REBORN AS THE GOD OF RUINS.

CHAPTER FOUR - HIS STOLEN MATE

The forest was quiet in the way only grief could make it.

Aralynn stood at the edge of the boundary stones, her fingers digging into the rough bark of the nearest tree as if it might anchor her in place.

The wind tugged at her hair.carrying the scent of pine, ash and farewell.

“Father, I don't want to go.” she whispered, in tears.

“You have to go to your mother for now.” Zephyr, her father said softly.

“No, mother doesn't want or love me.” Aralynn cried.

“Don't say that about your mother.” Zephyr cautioned her.

“Did I lie?”

“She left us because I was born a human and bore a curse as mark.” She spat, angered.

Silence stretched between them, heavy and cruel.

Her father reached into his coat and then stepped closer before her pressing something into her palm, a small carved pendant worn smooth with age.

“I will always be with you as long as you have this pendant.” Zephyr promised.

“Father, I want to be with you not with a pendant.” Aralynn whined tossing the pendant away.

“Aralynn, you must go now to be safe.” Zephyr said, calmly.

“Father….”

Footsteps approached them, Zephyr shoved Aralynn behind the huge pine tree beside them.

Guards stepped into the clearing, their fangs elongated and their claws sharp.

“Well, the farewell isn't done yet.” the leader drawled.

“What do you want, she is already exiled.” Zephyr demanded.

“We are only carrying out orders.” one chipped in.

But before they could move, a force hit them throwing them off their feet.

Zephyr turned instantly, his eyes searching for the where it came from.

Kael emerged from between the trees like the forest had split to release him.

He had wandered all night and finally found the Nightfang's territory only to be greeted with this sight.

“Who…who are you?” Zephyr asked, standing before the pine tree and shielding Aralynn.

“Your nightmare.” Kael replied, flatly.

But when he tilted his head towards Zephyr and saw his face, his breath hitched.

Recognition and an intoxicating scent, pine and blood slapped him across his face.

Standing before him was the man who had stood beside Darian on their wedding night, the man whose hands were stained with his lover's blood.

Anger drowned the scent in an instant.

“You are still alive.” he murmured, coldly.

Zephyr stared at him confused.

“I was just hunting never expected to come across an unpaid debt.” Kael added, intrigued.

“Did they also send you after my daughter?” Zephyr barked, infuriated.

“No, they sent me to collect an unpaid debt.” Kael answered, his voice like a dead whisper makeing everyone to shiver.

“Kill them both!” the leader of the guard yelled and they the guards charged towards them.

But then, Kael flickered his fingers moving the trees which fell on the guards, killing all instantly.

He didn't give Zephyr space to react as he moved his fingers again and Zephyr’s body burst apart, his flesh tearing as if something inside him had decided to escape.

There was no chance for Zephyr to scream as his blood splattered everywhere as his flesh scattered.

Kael didn't allow Zephyr's flesh to taint the forest as he lifted his fingers turning each of his flesh to ash before it touched the ground.

“Father!” Aralynn screamed.

Her scream pierced the forest swallowing the silence as she staggered back horror flooding into her veins.

Then her eyes met Kael's, the mark under her collarbone pulsing.

But then she saw the death in his eyes and without thinking, she turned sharply bolting into the forest.

Branches tore at her skin as she fled deeper into the forest, her heart pounding so loudly she couldn’t hear anything else.

Kael followed her sharply, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved with the wind.

But then, Aralynn ran into a clearing where two men stood and before she could understand what's happening.

Dark chains rose from the earth keeping her body bounded.

“No!”

“Let me go!” she screamed struggling.

Kael who was closely behind her reached for the chains but a force threw him away.

“Dark magic.” he muttered, rising quickly.

But it was too late,

“If you want your mate, Oryxion.”

“You know where to find us.” one of the men said before they disappeared into thin air with Aralynn.

“You asked for me,”

“Don't beg when I came.” he gritted his teeth, barely controlling his anger.