Page 14 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

Then why are you smiling?Lycus asked.

Alia

His smile fadedfrom his face. He looked as if I’d just taken his favorite toy away. “You cheated,” he said.

I shook my head. “Nope. I just used every resource available.”

“Reds are supposed to be killers of magic, correct? Are you such hypocrites as to use magic to kill magic?”

I didn’t allow the pain to show. He asked a question that had long bothered me. I couldn’t allow him to see he’d hit a nerve. “Feed the little one. He’s hungry.” The pup’s need grew sharper.

The pup had been without nutrition for too long. His ribs could easily be felt beneath his thick coat and he stumbled as he walked. I glanced over as the puppy took a faltering step and his knees gave out. He collapsed into the dirt. My heart trembled as the need jabbed into the walls around my soul. He needednutrientsnow.He was much closer to death than I would’ve given him credit for.

I had to free the werewolf.

The one who would kill me as soon as he was free.

“Promise me you’ll feed the puppy,” I hissed.

His eyes grew dark as he studied my face. He gave a single, succinct nod.

Fear tried to stay my hand. My fingers shook as I reached up. I had a blade in one hand, ready to stab his kidney.

As soon as the collar pulled free with a slurp, he spun quicker than he should’ve been able with the blood loss and wolfsbane. He grabbed my neck, his eyes boring into mine as if he could see past my walls and look on my very soul.

As I stared my death in the face, I wondered if I hadn’t been searching for it, for the moment in time when everything would move me from this life to the next. To the end of the killing. To finally find succor from the guilt plaguing my steps.

But I wouldn’t give in easily. I would go out kicking and screaming.

I pricked at his skin with my blade.

“It would take very little to kill you, Little Red, while another stab wound would not kill me—” He cut off as Ran put her horn against his back, right where she could easily pierce through ribs to drive directly into his heart.

His eyes widened. “You inspire such loyalty in a unicorn?” His voice twisted with disgust, and yet it also held a contemplation and curiosity that was likely bad for my health.

He squeezed my neck one last time, just enough for me to know he could’ve easily killed me, then he raised his hands.

I stepped back, swallowing through my bruised throat. “Feed him,” I commanded.

“Must I?” He clenched his fists over air where one of his knives used to be before I’d unarmed him. As he glanced over atthe wolf, he moved that way as though without his permission. He dropped to a knee by the puppy, picking up the little one who whimpered.

“Still alive,” the werewolf whispered.

He grabbed the meat and chewed it, then gently pried open the pup’s mouth to set the meat within.

He rubbed the pup’s sides rigorously to get blood flowing and breathed in his nose. “Come now, do not give up,” he whispered.

I was entranced, watching this werewolf who had spoken to me with such scorn become suddenly soft.

The puppy chewed. I leaned back against the wall as my legs grew weak with relief. The werewolf continued his ministrations until the puppy gave another pitiful whine and at long last blinked open his eyes.

Did I imagine a sigh of relief from the werewolf?

The puppy sat up with a strength that bellied the poor lifeless thing he’d been a moment ago. He licked the werewolf’s chin. The werewolf set a hand on the pup’s head, a low chuckle escaping him. The sound held none of the dark humor from before. Instead it was a light sound, one of happiness and reprieve.

This man wanted to kill me. Would have, if not for Ran. Could I really be contemplating allowing him to live?

The pup took the meat from the adult werewolf as if he were his mom. Which was nothing short of comical.

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