Page 68 of The Wolf's Bullied Bride

With Ricardo dead on the ground and Zain taken away, it only left Alphonse and the few men he had left as they fought for their lives.

“Enough of this,” I heard him snap, and the sound of a cocked gun followed.

Turning to get a better look at him, I was face-to-face with a rifle as Alphonse gripped it shakily in his hands.

His face was a contorted mess of fury and fear, surely meaning to exact his revenge. “One of these mountain ash bullets, and you’re gone for good.”

Baring my teeth at him, I growled, but there was no denying the unfortunate position I found myself in. I could lunge at him, too, and risk having one of those bullets put right in me. The faster it reached my heart, the sooner I would die.

Feeling Cora’s fear through our bond, I knew I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t break her like that.

“Shifter mutts,” he uttered, aiming.

But a blur of darkness ripped by, swiping Alphonse before he could pull the trigger. His gun hit the ground as Kai overcame him, coming down on him in one movement.

A snarl came from him as he took the last breath from the ringleader, and after letting go of a final cry, Alphonse was just like his brothers.

Meeting his eye, Kai gave me a slight nod of acknowledgment before he ran off with the others, chasing down the last of their men. Their cries rang out through the trees, along with the occasional ring of bullets that managed to fire.

From what I could tell, the shifters had been too quick to let them get a genuine shot in.

With two of the three Gleason brothers dead on the ground around me, I took a moment to understand what that meant. The wave of noise moved through the trees, leaving behind a still quiet that reminded me of why I was even there.

Catching sight of her, I hurried over, shifting back once I reached the tree.

Cora’s face was stricken with relief and the remnants of fear as tears filled her eyes.

“Liam,” she whispered, taking in my face as I worked to get her restraints undone.

“You’re safe now,” I managed to say despite the lump in my throat. I had been so afraid for her. “It’s over.”

The moment she was freed, Cora threw herself into me, wrapping her arms as tightly as she could.

Not wasting a second, I pulled her even closer and soaked in how incredible it felt to hold her. To take in her intoxicating scent and the warmth she offered, despite the chill in her skin.

I heard as she sighed, likely soaking in my body heat.

“I'm so sorry,” she said with tears in her throat. “None of this would’ve happened if it hadn’t been for me.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” I hummed, running a hand through her hair.

But Cora pulled back enough to look at me thoroughly. Her cheeks were splotched with red as a tear ran down her cheek. “I shouldn’t have taken your rejection so personally, and I never should’ve let myself get worked up enough to contact them. It was wrong, and I know I don’t deserve it, but I hope you can forgive me.”

Stroking her hair, I felt the tug of my own emotions. “Apology accepted. I’m sorry, too, for how I treated you. You never deserved it, and I should’ve been more mature about my feelings and yours, too. I’m just glad that you’re safe now.”

Another swell of intense feelings entered Cora’s face as she leaned in, bringing her lips to mine.

The full extent of our connection came through in a nearly blinding tidal wave of sensations that coursed through us. Warmth, sincerity, and love moved through my system, finally putting me at ease.

Relaxing into the kiss, I did not doubt that I had found my mate against all odds.

Cloaked in that satisfaction and relief, I murmured against her lips, “I’m taking you home.”

A small giggle came from her, and Cora had no objections.

Chapter 29 - Cora

An overwhelming sense of joy and giving filled the air as snow tumbled down and covered the fairgrounds, leaving a wholesome touch to everything.

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