Page 76 of Ember's Claim

He lands between Ember’s wolf and the traitorous fuck. His roar echoes, warning the wolf of what’s coming. However, it’s Ember’s growl that he’s met with. He glances over his shoulder to find the downed wolf is immobile and Ember’s wolf limping closer.

She snarls, baring her teeth.

My lion gets the message, even if he doesn’t like it. He dips his head and returns to the downed wolf. He wants to be sure this fucker can’t get up for a second round, either.

The crunching bone and blood filling his mouth makes my stomach roil, but I’m content in knowing that asshole won’t rise again. He turns back to see Ember clashing with the larger male wolf. He aches to intercede and end this, but he catches sight of Veryn kneeling at Lorcan’s side.

My heart stalls.

Lorcan is immortal, as long as he’s able to replenish his magic every full moon. It must be after midnight, but there’s no telling if this bloodshed will count for that ritual.

Ember growls, and the sound of gnashing teeth makes me ache to stand at a safe distance and ensure everything goes the way it should, but Ember is capable.

What she won’t be able to handle is losing a bonded mate so soon after bonding. It would have a detrimental impact on anyone. Urging my lion toward Veryn, I try to focus on remembering the steps Lorcan always follows.

Everything is so fucked.

The daggers are supposed to pierce each foot, followed by his hands, and finally his heart. Then he bleeds out under the full moon, offering his blood to Mother Nature and the earth. They, in turn, judge his sacrifice and, if it’s worthy, will replenish his life force and his magic. Only, I don’t know the spell or incantation or whatever the fuck it is he recites.

My lion makes it halfway across the clearing before a portal opens.

There’s a moment of pure relief as Cohen steps out with a female at his side, but that’s short-lived.

A collection of wolves comes into sight, and my stomach drops.

Veryn shoves himself up, flexing his hands, which are now sporting pretty significant claws.

Cohen will protect Lorcan, and he’s much more likely to know the incantation than I am. Calyx steps through the portal next, and that seals my resolve.

It’s time to back up my packmate.

Chapter Thirty-One

Ember

My wolf limps back a few steps, circling the wolf we should have handled outside of the modified dog kennel the first time he tried our authority. I proverbially grit my teeth to manage the pain that radiates into me from her back right leg. That’s the kind of injury that will take some time to heal, and I’m guessing the agony is what brought me back to consciousness.

The male wolf isn’t in much better shape. His missing eye is likely gone forever, but that won’t be a problem, considering he won’t be living through this battle. There’s also a huge patch of hair and skin dangling from the left side of his neck.

He advances, and my wolf refuses to back down. She meets him in the air, snarling and trying to rip into his jaw as his paw lands against a particularly tender wound in her ribs.

I yelp in her mind, but she sounds nothing short of rabid. Her teeth catch on his jowl, and she tears away skin and flesh, flinging it aside before attacking again.

The male wolf’s feet land on the ground, and she lunges, despite the burning pain in her leg. He attempts to roll, but she’s ready for that. Her fury turns into a red tint that hazes my vision,or maybe that’s the massive amount of blood that spurts onto her face as she rips his throat out.

It’s clear he’s down and not getting back up, but she doesn’t heed any of my instructions. Not until his head is no longer attached to his massive body.

Her head falls back as she howls, but it’s not a victorious sound.

Her agony and heartbreak fill my mind as I realize I can’t feel Lorcanat allanymore.

There’s no pain…

It’s just nothing.

My wolf moves as quickly as she’s able to with a broken leg. She spots Veryn and Anders fighting against a group of wolves, but it’s barely a thought in her mind. She focuses on getting us to Lorcan’s body, and she doesn’t know what to make of the two men hovering over his sides.

She recognizes Rogue, but even our lifelong friend feels like a threat. She growls, snapping her teeth. I push with every bit of my will to force her to give up control, but she won’t.

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