Page 29 of A Luna's Dynasty
“I don’t understand,” Lita whispered.
“What don’t you understand?”
“If she was your fiancée, then why are you acting like she’s no one to you now?” Lita held his gaze until a loud howl ripped through the air. After the sound, a loud shout came from the far end of the territory.
“ROGUES!”
Chapter 16
Lita saw anger and fear flash in his eyes as he stared at her. “I’ll get you back to the house first,” he said hurriedly.
“Asher, I can fight.”
“It’s too dangerous, Lita. You’re not marked yet. They could mistake you for a rogue.”
“Yeah, but—”
“You’re too important to me. I need you safe.” Asher ran a hand through his black hair, frustration etched across his face. He needed to defend his territory, but he needed to get Lita to safety first.
As Asher began to escort Lita down the path, she planted her heels in the ground. “I’ll go back on my own, Asher. Go! Your pack needs you! I’ll be fine.” She listened as he growled, closing his eyes.
“Caden, don’t let anything happen to her.”
"I've got her, Ash," Caden interrupted, his tone reassuring. "You know I'll protect her with my life."
Asher nodded sharply, then turned back to Lita. His eyes softened as he gazed at her, a mix of worry and affection in their silver depths. Without warning, he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Lita's breath caught in her throat, warmth spreading from the point of contact. Before she could react, Asher stepped back, his body already beginning to shift.
In a blur of motion, Asher's human form melted away, replaced by the massive form of his silver wolf, Bo. Lita watched in awe as he shook out his fur, muscles rippling beneath the shimmering coat.
Bo's eyes, still Asher's piercing silver, locked onto Lita one last time. A low whine escaped him before he reluctantly turned and ran. With a powerful leap, he bounded into the forest.
Hubba hubba!Mira wolf whistled in Lita’s mind.My mate is fiiiiine.Lita couldn’t help but agree as they watched their mate sprint away. She wished she could fight by his side, but he was right. In the chaos, without being connected to the pack, she could be attacked. Still, she felt anxious about Asher fighting.
“I hope he’ll be okay,” she whispered absentmindedly.
“Asher is a beast, and his wolf Bo is a whole other monster. Bo is the most powerful wolf around. They’ll be fine, but we need to get you to safety. Otherwise, Bo will take it out on me.” Caden stepped closer to Lita as they both grew tense.
The scent hit them first. The strange smell of moss and decay. A moment later, they heard a twig snap behind them. The two whirled around to see several large wolves stalking them.
“They smell weird. What’s wrong with them?” Lita gasped. She’d never smelled anything like it. She had smelled rogues before, but this was different.
“There’s demon in their blood. That’s where the scent of decay is coming from.” Caden stepped in front of her, his body tense and ready for action. The demon wolves prowled forward, their movements slow and stalking. The stench of decay grew stronger, making Lita's eyes water.
One of the demon wolves lunged forward suddenly, snapping its jaws. Caden reacted instantly, pushing Lita behind him.
"Run!" he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Get back to the pack house. I'll hold them off."
"But—"
"No buts!" Caden's brown eyes flashed with determination. "Go, now!"
In a fluid motion, Caden's body began to shift. Fur sprouted across his skin as his form elongated and changed. Within seconds, a powerful brown wolf stood where the man had been.
The demon wolves attacked en masse, a writhing tangle of decaying fur and snapping teeth. Caden met them head-on, his powerful jaws clamping down on the nearest attacker.
We can't leave him. Mira's voice resonated in her mind, urgent and resolute.
