

"I want to go with them, Lyra. I need to see her. I need to understand our connection."

She looked at me, concern in her eyes. "Kael, mother would never risk your safety. We need you here."

"I know," I said, my voice firm. "But I have to do this. There's a connection between us, something deeper. And if Aeloria holds the answers, then I need to be there. With her"

Lyra studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Kael. Prepare yourself. We'll leave at first light. But be careful. We can't afford to lose you. I’ll brief mother."

I stood, feeling the weight of the upcoming journey settling on my shoulders. "I will. Thank you, Lyra."

I found a high tree and leaned against a wide branch. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths, centering myself. The Weaver’s face appeared in my mind, her emerald eyes filled with defiance and hope.

I focused on that image, letting it strengthen my resolve. My muscles tensed and relaxed as I stretched, the familiar routines grounding me.

First light couldn't come soon enough. I knew that the journey to Aeloria would be perilous, but the pull toward her was something I could no longer ignore. I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, driven by the unshakable belief that our fates were intertwined.[MN51]

Chapter 11 The Perilous Journey

(Elara)

The forest around us was eerily silent as we pressed onward, the subjects close behind me. I kept the ancient map close, its glowing inscriptions guiding us through the dense woods.

Suddenly, a chilling wind swept through the trees, carrying with it a dark, oppressive energy. I froze, my heart pounding as the air grew thick with an unnatural presence. The subjects sensed it too, their expressions shifting to fear.

"Stay close," I urged, trying to keep my voice steady. "Something is coming."

Without warning, the ground beneath us began to tremble. Shadows twisted and writhed, forming dark, spectral figures that advanced toward us with malevolent intent. It was Corvus's magic, I realized with a jolt of terror. He had found us, sending his enchantments to do his bidding.

“It’s Covus, just as Seraphina warned.”

One of the shadowy figures lunged at a subject, its form shifting into a monstrous shape. Desperation surged through me, a primal instinct to protect my people. I felt a strange warmth spreading through my chest, growing hotter and more intense with each passing second.

"No!" I cried out, stepping forward. My hands trembled, but something deep within me stirred, awakening. The warmth in my chest spread to my limbs, and I felt an unfamiliar but powerful energy course through me.

The ground responded to my desperate plea. Rocks and earth began to shift and move, forming a barrier between the subjects and the shadowy figures.

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