Page 74 of Noah

Noah.

My breath caught even in the chaos. He moved like a wildfire, a blur of teeth and claws as he slammed into Karl, knocking him back.

He was hurt—I could smell his blood, see the exhaustion in his movements—but he was fighting. My mate was fighting.

Something surged through me, a primal instinct to protect, to fight at his side.

I turned back to Adrian, dodging his next attack and striking fast. My fangs found purchase in his side, and I held on, even as he thrashed.

Noah and I fought as one, seamless and relentless. Karl faltered under Noah’s onslaught, his attacks growing sluggish.

With a final, vicious snap, Noah sent Karl crashing to the ground, his body limp, chest heaving. Noah didn’t waste any time.

He took Karl out of the game completely, sinking his fangs into Karl’s throat.

I forced Adrian back, snapping at his legs, herding him toward the cabin’s broken porch. He stumbled, panting, blood staining his dark fur.

For the first time, I saw something flicker in Adrian’s eyes—uncertainty. He knew he was losing.

With a final snarl, he turned and fled, disappearing into the trees.

No way I was letting him go.

I lunged after him, paws digging into the dirt as I propelled myself forward. Adrian was fast, but I was faster.

My wolf had been holding back, waiting for this moment. The moment I could end this once and for all.

Adrian’s form weaved through the trees ahead, his breaths ragged, his movements growing desperate. He knew he wouldn’t escape me.

I pushed harder, muscles burning as I closed the distance. My paws thundered against the forest floor, the scent of his blood sharp in my nostrils.

Adrian was wounded, weakened from the fight. He knew he was running out of time.

He veered sharply to the left, trying to throw me off, but I anticipated the move. I cut through the underbrush, my body low to the ground, eyes locked on his hind legs.

He was flagging. I could feel it.

With a final burst of speed, I leapt.

I slammed into him, our bodies crashing into the ground with the force of a landslide. Adrian yelped as we tumbled, snapping and clawing at each other.

We hit a fallen log, and I used the momentum to pin him, my teeth bared inches from his throat.

He thrashed, trying to shake me off, but I was done playing games.

I clamped my jaws around his shoulder, sinking my teeth deep. He let out a strangled howl, his legs kicking out wildly, but I refused to let go.

He tried to roll, to break free, but I used my weight to keep him down. His breathing turned erratic, his movements sluggish.

Panic filled his eyes as realization set in.

You should have stayed down, Adrian, I thought.You should have left Noah alone.

He let out a desperate snarl, snapping at my face, but he had nothing left. His body trembled under me, exhaustion dragging him under.

I shifted my grip, my fangs brushing against his throat. A final warning. A chance to beg.

But he only glared at me, chest heaving, eyes filled with hatred and pride.

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