The Sixth Bond

with careful steps, her boots thudding softly on the ground, her mind a whirlpool of disobedience and anxiety. Rex'

the entanglements of fate and the pull of the mate link, which had only ever caused her suffering. She was sudde

a squatted and her keen eyes scanned the dark underbrush, her hand shot to

soft, ominous tone. "I a

ver seen before. As it entered the moonlight, its limbs twisted uncomfortably, and i

faced innumerable animals, something about this one fe

al made

hat smelt of decay was drawn by the sword as it grasped its arm. It snarled, a sound that ir

was little moved by the force. With unnatural speed, the

ng her weapon, "Damn it." S

g her blade into its side, barely escaping the blow. She held strong, twisting the

creature's shape vanished into black mist as it crumpled to

air, making it heavy. There was more rustling from the trees, then growls that were

, of course,"

to appear was bigger than the others. A half-dozen others be

f the gods think it's a joke." The animals launched a coordinated attack. Luna slashed and dodged l

made them unrelenting. Two appeared

through her cloak and drawing blood. She gritted her teeth, igno

un

s golden eyes flaming with rage. He transformed into his wolf form, a huge cre

o the beasts. He and Luna battled side by side, their actions automatically in harmony. Snarls

llapsed, its body vanishing into the mist. Once again, only the sound

he shifted back into a human. His voice was

wiped the blood from her

ve. "I didn't ask that question." She furrowed her brow and

ide one of the monsters' vanishing black puddles. In a serious manner, he state

olded her arms. Could you elabora

got up. He fixed her with his hard, unw

ajesty, trust is not some

ing for blind faith." "But if you

ern. "Your protecti

have, though? It is not merely a ruthless deception by the gods. It is

e after his words touched a nerve. She detested his

her voice, she responded, "All right

r piercing his grave expression

and loud than any sound Luna had ever heard rum

ered, pulling out her

rose from the shadows. Its body appeared to tremble with ba

serious. "This

a retorted, clenc

oed through the fores

ing aside their earlier quarrel. The beast was stronger and fast

er motions became more desperate. Even Rex, who fought like a devil with devastatingly

est, finally roaring in defiance as she did so. The beast slumped, it

g hush was

. Even though her wounds were scorching and her

shoulder, Rex knelt next to her. "You

not with the usual veno

t laugh. "I wo

transpired overcame them. Though Luna's head was full

is situation?" She whispered. Rex's expression

n shone on the clearing, illuminating it with its icy radiance. It was merel