Page 9 of Beyond Fate

Through the thick fog emerged three massive wolves, their honed muscles rippling with power and aggression as they advanced steadily toward him.

Their heads were lowered in a menacing stance, their sharp canines bared for attack and their ears pinned back in anticipation of bloodshed. His father and brothers circled him like a pack of savage predators, their threatening growls rolling like thunder through the air.

With his humanity pushed aside by his vampire instincts, Damon was willing to do whatever it took to get past the wolves and feed on the human.

No one would stand in his way, even if it meant killing all three of them.

Kalen shifted into his human form, his muscles bulging with tension. “This isn’t you, son. Since when do you attack those weaker than you?”

“Step aside or I’ll feast on your blood instead.” His tongue flicked over his razor-sharp fangs.

Kalen’s face collapsed in devastation, clear heartbreak in his blue eyes. “Don’t force my hand, son. Please…fight this.”

Jaytee and Jax snarled, the fur along their spines bristling.

Dropping to one hand, Damon curled an arm over his stomach. His insides felt like they were on fire. He just wanted to fucking die. “I can’t!” he cried out in agony.

“Yes, you can!” Kalen’s voice was thick with tears.

Power flowed along Damon’s skin as his wings shot out. He arched his back, lifted his head toward the sky, and released a gut-wrenching scream.

Then he launched himself at Kalen, his mind consumed in a red haze. Kalen rolled with Damon on impact, both sliding across the forest floor. They bounded to their feet and exchanged fierce blows, but somewhere in the haze, Damon knew his dad was only defending himself. Kalen wasn’t delivering lethal strikes.

Jaytee and Jax rushed forward, shifting mid-run to tackle Damon. They tried to pin him to the moss-covered ground, but his adrenaline-fueled aggression gave him immense strength as he struck back with deadly force.

This had become less about feeding and more about survival, but Damon would feed if he found an opening. He struck back relentlessly, slamming his fist across Jaytee’s jaw before flipping over and releasing a forceful kick to Jax’s sternum.

When he saw Jaytee’s exposed neck, Damon tried to sink his fangs deep. With a sickening crack, his twin landed a powerful uppercut that sent Damon flying into a nearby boulder.

A battle cry ripped through the forest as Casimir stalked toward Damon with rage burning in his piercing eyes. Every muscle in his body was taut and chiseled, the guy closing in on him like a fierce warrior ready for battle.

Damon lunged at him, claws and fangs at the ready. Mid-air Casimir caught him around the throat and drove him to the ground, his neck muscles corded, his features dark. “You will not force me to submit to you!”

“If you let him feed from you right now, he’ll rip your throat out,” Jax shouted from behind them. “He’s in bloodlust.”

“Leave us!” Casimir bellowed at them while glaring at Damon. “Did I not warn you this would happen, stubborn wolf?”

“Mutant,” Damon shrieked. “A fucking bloodsucker! I hate all of you for what you did to me! I wish I had never been pulled from that sleep!”

Damon heard the quick intake of breaths and knew his family was still there.

“Leave us,” Casimir said more solemnly to the men behind them.

With a swift flip and roll, Damon managed to break free from Casimir’s loosened grip. Power surged through his veins, forcing back his thirst as his pain and rage took over. “I hate you, Casimir! I wish you’d never come into my life!”

“Tell me why you are always so angry with me!” Casimir bellowed. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“Because you sealed our bond when you combined your blood with theirs. I felt it even before I opened my eyes! You deprived me of the most intimate aspect of our mating!” His voice caught as he continued in a hoarse whisper. “And now I will never experience the joy of merging our souls as one.”

A flicker of shock flashed across Casimir’s face before it gave way to agony, his blue eyes filling with tears. “The ancient vampire placed you in a deep slumber, nékah. If it weren’t for the powerful leaders using their blood to awaken you, you would have been lost forever.”

“But why did you have to volunteer?” Damon choked out through his tears.

“You’re my mate, Damon. I knew this the moment I arrived for the battle and saw your wolf lying unconscious. It was my greatest honor to help bring my mate back from the darkness.” Casimir’s throat tightened. “I’m deeply sorry for depriving us of intertwining our sacred bond during our intimacy.”

“Do you know what hurts the most?” Damon angrily brushed away his tears. “It may have been an honor for you, but for me…it feels like a betrayal.”

He shot into the sky, unsure how he suddenly knew how to use his wings, but he didn’t care. He screamed out his torment and anguish until it felt like it fractured his very foundation.

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