Page 137 of Red's Beast

“You are only temporarily a man, so if you want to stay that way, then you must make her bleed. My magic won’t hold you long.” She looks straight at me with one long finger pointing in my direction. “Kill her.”

Lucian turns and I take him in. He’s everything I have ever wanted and everything I will never get to have. His lean body is packed with muscle. As my eyes meet his again, I can’t help but admire how handsome he is with his strong jawline and stubble. I’d love to admire him all day, but right now is not the time.

“Lucian, please. It’s me, Lily. Your Lily.”

He just glares at me and takes one step toward me. “I don’t know who you are, but if your blood is what will free me of being that beast forever, then I’ll do what is required to become free.”

Natalia reaches out, blocking him from coming any closer with just a graze of his arm. “Hold on. Don’t ruin the fun. Let her have a head start and then chase her until you capture her.” She turns toward me with a smirk. “Run little alpha, run while you can because the big bad wolf is going to get you.”

Corbin comes to, clutching his head as he sits up. “Lillian!”

I don’t wait for him to try to protect me.

Instead, I turn and run into the woods right as the mating fever takes hold. It hurts as I run between the trees, but I hold on. My scent is going to fill the air and send him into a frenzy, or should. I’m not sure what it will do, since he is under her control.

The last thing I need is for Corbin to smell it and come running after me.

It isn’t a few seconds into running, I hear Natalia telling Lucian to go. His footsteps are heavy as he runs after me, the sounds of leaves crunching as he steps on them.

It reminds me of all the times I came to Grandmother’s house and he followed me from the edge of the woods. Oh, how times have changed.

I think of all of them standing back there and how their fates rely on me, but I know I’m probably not going to make it. He will kill me and free himself of the curse, plus theirs. I doubt he’ll even remember me then.

Maybe things are easier this way.

As I keep running faster, I can hear him gaining on me. It doesn’t seem like my scent is holding any sway over him.

Grandmother.I try reaching through the bond.If you can hear this, just know I love you. Please, take care of the pack and tell Corbin to lead them. I think my time is about up.

I see a creek up ahead and know that he’ll probably catch me by then.

Hold on, Lillian. Corbin is coming.

Stop him!I shout through the bond.Make sure that idiot lives. Someone has to lead, and he is better than none.

Stop telling her what to tell me. I’m coming for you.

I’m a few steps from the creek and about to tell him to not come, but I’m abruptly cut off as I’m tackled to the ground. Lucian heaves in a breath as he rolls me onto my back to look into my eyes.

“Are you afraid of the big bad wolf?” He asks as he reaches up to stroke my cheek with one finger. “So you are the white wolf who can end curses? Such a shame that your life ends this way.”

“Yes, apparently I am. I never knew it was given to the wolves as a gift until today,” I say between shaky breaths.

“Are you frightened? I love it,” he says as he leans down and takes a whiff. “Ah, the scent of mating heat. You are so young.”

Tears roll down my cheek as I see his hand shifting. The magic Natalia used is starting to wane and he’ll take his wolf’s form again in the next few minutes, if not seconds. When I meet his gaze, I begin to shake. This is it. He’s going to end me. “At least it’s you.”

His brows furrow as confusion takes over his features. “What?”

“If I’m going to die, then I’d rather die at the hands of my fated mate. It’s better than any of the other options that could have happened. If we didn’t find you, I was going to have to mate with Corbin. Can you imagine that?” I chuckle, then reach up with my other hand. “So, kill me if you must, but just know who I am before you do. At least I’m setting you free.”

“I don’t have a mate.” He snarls, his fangs extending. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Yes, you do. She lied to you and one day the magic will wear off. Don’t be hard on yourself when that happens. Please forgive yourself for me.”

He reaches out, clutching my throat in his grasp. “You are lying. This won’t affect me at all. You’re just some wolf shifter with blood that breaks curses.”

Another tear rolls down my face. “I never got to say it, but I love you, Lucian. You’ll always be my beast. It’s okay. I forgive you for what you are about to do.”

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