Page 55 of Alpha Scorned

A large muscled arm fixed around my throat, a hand around my forehead, yanking my head back. I fought hard, bucking and kicking. Pain exploded through me as the vamp who’d left Shane repeatedly punched my stomach and ribs. I tried to calm my mind, but my wolf was fighting to push through. At least they’d forgotten about Shane. But I had to get free. With a bellow, I dropped my weight down, using all my shifter strength to pull on the hook above. I would not let my mate and son die!

There was a loud crunch, and dust fell on my head. With a bellow, I strained every muscle in my body, drawing on every last bit of strength I possessed. The hook broke free from the rock, sending me tumbling to the ground. I smashed my fists into one vamp and my feet into the other knocking them back long enough to become a Were. Without hesitation I rammed my claws into their chests and ripped out their hearts. Even when the sting of a silver bullet penetrated my shoulder, I didn’t stop. With my arms free to move, I yanked the chain apart and let my wolf burst through fully.

Lina. Lina…

Heart slamming against my ribs, I turned and leapt for the leader. But he was too quick and he disappeared through the open door.

I followed. This section of the cave system was unfamiliar, but it didn't matter; all I needed to do was follow the screams and the scent of blood. Soon I was running through familiar caves, and moments later, I leapt over the fallen tables and chairs that were in a messy pile at the rear entrance to the main cave.

Through my wolf’s eyes I observed the horrific scene. Dead bodies littered the floor and screaming filled the air. I inhaled and snarled, immediately veering to my right. Only feet away my Lina was on the ground, a vamp straddling her naked body. Rage like nothing I’d ever felt blasted through my whole body. Pulling on every last bit of strength, I launched myself at her attacker.

The vamp didn’t see me coming. But as I ripped and tore him apart I knew it wouldn’t have saved him if he had. Done with him, my wolf backed off enough that I could shift. I pulled Lina into my arms, rocking her. She was so pale, and barely breathing. “Come on, baby, wake up. Please, wake up.”

“O-wen?” said a small voice.

“Oh, Mother, Devon?” Keeping Lina in my arms, I looked him over. He was covered in blood, but none of it seemed to be his. “Come here, son. Come on, as close as you can.” He nodded and scuttled closer. I looked for a safer place for my family. There wasn’t anywhere. The rest of the cave was a mass of fighting bodies.

At the cave mouth I saw an army of large males run in, and the male leading them I’d recognise anywhere. Connor. I pulled Lina into my arms and moved us to the edge of the cave where I propped her against the wall and instructed Devon to move beside her. All I wanted was to hold her, but I needed my hands free to fight, to protect them both.

“Stay with your Momma. No matter what happens, okay?” With my fingers wrapped around his shoulders, I held his gaze which was as deep red as Zander’s ever was. His mouth thinned into a mutinous line, his fists curling. “I fight. I strong and brave like you.”

“Yes, you are. And together we are going to protect your Momma, okay?”

Stone’s purple magic flew through the air, and Connor’s roar shook the rock over our heads. Across the cave, Zander lifted vamps by will alone, crushing their bones before dropping the corpses. No matter their numbers, the vamps were losing against the power of my King and brothers. A screech, almost like a bird’s but more animalistic, echoed through the cave. It didn’t take me long to realise it was a retreat signal. The vampires turned and ran, but when they reached their escape route, the screaming began anew. They fell as a streak of darkness moved between them, cutting off their escape. The Count had found his enemy and when Connor and my brothers joined him nearby, it was clear none of our enemy would leave this cave alive.

Minutes later Balthazar came into view, his hand was deep inside the chest cavity of the leader. I snarled and got to my feet. This murderer was mine.

Connor turned his head, as did my brothers, all of them aware of my presence. Before they could stop me, I launched myself forward, ready to rip the leader’s throat out.

“Owen! Stop.”

There was no compulsion underlying Connor’s order, and even through my anger I knew he was testing me. When he first sent me here, I was nearly feral. I wasn’t any longer. So now I had to prove myself; I had to make a choice, use reason to understand why they needed him alive, or kill the murderous fucker in a rage. I held myself nose to nose with the leader.

Despite Balthazar’s hold on his heart, he sneered. “Still the loyal lap dog.”

I grinned. “I am.” And I smashed my forehead into his mouth, breaking his fangs. I didn’t care about the large gashes I now sported on my face. It was worth it. His brutalizing days were done. I stepped back, aware of Balthazar’s heavy stare.

“Really?” he drawled, eyeing the blood splatter on his bright white cuff which peeped below his suit jacket.

“A little blood won’t kill you.”

A smile ghosted over his lips. “No, but I’ve managed to kill all of these mongrels without any mess. Now you’ve contaminated my favourite shirt.”

Smiling, I shook my head and turned to face my King. Connor’s gaze was steady and assessing, but as grateful as I was that he’d come, it wasn’t him I needed to see right now. The scent of Lina’s blood stung my nostrils, driving my wolf crazy with the need to heal her. Gritting my teeth, I stayed rooted to the spot, dipping my head in acknowledgement. “Prime,” I greeted. My breathing was erratic, sweat trickling down my spine with the effort it took to show my King the respect he deserved when all I wanted was to get to her.

Connor narrowed his eyes and inhaled. He turned and looked right at my mate. “She needs you. Go. I’ll take over here.”

My heart lurched, a surge of gratitude making my throat ache. “Shane’s through the caves. I don’t know if he’s alive or not. The fuckers bled him dry.”

Connor nodded, his face grim. “I’ll deal with it. Get your mate, and the boy, out of this blood bath.” He met my gaze. “Save her. Bring her and her wolf together.”

I swallowed hard. I knew what he meant, and by the look on each and every one of my brother’s faces so did they. My Kerores had lost so much blood her heartbeat was weak and rapid. Despite my wolf connecting to Lina’s, her wolf hadn’t fully reconnected to her. Lina was dying, not healing as she should, and everyone knew it, not just me.

Rawson came closer, Stone at his side. He raked his fingers through his hair, then thrust out his hand. “Glad you’re okay, man.”

I nodded. I shook his hand though I was aware we still had issues to sort out. “Thanks.” I turned to walk away.

“She shifted,” he said quietly. “She shifted to save her son.” His deep brown eyes met mine. “I just thought you should know.”

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