Page 96 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate
"I can feel you fighting me, traitor," Xavier said in a distorted voice that was abnormally loud as it filled the woodland. "Did you truly believe that your little witch would keep you safe forever? Her magic is nothing compared to the powers of the underworld."
Luna bit her lip until she tasted blood, straining to channel more magic through their bond. But something was blocking her—a dark barrier forming between her and Dominic. Her connection to him was weakening.
With her eyes closed, she pictured the mate link as a golden thread that united their spirits. It was still there, but it was fading, like a stifled light.
The darkness had found a foothold in his doubts—all the guilt and shame he still carried over rejecting her years ago. Xavier was using it against him, amplifying his self-loathing until it became a wall between them.
Dammit, Dominic. Let go of the past.
Above her, through the wall of tree roots, Luna could hear the noises of battle growing louder—men yelling, wolves growling, and the occasional jolt of magical energy tearing through the woods.
Despite their valiant efforts, the pack was outmatched. Too many hunters, all bolstered by demonic influence, had been summoned by Xavier.
She heard the sound in her spirit, a startling, gut-wrenching howl of sorrow that broke through the clamor.
Dominic.
Luna scurried from her hiding spot without thinking, clawing her way through the root system while dirt flew from her clothing. Reaching him was the only thing that mattered, even though she wasn't meant to reveal herself or leave safety.
He said I am his greatest asset; well, he needs his asset.
She emerged into a battlefield of chaos. The clearing where the pack had made their stand was littered with bodies—both pack members and corrupted hunters. Those still standing were locked in desperate combat, the Silverlight Valley wolves holding their own but slowly being pushed back.
Then she noticed Dominic, kneeling with a black blade sticking out of his shoulder. With his hand clutching Dominic's throat and lifting him off the ground, Xavier stood above him, his demonic visage contorted in a hideous grin.
The demon growled, his voice like gravel against metal, "Did you really think you could escape me, Blackwood? Without me, you're nothing!"
Luna saw the darkness pouring from Xavier's hand into Dominic's body, black veins spreading across his neck and face. His eyes, usually steel gray or silver in his wolf form, were clouding over with inky blackness.
He was losing himself. He was dying.
"No!" Luna let go of all stealth and yelled. Her hands were already glowing with golden-white magical energy as she dashed forward, slicing through the combatants.
With his crimson eyes narrowing with vicious delight and then widening in astonishment, Xavier's head swung toward her.
He continued to grip Dominic by the throat as he purred, "Ah, the little witch emerges from hiding. How predictable. Love makes you all so very stupid."
Two corrupted hunters broke away from their fights and lunged for Luna, but she was ready. Months of training with Dominic and the pack had transformed her from a librarian in hiding to a warrior witch.
Think again.
She shot her hands out, sending a wave of energy that flung the men aside like they were weightless.
"Let him go," she said. Her voice stayed calm even though fear twisted inside her.
Xavier chuckled, the sound sharp and cruel. "And if I don’t, witch? What then? Are you going to kill me? You don’t have the strength for that."
"Maybe not by myself," Luna answered, stepping closer. She saw Dominic's face darkening, his breath slipping away as his movement slowed. "But I’m not on my own."
Xavier’s gaze flicked between her and the pack standing behind her.
They had her back now. She was no longer the outcast.
Xavier seemed to measure his odds. Then, he lifted his shoulders as though none of it mattered to him.
"Kill them all," he shouted, and chaos broke loose once more, as even more corrupted hunters charged ahead.
Luna spotted the opening and bolted toward Dominic and Xavier, holding her hands up to prepare another spell. Xavier, however, saw her coming; he shoved Dominic aside as if he weighed nothing and turned to confront her, shadows twisting and gathering in his hands.
