Devour me whole

WINTER'S POV

Death... The last time I thought I would hear or see that was when Slade died. Yet, here it was again, looming like a dark cloud. Another cursed prophecy, hinting at its arrival.

Or maybe Rafael was bluffing, but his expression showed no trace of jest. Even if he were joking, I doubted he would have come to this pack bearing such grave tidings only to tease me.

"I don't understand," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

"What don't you understand?!" Rafael snapped, causing me to flinch.

Since I had awoken, despite Jude and Kendall's attempts to provoke him and even Linda's subtle hints for him to leave, he had never lost his temper—until now.

"It's simple, Winter," he said, his tone tense. "We're embarking on a quest together, in search of who knows what, and if we fail, death awaits us!"

"When did you receive this prophecy?" I inquired, making him scoff in response.

"Do you truly believe this to be a joke? Why would I come here just to toy with the concept of death? Think