Page 36 of Christmas with a Cursed Werewolf

The magical backlash rocks the room as he disappears through the breach in the wall, his twisted wolves following like shadows. But his words echo in my mind as I hold Briar's failing form.

"I've got you," I murmur, pulling her close as Rurik's darkness eats through the library wall. My brother's twisted wolves melt into the shadows after him, but I barely notice. All my focus is on Briar's shallow breathing, on the weak pulse of our bond.

"Let me go after him," Rakan growls, appearing in the doorway. But I shake my head.

“Run the boundaries of the property. They could return." I gather Briar more securely in my arms, my heart clenching at how fragile she feels. “I need to take care of her.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Angelic steps forward, frost spreading from her feet. "The power overwhelmed her. She's untrained, unprepared for this level of magic." Her green eyes hold both warning and sympathy. "Get her somewhere safe. I'll help stabilize the grounds and put up a shield. Rurik has officially escalated his classification on the threat list. The Council won’t stop until he’s neutralized.”

I don't wait to hear more. Carrying Briar, I race toward the castle, feeling her life force flutter against mine. The curse writhes beneath my skin, but our bond is stronger.

"Stay with me," I whisper against her hair. "Please, moya lyubov. Stay with me."

Around us, the castle's magic pulses with concern. Books lie scattered across the floor, many of their pages scorched by dark magic. The walls show cracks where Rurik's power ate into ancient stone. But none of that matters compared to the precious weight in my arms.

Rurik escaped, but I made the right choice. The only choice. Because while the battle for Frostspire Keep may not be over, I know exactly what—and who—I'm fighting for.

And nothing, not even my brother's darkness, will take her from me.

Stay

RONAN

"No." My voice breaks. "Stay with me, moya lyubov."

The magic pulses weakly through Briar's body as I cradle her in my arms. Her skin grows colder with each passing second, the curse's darkness spreading through her veins like poison.

I press my forehead to hers, my tears falling onto her pale cheeks. The castle's magic swirls around us in chaotic waves, responding to my desperation. Books fly from their shelves, pages rustling like frightened birds.

"Please." I lift my face to the vaulted ceiling, addressing any power that might listen—the ancient magic of the Nexus, the Council, even the curse itself. "Take me instead. I'll give you anything."

Briar's heartbeat flutters, growing fainter. The mark on her neck—my mark—pulses with a dying light. Our bond stretches thin, threatening to snap.

"I'll bring you Rurik." The words tear from my throat. "I'll deliver my brother to the Councilmyself. His experiments, his corruption—all of it ends. Just save her."

The castle groans around us, stones shifting as if considering my offer. Through our pack bond, I sense Rakan and the others circling the grounds, their howls carrying notes of mourning.

"She's innocent." My fingers brush her cold cheek. "She came here to help, to save this place. To save me." Another sob wracks my body. "Don't let my curse take her too."

Arcanum surges suddenly, books glowing with an inner light. Ember shifts responding to my plea. Warmth spreads from the stones beneath us, fighting against the curse's chill.

Fire radiates through my veins not longer afraid of the curse. I'd rather die than live without her.

"I'll pay any price." I gather Briar closer, willing my own strength into her failing body. "Break me, chain me, take everything. But let her live."

The curse lashes beneath my skin, as if recognizing the weight of my vow. Dark energy crackles through the air, meeting the castle's ancient magic in a battle of wills. And caught between these forces, Briar grows still in my arms.

"Come back to me." I press my lips to her forehead, her cheeks, her cold mouth. "You promised you wouldn't let go. Now I'm asking you to hold on."

The magic builds around us, reaching a fever pitch. Light and shadow war above our heads as my desperate bargain hangs in the balance. And through it all, I hold Briar, my tears falling like prayers on her silent face.

"I love you." The words come naturally now, when it might be too late. "Stay with me, brave, beautiful mate. Stay."

Tethered Souls

BRIAR

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