Chapter 71. Bella POV

Walking back with Helena whilst Lucien and Beta Jackson hauled, well for want of a better word, the carcass of Alpha Alexander back to the castle I struggled to keep it together.

I'd seen him get stabbed and the blood start to ooze, an uncomfortable enough reminder of my past as it was. By the time I'd nearly broken my legs half a dozen times on the way down the ravine the image was too grizzly to take in.

Three men naked, covered in blood, two on the floor. My eyes shot to Lucien as he was absolutely drenched red in it, but standing upright. It took me a second to realise he was drenched in the blood of Alpha Francis who lay on the ground missing his throat. The relief at seeing him unharmed sent relief washing over me in waves. It had given me enough courage to haul Helena from the ground.

The journey back to the castle was largely a blur as a disturbing numbness took hold. Thankfully Helena wasn't up to talking either, we both just clung on like boats in a