57. Vericus

I felt it, felt the mate bond taking over. I felt her arousal as I got closer, it called to me. Her words words woke me up. Banishing the trance I could feel myself sinking into. I had moved to let her pass but something else made me stop her. Something awakened another part of me. Raine was impulsive, stubborn and unpredictable. The complete opposite of what Rix was and yet...and yet something told me that whatever she was doing would put her in harms way. When I thought about her getting hurt I couldn't stop myself from telling her to be careful.

Seeing the scar on her face, a scar she'd gotten from Driak something primal in me wanted to erase the pain of it from her face with my touch. What the hell was wrong with me? Was I going insane? This has to be the mate bond with Rix. It was messing with my mind. Playing tricks with my mind and my feelings. Rixs soul was inside Raine they looked exactly the same. Maybe the pain of knowing Rix was right in front of me yet I couldn't have her was finally sending me over the edge. Messing with what I saw in front of me and what I felt inside Raine. That has to be it. There was just no other explanation.

"Ver?!"

Snapped out of my reverie my eyes turned to the door. I had no idea how long Owen had been calling my name but judging by the look in his eyes it had been awhile.

"Sorry Owen what we're you saying?"

He narrowed his eyes at me and stepped into the office closing the door behind him.

"Is something bothering you?"

I sighed I really did not want to tell Owen about this. He had enough to worry about but I knew he wouldn't let up unless I said something.

"I'm just worried about Cora going on this mission."

He stepped further in and took his usual seat opposite my desk.

"I get it Ver I'm worried about her too but Raines right it's time she got out and found her place in life and in the pack."

I rubbed my eyes suddenly tired because I wasn't exactly lying about being worried about Cora. Owen stood once more.

"Speaking of Cora it's almost time for them to leave I think we should probably be there even if it's just to stop Slo from killing Raine, well at least attempting to kill Raine."

I chuckled knowing that there was every possibility that if Slo punched Raine again she would most likely not just stand there like last time.

When we got downstairs Cora was with Slo a few meters away while Ty sat on the grass. Both were packed and ready to go. Looking around Raine was no where to be seen. When Ty heard us he looked over his shoulder.

"So Ver great plan you got here. A sixteen year old with no fighting skills and a mass murderer. Yup this missions gonna be great."

I scowled at him.

"Are you saying you can't do it then?"

Ty eyes turned dark as his true self showed through.

"Oh I didn't say that."

His voice was dripping with confidence. Not many of the pack had seen Ty's dark side. Mostly he was all playfulness and jokes but when he was on a mission he become a wolf with no mercy.

His eyes returned to normal a smile spread his lips.

"You know me I just prefer to do these things alone. I'm sure Raine knows how I feel."

His eyes looked up.

"Doesn't she?"

Before I could even follow his eyes Raine dropped down from the infirmary window landing just in front of me and Owen. Her back to us she faced Ty.

"That's true I guess we'll both just have to learn to play nice."

Ty didn't move from the ground as he stared up at Raine.

"We both know your not the play nice type."

"Neither are you."

He raise his eyebrows a his smile turning coy.

"Wanna play?"

With a quick movement she had a throwing knife out and had thrown it at him which of course he caught. She turned towards us a smile on her lips like the exchange between them was nothing. Ty laughed behind her as he threw the knife back. Without even looking she caught it as it flew past her head stuffing in back into her thigh strap. I took an exasperated breath at their antics. They were more alike then even they realised.

Cora and Slo were still off to the side. They had stopped talking to watch them as well. Slo supporting a troubled look. I couldn't blame him but what he didn't realise was that both Ty and Raine were just testing each other's skills. For two wolves that usually worked alone they need to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. Everything they did was calculated and down for a reason.

"I feel sorry for Cora having to deal with you two."

Raine waved my words off.

"She'll be fine."

Ty finally stood up from the ground as he threw his arms around Raines shoulders. A low growl escaped my lips before I could stop it. Luckily no one noticed as Raines hand grabbed his wrists twisting it til he pulled back yelping in a fake cry of pain which hid my growl. Thought Owens hand on my shoulder as he passed told me he didn't miss it.

Owen surprised me by wrapping his arms around Raine. The look on her her face just as surprised. She looked uncomfortable clearly not used to being hugged.

"Stay safe Raine and take care of Cora."

Raine stood there in awkward silence until Owen pulled back.

"How come you never hug me when I leave on missions?"

Owen smiled at Ty.

"Oh I'm sorry Ty I didn't know you cared. come here and I'll give you a kiss good bye as well."

Ty's eyes widened as he avoided Owens arms. While they were playing around Slo and Cora came closer. Slo purposely keeping his distance from Raine a feral look on his face. When I'd told him of Cora's request he was furious with all of us. Cora for asking, Raine for excepting and me for allowing it. It's not like I wanted her to go she was like a little sister to me but Owen was right. She was old enough to make her own choices and I really did trust Raine to keep her safe.

"You ready for this?"

My question for Cora. She seemed nervous but there was determination in her eyes.

"More then I'll ever be."

"She'll be fine I'll look after her."

Slo scowled at Raine.

"Yeah just like you looked after your mate?!"

Cora elbowed him in the side but he ignored it. Raine just smiled.

"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

Slo was about to answer but I cut him off.

"You better get going the sooner we get some intel on Driak the better."

Raine nodded scooping down to pick up two pebbles she flung them at Owen and Ty who were still mucking around. Owen had just got Ty's head under his arms and was scruffing up his hair. The pebbles bounced off their heads making them look up.

"Hey loser take Cora and start heading out I'll catch up in a bit."

Owen let Ty go as he scowled at her.

"Who died and made you boss."

Raine put her hands on her hips.

"Take your pick between us I'm sure there's plenty of corpses to choose from."

Ty chuckled turning to Cora and Slo.

"Come on love birds hurry up and kiss good bye so we can go."

Cora quickly kissed Slo then rushed after Ty as they headed for the trees. Slo watched her til she disappeared then stoned back inside leaving Owen, Raine and I alone. Raines smile disappeared her face all business. Her eyes glanced at Owen before facing me.

"You have a traitor."

I stared at her stunned.

"What?"

Her voice became quiet.

"Look I don't have any prof yet but I overheard someone on the phone yesterday. I couldn't hear who they were talking to but they were telling them about this mission."

I growled at her grabbing her arm I pulled her away from the house Owen following not far behind as I whispered aggressively at her.

"And your telling me this now?! Raine if Driak knows where your headed then you could be walking into a trap!"

Ripping her arm away she kept her voice low as well.

"See this is why i wasn't going to tell you but like an idiot I let Malix convince me. If we cancel this mission who ever I heard on the call is going to know I'm on to them. We have to go it's our only chance to find out for sure who it is."

I growled at her. Was she serious? Sure this would have been a great plan if she didn't have Cora with her. How could I let them go knowing that. Reading my thoughts Raine shook her head.

"Cora has to go they know she's going if she doesn't it'll be the same as us not going at all. Look Cora will be fine I'll make sure of it but I figured I should at least tell you before we left."

She started to leave but I grabbed her by both shoulders trying extremely hard to keep my anger in check.

"Raine you can't seriously expect me to let any of you go on this mission knowing it's a tra-"

"You can and you will. Vericus do you really think this is the first time I've walk into a situation like this knowing it's a trap? Telling you was just a courtesy stop worrying I'll keep your precious bird safe even if it means my own life."

I growled at her roughly pushing her towards the trees.

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."

My words spoken to myself both Owen and Raine shared a confused look. Hiding my true feelings I pointed towards the trees.

"Go before I change my mind."

Raine gave us one last look before she darted off towards the darkness of the woods. I stood there even after she had disappeared. What the hell was wrong with me? What the hell was wrong with Raine? Why didn't she tell me about the traitor earlier today? Why was she so quick to sacrifice herself for everyone else? I knew she was being honest with her words. She would give her life if it meant saving Cora. It not like I would be less upset if something happened to Cora but I found myself not wanting anything to happen to Raine either.

"Ver? Are you alright?"

I nodded turning to face Owen trying my best to remain stoic.

"I'm fine I just wish she'd told me earlier."

He nodded his eyes going back to the trees where she'd disappeared.

"She was probably afraid you wouldn't believe her if she did."

I growled the sound penetrating the slice of the night.

"We won't know if the traitor has followed them or is still here. So from now on everything will stay between us. Has everything been set to start training tomorrow?"

"Yes and the others fighters of the pack should start arriving soon."

"Good, oh and make sure you let Roake know what's going on with regards to more wolves coming I'd hate for them to attack any members that come in via wolf form. we need to be ready just in case we have to go save those idiots."

"You think it will come to that?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"If you were Driak and the one thing that could kill you was right now on its way to an abandoned prison in the middle of no where with only two others with her would you pass up the chance to take her down herself?"

Owen sighed.

"Fair enough but I'm sure Raine has thought of that possibility."

"You think she plans on trying to take him on?"

Owen shrugged.

"It's possible though I hope she has more sense then that."

I gave him a sideways glance that pretty much said she would definitely risk it if it meant being in the male who'd put her through so much pain. Owen chuckled.

"Yes your right when it comes to Driak all sense goes out the window. Well I guess all we can do is hope it goes smoothly."

Yes and hope she doesn't try to be a hero. Turning I started to go back inside when my eyes looked up. Malix stared down at us his eyes trained on the trees where Raine had disappeared. A worried expression on his face. There was something about the way he look out the window that sent chills down my spine. His eyes turned to stare down at me a cold expression on his face like he wanted nothing more then to tear me limb from limb. The look only lasted what felt like a blink of an eye before he turned around and disappeared from the window. What the hell was that about? Was he still angry about what had happened between Raine and I or was it something else?