Page 44 of My Fated Mate

It's somehow managed to rise, its amber eyes burning with renewed fury. The battle with the wolf had sapped its strength but not killed it.

Now, its movements were sluggish and uncoordinated. But it was still a predator, and my primal fear roars back to life.

The wolf lets out a startled yelp as the lion lunges, tackling him to the ground with a bone-jarring impact. They roll across the forest floor in a tangle of fur and claws, the earth shuddering under their combined weight.

I want to scream for the wolf, my unexpected savior, but no sound escapes my parched throat.

Every fiber of my being screams at me to run, but my legs are rooted to the spot, a terrified spectator to the brutal fight unfolding before me.

A sickening snap echoes through the night. The wolf lets out a pained yelp, its hold on the lion momentarily loosening.

The lion seizes the opportunity, rearing up on its hind legs and slamming a massive paw down on the wolf's back. The wolf crashes to the ground with a bone-shattering crunch.

I scream in anguish. The wolf, my only hope, is clearly wounded, his movements labored. The lion lets out a triumphant roar, stalking towards me with a predatory leer.

I back away, tripping over exposed roots, the rough bark scraping against my skin. But there's nowhere to go. The dense undergrowth blocks my escape, and the wounded wolf lies whimpering a few feet away.

The lion stands before me, a towering monolith of teeth and claws. Its fetid breath washes over me, and a low growl rumbles from its throat before it lunges, pinning me to the ground with its massive paw.

Pain explodes through my body as its claws dig into my flesh, drawing a scream from my lips. I thrash and writhe under its weight, but it's no use. I'm a helpless rabbit caught in the clutches of a lion.

Tears stream down my face, and my vision blurs, the edges of the world fading into an inky blackness.

Just as I begin to lose consciousness, a dark blur explodes into view, slamming into the lion with enough force to send it sprawling.

It's the wolf!

Somehow, it has found the strength to rise and fight.

Thank Goddess.

It lunges at the lion, teeth bared in a ferocious snarl. The fight resumes, a whirlwind of fur and claws.

But this time, it's different. The wolf seems fueled by a newfound ferocity. This time, its attack is relentless and precise.

The lion, weakened from their previous bout, struggles to keep up. It lets out a series of pained roars as the wolf delivers blow after blow.

Finally, with a snap of its jaw, the wolf sends the lion crashing to the ground.

The lion remains motionless, a crimson stain blooming across its fur. The wolf stands over it for a moment, panting heavily. Then, its gaze turns towards me.

Instead of the expected triumphant roar, it lets out a low whine, a sound filled with concern.

With extreme effort, the wolf limps towards me, its dark fur slick with blood. It nudges my hand with its wet nose as its icy-blue eyes fill with an emotion I can't quite decipher. Relief washes over me as I stroke the matted fur.

"Thank you," My voice is a hoarse croak. The words feel inadequate, though.

But before I can say anything else, the world starts to spin. The pain from the lion's claws, the exhaustion from my ordeal, it all comes crashing down on me. My vision fades, and the forest floor rushes up to meet me.

And then there is nothing.

Black.

Chapter 13

THORNE

Blood splatters hot against my fur, the metallic tang a stark contrast to the primal roar that still echoes in my throat.

---