Page 65 of Tangled Hearts

“No, Sol,” I said with all the fear I was feeling. “I can protect you.”

Taylin laughed like I had expected him too.

Get the guys. Please don’t let him take me.

“You won’t be able to protect her with your pathetic shifting abilities,” he laughed. “Laima will crush you.”

I knew my power wasn’t as strong as his air magic, but that didn't mean I couldn’t outsmart him. Taylin had always been too cocky.

“She isn’t going anywhere with?—”

“I’ll go only if you don’t harm them,” she said, stepping next to me. “The moment you go back on your word, I’m running.”

Taylin looked at her with fondness. How did I miss his feelings for her?

“No, Sol.” I looked at her, desperate for the guys to finally come out so we could all run away together.

“Come on, Ria.” He held his hand out to her.

She tip-toed, kissing me softly on the lips. “Always us.”

Taylin snarled, reaching for her and I lost it. I punched Taylin before I knew what I was doing and swung at him again. My fighting skills were not what they used to be and living my life as a cat had made me soft. I had speed, but no finesse, and when my brother stopped my punch, there was no doubt he was more skilled than I was.

He punched me twice before I was able to block him.

Run!

I didn’t know if she could hear me, but holding him off for as long as possible was my only goal.

“You've grown soft in your old age, brother,” Taylin taunted, glancing behind me.

He scowled and I hoped that meant Oria had run.

“Two hundred years as a cat does that to you.” I grunted when I threw a punch at his ribs before he blocked it. “Let’s see how well you do after being stuck as a cat.”

I saw an opening and punched him, feeling victorious until Oria’s scream made me turn around and Taylin took his chance. He tackled me to the ground, so I shifted into a panther. Its agility and speed were exactly what I needed. I timed my shift so I could roll him around. I dug my claws into his chest when he pushed me off with his wind and hit me with an unseen force.

I landed on my feet, dodging a gust of wind, but I didn’t manage to dodge his other attack. Before I could right myself, he held me, squeezing me until I snarled. The bones in my ribs snapped as a searing pain made my vision blur.

“Fuck you, Taylin!” Oria’s voice was full of anger.

A sound of an explosion tore through the woods, and I was let go. The pain was too much for me to right myself, as I fell on my side hissing at the impact.

“Come on Max,” Oria said, sliding to me, pushing her healing magic to me giving me a burst of energy.

A man ran toward us from behind Oria, but before I could get up, he tackled her. I was done with this. I pushed everything into the next shift. It had been too long since I had done this, and I didn't know if it would be possible. My body started to shift, but not quick enough. My torso was on fire from the broken ribs, but I pushed on because my mate needed me.

I heard men yelling as I finally stood up to my full height. Sweeping my gaze through the area I saw the guys fight off some men. One of the twins looked up at me and yelled “Yes!”

I was big enough to stand tall, but the trees limited my ability to extend my wings. Lifting my head, gathering all my strength, I blew fire at a few men below me, keeping an eye for my brother until Oria screamed. Turning around, the forest was lit with my fire as I saw one of them throwing Oria over his shoulder. I took a deep breath unleashing a deep roar, hoping to scare the guy into dropping her.

He looked up at me with fear before he tried to run away. I was too big to pry him away from her, but there was no way he could escape me.

“Maxton!” Taylin roared, when I felt like I had been hit with a wall.

“I got her, Maxy!” a voice yelled, and I had a suspicion it was Soren.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw someone intercept the man who had Oria. Quickly turning around, I hit a tree. A small person was running up to me and I took a deep breath before unleashing my fire as carefully and precisely as I could. Something hit my leg, catching my attention. A stabbing pain hit my side, and I knew it was Taylin trying to get on me. Before he could reach me, I shifted to a large wolf, landing on my feet next to him. I bit his arm, yanking as hard as I could, hearing a loud pop.

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