Page 62 of Into the Night

From the way Eddie’s beast salivates and snarls, his plans to leave me alive but get rid of Griffin are now well and truly forgotten.

Scrambling forward, I lean over Martin’s body, grimacing as I yank the knife free from the man’s neck. It’s difficult to grip the slippery handle, so I wipe it on my jumper, holding it tight.

Screaming in frustration, I turn to face Jed, who’s bearing down on me quickly. I’ve never hurt anyone. I don’t deserve this. I’ve kept myself small and stayed out of everyone’s way. I’ve avoided attracting unwanted attention all my life and never gave anyone a reason to come after me. And yet, here we are.

35

GRIFFIN

Time stands still as I watch Kali, still frail after her ordeal at Serena’s hands, pull out a bloody knife with chilling efficiency from the body lying at her feet, and then stand tall to face Jed. Despite everything she’s been through, she’s still so strong.

As he charges for her, she assumes a fighting stance, knife held out in front of her, determination shining in her eyes. She’s not backing down. Which is admirable, but he’s too big, and she’s too fragile.

I use my jaws to snap the leg of the beast below me, breaking the bone, and then stand to my full height as he howls in agony. Spinning and twisting, I get the other beast off my back using my explosive strength to throw him across the clearing, enjoying the dull thud as he hits a nearby boulder. My teeth take a chunk of skin and fur away as he goes, which I promptly spit out onto the bloodied earth.

His anguished yelp doesn’t even register in my frenzied mind as I sprint toward my mate.

With a sharp bark, I catch her attention. She meets my gaze briefly, trying to keep her focus on Jed. I jerk my head toward the trees behind her, hoping she’ll listen. She can’t fight him off, so she needs to get out of here. And I’ll be right behind her.

Kali shifts surprisingly quickly considering what she’s been through, her beautiful tawny coat glistening in the sunlight, as her beast erupts from her body.

After one last furious snarl at Jed, she turns and runs for cover, darting into the dense forest without a backward glance. The first time we met, I was stunned by how fast and agile she was. Hopefully, that’s still the case, even though she’s still recovering.

One beast lies dead, and Red is lame, for now, with a broken leg. That leaves two.

Jed takes off, and Eddie breaks from chasing me to follow Kali instead.

Kali is their main target now. It could also be about revenge for their fallen friend. Or maybe, they’ve decided that getting rid of her is the most efficient way to end the prophecy. Who knows. The only thing I do know is that I’m not going to allow it to happen.

Ignoring the stinging claw marks down my back, I race after them with everything I have, my paws pounding the ground with each step. I empty my mind of all else, forcing the tension from my body, a single-minded focus on getting to my mate before anyone else does.

I swing out to one side, picking up the pace, leaping over some rocks and a downed tree. It’s as if Kali can read my intentions, because when I close in on the trailing beast, Eddie, almost running alongside him now, Kali suddenly changes direction.

He follows suit, eyes on the prize and foaming at the mouth at the scent of her fear. His eagerness will be his downfall, however, as he blindly runs straight into my path, and I crash into him with a sickening whack.

A sharp pain in my side tells me I’ve definitely broken a rib or two, but I don’t have time to worry about that now. I raise my hind legs up between me and the beast, and while gripping his neck to keep him in place, drag them down, cutting his soft belly wide open.

Blood coats the two of us as he howls, curling into himself to protect his vulnerable underside, but it’s too late. The wound is gaping, so he’s not going to be a danger to Kali any time soon. Spitting out a mouthful of skin and fur, I roll to my paws, taking up the chase again.

A second’s pause feels like hours as I pinpoint their exact location. They’ve already covered a good distance.

Kali’s using every ounce of her remaining energy to keep out of Jed’s grasp.

I dig deep, pushing my aching limbs to catch up. Jed’s lust-filled scent acts like an adrenaline shot to my battered and weary body. I can’t let him get his hands on her. He’s enjoying hunting her way too much.

Deciding to take a risk, I veer off course and take a higher path, legs burning as I scale the steep slope to the top. When I get there, I’m thankful when it’s easier terrain, and my elevated position gives me a clear view of Kali with Jed in pursuit. He’s gaining on her with his snapping jaws, hot on her heels.

Again, as if she can sense my plans, Kali moves closer and closer to the bank I’m running along. At the end, she runs past before skidding to a stop and doubling back, putting her head down and sprinting up the steep hill as fast as she can before Jed can figure out what she’s doing. Paws scrambling on the loose shale, she slips, almost losing her grip and tumbling back, before launching herself with one last push, up and over the crest.

Collapsing on the ground, I’m breathing hard and completely spent when Kali locks eyes with me. She’s done. She can’t run any more, flattening herself as low as she can go, and hiding herself from view.

My lungs burn as I push myself to make it to her before Jed does. Just as he hits the top of the hill, I leap, sailing over Kali’s prone body, and bowl into him, sending the two of us rolling back down the hill. I hit the ground hard, grunting as the air is knocked from my body, and we end up in a tangled heap on the ground.

Kali. Kali’s exhausted and unprotected. I need to get her out of here.

Further away, I hear pounding feet as Eddie picks himself up and then comes in search.

Deciding Jed is the biggest threat for now, I lunge for him while we’re still clambering back to our feet. I grip his shoulder hard, shaking my head and tearing a lump of flesh from his body, before diving back in for another bite.

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