Chapter 88: For Blood and Family
The battle raged on around me.
Snarls and screams filled the air, the coppery scent of blood coating my tongue with every breath. Wolves lunged and fell, the earth beneath my feet soaked with dirt and crimson.
I ducked beneath a sickened rogue’s sloppy swipe, driving my dagger deep into its exposed ribs. The body crumpled, and I barely had time to rip the blade free before another opponent closed in.
Through it all, Liam and Luther remained by my side, carving a brutal path through the chaos.
But it wasn’t enough.
There were too many of them.
A loud *snarl* cut through the air behind me. I whipped around just in time to see Rowan—my brother—blocking an enormous wolf’s fangs with his forearm.
“No!” I screamed.
Rowan twisted his body, forcing the enemy back, but not before teeth sank deep into his arm, tearing a bloody gash that made my stomach twist.
In the same instant, another wolf—larger, more controlled—emerged from the smoke and carnage. His fur was nearly black, patches missing where sores festered beneath the skin, but even diseased, his presence radiated authority.
The enemy Alpha.
His yellowed eyes locked onto Rowan.
I knew immediately: *he recognized what Rowan meant to me*.
The Alpha lowered his body, bunching his muscles in preparation to strike.
Rowan staggered, his wounded arm hanging uselessly at his side. He wouldn't be able to defend himself against that thing.
And Liam and Luther were too far away.
Time slowed.
My wolf screamed in my head, shoving strength into my limbs.
‘Mine! Protect! Now!’
I sprinted.
Faster than I’d ever moved before.
I launched myself through the air just as the Alpha lunged for Rowan, my body colliding with his massive form midair.
We crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs and teeth.
He snarled in outrage, twisting to bite at my throat, but I slammed my dagger into his side. He howled, the sound splintering through the battlefield like shattered glass.
I rolled away, springing to my feet just in time to meet his next attack.
The enemy Alpha barreled toward me, and I sidestepped at the last second, slicing deep across his flank. His blood sprayed the ground, black and foul-smelling.
He turned on me with a snarl, drool leaking from his cracked lips.
This wasn’t just a fight for survival.
This was a fight for my brother.
For my mates.
For my *home*.
And I refused to lose.
The Alpha lunged again, faster this time despite his injuries. I ducked low, raking my dagger across his exposed belly. He roared in pain, backhanding me with a massive paw. The blow sent me flying.
Pain exploded through my ribs as I slammed into a tree, the bark tearing at my skin. For a heartbeat, the world spun in dizzying circles. I forced myself up, vision blurring.
I could see Rowan trying to drag himself toward me, blood dripping from his useless arm, horror written all over his face.
*Stay down,* I willed him silently. *Stay safe.*
The Alpha circled me, a twisted grin pulling at his lips. “You’ll die for them, little Luna?” he rasped, voice like gravel and broken glass.
I wiped the blood from my mouth, steadying my breathing. “If that's what it takes,” I growled back.
A low chuckle rattled from his chest. “Brave. Foolish.”
He lunged.
I dodged left—barely—feeling the rush of air as his claws sliced where my throat had been a second before. I stabbed at him again, but he caught my wrist mid-swing, squeezing until bones popped.
A cry of pain ripped from my throat.
He grinned wider, dragging me closer. I could smell his rot, the death clinging to him like a second skin. “No one’s coming,” he whispered, yellow eyes gleaming. “They’ll find your broken body and know fear.”
I twisted my body, using my free hand to punch the hilt of my dagger into his temple. He howled, loosening his grip enough for me to wrench free. I stumbled back, chest heaving, sweat and blood blurring my vision.
I had seconds.
Seconds before he regrouped and tore me apart.
I thought of Luther.
Of Liam.
Of Rowan bleeding on the ground behind me.
*I won’t die today.* With a snarl of my own, I shifted. Bones cracked and stretched, my wolf form bursting free in a shower of fur and muscle.
The Alpha’s eyes widened—just for a second.
And then I was on him.
I sank my teeth into his already injured side, jerking viciously until he yelped.
He tried to shake me off, slamming his massive body against the trees, but I held on, ripping deeper, tasting his corrupted blood flood my mouth.
He whirled and slammed me down, finally throwing me off. I hit the ground hard, gasping for air, my wolf sides heaving.
The Alpha stumbled, bleeding heavily now, his movements sluggish. I forced myself up again, circling him.
Every inch of my body screamed in protest.
But I wasn’t done.
Not yet.
He lunged weakly. I met him head-on, dodging his snapping jaws and driving my fangs into his throat. This time, he didn’t shake me off.
He gurgled, legs scrabbling weakly at the dirt.
And then he collapsed.
Dead.
I staggered back, panting. The battlefield had gone eerily quiet. All around us, our wolves watched in stunned silence.
Liam and Luther pushed through the crowd, their faces pale with fear and awe.
I shifted back into human form, collapsing onto my knees beside Rowan. His good arm wrapped around me, pulling me into a bloody hug. “You stupid, reckless, brilliant sister,” he rasped, voice thick with emotion.
I laughed through my tears, pressing my forehead against his. “We protect each other. Always.”
\---
The dead Alpha's body was dragged away. The invaders, leaderless and broken, quickly scattered back into the forest.
Victory belonged to Hidden Valley.
But the cost…
I looked around at the wounded, the fallen. The ones we couldn’t save. And I knew it wasn’t over.
Not until there was a true cure.
Not until no more wolves had to die.
I rose to my feet, wincing at the pain that lanced through my ribs. Liam was there instantly, steadying me. Luther flanked my other side, his hand brushing the small of my back.
“We need to end this disease,” I said hoarsely, looking between them.
“We will,” Liam promised, his voice fierce.
Luther nodded, his eyes flashing gold. “Together.”
Rowan pulled himself up too, favoring his wounded arm but standing proud. And together, surrounded by my family—my pack—we turned toward the rising sun.
Ready to finish what we started. Once and for all.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
