Page 25 of A Warrior's Fate

Kai made his decision in a few heartbeats, lunging for the beast in front of her and unleashing hell upon the creature who dare threaten his mate.

Isla didn’t stay to hear its pathetic wails as it was torn to bits. The second she was free, she took off in the direction the Trainee had been taken.

She ran as hard as she could, joints groaning, paws aching as she treaded the earth at a speed she’d never known herself capable of, even uninjured. Blood was running along the soil, a mix of the Trainee’s and the beast who’d apprehended him.

He still had his sword in his hand. There was a chance.

But then she heard a piercing howl. Loud and pained. Then that tug, that pull. That sense of duty.

Kai.

Her mate needed her.

Isla slowed to a stop as she looked between her two paths. If it were any other person, any other alpha, she wouldn’t have paused. She would’ve had faith that Kai could hold his own. That it was just an unfortunate strike from which he would recover. But he—

Isla let out a cry as daggers sank into her side.

And then everything was cold.

CHAPTER 8

Cold and dark—everything was cold and dark and numb. Isla felt disconnected, detached like she was floating. On air. On nothing.

Between it all, the world went by in flashes.

“This looks bad.”

“Is she even still alive?”

“I hope so.”

“Tell the alpha we found her.”

Cold.

“What do we do with her?”

“Get her back…pick her up. Move quick but be careful of her arm.”

Kai?

Dark.

“How much further to the Gate?”

“Almost there—how is she?”

“It’s getting harder to sense her heartbeat.”

“Move faster.”

Numb.

“Oh, bless the Goddess, more are back! Wait—”

“Someone call the Imperial Beta!”

“Is she alive?”

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