Page 65 of Bound to Four Alphas

The shadowy monsters melted away from Ronan’s form, writhing and hissing against their new master. Ronan struggled to his feet, swaying slightly and panting at the fresh bloom of wounds bare to the cold night. The monsters roiled over the ground like boiling oil.

Elian’s arms were stretched outwards, his face split in a silent scream at the effort of controlling so many of the shadowy monsters. Malek launched into the fray, snapping and killing any monsters in his path, desperate to help Elian. Kaelen attacked from the skies with renewed vigor, his fire roaring through the camp and occupying the human soldiers.

Ronan allowed himself a brief, tantalizing moment of victory.

But then there was a shout. Selena. She was yelling at Elian, twisting in panic.

Damien was staggering to his feet, crawling forward, the cut on his forehead oozing blood.

Ronan roared, leaping into action, barreling towards him. Desperate to stop the inevitable.

But he was too late.

Damien clasped the crown where it lay on the stone.

And placed it on his head.

The same, shrieking magic ripped through the air and roared through Ronan’s skull. The magic, once again abused and violated by a malicious wielder.

Damien’s eyes turned to Malek.

And Ronan was once more engulfed in a wave of nightmares and soldiers.

Chapter 28 - Kaelen

Kaelen felt it the moment it happened.

Malek went still, his jaw dropping open, his black eyes glazing over.

Kaelen roared and dove through the sky, ignoring the spears sent flying towards him.

But he couldn’t stop it from happening.

Damien had Malek under his control.

Malek blinked, his eyes turning to Selena, his jaws opening with an almighty snarl.

He was only able to take one single step before Kaelen was on him, wrestling him to the ground with his claws.

Malek roared in shock, twisting and embedding his claws into Kaelen’s legs. The pain exploded across his flesh and Kaelen bellowed, snapping his teeth to try and get hold of Malek’s neck.

The pack bond screamed within him. This was his brother, his ally, his family. And Kaelen was trying to get his teeth into his neck.

Malek showed no such struggle or restraint, dragging his claws down, leaving huge, bleeding gashes.

They were a tangle of teeth and fury, and Kaelen was quickly losing ground. His efforts to burn the camp to cinders had diminished his magical reserves, and he was fully aware that Malek exceeded him in brute strength.

He had to be clever.

Digging his claws into Malek’s flank, he used the momentum to launch himself upwards, just avoiding Malek’s snapping teeth.

As soon as he was free, Malek turned back towards Selena, his intention clear.

“No!” Kaelen roared, and released a great pillar of fire, wings beating in the air as the flames engulfed Malek in waves of heat and power.

Malek jumped out of the blaze, snarling and whipping around to douse the fire, and Kaelen stopped his assault. It was no use. Under the control of the crown, Malek was too strong, and the bond wouldn’t allow Kaelen to use the full extent of his magical fire to subdue him.

He couldn’t kill his brother.

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