Page 128 of Valpar

With a thunderous roar, I gripped the towering tree, feeling the rough bark scrape against my calloused palms. The musky dirt scented forest filled my nostrils as I swung the massive trunk around and its weight propelled me forward. The air whistled past my ears, and more snapping vines and cracking branches continued. The impact reverberated through my bones as the defiant vegetation crumbled under the force of tree in my hands.

The witch stumbled backward, her power waning as she struggled to regain control over the chaotic nature around her. But was too late. I was unstoppable, fueled by the fury of protecting what was mine.

The witch had one hand in the air and the other in front of her. I grabbed the knife at my ankle ready to throw it straight at her forehead.

My miresa screamed and I darted my head round to see roots shoot out from the ground and pull her to her knees. The witch cackled as I turned and raced toward my female.

Creed crouched low on all fours, his sleek scales glistening under the light sources. With a swift movement, his muscular tail arced through the air, creating a whooshing sound as it cut through vines above her and toward the witch. The witch, surprised, lost her concentration dodging his attack.

My female struggled as I pulled her out of the roots that tried to pull her into the dirt. Seeing the red lines on her body brought new fire to my belly. “Don’t move and stay with Creed.”

Her eyes were glassy, her nose sniffled as I gave her ass I swat and pressed my lips to hers. “Now watch your male kill your enemy.” She yipped in surprise and a smile pulled at her lips.

Creed settled his body above her, his tail wrapping around to keep my female protected. With a quick nod of thanks, I turned to see the witch recovering.

Creed could easily stomp over this witch, eat her whole but he knew the importance of showing strength to a mate. With a newfound determination, I channeled all of my power and yanked the tree out of the ground, roots tearing apart as it broke free. The witch’s eyes widened in fear as she realized her control slipping away again. With a mighty roar, I swung the tree around like a weapon, knocking down the surrounding vines and branches that dared to challenge me.

The witch, desperate and enraged, gathers all her remaining power and unleashed a final, devastating bolt of magic. It streaked through the air, and for the briefest moment, the atmosphere trembled as the force of her wrath was unleashed. She was not strong, not like I had faced in years past, but it was many moons since I had faced any sort of magic like this.

My hand gripped the branch in my hand, ready to pierce it through the witch’s heart. She stumbled, falling back on the very roots that tried to take me down, and stared at me wide-eyed.

“Wait, please hear me out!” She held up her hand in surrender, but I did not fall for the trick. The innocent look, the wide eyes; she was a witch and just like many before her, I would not hesitate for the kill.

I lifted the branch, taking the pointed end and drove it forward. Before I could drive it into her chest, her other hand came up, and the wood exploded. Thousands of splinters flew up into the air in the explosion. My vision obscured and I felt vines wrap around my legs and rip me from my feet.

“Valpar!” My female screamed.

I roared in protest. “Stay back!”

I heard the pattering of feet and instead of feeling panic for myself, because I knew I could take this witch, I worried about my female.

“Female—!”

A loud animalistic scream that did not sound of my miresa echoed in the air. Something jumped on my stomach and a white blur flew into the air. As my vision cleared, I saw Simon lowering his head and landing right on top of the witch, hitting her in the head.

The vines hovering over me and the roots that had grabbed me by the ankles all let go and fell into the dirt. The witch was knocked out cold, a large bump forming on her head. Simon let out a long yell and then tipped over, completely paralyzed and frozen.

“Simon!” Calliope screamed.

Creed had his tail wrapped around my female and I waved at him to let her go; I was ready to have her in my arms.

She ran toward me. I caught her as she was about to run past me. I growled and held her tightly to my body as I took hertoward Simon and set her down in front of him. He was panting as his eye stared back at us.

“You saved me, Simon!”

I grunted and rolled my eyes. “Excuse me?”

Calliope turned to me and fluttered her lashes. “Yes, you did, too.” She rubbed my leg. “Simon helped too, though.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I had her within my grasp. Can I not play with the enemy to show off my strength?”

Calliope turned her head. “Uh, huh, sure.” She petted Simon as he woke.

This. Female.

I grabbed her shoulders to turn her to me while Simon stood up.

“Calliope, why did you leave the cave? What in the stars were you thinking? You could have been killed? You would have left me, and I have barely had you!” My voice became ragged and harsh as I spoke to her. I still couldn’t believe she left me, and that she didn’t trust I would have saved Simon. Did she not know I would do everything for her?

---