I staggered to my feet, blood pouring from a gash across my ribs, my vision swimming. But I didn’t care. He tried to take her. He almost took her. And now… now, he was going to die. Loki’s pale face twisted in irritation as he watched the space where Matteo had disappeared with Raven. His lips parted, a growl curling up from deep in his throat — and then he took a step forward. “No,” I barked, stepping between him and the trail again. “You’re not touching her.” His eyes flashed crimson. “You can’t stop what’s been set in motion. She’s mine. She was always mine.” “You keep saying that,” I snarled. “But guess what?” “You’re not fighting just me anymore.” I let go. I gave in. And Dario took over. *** Dario All I saw was red. The scent of her still lingered, staining the air like poison. Raven. Our mate. Hurt. And this moving corpse was trying to claim her as his. UNACCEPTABLE. I let out a guttural snarl that shook the trees, then launched myself at the leech. Loki bare
“RAVEN!” I roared, hurling myself forward.She was fast — goddess, she was fast — but I was faster.Before she could make contact, I slammed into her side, shoving her out of the way with all the force I had. Her body hit the ground with a hard thud, rolling once before she regained her stance.“What the hell, Xander?!” she barked through the mind link, fury blazing in her voice.I stood between her and Loki, my body a wall of muscle and rage, claws digging into the dirt, chest heaving.“I said stay back!” I growled. “This isn’t your fight.”Her black wolf stalked up behind me, eyes glowing in the dim light, mouth curled in protest. “The hell it isn’t! Your fight is my fight, Xander! We’re in this together. Always.”Something twisted in my chest—something raw and warm and aching. She meant every word.But before I could reply, a low, velvety voice slithered through the silence like smoke.“I didn’t come here for you, wolf,” Loki said, voice dripping with eerie calm. “I came for her.”
“Surrender!,” I growled, the taste of blood thick in my mouth. “You’re done.”Domenico's chest heaved, claws twitching, legs trembling. Blood soaked the earth beneath him, most of it his. His eyes darted between me and Raven, wide with fury and desperation.“Never,” he spat, voice sharp through the mind link. “I’d rather die.”I straightened, looming over him. “Then you leave me no choice.”My fangs bared. Muscles tensed. I crouched low, ready to strike the final blow and end this traitor once and for all.But I didn’t see it.Not until it was too late.With a desperate snarl, Domenico swiped his paw across the dirt and flung a spray of sand and grit directly into my eyes.“Shit—!” I roared, stumbling back as the burning particles seared into my vision.Everything went black for a second.I blinked hard, growling, shaking my head, trying to clear the stinging blur.Coward.“Xander!” Raven’s voice snapped through the link. Her wolf was at my side in seconds, her gaze burning with worry
The second Domenico hit the ground, I stalked toward him, every inch of me trembling with barely contained fury.How dare he.How fucking dare he lay a hand—no, a claw—on her.He growled low in his throat as he stood, fur matted with blood and dirt. I saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes as they landed on me, and even then, even then, the bastard had the audacity to narrow his eyes, lips curling just enough to resemble a smirk — if wolves could smirk, this one certainly did.“You’ve been hiding like a coward,” I spat through the mind link, voice like steel. “All this time, in the shadows, scheming like the pathetic traitor you are.”Domenico growled, the sound making my blood boil hotter. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for this moment, Xander. You think tonight will be my end?” He circled me slowly, his hulking form low and ready. “I’d like to see you try.”The trees around us pulsed with the energy of battle—snarls, yelps, claws raking flesh—but my focus was honed on him. The world co
They kept coming.It didn’t matter how many I tore down, how many fell to my claws and fangs—they surged like a plague of shadows through the trees, snarling and snapping, refusing to back down.But neither would I.Not now. Not after what I’d heard. Not after what I’d seen.I wasn’t just fighting for survival anymore. I was fighting for the truth. For Xander. For everything that bastard traitor tried to take from us.I tore into the next rogue with no hesitation, my massive black paw swiping through its midsection and sending it careening into a rock. Blood splattered across the grass, but I didn’t even pause. I twisted, dodged another, and slammed my shoulder into its ribs so hard I heard the crunch of bones before it hit the dirt.Another leapt onto my back, claws digging into my fur. I bucked, growled, spun so fast the forest blurred, then smashed my back against a tree. The wolf yelped and dropped off like a rag doll. I stomped it once—hard—and didn’t look back.My breath came in
I didn't know what they meant when they said the people closest to you will someday be the ones to betray you.Until now. Seeing the one man Xander trusted more than anyone standing in a room plotting his downfall has me questioning everything about life.This was unexpected, this was the ultimate betrayal.I stumbled back, hand clasping over my mouth to keep from making a sound. My whole body trembled, heart pounding so loudly in my chest I was sure they'd hear it through the thick walls.Of all people. Of all the traitors in the world—why him?I backed away from the door slowly, each step dragging me deeper into a whirlwind of betrayal and disbelief. My fingers clutched the cold stone wall for support, as my legs suddenly felt too weak to hold me.The voices inside continued, oblivious to the chaos erupting within me.“I’ve waited long enough,” the man continued, his voice steady—familiar in a way that now made me sick. “If Xander is too blind to see the weakness in his rule, then