Page 83 of Red's Beast

Corbin glances between Grandmother, his mother and me. I can see panic set in as he realizes what could happen tonight. He looks down at Lily's neck as his fangs descend.

"Mother, do something. She's mine!"

Before anyone can react, his fangs sink into her throat, and Lily lets out a surprise yelp.

"No!" She screams as she bats him away.

I can't control my rage anymore as I head straight for him. He hears my approach and throws her to the ground right as I collide with him. My fangs are inches from his face as I snap at him. He pushes me back, but my claws rake down his arms and he lets out a wail. "You ugly monster."

Monster? I'll show you a monster.

I take a few more swipes at him, but he dodges before tripping over a root and falling to the ground. As I close in, ready to make the killing blow, Lily jumps out of nowhere and blocks my path. "No, we're better than this."

Out of my way. He deserves to die.

"I know he does, but you are better than that. This isn't the way."

My curse. It has to end before dawn, Lily. Move out of my way.

I feel her confusion as she looks at me. "He has to die for your curse to be broken?"

It wouldn't hurt to find out.

Her mouth draws into a thin, tight line. "I want you to break your curse, but not like this. I'm the key, aren't I?"

Glancing up at her, I can't help but admire her. My gaze softens as I take a step closer to her. Then I catch a glimpse of Corbin sneaking up behind her with a dagger raised. With her distracting me, he took this opportunity to plan something awful.

No!

She turns around to look behind her, right as I pass her to launch myself at his chest to ram him. He falls back with the air knocked out of his lungs and lands against a nearby tree. I watch as heslides down the rough bark to the ground, out cold. I hadn’t exactly planned for that to happen, but quickly realize it will do until I can finish this.

"How dare you? After all that we've done for you, and this is how you treat Corbin?"

I turn to face Alana, who is being blocked by Grandmother from getting involved.

"Alana, stay out of this,” Grandmother snaps. “If that is even who you are.”

Suddenly, Alana shifts uncomfortably. She looks at the contents that were in Grandmother's hand that now lie on the ground. "You used something in that. What was it?"

Her chest heaves as she breathes deeply. She shakes her head and tries to suppress whatever she is feeling, but it doesn’t look good.

Grandmother looks at the herbs lying on the ground, smoke still rising from them. "Why are these bothering you? They dissolve spells."

Grandmother picks up one of the smoldering leaves and waves in front of Alana, who is desperately trying to get away from it.

"No, drop it. Don't wave that near me."

We watch as Grandmother takes another step closer. "Why, Alana? It's just an herb and harmless to wolves."

The pack looks on, still in shock at what has occurred. Alana glances around for help, but no one comes to her aid. "I said stay back."

Grandmother blows the smoke in her face and that is all it takes. Alana writhes as she stumbles back and screams, covering her face as if it burns. I'm confused and Lily looks like she's in shock from it all. I glance behind us, and Corbin is still against the tree.

Another shrill scream steals my attention and I look at Alana. Her back is turned to us and her shoulders droop. Her breaths come in ragged gasps and Grandmother takes a slow step back. "Alana?"

As she turns around, she no longer looks the same and I recognize her instantly.

The witch. She’s still alive and has been hiding as Corbin’s mother for years. Now I know where she disappeared to all those years ago.

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