Page 18 of Dante's Circle Reborn

His wolf wanted revenge, wanted blood, and Alec was going to give it to him. He squeezed Charlie’s neck, even as his brother, his blood, someone who was supposed to be everything to him, dug at his arm, reopening the wound that Alec had finally healed. He could scent his own blood. It didn’t matter. He squeezed, and with one twist, the snap of bone echoed in his ears. And then, Charlie was gone. The rogue was dead, his brother was no more. It didn’t matter. He tossed Charlie’s lifeless form to the ground. At any other moment in time, Alec would have probably wept, would have grieved for his sibling. Instead, he let Charlie fall and ran to Liam.

Blood spilled out of Liam’s chest, even as his own inner strength as a wolf started to heal the wounds. Alec just didn’t think it would be enough. Tears slid down his cheeks now. Not for his brother. For his mate.

He pulled Liam into his arms, covered his mate’s bloody hand with his to try and stop the bleeding, and simply held him, even as they both shook.

They’d killed the rogue, they had found each other, but in the end, everything might’ve happened too late.

Liam wokeup to the sound of pounding in his head as if someone were building a house on either side of his and wouldn’t let up.

His chest ached as if someone had stabbed him, and then he remembered, well…that actually kind of happened.

He tried to move and groaned, sharp pain slicing up his body, and burrowing down deep into his chest.

He could feel his heart beating, hear it with the pulse racing in his ears because he had moved. However, he still reached out, even through the pain, to make sure that his chest was still intact. He was covered in bandages, yet underneath them, he felt his heartbeat. Thank God.

“You’re whole,” Dante said from the side of the bed. Liam turned his head to look over at the dragon. Dante had his leg crossed over his knee, and a large leather-covered book in his hand. He pulled off his reading glasses and set them on the table near him, along with the book. Liam frowned.

“I didn’t know a dragon would need reading glasses.”

Dante grinned.

“I don’t. However, Jace said I looked hot wearing them, so now I can’t help it. It’s habit.”

“Well, if it’s for your mates, I can see it. Yet I don’t see your mates in this room.”

“Like I said. Habit. You’re going to be fine.”

Liam raised a brow. “Good. Though, hell, I can’t believe I fell as hard as I did.”

Dante shook his head. “I’m surprised neither of you was more seriously injured. Your Alpha was here. He’ll be back later. They came to pick up the body.”

“I slept through Hunter being here?”

Dante nodded. “Yes, you’ve been out for about twelve hours or so. Needed some time to heal. Charlie, your rogue, was quite possibly the strongest rogue Hunter has ever come across. At least, according to your Alpha.”

“How the hell did that happen?”

“Hunter has a theory, mostly having to do with magic none of us want to cross.”

“Charlie was working with someone else, then?”

“Maybe. We always knew there was an underground connection of rogues out there. And it seems it’s not just shifters. Perhaps there are other paranormals, as well.”

“Well, hell.”

“Indeed. You will be fine. As will your mate.”

Liam patted his chest. “I didn’t ask, because I can feel Alec in my soul.”

“I figured. He is, however, with your kit. Her name is Mili, by the way.”

Liam raised his brows. “She’s speaking?”

“Somewhat. She said her name before saying your names all at once, wanting you guys. She’ll likely cry endlessly unless she has the two of you. There’s some bond there.”

Liam coughed, then winced at the pain in his chest.

“I don’t know how that happened. It’s not like we’ve been in her vicinity for that long. You, Nadie, and Jace have been with her longer.”

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