Blood and Bonds

Roman POV

The wolfsbane burns through my veins, a fire that dulls my wolf’s roar to a whimper. I’m on the ground, gravel biting into my palms, the pack house’s lanterns casting jagged shadows. Leera’s scream cuts through the haze, her silver hair a beacon as she runs toward me. India’s laughter grates, sharp and cruel, while Khas’s grey eyes glint with something unreadable curiosity, maybe, or recognition. My vision swims, but my mate bond pulses, tethering me to Leera. I have to stay conscious. For her.

“Roman!” Leera’s voice is raw, her hands grabbing my shoulders. Her scent spun sugar, honeysuckles floods my senses, grounding me. “What did she do to you?”

“Wolfsbane,” I rasp, forcing myself to my knees. My side throbs where India’s blade grazed me, the wound shallow but laced with poison. “Stay back, Leera.”

“No way,” she snaps, her icy eyes blazing. She’s trembling, but her grip is fierce. “You’re hurt.”

“Touching,” India sneers, twirling the blade. Her green eyes lock on Leera, predatory. “But he’s not yours, freshman. Back off.”

“Enough, India!” Benny’s voice booms as he steps forward, Andrei and Slate flanking him. Their wolves are close to the surface, eyes glowing in the moonlight. The pack house looms behind them, its wooden walls a fortress against the night.

India scoffs, her boots crunching on the gravel. “You think your little pack scares me, Benny? Roman’s mine. The throne’s mine.”

“He’s not a prize,” Leera says, her voice steady despite the fear I feel through our bond. “And I’m not backing off.”

Khas tilts his head, studying Leera. “Bold for a pup who doesn’t know her own claws.” His voice is smooth, but there’s an edge to it. “You smell like her, you know. Imogen.”

My wolf snarls at her name, the pain of her loss colliding with the present. “Don’t, Khas,” I growl, staggering to my feet. Leera’s hand steadies me, her touch electric. “What do you know about her?”

“More than you think,” Khas says, his grey eyes flicking to Leera. “She’s not just your mate, Roman. She’s tied to us. To me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Leera demands, stepping closer to me. Her warmth battles the wolfsbane’s chill, and my wolf clings to it.

“Enough games,” India cuts in, her blade glinting. “Khas, you promised me the girl. Hand her over.”

“Promised?” I snarl, my vision clearing as rage surges. “You’re working together?”

Khas shrugs, his slicked-back hair catching the lantern light. “India wants her throne. I want answers. Leera’s the key.”

“Key to what?” Leera’s voice shakes, but she squares her shoulders. “I’m nobody. Just a college kid.”

“You’re not,” I say, my hand finding hers. The mate bond hums, strong despite the poison. “You’re a wolf. My wolf knows it.”

India laughs, cold and sharp. “A wolf? Her? She’s weak, Roman. A mistake.”

“Shut up,” Leera snaps, her eyes flashing. I feel it then a faint growl rumbling in her chest, her wolf stirring. My heart lurches. She’s waking up.

“Benny, get Leera inside,” I order, my voice low but firm. “Now.”

Benny moves, but Leera digs in her heels. “I’m not leaving you!”

“You have to,” I say, meeting her gaze. Her fear, her fire it’s all there, pulling me in. “I’ll handle this.”

“Handle it?” India steps closer, her blade raised. “You can barely stand, Roman.”

Andrei growls, his massive frame tensing. “Try it, India. I dare you.”

Slate, quieter but just as deadly, pulls a knife from his belt. “We outnumber you. Walk away.”

India hesitates, her eyes darting between us. Khas remains still, watching Leera like she’s a puzzle. The air crackles with tension, the forest around us silent except for the rustle of leaves.

“Roman,” Zoey’s voice breaks through, sharp and urgent. She’s by the pack house door, phone in hand. “Benny said to call Jeanine. She’s on her way.”

“Jeanine?” Leera glances at me, confused. “Who’s that?”

“Healer,” I say, wincing as the wolfsbane burns deeper. “She’ll help. Both of us.”

Khas steps forward, his expression unreadable. “You’re wasting time, Roman. Let me take her. I won’t hurt her.”

“Like hell,” I growl, my wolf clawing to the surface. My vision sharpens, my claws itching to extend. “She stays with me.”

“Roman, please,” Leera whispers, her hand tightening on mine. “I don’t understand any of this, but… I trust you.”

Her words hit like a spark, igniting the bond. My wolf steadies, and I force myself upright, ignoring the pain. “Khas, back off. India, this ends now.”

India’s lips curl. “Ends? Oh, Roman, it’s just beginning.” She lunges, faster than I expect, her blade aiming for Leera.

I shove Leera behind me, taking the hit. The blade slices my arm, wolfsbane searing my skin. I roar, my wolf breaking free, fur rippling as I half-shift. India stumbles back, her eyes wide.

“Roman!” Leera screams, grabbing my jacket. Her touch anchors me, keeping me from fully shifting.

“Get her inside!” I shout to Benny. He grabs Leera, dragging her toward the pack house despite her protests. Zoey follows, yelling something I can’t hear over the blood pounding in my ears.

Khas moves, his own wolf surfacing, eyes glowing. “You’re making a mistake, Roman. She’s not just yours.”

“Enough!” I roar, lunging at him. My claws rake his shoulder, drawing blood. He snarls, dodging, but doesn’t strike back. Why?

India’s voice cuts through. “Khas, now!”

Before I can react, a sharp prick stabs my neck. My legs buckle, the world spinning. Wolfsbane again, stronger this time. I hit the ground, Leera’s scream fading as darkness creeps in. India’s face looms above me, her green eyes triumphant. “Sleep, Roman. She’s mine now.”

But it’s not her voice that chills me. It’s Khas’s, low and close. “I’m sorry, brother. This is bigger than you.”

My wolf howls, trapped in my fading consciousness. Leera’s scent lingers, her fear pulsing through the bond. She’s close, but I can’t reach her. As my vision blacks out, a new sound pierces the night a guttural snarl, raw and wild. Leera’s wolf. It’s awake. And it’s angry.