Page 123 of Chasing Savannah
“But I collect powerful things, little girl. If you think taking me to see the council will avert your fate, you’re even stupider than I thought.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know what I know, and I know a latent alpha female will breed only weaklings.”
“That’s enough, take her out of here.” Carlos ordered.
“No, let her go.” Savannah whispered. She was going to kill her. She couldn’t allow Antoinette to hang over their heads the rest of her life.
Antoinette gave an evil smirk, “so sure of herself. You think you can take me.” She laughed.
“I’ll accept nothing less than your death.” Savannah promised.
Carlos nodded, and Derrick rushed to her. “You don’t need to do this, Savannah.”
Carlos grabbed Derrick’s arm and pulled him to the side. “I think she does.”
Savannah reached over to Charlotte and pulled her cousin’s hunting knife out. “Let her go.”
Antoinette scoffed. “Your funeral.”
Her aunt immediately shifted, her fur and claws flowing quicksilver over her body. Age had not slowed her, Antoinette’s panther was strong and agile as she moved.
She leapt and Savannah braced for her impact. She did what Brielle had taught her, holding her knife out right where Antoinette’s throat would be. Her angle was off and she was slammed into the ground by Antoinette’s heavy panther. Her shoulder hit the ground and she lost hold of the knife. Anger left no room for panic or fear. She put her feet to her aunt’s chest just as Antoinette snapped her jaws an inch from her face. Heart thumping, Savannah used her legs to keep the animal off her. She screamed when her aunt’s claws found its mark, slicing into her stomach. At the same time her fingers clutched the knife. She brought it up and buried it in Antoinette’s neck.
Antoinette struggled, her claws gouging across Savannah’s stomach again before she could roll from beneath her. She left the knife imbedded in her throat.
Antoinette shifted, her eyes wide in surprise.
Savannah leaned over her, clutching her stomach. “Oh, you thought I would fight fair?” She pulled the knife from Antoinette’s throat and tossed it to the ground. “You’ll never hurt my family again.”
She walked back to her mates, wincing with every step. “I’m ready to go.”
Carlos growled, and nuzzled under her chin. Derrick did the same and the enforcers with them took turns nuzzling against their Fela.
Derrick watched with pride, his panther deeply satisfied with its mate. He blew out three short whistles and his enforcers started cleaning up the area. The old pride members led the charge, showing the city panthers how they handled business in the south. If there was anything he’d learned about pulling together this blended prowl, was how to use the best qualities from each of them. They left the remaining panthers in Alexander’s prowl, tied together. Their alpha was dead, along with any enforcers who’d stood in their way in the quest to get to Antoinette. He trusted his enforcers to take care of it all.
They marched back to the vans, quickly, no need for stealth this time. First, he pulled his mate aside.
“How bad is it?” He whispered.
“I’ll definitely need to see a healer.” She grimaced.
He darted an eye to enforcers around them. Carlos noticed and sent them ahead. Derrick kneeled at her side and pulled up her ripped shirt. He hissed, but swallowed his worry. His panther surged forward, power filling him, her power rising to meet it. He sighed in relief knowing that power would help him heal his mate. He licked across the skin, his saliva helping along her healing. Savannah’s eyes closed, and she threw her head back. She moaned as Derrick continued, heat flowing down their mating bond.
“Enough, babe,” she whispered.
Derrick stood and pulled her into his chest. “It’s not healed all the way, but it will hold.”
Carlos nodded. “Then let’s go.”
Everyone was loaded into the vans waiting for them. He looked at Theo who clutched his son and mate tight. He knew they would have to answer before the council for what they had done, but he couldn’t find it in him to care at the moment. He guided his mate to the van where their cub was resting in his cousin’s arms. Savannah pulled Jamie to her, tears streaming down her face. Her pain flooded their connection. He took their cub and cuddled him close, using his power to reassure him. Jamie rubbed his head under his chin, his thin arms clutching his neck tight.
He chuffed against the boy’s neck, “You’re okay.”
Jamie gave him one final rubbed and turned and held his hands out to Carlos. The Felix cuddled the boy tight, murmuring to him. Alpha power filled the van and their mate shuddered next to him. He leaned over and kissed her temple.
Carlos passed Jamie back to his mother. He and Felix shared a look. He knew they would possibly get some sort of sanction for what they’d done. He would’ve done anything to make sure their cubs returned safely. Nothing the council could do or say would make him regret what they’d done this night.
