Page 47 of The Raven's Alpha

"Edgar, we'll find him. Can you walk? You need to get away from the road and conceal yourself." His words are a stark reminder that I may not be alone.

Forcing myself to move forward, my bear is screaming at me to find my mate, to protect him from harm. I can feel his rage and fear coursing through my veins, making it hard to think straight. But I know I have to keep going, no matter how much it hurts to feel my bear’s pain.

I take a deep breath and follow my father's instructions, walking towards the woods as fast as I can. The trees seem to loom over me, their shadows casting eerie silhouettes on the ground. Every step feels like an eternity, every creak of a branch or rustle of leaves making me jump with fear.

I don’t know how long I’ve been walking and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going, but I know I have to keep moving forward. For Darcy. For my mate.

I trudge forward, my legs burning with fatigue, my feet blistered and raw. My bear demanding me to let him take over, to shift forms and to give me a break from the relentless pain. I'm torn, unsure if I can trust my bear to act rationally right now. Not only is Darcy gone, but his raven is also missing.

The very idea of losing Darcy, my mate, my soulmate, my partner in every sense, is a torment that threatens to consume me.

"If we shift, you have to promise me not to rush off to try and find our mate," I plead with my bear, my voice barely above a whisper. "We need to find my father and he'll help us. He'll know what to do." My bear's response is a low growl, but he nods in agreement, his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I can really trust my bear to stick to the plan, but I take a deep breath and agree to the shift. I slot mine and Darcy's phones into my mouth, making sure they're safe and secure, and then strip out of my clothes without bothering to find a suitable place to do so. I'm too exhausted, too scared, too everything.

I close my eyes and let my bear take over, I feel a surge of relief wash over me. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can finally let go of the fear that's been driving me forward.

When I open my eyes again, I find myself in a new form, standing on all fours, things are easier to see with my night vision. My senses are heightened, my hearing sharp as I listen for any sign of danger. My eyes are fixed on the woods, scanning for any glimpse of movement or life.

Every so often, I glance up at the road, making sure we don't rush past my father by mistake. My bear is moving fast, his paws pounding against the earth as we sprint through the woods. Despite his speed and agility, I can feel his determination and focus. He knows that we need to find my father, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

Grizzly bears POV

My mind is consumed by the scent of my mate, my heart racing with the primal urge to find him. I need to find our father first, the wise one who will guide us through this treacherous forest. He'll know how to track our raven, how to bring him back to us.

Our raven is strong, our raven is brave.

I remember his fierce cry, his sharp beak, his piercing gaze.

I love our raven, my heart beats only for him.

I must find him, no matter what it takes.

I need to focus on the task at hand. I need to sniff out our father's trail, follow the scent of old pine and damp earth.

I must find my raven.

Our raven is counting on me, and I won't let him down. I'll find him, no matter what it takes. My instincts are screaming at me to move, to find our father and then find our raven. I'll do whatever it takes to get him back.

Eddy Elwood

I wake up from my dreamless slumber to discover my bear still sprinting through the woods. I’m unsure how long he’s been at it, but I can tell he’s getting tired.

Just as I’m about to tell him to shift us back into human form, he says,‘Father is near, I can smell him.’

I take over and as much as I know it pisses off my bear when I force a shift without telling him, I know he’s on the brink of exhaustion.

Using my hands to take the phones from my mouth, I raise the phone to my ear, but before I can dial, I hear the crunch of gravel beneath tires. My father emerges from the vehicle, concern etched on his face.

"Edgar, son, are you okay?" he asks, rushing towards me. When I sink into his open arms, the emotions I've been holding at bay begin to overwhelm me. Sobs rack my body, and my father's wordsof comfort and the familiar scent of him provide some solace. I nod numbly as he speaks of returning to Grizzly-Fields and finding my mate.

My voice is lost in the turmoil of my emotions, so all I manage is a small nod.

The car's gentle motion and the soothing tone of my father's voice help calm my ragged breathing as we drive away from the forest.

When we arrive at Grizzly-Fields, the sun blazes overhead, a cruel reminder of the day's merciless passage. The very light of day seems to mock me, as if it's conspiring against me, rubbing my mate's absence in my face like a salt-covered wound. I feel like I'm trapped in a never-ending nightmare, and the world outside is just a cruel, unforgiving mirror reflecting my despair.

The thought of every passing moment without my mate by my side is enough to drive me mad. I want to scream at the sky, to demand that time itself slow down, that the world come to a standstill until my mate is safely back in my arms.

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