Page 21 of The Dancer

I seal my lips over hers, cutting off her words. She responds to me immediately, softening beneath my touch and bowing into my body.

Pulling away, I smirk at her. “Be ready, Mate. When I win…” I pause to ensure she hears every word I say. “I will need to feel you around me.”

A beautiful blush blooms over her cheeks. The meaning behind my words ringing through her mind. Turning, I face theAlpha on the other end of the clearing.

My wolf is ready, quiet but deadly in the forefront of my mind. We are both waiting for the other man to move, unwilling to give up the advantage and shift first. Silence drags out among the people assembled as they wait with bated breath to see who comes out victorious. Warren exhales, and his left foot twitches in the dirt, giving away his intent.

I spring forth a split-second before he does. The change flows over me seamlessly. Bones crack and reassemble before my paws hit the ground. Warren is still mid-change when my wolf strikes. His teeth embed in the flank of the other wolf. A howl of pain rips through the night, sending birds fluttering from their nests into the star-filled sky. The full moon gives me all the illumination required to see where my opponent is and where I need to strike next.

I circle the wounded russet wolf, his limp already pronounced. Yes, I am smaller and less crazy than him, but I have the upper hand regarding tactics and simple intelligence. His wolf growls and snaps in my direction, but I quickly dodge the advance before targeting the same leg as before. My jaw clamps down, the coppery tang of blood filling my mouth before I shake my head harshly.

Flesh tears from bones, leaving a gaping wound once I release him. Warren turns quickly and catches my ear, tearing it down the middle. The pain is blinding, but I know I need to stay focused. Once the fight ends, I can worry about any damage he has inflicted. It will only take a shift or two for the magic that resides inside me to fix any damage he causes.

My wolf lets loose a rage-filled howl before charging at the other male, knocking him to the ground. Jaws snap and teeth gnash as we battle for dominance and the upper hand in this brawl. It feels like it takes forever for me to clamp my teeth around his throat and rip out his jugular, but it couldn’t havetaken more than a few minutes.

My breathing is labored, and my body is in pain. I have blood oozing from more than a few places on my body. And even through all that, I only have a single thought running through my mind.

Quinn.

Chapter Nineteen

Quinn

The fight is brutal. They move at speeds that would be impossible for the human eye to be able to track in the dark, but I can see everything. My heightened senses allow me to follow them as their wolves bite, tear, and rend flesh from the bone.

My heart is beating wildly, and it feels like I can’t breathe when I watch the two massive animals roll around on the grass. My wolf whines in the back of my mind, worrying for our mate, and instilling fear in both of us.

And then it’s over.

Elias is victorious, his wolf covered in blood but proud. He throws his head back, howling at the moon, making sure every shifter for miles knows he has defeated his enemy.

I watch in awe as the members of the Whychwood pack fall to their knees, bowing to their Alpha—all but one.

Everything seems to happen in slow motion. Elias shifts back to his human form. Gloriously naked. I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than my warrior mate, even covered in blood and dirt. His gaze is trained on me, determination scrolled across his features. I want to run to him, but my focus is locked on the man behind him—Daryl.

The sharp blade in his hand glints in the pale moonlight and I know if I don’t act quickly this entire night will have been in vain.

I don’t contemplate my actions, I simply allow my wolf to take over. Lunging forward I let the change shimmer over me before knocking my mate to the ground. I land on top of Daryl, rage vibrating through me at the intent this man was carrying in his heart. I don’t wait for him to shift or allow him time to protect himself. Instead, I follow in the footsteps of my mate and rip his throat out.

Panting I stand above his body, blood streaming from my maw as I glare at all the people gathered here. The adrenaline quickly subsides, and it is only then that I feel the pain in my right side. My wolf collapses before receding back into my mind, leaving me naked and bleeding on the forest floor.

****

The light is blinding. Why the hell is it so bright in here?

A moan falls from my lips as I use my arm to cover my eyes. A sharp pain tugs at my side, and all the memories come flashing back. Elias, the fight, Daryl, his death, me getting hurt.

Fuck.

Sitting upright, I take in my surroundings. This is Elias’s room. Our room. I look around, hoping to find my mate but he is nowhere to be seen. My hand drifts to the bandage at my side, and although it still hurts like a bitch, I know I will survive.

The door opens slowly, and I watch Elias carry a tray laden with food.

“You’re awake,” he breathes.

I nod, unable to form the words. None explain how overwhelmingly happy I am to see him alive. A tear tracks its way down my cheek before I start to sob uncontrollably.

Elias places the tray beside the bed before taking me into his arms. It hurts my side when he picks me up to cradle me against his chest, but I can honestly say I don’t give a flying fuck. Being in his arms is all I need right now.

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