ix'

accept this

clearing. The wolves and witches turne

. My pulse quickened, and an unfamiliar restlessness stirred deep inside me. Fated mates? I didn't believe in such nonsense. Yet t

as tense, ready to strike. There wasn't a trace of fear in her. She was pr

She was ready to fight. She looked at me like she wanted t

ng this sacrifice," I said, my voice steady. "Not until I decide

to strike. This wasn't like any other sacrifice. This witch was

ted to

could. Whether with magic or hidd

attention. "Is something wrong?" she asked, her vo

tup, but I couldn't call it out. Not now. That woul

uldn't let them see how this w

her hair. "So... are you planning to k

y flashing in her eyes.

pond. I could see it-the c

rf

ectric. I leaned in closer, flashing a ruthless gr

know what

oice dripping with mockery. "Th

tore her skirt, revealing a flash of her leg and a glint of steel. Before the barrel of the gun could point toward m

ed forward, rounding up those trying to escape. But I hardly noticed. My focus

smash into my nose. Pain exploded, but I held firm. Before I could regain control,

ing admiration. She wasn't just defiant-she was a warrior. The torn fabric of her dress, her exposed leg, the ruthless gleam in her eye-it a

tal beneath my grip. She gasped as I wrenched the weapon from h

cealed blade from under her dress. I caught her wrist, but not before she

e packed

lated. But I held fast, keeping the blade inches from both of us. She broke free su

iation. But I forced it down. Shifting now would be reck

er, I stood tall, meeting her gaz

voiding her strike, but she followed up with a swift kick to my foot. Pa

t a low growl, stepping back as she sm

ught," she taunted, shif

dying today," I said, voice ste

g a punch to my ribs. This time, I was ready, catching her mid-air and lifting her of

ed, dark amusement in my voice as I held her close,

teeth, spittin

er, I felt something deeper, something that tugged at my instincts. She was m

in, close enough for our noses to almost touch. For a brief heartbeat, it felt like she might close

crashing into my cheek. But she wasn't finished-she kicked m

r smirk as she stepped forward, raising the dagger

, but I restrained it, curiosity pullin

issed, her grip tighten

back down. "After that kick, I'm reconsi

shoved them high enough

ad been

ed, I sidestepped, watching her frustration mount. She snarled, her attacks unyielding, b

d, fury blazing. I redirected her momentum, se

d ruthless. I knew what he would do-he'd finish her without hesita

toward me. She screamed in fury, her body twisting, but I was faster. My hand wrap

at my arms, gasping for air. I loosened

nded, fury and fear m

rt," I whispered, my bre

bite, and she'd be paralyzed, helpless. But I hesitated, staring down at her

e scene. He eyed the woman in my arms, suspicion written all o

me," I commande

d to the unconscio

her unconscious state. A pull, a deep, instinctual need, seized me.

ine now,